Tag: PDP convention

  • APC jittery over success of PDP convention, says Ologbondiyan

    APC jittery over success of PDP convention, says Ologbondiyan

    The new leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been jittery over the success of its just concluded national convention.

    In a statement on Sunday by the new National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr, Kola Ologbondiyan, described criticism of the conduct of its Saturday’s elective convention by the APC as laughable.

    The APC, through its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, had derided convention, saying that the PDP had failed to learn its lessons.

    “It is indeed laughable that the APC which has roundly failed in not only managing the affairs of the country but also its own internal issues would recourse to panic mode just because the PDP has succeeded in uniting its fronts by conducting of a very credible elective national convention.

    “We were very much aware of the plots by the APC to scuttle the convention and failing, it has resorted to a failed attempt to discredit an elective convention that has been adjudged as creditable, novel and laudable by political stakeholders and lovers of democracy across the nation.

    “This unwarranted attack is only symptomatic of a party that has lost control and only clutching on straws for survival, having been outrightly rejected by Nigerians.

    “Is it not disgusting, reprehensible and embarrassing that the APC that has repeatedly failed to hold meetings, congresses and convention in the last three years, and has flagrantly continued to violate its own constitution, is questioning our party’s rights to perform her legitimate and constitutional obligation?

    “Perhaps APC leaders have never read Article 25 (A)(i) of their party’s Constitution which stipulates that “the National Convention of the party (APC) shall be held once in two years at a date, venue and time to be recommended by the National Working Committee (NWC) and approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) subject to the giving of the statutory notices to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and at least 14 days notice given to members eligible to attend”.

    The PDP wondered Which impunity could be higher than the APC’s violation of its own constitution, adding that it is strange that the ruling party could be moralising on the principles of social justice whereas its actions against Nigerians are a complete departure from the norms.

    Continuing, the PDP said, “It is important for this spokesman of a failed party and his pack of incompetent members to reminisce on the needless pains and suffering they have inflicted on Nigerians rather than being jittery over the successful outcome of the PDP’s elective national convention.

    “Nigerians have come to discover that APC is a fraud, an organization of deceitful characters who have failed to keep a single of its countless promises made to the citizens.

    “It is no longer news that the nation is drifting under APC and the PDP has come to the rescue. We must therefore remind the APC that the era of deceit, trickery and scaremongering, which has been the hallmarks of their government, is gone and Nigerians are just waiting to kick them out come 2019”.

  • Rivers governor runs the show at  PDP convention with ‘Unity List’

    Rivers governor runs the show at PDP convention with ‘Unity List’

    The PDP national convention appeared tailor made for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

    From the moment he stepped into the expansive Eagle Square venue of the convention, the governor left no one in doubt that he was there for real business.

    Many delegates clutched what they called the ‘Unity List’ alleged to have been compiled by a group of which he is the rallying point.

    On the list were 21 names, one for each of the positions up for grabs.

    Topping the list was the name of Prince Uche Secondus from Rivers State favoured by Wike for the position of chairman.

    Also listed were: Elder Yemi Akinwonmi (Ogun, South West)) as his deputy national chairman (South); Senator  Gamawa Babawo Garba (Bauchi, North East ) deputy national chairman (North);Senator  Umar Tsauri (Katsina, North West), National Secretary; and Agbo Emmanuel (Benue, North Central) Deputy National Secretary.

    The rest were: Aribisala Adewale (Ekiti, South West) National Treasurer; Alhaji Wada Masu (Kano, North West) deputy treasurer; Abdullahi Husseini Maibasara (Niger, North Central)  Financial Secretary; Irona Alphonsus Gerald (Imo, South East) deputy financial secretary; retired Col. Austin Akobundu (Abia, South East) National Organizing Secretary; Hasan Yakubu (Nasarawa, North central) , deputy national organizing secretary; Kola Ologbondiyan (Kogi, North Central), National Publicity Secretary; Diran Odeyemi (Osun, South West) deputy publicity secretary; Emmanuel Enoidem (Akwa Ibom, South South) National Legal Adviser; and Ahmed Bello Liman (Sokoto,North West) deputy national legal adviser.

    Favoured for the post of National Auditor Mai Adamu Mustapha (Yobe, North East); while Miss Divine Amina Arong (Cross River, South South) was listed as his deputy.

    Mariya Waziri (Kebbi, North West) National Women Leader; Hadizat Umoru (Edo, South South) deputy women leader; Udeh Okoye (Enugu, South East) National Youth Leader; and  Umar Babangida Maina (Adamawa, North East) as his deputy.

    However, while Secondus appeared to be the only candidate sponsored by Wike, all other anointed candidates were sponsored by their various state governors.

    Those from states where PDP is not in power made their cases through prominent stakeholders at the national or state level.

  • Sheriff’s man locked out of PDP convention venue

    The immediate past National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju, was prevented from accessing the Eagle Square venue of the party national convention on Saturday.

    The party had earlier blocked him from contesting for the position of National Treasurer by rejecting his nomination papers over tax related problems.

    Adeyanju, who remained outside the venue hours into the proceedings, said the screening committee set up by the party for the convention deliberately schemed him out of the exercise.

    Speaking with journalists outside the convention venue, Adeyanju accused Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, of being responsible for his travail.

    According to him, the party’s screening committee had rejected his tax clearance certificate even though the document remained valid till December 2017.

    The party also said he has no voter card, even when he tendered his valid voter card before the committee.

    Displaying the original copy of his valid tax certificate and voter card before journalists, Adeyanju lamented that all efforts to make the screening committee see reason proved abortive.

    It is believed that Adeyanju was excluded from the exercise due to his roles in the 14- month leadership crisis that rocked the PDP under Ali Modu Sheriff.

    Adeyanju and the then National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo were on the side of Sheriff and they featured prominently in the various court cases against the Ahmed Makarfi -led National Caretaker Committee of the party.

    But responding to questions on his involvement with Sheriff, a distraught Adeyanju said it was wrong for the party leadership to victimize him based on his past roles in the PDP crisis.

    “When there are divisions in the leadership, people follow different groups or individuals. But when the crisis was resolved, we should all be allowed to join the winning group without victimization,” Adeyanju said.

     

     

  • PDP delegates reject constitutional amendment on women

    PDP delegates reject constitutional amendment on women

    Delegates to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention in Abuja have rejected constitutional amendment which provided one deputy national chairman position for a female member.

    The delegates voted emphatically against the proposal.

    A total of 2124 delegates were accredited for the convention.

    However, some sections of the party’s constitution were amended via a motion by Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

    According to Dickson, the proposed amendments include the preamble of the PDP Constitution to reflect current realities.

    Some of the clauses amended were Section 8 and 50 to ease the process of rejoining the party by former members.

    They were also amended to reduce the minimum period of membership by returnees and new members before they can stand for election on the party’s platform.

    Section 29, 30, 31, 35 and 45 were amended to provide for two deputy national chairmen and make the six national vice chairmen of the party members of its National Working Committee.

    NAN

  • PDP committed to sustaining Nigeria – Akpabio

    PDP committed to sustaining Nigeria – Akpabio

    The Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said on Saturday the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is committed to sustaining a united Nigeria.

    Akpabio stated this at the party’s National Convention in Abuja.

    He said the party was committed to sustaining democracy in the country.

    “We believe strongly that any government in power that does well will promote Nigeria’s unity. We believe that if the government in power does well, it will bequeath a better Nigeria to future generation,” the former Akwa Ibom governor said.

    Akpabio, who is Chairman, PDP Senate Caucus in the National Assembly, said PDP would always work for the betterment of the common man.

    He assured Nigerians that the party would not let the people down.

    “We are prepared to work with any group that emerges as the national executive of the party. We want a free contest because better days lie ahead,’’ he added.

    Akpabio urged members who left the party to return, adding that the party also had room for new members.

    NAN

  • PDP has become reference point in Nigeria – Jonathan

    PDP has become reference point in Nigeria – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan said on Saturday the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has become a reference point as Nigeria moves toward another election.

    He stated this in  a goodwill message at the party’s National Convention in Abuja.

    Jonathan said the party had over the years, remained focused and resilient despite several challenges, adding that he believed the party would remain foremost in leadership.

    According to him, the PDP is a party with an indelible history and principles, and expressed optimism that the party will remain at the forefront of leadership by example.

    The ex- President said: “Ours is a party with an indelible history and proven record on its tradition and we have been consistent in standing firm.

    “PDP is the only party that from the beginning, we have not changed our name or our identity in any form. We do not change based on election cycle. PDP is the only stable party in Nigeria.’’

    He, however, urged all leaders to remain committed to the purpose and work for the interest of the party and the country.

    “Today is a unique day because we are going to elect leaders that will steer the activities of the party for the next general elections and we charge those that will win the election today to carry everybody along,’’ he added.

    Jonathan commended the outgoing National Caretaker Committee for its leadership and doggedness, adding that it had provided energetic and purposeful leadership at a very critical and trying period in the party’s political history.

    Also speaking at the event, the former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, charged the delegates to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner to ensure a free and fair election.

    Sambo said he was confident that the delegates would elect “the right people to serve as leaders in the party.’’

    NAN

     

  • Atiku calls for unity in PDP ahead of 2019 polls

    Atiku calls for unity in PDP ahead of 2019 polls

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said on Saturday it was critical for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to be united and secure the trust of Nigerians ahead of 2019 general election.

    He made the call Abuja while addressing delegates and members of the party at its national convention.

    Atiku returned to the PDP on November 24, few days after announcing his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing lack of good relationship with the party`s leadership, among other issues for the decision.

    He said: “It is great to be home and I believe in one Nigeria where all our people have equal opportunities and share a common goal.

    “This belief stirred me and other compatriots to form the PDP. I am proud to say that I have returned home to our party, a party that gave the country the first successful transition.”

    The former vice president maintained that he had never abandoned the party`s principle, but had stayed through with it even while in the APC.

    Atiku said he had always stood for constitutionalism and the enthronement of good governance in the country in the interest of all.

    According to him, the APC which I was a member until recently, has not delivered on its campaign promises and has failed the country.

    Atiku maintained that although the PDP had made some mistakes in the past, leading to the loss of the 2015 presidential election, it remained the best option for Nigerians.

    “We made mistakes because we are human beings. We did not favour states that voted for us during election. The PDP is the party that will restructure and develop Nigeria,’’ he assured.

    He said PDP members and leaders must work to earn the trust of Nigerians again ahead of 2019 election.

    NAN

  • PDP convention: I ‘m neutral, says Jonathan

    PDP convention: I ‘m neutral, says Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that he remained neutral and that he’s not backing any candidates among contestants for the various positions in Saturday’s national convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a goodwill message signed on his behalf by his media aide, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, Dr. Jonathan expressed the optimism that the convention would produce positive outcomes which would help the party regain its pride of place in the affairs of the nation.

    He said he’s prepared to work with all those that would emerge as new leaders of the PDP in the interest of the party and nation.

    The statement said, “As the father of the party, ex-President Jonathan has no preferred candidates for any of the positions, and is prepared to work with all those that will emerge as members of the new NWC, to ensure that the party regains its pride of place in the affairs of the nation”.

    Jonathan extended felicitations to the candidates, delegates, convention committee members, as well as all other party members, for their interest and participation at the convention.

    “The former President is pleased with the dedication and enthusiasm of all party members towards building a strong PDP and wishes all participants successful deliberations, as they seek to freely elect members of the National Working Committee that will lead the party for the next four years.

    “Dr. Jonathan is impressed with the level of preparations for the convention, especially with the number of the candidates and the spread and vibrancy of the campaigns, which has established a new paradigm for intra-party elections, in the country.

    “Contrary to speculations and permutations by some interest groups, Dr. Jonathan has never discussed or plotted with others against the ambition of any of the candidates, as is being falsely reported by those who are adept at spreading negative stories against the immediate past President.

    “The former President is therefore optimistic that the convention will produce a positive outcome that will help the PDP consolidate its position as the party with the best democratic ideals in the country”, the statement added.

  • S/East PDP endorses Secondus

    S/East PDP endorses Secondus

    The Southeast caucus of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Friday adopted Prince Uche Secondus as its candidate for chairmanship of the party in Saturday’s national convention.

    The party’s National Vice Chairman for the zone, Mr. Austin Umahi who announced the decision in Abuja on Friday said the caucus settled for Secondus after due consultation.

    “We are very conscious of the personality of who becomes the national chairman of our great party for the next four years. Based on the foregoing, we have unanimously in our today’s stakeholders meeting, here in Abuja decided that we will back an aspirant that has character and content.

    “In this circumstance, and without prejudice to the right of other aspirants to this national chairmanship position, credible and transparent election, we have decided to back and vote for Prince Uche Secondus for the position of national chairman of our great party.

    “We have also agreed to vote the following positions zoned to the Southeast, Col Austin Akobundu for national organising secretary; Hon Ude Okoye for youth Leader; Alphonsos Gerald (Deputy financial secretary)”.

    Among those that attended the meeting was attended by Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara; members of the National Assembly from the zone among other party leaders.

  • Convention: PDP clears Daniel, Agbaje, Secondus, six others

    Convention: PDP clears Daniel, Agbaje, Secondus, six others

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) screening committee on Friday cleared all the nine national chairmanship aspirants to participate in the party’s national convention holding on Saturday.

    The aspirants are – Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Prince Uche Secondus, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Mr. Aderemi Olusegun, Prof.Taoheed Adedoja and Chief Olabode George.

    The committee chairman, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, presented certificates to the aspirants at the party’s National secretariat in Abuja.

    According to Ize-Iyamu, the list of other aspirants cleared for other positions would be displayed at the party secretariat before the national convention.