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  • PDP Convention: Sorting begins as voting ends

    PDP Convention: Sorting begins as voting ends

    Voting has ended at the ongoing elective national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. 

    The voting, which started around 7:10pm  ended at about 9:30pm after delegates from about 30 States voted.

    As of the time.of this report, the sorting of the votes was ongoing.

    The Nation reports that most of the position are unopposed while the post of the National Youth Leader was stepped down.

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    Any moment from now, the winners are set to be announced.

    As reported earlier, a former Minister l, Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki is set to emerge as the National Chairman of the party.

    Also, a former Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja will emerge as the party’s national Secretary.

  • PDP convention must not hold, court has spoken – Litigants warn

    PDP convention must not hold, court has spoken – Litigants warn

    Litigants seeking to stop the planned PDP national convention have maintained that the event should not proceed, citing the recommendations of the Board of Trustees’ Reconciliation Committee.

    The Secretary of the South-South zone of the party, alongside the Imo State Chairman and his counterpart, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to raise concerns over what they described as undemocratic practices within the party.

    According to the South-South Zonal Secretary, George Turna, many stakeholders believe that the processes leading to the convention violate the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, the PDP’s electoral guidelines, and the 1999 Constitution.

    He noted that the conduct of state congresses remains a major issue, arguing that by the party’s procedures, congresses in most states — or at least a substantial number — should have been concluded to produce the bulk of delegates for the national convention.

    “We looked forward to guidelines; none were issued. We expected a timetable; we couldn’t find any. We sought information on procedures, including the purchase of forms; nothing was made available.

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    “Out of these frustrations, we approached the court to seek answers. It is now public knowledge that we obtained judgment in our favour, delivered by Honourable Justice James of the Federal High Court on 31st October 2025.

    “It is important to clarify, because false narratives have spread, that we acted as proxies to stop the PDP convention, or that we are undermining the party’s progress.

    “In the buildup to this and following the judgment, the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) set up a fact-finding committee. The committee reviewed the crisis and produced a report. As party members, we had access to the report.

    “I wish to draw your attention to a key point from the committee’s meeting with members of the NWC loyal to the suspended National Chairman, His Excellency Ambassador Iliya Damagum. According to the committee report, Damagum himself stated that the National Organizing Secretary was running a one-man show and had a hidden agenda that negatively affected state congresses.

    “This confirms our earlier position that congresses were not properly conducted in at least 14 states. One wonders how a national convention could proceed while disenfranchising delegates from 14 states, including the South-East.

    “The committee’s recommendations were clear. Instead of implementing these recommendations, the other group has jettisoned a report produced by a high-level BOT committee and insists on proceeding with a convention.

    “But this report vindicates us — both the court and the BOT have affirmed that the issues we raised were legitimate, therefore, Nigerians must know the truth — who is on the side of the law, and who is on the side of impunity.

    “In the final analysis, on behalf of millions of party members whose voices we represent, we call on the party leadership to respect the judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the recommendations of the BOT report, the rule of law, the party must return to constitutional order, reconcile, and then organise a credible convention that meets legal standards.”

    Speaking at the convention, he said, “Justice Omotosho’s earlier judgment is already before the Court of Appeal. Once a matter is before the appellate court, all parties must maintain the status quo. You cannot proceed with a convention. Furthermore, Justice Lifu’s judgment today on unlawful exclusion strengthens this. If they proceed, they will be acting in open violation of the law.

    “No PDP convention can hold tomorrow or any other day, because the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary — the only officers empowered to issue notices — have already officially stated that there will be no convention anywhere in Nigeria. That is the lawful position.

    “The matter is already before the Court of Appeal. We fully accept the BOT committee’s recommendations. If the other group rejects this golden opportunity for peace, we will proceed with the appeal. If they continue in defiance, the matter may go all the way to the Supreme Court. Eventually, the rule of law will prevail.”

    Also speaking, Chairman of PDP in Imo state, Austin Nwachukwu, drew attention to the judgment of Justice Lifu, which also stopped the convention from going ahead.

    He said, “This particular suit was filed by former Governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency Sule Lamido, who was denied the opportunity to obtain forms to contest at the planned convention. He was understandably upset, as a foundation member and elder statesman of the party.

    “The court held that it was wrong and unjust to deny Sule Lamido the right to participate in a convention of this magnitude and ordered that he must be allowed to purchase forms and participate in any future convention. The court also cautioned the PDP to stop acts of impunity.

    “This again vindicates our position. While some individuals rushed to Ibadan to obtain an ex parte order from a High Court, we followed due process and the rule of law — and the court has again justified our actions.

    “We call on the new BOT Chairman, Honourable Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, and our Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahaman, to implement the BOT report.

    “The report did not come from us; it came from the BOT, the conscience of our party.

    We urge the leadership to quickly implement the recommendations, which will address our concerns and restore order. Many members are frustrated because the party is in disarray.

    We deserve commendation for having the courage to challenge illegality.

    “We are guided strictly by the rule of law. The Federal High Court has ordered that we put our house in order. If we truly love the PDP, we must obey that order. We are ready to sit with anyone who respects the law. Political situations involve give-and-take. When we reach that bridge, we will cross it.”

  • PDP convention: Court adjourns further hearing till Friday, extends interim order

    PDP convention: Court adjourns further hearing till Friday, extends interim order

    Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5, Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, has again extended till Friday, November 14, the interim order granting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the right to proceed with its scheduled national convention, slated for November 15-16 in Ibadan.

    The extension also doubles as the scheduled date for the resumed hearing following an adjournment granted by the court on Wednesday, when the matter came up.

    The Nation reports that the interim order granted by the court forbids any interference with the planned National Convention of the main opposition party in the country.

    The judge, in his ruling on Wednesday, ordered that the interim order on the ex parte motion filed by the claimant/applicant would continue to subsist pending the determination of the pending suit

    He stated that, having listened to the Counsel of both parties, the case has been adjourned till Friday this week for hearing.

    Also, ruling on the application for joinders filed by the other party on the same issue, the presiding Judge said such application could not be accepted on the ground that it is not signed by the deponent.

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    But the lead counsel to the defendant, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, argued that the case of authorship lacked value since the author or deponent is well known. He explained that it was not a total absence of signature

    The Judge, however, said the application can be refilled.

    Meanwhile, in a sideline interview, the lead counsel, Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), said, “We are about to take the application for joinder, and the Court discovered that the affidavit was not signed.

    However, they have indicated interest in filing another one. That is what happened today in the Court.

    On the interim Injunction, he said the order will continue to subsist as ordered by the Court.

    The Nation reports that the Court, in its ruling on ex parte motion filed by the claimant/applicant, had ordered the PDP to proceed with its National Convention as scheduled to hold in Ibadan on Saturday.

    The claimant/ Applicant has sought the order of the court restraining the defendants, Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, the Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (for himself and members of the National Convention Organising Committee), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or their agents, from truncating or frustrating the conduct of the party’s scheduled national convention.

    The Court also directed the PDP leadership to adhere strictly to the guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities earlier released for the convention.

  • PDP Convention: 5 persons hospitalised

    Five persons have been rushed to Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium clinic due to rush for entry into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention venue, the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
    The health cases arose from the rush at the entry /exit point of the convention arena.
    The security personnel had a Herculean task preventing hoodlums from taking advantage of the over crowdedness at venue, to enter into the arena.
    The hoodlums unwittingly made things difficult for the genuine delegates to gain entry into the venue and this led to rush every now and then.

    Reacting, Dr Malcolm Brisibe, SA to Gov. Siriake Dickson on Public Health and State Emergency who is at the venue with his medical team, said that out of the cases, some were treated at the clinic and discharged.

    Brisibe said that the serious ones with complications were referred to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for further medical attention.
    Brisibe, who declined mentioning how many patients were referred to UPTH,said that his primary function was to take care of Bayelsa delegates.

    ”I came here (convention) to take care of the Bayelsa delegates but when the health challenges escalates, I opted to assist in the medical sub-committee’s work at the convention.

    ”Definitely in a gathering like this, there is bound to be casualties because of the presence of people with different health challenges
     ”But our primary function is to take care of the any health issue of delegates from Bayelsa,” he said.
    NAN reports that many ambulances were positioned at strategic points at the venue of the convention in case of emergency.(NAN)

  • 2019: Delegates list crisis likely at PDP convention

    Lists of Lagos, Borno, Kano delegates ‘defective’

    Party in last minute move to reduce aspirants

    THE CONVENTION IN FIGURES

    • Senators 48
    • Reps 156
    • Governorship candidates 29
    • State chairmen, secretaries 74
    • Governors and deputies 25
    • National Delegates from local govts 774
    • Houses of Assembly members 330

     

    A delegates list crisis is likely at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention, The Nation learnt last night.

    The party yesterday handed over the list of delegates to its 13 presidential aspirants for scrutiny.

    All the aspirants have engaged coordinators to screen the list for loopholes. It has been discovered that the list is incomplete as it does not have the names of many delegates from Lagos, Borno and Kano.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have received the list of delegates from the party. We have engaged experts, coordinators and experienced hands in party convention to screen the list.

    “The immediate challenge is the discovery that the list is incomplete because it does not contain the exact number of delegates from Lagos, Borno and Kano.”

    “The issues on the list of delegates from these three states can make or mar the national convention,” the source added, pleading not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter.

    He went on: “Already, we have been assured that Lagos State will conduct its primaries on or before Friday. We pray that there will be no issues in Lagos.

    “In Borno State, there is leadership contest. The leadership recognised by court has been denied and rejected by PDP headquarters. In fact, the list of delegates compiled by the court-recognised leadership has been substituted.

    “There is no way a party that wants to govern this country will defy the court and opt for imposed delegates from a state. The court can in turn invalidate the outcome of the convention.

    “In Kano State, we also have legal issues which will impact on the list of delegates from the state.”

    On how the game is playing out, a presidential aspirant admitted that the South-South and the South-East have more delegates.

    The source said: “The truth is that most of the PDP-controlled states have more delegates. Our areas of emphasis has been states controlled  by governors.

    “Although some states are not controlled by PDP, they have huge votes; states, like Kano, Kaduna, Imo and a few others.”

    The South-South and South-East states will determine the winner going by the delegates’ list released last night.

    The convention to pick the presidential candidate will hold from tomorrow in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    In the race are 13 candidates – a big crowd in the view of the party leadership, which yesterday launched a last ditch effort to reduce the figure.

    The aspirants are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Minister Tanimu Kabiru Turaki; Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, former Senate President David Mark; Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso; Senator David Jang,  former  Governor Sule Lamido;  former Interim National ChairmanAhmed Makarfi;  ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa;  and  educationist Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed.

    Ten states in the South-East, South-South and some parts of the North have more delegates.

    The states with huge voting strength in the South-South and South-East are Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Cross River, Enugu,  Abia, Imo, Anambra and Bayelsa.

    South-South and South-East control more than one-third of 3, 619 delegates.

    The states with sizeable votes in the North are Kano, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Katsina, Benue and Sokoto

    Only Ekiti State has what can be considered as a “tie-breaking votes” among the states in the South-West.

    Others whose votes are weighty are statutory delegates, including  members of the National Assembly and PDP members in all the 36 state Houses of Assembly especially in the 13 states the party is controlling.

    The party leadership yesterday handed over the list of delegates to the aspirants.

    There were issues with Kano State delegates following a restraining order on PDP by a Kano State High Court.

    The order may render the votes of some Kano delegates invalid, putting Kwankwaso in a tight corner.

    A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “ All the aspirants are paying attention to delegates from the South-South and South-East because they host more states being controlled by PDP than the other four geo-political zones.

    “So, they have more statutory delegates than other zones. If they are united and they go for block votes, they can determine the choice of the presidential candidate of PDP.

    “The horse-trading in Port Harcourt by PDP governors and leaders of the party will also count in determining their presidential candidate.”

    The PDP Constitution says: “There shall be a National Convention of the party which shall consist of (a) the National Chairman of the party, who shall be the Chairman of the Convention and other members of the National Executive Committee

    (b) the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who are members of the party

    (c ) members of the National Assembly, who are members of the party

    (d) State governors and Deputy Governors, who are members of the party;

    (e) all gubernatorial candidates of the party, who shall be automatic delegates to the Convention

    (f) members of the State Houses of Assembly, who are members of the party;

    (g) members of the Board of Trustees

    (h) members of the Zonal Working Committee and state party chairmen and secretaries, including  those of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

    (i) State Women and Youth leaders, including  those of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

    (j) one national delegate from each Local Government Area to be elected at the Local Government Area Congress for the purpose

    (k) all elected local government council chairmen, who are members of the party

    (l) former members of the National Working Committee who are still members of the party and

    9n) former Deputy Presidents of the Senate and former Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives who are still in the party

    One of the aspirants spoke on the list of delegates, saying it gives room for suspicion, “but we are all studying it and by the time we get to Port Harcourt, we will make our feelings known”.

    “What is left now borders on doing our permutations and reaching out to delegates for votes. All our field officers and strategists are already in Port Harcourt,” he added, pleading not to be named.

    As part of the countdown to the convention, a former President of the Senate, Chief David Mark yesterday urged delegates to give him a chance.

    In a statement, the former Senate President said he will remain the  “last Man Standing”.

    The statement said: “I welcome you all to the National convention of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State from the 6th – 7th October 2018.

    “As you all are aware, the time has come to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing us as a nation. The 2019 presidential election presents us with a unique opportunity to effect this turn around.

    “The PDP as the largest political party having gone through its moments of self-examination is now more than ever before well positioned to deliver to Nigerians on their yearnings and aspirations.

    “I have been with the party through thick and thin, especially in our most trying moments after our defeat in 2015. Believing that we will overcome, I stood firm and committed myself to rebuilding and rebranding the party which to the glory of God is once more a very beautiful bride admired by all.

    “I present myself as a worthy servant and vehicle for achieving the rescue mission of our dear country.”

    To Mark, his “antecedent over the years both in the military and political engagements unarguably places him “in a solid position to lead this effort”. “I also have enough experience in the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government to drive this mission for the wellbeing of our beloved nation,” he said.

    He sees himself as “the most prepared” of all the aspirants. “I will remain the last man standing for the party.  I have kept faith with the party, I have been tried and tested and I remain steadfast,” Mark said.

    “A vote for me is a vote for the continuous corporate existence of Nigeria and the preservation of our brotherly heritage,” he concluded.

    The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (KTT) Campaign Organisation said it was confident that  delegates to  the convention will not be swayed by money.

    It said: “PDP delegates are undoubtedly and arguably the most discerning and democratic delegates in the contemporary Nigerian political parties.

    “They are known for their intelligent decision-making, high degree of responsibility, integrity, patriotism and loyalty to the party. The delegates are conscious of the fact that aspirants may want to crave for their support through financial inducements or otherwise.

    “However, that has never motivated them to deviate from insisting on more elevating values when they vote. They always vote for aspirants who have unquestionable track record, character, competence and, above all, loyalty to the party while also having the capacity to move the country forward.

    “This is why KTT stands the chance of having the people’s mandate. His flawless track record and outstanding party loyalty.”

    The fate of one of the aspirants, Kwankwaso was an issue last night over the list of delegates from Kano State.

    There was a restraining order on PDP which might not be vacated till November when the hearing of the substantive matter begins.

    A source said: “The Convention may have to contend with legal issues over Kano Delegates. When Kwankwaso and others defected back to PDP, the NWC dissolved the State Executive Committee (SEC) to accommodate them in a 60-40% formula in their favour. That was why Shekarau defected to APC.

    “Some members went to court and a Kano State High Court presided over by Justice N S. Umar restrained the national and state leadership of PDP from tampering with the Kano state chapter of the party.

    “The judge said: ‘This honourable court restrains any other person or persons from disturbing and or intimidating the administration of the state, local government areas or ward officers from doing anything or taking any steps that are likely to interfere with or disturb the officers tenure which are protected under Section 47 (1) and Section 223(1) (a) of the 1999 constitution.’

    “Kwankwaso has taken over the affairs of PDP and Kano does not have SEC and LG delegates for the convention. The state has only BoT and national delegates.

    “The PDP has ignored the court order. The implication is that Kano votes may be declared null and void by the court or the aggrieved members may seek a restraining order to stop the convention.”

  • Wike’s threat and PDP convention

    FINALLY, the October 6-7 national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be holding in Port Harcourt. There, some 3, 619 delegates will be electing their presidential standard-bearer and hoping that the conduct of the convention and the party’s candidate would help create a great and positive momentum to steer the party into retaking the presidency. A few days ago, however, the omens were not so good. Governor Nyesom Wike, fearing that party leaders were having a second thought about the convention venue — perhaps for fear that the governor and others might bring unwholesome influence to bear on the process — threatened  everyone who stood in the way of the convention holding in Port Harcourt.

    The misunderstanding has been finally resolved. The convention will hold in that great South-South city, and presidential aspirants appeared to have made their peace with the venue. But everyone must be embarrassed by Mr Wike’s outburst. The public must wonder what the governor stands to gain by cajoling the party into holding the convention in Port Harcourt. He and outgoing Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti had once formed a pact of steel to enthrone and dethrone party chairmen, oblivious of the fact that their errant behaviour was weakening the party. It took a number of lawsuits to help untie the knot that was immobilising the party, and restore it to some sanity. It is surprising that the impetuous Mr Wike has not learnt his lesson.

    The Rivers State governor may have the funds to host and influence the election of a presidential candidate, and may have even entered into a secret pact with one of the aspirants, but there is nothing to show that he has the wisdom and temperament to coax the party into the right choice. His ally in conspiracy, Mr Fayose, has come a cropper, his exuberance and arrogance probably neutralised forever. If Mr Wike will not learn any lesson from the Ekiti governor’s fate, particularly about the transience of power, he will be doomed to repeat the tragedy confronting his now considerably weakened ally. The Rivers governor may have won elections and retained his popularity, but he has neither been a true democrat nor cared to embrace great ideas required to undergird his legacy. Even if he has committed himself to an aspirant, it would not have been a bad idea to proceed with caution and patience.

  • Adedoja asks court to nullify Secondus’ election

    Adedoja asks court to nullify Secondus’ election

    ONE of the candidates that contested for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the nullification of the election of Prince Uche Secondus.

    In the suit filed on his behalf by Rickey Tarfa & Co., Adedoja prayed the court to declare ?the election of Secondus as national chairman of PDP null and void

    The complainant also prayed the court to declare as null and void any documents submitted by the leadership of the PDP to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognising Secondus as the party’s national chairman.

    Adedoja also asked the court for the cancellation of the national chairmanship election held on Saturday December 09, 2017 at Eagle Square, Abuja, where Seconsus emerged as chairman.

    He prayed the court to order the conduct of another elective national convention for the election of national chairman within 30 days ?of nullification of the December 9 convention.

    Through his lawyers, Adedoja similarly asked the court to restrain the INEC from recognising Uche Secondus as national chairman of the PDP.

    Adedoja said his name was unlawfully excluded from the ballot paper as one of the candidates vying for the position of chairman.

    He averred that excluding his name from the ballot paper was a flagrant violation of the Electoral Act, the constitution of the PDP, the guidelines for the conduct of PDP national convention and the Constitution.

    According to him, the organisers of the convention had substituted his name with “Prof Taoheed Oladoja” on the ballot paper, whereas all his nomination documents submitted to the leadership of the PDP bore the name of Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

    Adedoja also averred that he drew the attention of the chairman of the convention planning committee, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, to the error.

    But, according to him, his complaint was ignored by Okowa and other organisers of the convention, a situation which, he said, caused his loss at the election because those that wanted to vote for him could not find his name on the ballot paper.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, Adedoja said: “I have suffered psychological trauma as a result of the public ridicule the election result has caused me, my family members, friends and associates.

    “My lawyers are demanding for appropriate compensation for damages, ridicule, embarrassment and disrepute brought to my name as a result of my willful exclusion from participating in the election resulting in zero score credited to my name, which is now in public domain.”

    Listed as defendants in the suit are Okowa, Secondus, INEC and the PDP. No date has been fixed for the hearing.

     

  • How Fayose’s deputy, senator clashed at PDP convention

    How Fayose’s deputy, senator clashed at PDP convention

    •Olujimi: I didn’t assault Olusola

    The crisis rocking the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the adoption of deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as the “sole candidate” for the 2018 governorship poll, reared its head at last Saturday’s national convention of the party in Abuja.

    The Nation learnt yesterday that Olusola and Deputy Senate Minority Whip Biodun Olujimi allegedly clashed over the former’s (Olusola’s) attempt to prevent some delegates perceived to be disloyal to Governor Ayodele Fayose to vote at the convention.

    Mrs. Olujimi, who is also a former deputy governor, is interested in the PDP governorship ticket for the 2018 poll in defiance of Fayose, who had settled for Olusola.

    A Facebook post by a member of Fayose’s social media team, Adebomojo Akeem, accused Mrs. Olujimi of pushing and assaulting Olusola during the convention at Eagle Square in Abuja.

    But Mrs Olujimi, who is the senator representing Ekiti South, denied the allegation.

    The senator said she resisted Olusola’s alleged attempt to prevent delegates not in Fayose’s camp to exercise their franchise at the convention.

    Adebomojo’s Facebook post reads: “Ekiti Kete, especially the people of South Senatorial District, what do you call Senator Biodun Olujimi, who openly assaulted our Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, at the venue of the PDP National Convention in Abuja on Saturday?

    “Senator Olujimi openly pushed and assaulted the Deputy Governor, Prof. Olusola, while they were on the queue to vote at the convention.

    “However, despite the open assault and provocation by Senator Olujimi, the Omoluabi Deputy Governor, Prof. Olusola, did not utter a word and he prevented his security aides from reacting too.

    “Is it by assaulting the deputy governor of her own state that Biodun Olujimi will realise her failed governorship ambition? Let this be the last warning to her, or else she will be disgraced totally.”

    In a telephone chat yesterday with our reporter, Mrs. Olujimi described the alleged assault on the deputy governor as untrue and a calculated lie to feed the public with falsehood.

    The senator said Olusola attempted to prevent the senator representing Ekiti Central, Mrs. Fatimat Raji Rasaki, as well as the House of Representatives member for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II, Mr. Olamide Oni and the estranged House of Assembly member representing Ekiti East Constituency I, Mr. Ojo Ade Fajana, from voting at the convention.

    She said: “Ask them: why can’t they allow the deputy governor to speak for himself? Why are they speaking through their Facebook guys?

    “The truth of the matter is that I did not push or assault the deputy governor; I only told him to move away from the scene where he was preventing other eligible delegates to vote at the convention.

    “Olamide Oni was not given delegates; Ojo Ade was not given delegates and Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki was not allowed to vote. I told the deputy governor to move away from the place, I told him to move away.

    “He (Olusola) then said he must call his principal (Fayose) that we must not vote. He called him but the governor did not come to the scene.

    “You can see the height of impunity, even taken to the convention. I don’t want to join issues with him. It is not true that I pushed him, but I will not stand there and allow him disenfranchise people who were eligible to vote at the convention.”

    A fracas broke out among Ekiti delegates to the last non-elective convention of the PDP.

    Some party members allegedly hurled objects at Fayose when he allegedly attempted to force those who were not wearing T-shirts proclaiming his presidential ambition out of the venue.

    The incident led to the suspension of two House of Assembly members – Michael Adedeji and Fajana – as the state legislators alleged that the incident was masterminded by Mrs. Olujimi.

    Adedeji had his suspension lifted after “apologising to the House and renouncing his association” with Mrs. Olujimi but Fajana, who refused to apologise or renounce his association with the senator, has not been pardoned.

     

     

  • PDP convention: Dickson warns on provocative comments

    PDP convention: Dickson warns on provocative comments

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has warned winners at the just concluded elective convention of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) and their supporters to stop further provocative comments on aggrieved chairmanship and other aspirants that lost out at the convention.

    Dickson’s warning is directed at some high profile party chieftains who have been launching verbal attacks and derisive comments in response to protests by some aggrieved chairmanship aspirants, particularly contestants from the Southwest geopolitical zone.

    He spoke with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Some of the aggrieved chairmanship aspirants including Chief Bode George, Prof Tunde Adeniran, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and Prof Taoheed Adedoja who lost out, have been at the receiving end of verbal attacks from the camps of the winners.

    One of such instances was a statement credited to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who questioned the right of the aggrieved aspirants from the Southwest, saying the zone had contributed very little to the PDP.

    But Dickson, who chairs the party’s Reconciliation Committee, said such utterances could inflame passion and send the wrong signals to the aggrieved candidates.

    Read Also: PDP pacifies angry Southwest leaders

     

     

  • PDP convention: I ‘m aggrieved but hopeful, says Adedoja

    PDP convention: I ‘m aggrieved but hopeful, says Adedoja

    A defeated chairmanship candidate in the just concluded national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Taoheed Adedoja has expressed his grievances with the conduct of the exercise, but said he’s hopeful on the future of the party.

    Adedoja, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday said he was not happy about the outcome of the convention, regretting that the party has failed to learn from its past mistakes.

    The former Sports and Special Duties Minister who got no vote at the convention, pleaded with members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party to set up a committee to investigate what went wrong with the conduct of the exercise.

    According to him, it’s only an insane person that would say that the convention went through due process, saying “the exercise was characterised by impunity, which he said, must be reviewed in order to avert futher crisis in the party.

    “A week to our convention, a list tagged ‘unity list’ emerged with names of the winners in the convention circulating around. So the BoT should find out what went wrong”, he said.