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Tag: PDP governors

  • PDP Governors deny rumoured El-Rufai/Obi ticket for 2027

    PDP Governors deny rumoured El-Rufai/Obi ticket for 2027

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has denied five of them are supporting a potential Nasir El-Rufai/Peter Obi presidential ticket in 2027.

    A statement by chairman of the Forum Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) said there was nothing like that. 

    Director General of PDP Governors’ Forum, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, in the statement, condemned the circulating rumours as “unpleasant and provoking publications” pushed by elements determined to undermine the Forum’s credibility.

    The Governors said such baseless claims are part of a broader strategy by “negative forces” to question the leadership capacities of the Forum amid ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria.

    “The PDP Governors’ Forum is not in consonance with these actors, neither does it enjoy any ambience of political space to discuss nor seal the auction of the PDP through lowlife grifters who are allegedly working behind the scenes to support a “potential Nasir El-Rufai/Peter Obi presidential ticket in the 2027 election”.

    “As a formidable party, all organs of the party have continually been engaged in attaining reconciliation across the board and  reconsolidation of  progressive development made in our Subnational to ameliorate the lives of our people.

    Read Also: Ex-Lagos PDP governorship candidate Adediran dumps party

    “It is obvious that these mischief makers and detractors, who are bewildered at the way and manner PDP Governors are daily performing to pull the people out of economic hardship despite the intimidation by the ruling APC, are only intimidated and can only throw mud at our good works.

    “ In the world of politics, rumors and speculations are common, as such, we will not allow these ‘Enemies of Progress’ and ‘Agents of Confusion’ to gaslight the Nigerian people to draw wrong and erroneous conclusions,” they  stated.

    They dismissed the unfounded allegation as part of desperate ploys by some factions within the party.

    Emphasising the PDP Governors’ Forum’s unwavering commitment to the party’s core values, they reassured the public that the PDP Governors’ Forum remains united.

  • PDP governors lift suspension of NWC members, say crisis over

    PDP governors lift suspension of NWC members, say crisis over

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have lifted all suspensions previously imposed on officials of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    The governors announced the resolution of the crisis in the party in a communiqué they issued at the end of their two-day virtual meeting.

    In the five-point communiqué by the PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the governors said outstanding issues were resolved after the meeting held on Monday.

    They said the forum had further consultations with the party’s leadership yesterday.

    “Based on the decision of the forum and in meeting and consultations with the Board of Trustees (BoT), the NWC and other organs of the party, we hereby resolve as follows:

    “That the organs of the party were careful in addressing issues, particularly those over which there were pending legal disputations.

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    “That the NWC should revert to the status quo and remain united in the interest of the party and the nation.

    “That all suspensions issued on officials across the parties within the NWC have been lifted forthwith.

    “That there are no factions in the party and minor issues should not be blown out of proportion.

    “We also urge that occupants of positions of responsibility should be mindful of their vow to serve and grow the party from strength to strength, consolidating on the dreams of our founding fathers,” the communiqué said.

    PDP governors who participated in the virtual meeting included Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Sir Siminalyi Fubara (Rivers), Senator Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Mr. Godwin Obaseki (Edo), and Oluseyi Makinde (Oyo).

    Others are: Senator Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dr. Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Dr. Peter Mbah (Enugu).

  • We will reclaim all leadership positions – PDP Governors vow

    We will reclaim all leadership positions – PDP Governors vow

    The People Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, have vowed to reclaim all leadership positions occupied by other political parties.

    The Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, made the vow at the opening of the forum meeting on Wednesday at the Government House, Enugu.

    According to him, it is a very unique and ambitious meeting in the history of the party as they are in Enugu to make history and showcase their perseverance to the party.

    “Today we are here to unify ourselves, discuss issues that affect the party and various matters within ourselves.

    “Our agenda will go through governance across party administration, discuss inter party affair, congress and other things we need to do in providing credible alternative to Nigerians.

    He revealed that the meeting involved PDP governors and other party stakeholders including the national working committee and various organs of the party.

    The governor added that their assessment had shown at the national level that the country were driving toward anarchy, stressing that, “We will not allow that because we share history, we share aspiration for Nigerians.

    Read Also: PDP governors in Enugu for crucial meeting

    “It is high time the party reclaimed its leadership position in all the states that are currently being occupied by other parties,” he said.

    Mohammed commended Gov. Peter Mbah for hosting the meeting and for taking care of them since they arrived on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governors present were Sheyin Makinde of Oyo, Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Agbu Kefas of Taraba and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara States.

    Other are Ahmed Fintiri of Adamawa, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa including Peter Mbah of Enugu State who is the host governor.

    (NAN)

  • President won’t resign, Fed Govt tells PDP governors

    President won’t resign, Fed Govt tells PDP governors

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, yesterday said President Bola Tinubu will not resign under any guise.

    He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors should perish the thought of resignation by the President.

    The minister described the governors’ call as a distraction by those who should support the President.

    He said President Tinubu is not overwhelmed by the challenges confronting the country.

    The minister, who made the government’s position known in a statement in Abuja, said President Tinubu will “courageously continue to wrestle with the nation’s challenges and surmount them.”

    The statement was signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the  Minister, Rabiu Ibrahim.

    The statement reads: “The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, notes the statement by the PDP Governors Forum, directing a call for resignation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

    Read Also; Indigenes inviting herdsmen from Niger Republic to Benue, says Alia

    “President Tinubu is not and will never be overwhelmed by the current challenges the country is facing.

    “ He will not abdicate his responsibilities. He will courageously continue to wrestle with the challenges and surmount them, laying a durable foundation for the new Nigeria that is emerging.

    “ He has also never shied away from acknowledging the pain of ongoing reforms, and has seized every opportunity to assure Nigerians that inside the pain of the reforms lie the seeds of lasting prosperity and national development.

    “ To the PDP Governors, let us reiterate: This is not the time for distraction. It is time instead for the rolling up of sleeves, to support and complement the hard work of the President and his administration.”

    The Minister faulted the PDP Governors for trying to use intimidation to achieve what their party failed to do through democratic means since 2015.”

    It added:” The call is nothing but an attempt at distraction by people who should instead be busy supporting the President’s efforts at bringing economic relief to the Nigerian people.

    “ It is our considered view that the PDP and its governors should not be seeking, through the back door of intimidation, what they have consistently failed to achieve by democratic means, since 2015.

    “ Those who could not bring transformational change when they had a lengthy chance to, should not seek to interrupt or distract those who are busy at work on the presidential vision that Nigerians elected them to implement.”

    Idris said the administration of President Tinubu was on course and PDP controlled states have been benefitting from the ongoing reforms.

    The minister said the Tinubu administration has generously extended financial support to the state governments, regardless of partisan affiliation.

    He added that the removal of the petrol subsidy—which, incidentally, was one of the main planks of the PDP presidential campaign—has swelled the revenues of the states, including the PDP States.

    Idris urged the governor to be up and doing in their states, saying: “To whom more has been given, more is therefore expected.”

    He said the Federal Government has not relented in tackling the challenges across the sectors.

    Idris said: “The President and his administration recognise the unfinished business of revamping our national economy kickstarted by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, through programmes focused on large-scale infrastructure, social welfare, prioritizing the equipping and welfare of the military and security agencies, and reclaiming Nigeria’s strategic place in the comity of nations.

    “Boko Haram and its affiliates, on the ascendancy in 2014/2015, have since been decimated, and similar bold gains are now being made with bandits and other criminals.”

    The minister said PDP and its governors should remove the moth in their eyes.

    He pointed out that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government was still clearing the mess of the PDP administration in the country.

     Idris stressed:” Nigerians have not forgotten that it was the APC administration that cleared several liabilities left behind by the PDP government, such as subsidy claims by oil marketers, Paris Club Refunds, unpaid pensions, gratuities, and salary arrears owed various categories of pensioners from liquidated and existing State-Owned Enterprises.

    “Major oil sector reforms that the PDP touted for years but could not deliver – passage of the PIB, new refineries, as well as the revamp of existing ones, and so on – are the very real and continuing legacies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “All of these have been accomplished without access to the oil windfall that the PDP government enjoyed for much of the time that it was in power, and also against the backdrop of the most devastating global shock since the Second World War: the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    “We must continue to state these facts so Nigerians will know where we are coming from, and appreciate what is being done in its full context.”

  • Sokoto agog as Atiku flags off Northwest campaign

    The People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) on Monday flagged off the Northwest Zonal campaign of its Presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Kangiwa square, venue of the flag off has been a beehive of activities since the early hours of Monday.

    Read Also:2019 poll: Atiku meets Wike ahead of campaign kick off

    Already, the party’s chieftains , supporters and well-wishers from across the zone comprising of Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara have converged on the multipurpose venue.

    However, the Presidential candidate and his running mate, Peter Obi, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, governorship candidates, National chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, Senate President Bukola Saraki, serving and former PDP governors arrived the venue  at about 2pm.

  • PDP governors discard consensus

    •Fix National Convention for Port Harcourt in October

    To the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum the idea of picking consensus candidate for the 2019 presidential election should be trashed. Rising from a meeting in Abuja, they said the idea will affect the party’s internal democracy.

    A source at the meeting told our correspondent, that in the meeting last night, the governors also agreed that the party’s national convention where the presidential candidate would emerge should hold in Port Harcourt.

    The governors had in their communique on Monday resolved to have an all-inclusive meeting with all the party presidential aspirants, with the National Chairman, two national officers of the party, and the leaders of the party in both chambers of the National Assembly in attendance.

    Read also: PDP Govs. decry alleged persecution by security agencies

    After meeting with the stakeholders, the governors resolved that all the aspirants should go for primaries.

    The source said: “the governors disagreed with the issue of consensus. They said that all the aspirants should go for the primaries to avoid unforeseen development. They want a contest among the aspirant so that the best can emerged.

    “On the issue of convention, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states were suggested, but Enugu and Akwa Ibom were discarded because of accommodation issue.

    “The issue of where to hold the convention came up, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states were suggested, but Rivers was selected. Enugu and Akwa Ibom were discarded because there are no enough hotels to accommodate the peoples that will come for the convention. Rivers State has enough accommodation, that was why it was selected.”

  • PDP governors plan ‘unity list’ to stop IBB, Jonathan

    PDP governors plan ‘unity list’ to stop IBB, Jonathan

    North’s delegates split over Secondus, Adeniran

    Atiku’s camp jittery

    To have a rancour-free convention and install the national chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors will compile a “unity list” of candidates who delegates will vote for, The Nation learnt last night.

    The list is said to be the governors’ joker to checkmate the influence of ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida and former President Goodluck Jonathan on delegates.

    The “unity list” may be out on Friday, about 24 hours to the December 9 convention.

    It was learnt that the North’s delegates had become divided over two candidates  – former Acting National Chairman Uche Secondus and  former Education Minister Prof. Tunde Adeniran.

    Before the split, Adeniran was having a clear edge in the North over Secondus whose campaign has changed the game.

    But the governors’ grip on the party has caused anxiety in the camp of ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar whose main backers are Babangida and Jonathan.

    The tension in Atiku’s camp is over the fear that if the governors seize the machinery of the party, they may determine its choice of a presidential candidate.

    Babangida  on Sunday  raised the alarm on huge deployment of cash to woo delegates.

    The governors have reached out to ex-governors, ex-ministers, National Assembly  caucuses and some members of the Board of Trustees (BoT).

    They are believed to have allayed the fears of stakeholders who think that they are out to hijack the party. Their mission, the governors are quoted as saying, is to change the old order.

    To carry all stakeholders along, the governors have chosen to consult and agree on a Unity List, which will be “representational”.

    A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “We want to have a stress-free elective national convention. We have been spending the past few days to build consensus on how to preserve the unity of the party.

    “As I talk to you, we are working on a “Unity List” which will accommodate all interests and make the convention great.

    “The list will also correct the perception of the loyalists of Babangida and Jonathan that we are out to destroy the party. This is our own way of checkmating the forces who have held the party hostage since 1998.

    “The speculations about use of money are unfounded. As a new generation of leaders in PDP, we know what is good for the party too. We won’t allow the imposition any pre-determined agenda on delegates.”

    Asked of who the governors will support for national chairman, the source, who pleaded not to be named for “strategic reasons”, added: “We are working on Secondus but the delegates will have the final say because we will allow a free and fair  process.”

    A member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) said: “Some of us are in agreement with the governors on the Unity List to douse the tension surrounding the convention.

    “I think the governors will release the Unity List on Friday. What is important is for peace and harmony to reign in our party.”

    Northern delegates are split over two Secondus and Adeniran.

    “Initially, the Northern delegates had agreed on block voting but things have changed in the last 72 hours.

    “Delegates from Plateau, Benue, Jigawa, Taraba, Gombe and Kano may not go ahead with block voting. The intrigues have been intense,” another source said, adding:

    “As it is now, Northern delegates cannot talk with one voice at the convention on Saturday.”

    It was gathered that the recourse to unity list  by governors has caused anxiety in Atiku’s camp because the method may whittle down the influence of Babangida and Jonathan who lured the ex-Vice President back into PDP.”

    A former governor said: “Once the governors take over PDP structure, it will be difficult for Babangida and Jonathan to impose Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

    “This is why Babangida and his loyalists have been jittery about the activities of the governors. Even Atiku is aware of the danger ahead because he knows the capacity of governors.

    “The same Atiku used the governors to hold ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to ransom in 2003 before the ex-President could get a second term ticket.”

     

  • Why PDP governors are backing Secondus

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have resolved to mobilise delegates to the national convention to vote for one of the chairmanship aspirants, Chief Uche Secondus.

    The governors, according to sources, rejected pleas by some party elders to desist from endorsing a particular aspirant, saying that the elders also have their own agenda.

    Although three governors-Ahmed Dankwambo (Gombe), Dairus Ishaku (Taraba) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa)-initially dragged their feet before embracing the agenda of the PDP Governors’ Forum, they were later persuaded by their colleagues to avoid creating the impression that there is a crack on the wall.

    The source, a PDP chieftain from the Southsouth, said the governors insisted on Secondus because they believed that he will not pose a threat to the forum.

    He added: “The governors are now on the same page. Their argument is that when the party was in deep mess, which some of them created, they were resolute. They lived up to expectation as party financiers. The bulk of the money used for the litigation against Modu Sheriff was supplied by the governors.

    “Also, the governors have been rendering assistance to chieftains of the party in those states controlled by the APC governors. They believe that he who pays the piper should dictate the tune.

    “Even, as the party is preparing for the convention in Abuja, the National Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, relies on the governors for money and other logistics. They want a chairman who will not give them problem during nominations in 2019. They are trying to protect their vested interests.”

    According to the source, “only Secondus who they know well as former deputy national chairman and acting chairman is on the same page with them”.

    He added: “They are thinking about presidential nomination too and the party chairman is always powerful during elections. They suspect that they may not have their way if somebody like Bode George is chairman. He is a soldier who cannot be intimidated. They also know that someone like Ladoja will not rely on them personally for finance. He was a governor and he knows the tricks of governors. The governors see Otunba Gbenga Daniel as a person just returning to the party again.

    “To them, Adeniran is too holy and may not permit impunity. Also, they don’t take Chief Dokpesi seriously because, in their view, he is floating.”

     

  • PDP governors are not thieves, says Makarfi

    PDP governors are not thieves, says Makarfi

    •Urges party members to shun party chairs functions

    The Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that governors elected on the platform of the party are not thieves.
    Makarfi was responding to a statement by the camp of the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff saying that the party would not accept “stolen money” from the governors to run the party.
    The statement, which was made by Sheriff’s deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh was targeted at Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.
    In a statement yesterday by the spokesman of the Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the faction accused Ojougboh of being an impostor, saying he was illegally parading himself as Deputy National Chairman.
    The statement said, “For the umpteenth time, we want to re-iterate that Mr. Ojugboh, the former National Vice Chairman of PDP has no locus to speak in the capacity of Deputy National Chairman of the PDP.
    “He is an interloper and an impostor; and as such, any action or statement made by Cairo Ojugboh and other self-appointed members of the Sheriff renegade group is illegal, null and void and should be disregarded by all loyal supporters and members of the PDP.
    “Let these irritants take note that Governors Fayose and Wike, and indeed all governors elected on the platform of our great party, the PDP are men of integrity.
    “Our governors are responsible and trusted party men that are working tirelessly in their various states to deliver the needed dividends of democracy.
    “The people of Rivers State and Ekiti State can testify to the wonderful achievements of our governors in their states and other states governed by the PDP”.
    The faction urged party members nationwide to shun the campaign or mobilisation programme being planned by the Sheriff group in some states in the Southeast.
    “We wish to further state without any ambiguity that these actions are illegal, null and void. Faithful party men and women in the South East and any other zones in Nigeria should disregard such meetings or gathering”, the faction added.
    Stating that Sheriff’s position as chairman is being challenged at the Supreme Court, Adeyeye said the Caretaker Committee remained in charge of the party’s affairs.
    “The National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has appealed the judgment of the February 17, 2017 at the Supreme Court and in the eyes of the law, until the appeal is set aside by the Supreme Court, the National Caretaker Committee remains in charge of the affairs of the PDP.
    “So, Senator Sheriff and his co travelers have no power to call for any meeting of party members or supervise the affairs of the PDP forthwith.
    “We therefore want to further call on Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to stop parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
    “We further call on all security agencies and other agencies of government to stop according him or members of his illegal team any support or assistance.
    “Finally, we urge all our members and teeming supporters nationwide to stop attending any meeting organised by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff or any member of his team.
    “They are illegal and have no place to function as such. Senator Ahmed Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee remains the only authentic National Exco of the PDP in line with the decision of the May 21st and August 17, 2016 National Conventions of our great party”, the statement added.

  • Kashamu cautions PDP on convention

    Kashamu cautions PDP on convention

    The Senator representation Ogun East senatorial district, Senator Buruji Kashamu, has said that the proposed national convention slated for August 17 will not resolve the leadership crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a statement he circulated in Abuja Tuesday, Kashamu pleaded with elders in the party to find ways of uniting the Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi with the Ali Modu Sheriff faction.

    According to him, it would be better for the party to unite the two factions before going ahead with the proposed convention, warning that doing otherwise could worsen the crisis situation.

    The Makarfi committee, backed by the key organs of the party, including the PDP Governors, has resolved to go ahead with the convention in spite of the various conflicting court judgments and orders against both factions.

    Makarfi and Sheriff have continued to lay claim to the leadership of the party shortly after the botched May 21 Port Harcourt convention where Sheriff was replaced with Makarfi.

    Kashamu further warned that unless issues of the various conflicting court injunctions are fully addressed with the two factions in agreement, the outcome of the proposed convention may also become a subject of fresh litigation.

    The senator said, “Going to Port Harcourt for another national convention on August 17, without addressing the issues that have stuck out like a sore thumb might turn out to be an exercise in futility.

    “I appeal to all our leaders to wade into the crisis and resolve the issues. If we gloss over the issues and facts and go ahead to hold the proposed convention without resolving them, the perception of PDP as a lawless organisation will sink deeper and ultimately public opinion will be against us.

    “An air of palpable confusion pervades our party and the land, with one division of the court saying Makarfi’s appointment is right while another division of the same court says Sheriff is the authentic national chairman of our party.

    “We cannot continue like this. Already, the nomination (governorship) processes in Edo and Ondo States are being endangered by the current crisis.

    “It is incumbent on all well-meaning leaders and elders of the party to court Senators Sheriff and  Makarfi and look for a political solution to this crisis and resolve it, once and for all. Nothing is too much to give, if we truly love the party”.

    Kashamu noted that although there was no court injunction stopping the proposed August 17 convention, the reality of a pronouncement by a court in Abuja to the effect that the Makarfi committee cannot lawfully take actions on behalf of the PDP remained a source of grave worry.

    Besides the resources that might be wasted on the exercise, Kashamu said going ahead with the convention could also constitute contempt of some of the court injunctions on the part of the organisers.

    The lawmaker said these loopholes could easily be exploited by groups and individuals who are bent on frustration the efforts of the party to their own advantage.

    Said he, “They wait on the sidelines to analyse situations and then go to court when you least expected to procure orders and judgments that they use to exploit the system.

    Stressing the need for the party to guard against such pitfalls, Kashamu appealed to the party leaders to help put an end to the culture of impunity which has continued to plague the PDP.

    He stated that for peace to reign, party leaders and members should stop seeing themselves to be above the law

    “Thus, it is crucial for us to find a political solution to the leadership crisis, unite our people and resolve the issues so that the various court cases can be withdrawn. An assortment of court orders, rulings and judgments will only deepen the crisis and make it intractable,” he added.

    Kashamu enjoined party stakeholders to do the right thing so that when they are called to account for their actions, they will be found on the right side of history and the law.