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Tag: PDP

  • PDP accuses EFCC of witch-hunt

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of with-hunt in the arrest and detention of one of its chieftains, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

    The party demanded the immediate release of Okupe, who is being detained by the EFCC a few days after operatives of the commission visited his Lagos residence.

    A statement yesterday by the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, described Dr. Okupe’s arrest and detention as an act of intimidation and harassment by the Buhari administration.

    It accused the administration of attempts to browbeat the opposition and dissenting voices ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The statement said: “This arrest is part of the grand plot to escalate the clampdown on opposition leaders, in the attempt to cow and subjugate them as the elections draw nearer, a scheme the PDP had since alerted the nation about.

    “The PDP invites Nigerians to note that the EFCC was unleashed on Dr. Okupe with fabricated charges, just because of his criticisms of the misrule of the Buhari administration, particularly, his last Wednesday’s demand on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare President Buhari as not validly nominated as a presidential candidate for the 2019 elections.

    “Since this comment, Dr. Okupe has been threatened, harassed and his home raided by officials of the EFCC last Saturday over claims of cyber stalking, which they could not substantiate, only for the commission to arrest and detain him on Monday.

    “It is indeed unfortunate that the EFCC, under President Buhari, has been turned to a militant wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hound, intimidate, harass and even extort money from opposition leaders and other Nigerians perceived to be opposed to Mr. President’s ill-fated re-election bid.”

    The PDP challenged the President to demonstrate his much-touted integrity by allowing an open investigation of his associates and close relatives, who were mentioned in alleged looting of public resources.

     

  • PDP: we’re committed to peaceful elections

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has restated its commitment to a peaceful election in 2019.

    Its pledged followed the absence of its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and party’s representatives at yesterday’s signing of the peace accord in Abuja. yesterday.

    The PDP said the absence was due to a communication lapse between the National Peace Committee (NPC), chaired by former Head of State Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar and the party’s national secretariat.

    A statement by its National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan said the party was investigating the circumstances that could have resulted to this unfortunate communication lapse.

    Read also: 2019: Sokoto warns against harassment of opposition

    The statement reads: “Nevertheless, it is instructive to state that our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the party are fully committed to a peaceful electoral process and elections in 2019.

    “Our presidential candidate is known worldwide as a global ambassador of peace, who will always support processes that will engender peace in our country and the world over.

    “In the same vein, our party is also known for peaceful conduct in all activities, electoral processes and all elections conducted at all levels in our country, since its inception in 1998.

    “The PDP will, therefore, visit the office of the NPC, look into the peace document and fulfill all necessary obligations towards the peace accord ahead of the 2019 general elections.”

     

  • Ngige to PDP, APGA: forget Anambra Central senatorial poll

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has said nothing will stop the All Progressives Congress (APC) from winning the Anambra Central senatorial election in 2019.

    The minister advised the candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to steer clear during the election.

    Ngige, who addressed reporters yesterday in Anambra, said: “Sylvester Okonkwo is our candidate and the next senator for Anambra Central. Take it from me.

    “We are going to put everything we have to secure victory for my party, the APC, in Anambra Central. Any other person is now a political enemy. I will throw my weight behind Okonkwo.”

    On the agitations of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the minister said they were doing theirs in a suicide way, adding that some people were feeding fat on it.

    He said the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) did such agitation, which appealed to the conscience of Ndigbo, but not the IPOB style.

    “I’m disappointed in the way some of our people are pursuing our agitation. While they are chasing it the crude way, some are using it to feed fat,” Ngige said.

    The minister said the crisis in Imo APC would not affect the votes and re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Southeast.

  • Presidency to PDP: You are a leader, expert in fake news

    The Presidency has dismissed the story about the raid “ordered by Buhari-led government” on the home of Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s son as fake news.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, also described as untrue the fairy tale on the alleged blockage of the bank accounts of Atiku Abubakar’s running mate, Mr Peter Obi and his family.

    He said these stories should be dismissed “as just another manifestation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s growing expertise in fake news’’.

    He said: “Nigerians must be becoming wary by now, of a political party with absolutely nothing to offer in the coming elections and has instead, transformed into a knight in shining armor, slaying the truth.

    “In this so-called transformation, PDP has changed into nothing but to a ceaselessly flowing stream of fake news.

    “It is impossible to find in Nigeria today, anyone propagating fake news more than the PDP. Our advice to Nigerians is: ignore them.’’

    The Peoples Democratic Party had on Dec.8, alleged that the accounts of its vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had been frozen.

    The party, in a statement by its Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, pointed accusing fingers at the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the alleged frozen accounts.

    NAN reports that the EFCC has since dismissed the PDP’s allegation, claiming ignorance of such incident.(NAN)

  • 2019: Kwankwassiyya leader dumps PDP for APC in Kano

    The Kwankwassiyya Group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano has again suffered a serious set-back, following the latest defection of a staunch chieftain of the Group, Brigadier-General  Idris Bello Danbazzau (rtd) to the fold of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). 

    Danbazzau who is an ardent follower of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso on Monday declared his loyalty and support to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration in an elaborate mini-rally that took place at the Kano Pillars stadium, Sabon Gari.

    Danbazzau who served as Commissioner for Special Duties during Kwankwaso’s tenure as Governor of Kano state dumped the Kwankwassiyya Group and defected to APC with hundreds of his supporters.

    According to him, “we have decided to come back home. We have decided to embrace APC because of the kind of injustice meted out to us in the Kwankwassiyya Movement and the PDP.

    “We have come to appreciate the good work being done by our leader and Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. We have decided today to be part of the progressives, because we don’t want to be left out in this project to take Kano to greater heights.”

    Danbazzau also promised to use his wealth of experience to mobilize for the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and all other APC candidates in the state in the forthcoming general election.

    In his address, Governor Ganduje commended Danbazzau and his teeming supporters for the bold step, pointing out that, “today, you have seen the light and we are happy to welcome you back. Together we shall achieve victory for the development of our dear state.”

    However, The Nation learnt that more chieftains of the Kwankwassiyya Movement, including the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Suleiman Rabi’u Bichi, former Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Arch. Aminu Dabo have concluded plans to dump Kwankwassiyya for APC.

  • Electoral Act: Olawepo-Hashim accuses PDP, APC of playing pranks

    Peoples Trust (PT) presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of playing pranks due to their hypocritical commitment to the proposed Electoral Act.

    He accused both parties of playing politics with the nation’s stability with their handling of constitutional issues.

    Olawepo-Hashim, whose party has been described as the third force, said the PDP and APC presidential candidates are obsessed with immediate partisan gains, instead of acting as statesmen.

    He spoke with reporters in Lagos on the president’s refusal assent to the amendment bill, which he recalled, was passed by the PDP-controlled National Assembly.

    Olawepo-Hashim said: “The President is conducting himself like a typical Nigerian politician of the era of political decline, rather than behaving as a patriot that I have always thought he is. By his actions, he is simply saying let me benefit from the process for my 2019 bid. You can push for the new law in 2023 when I will not be contesting.”

    The PT flag bearer noted that the PDP-led legislature had ample time to correct the perceived lacuna in the electoral act, which they had created in the first instance, but chose to distract the polity.

    He added: “In the task of nation building, political leaders sometimes have to rise above the fray and take decisions in the national interest, even when it does not seem to benefit from it. Some of us did this before. In 2000, when some of our colleagues wanted to change our two-year tenure to four years, I led the opposition to this, even though I would have been a beneficiary of that exercise as a National Executive Committee (NEC) member.”

    Olawepo-Hashim urged the electorate not to be discouraged from participating in next year’s polls.

    He said: “Since what I can call the “garrison” election in Osun State and the unfortunate refusal of assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, the APC has been trying to spread fear in the hearts of would-be voters that their votes will not count.”

  • PDP alleges freezing of Peter Obi’s accounts

    •EFCC: We’re not involved

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) has flayed the alleged stoppage of transactions on all accounts belonging to its vice presidential candidate Peter Obi.

    The party also condemned similar actions against Obi’s wife, family members and business interests by unnamed government agencies.

    It however didn’t provide details of the accounts allegedly frozen or the agencies involved.

    A statement yesterday by the spokesman for the PDP Campaign Organisation Kola Ologbondiyan said since his nomination, Obi has been facing series of failed attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destroy his reputation.

    The party also alleged that the vice presidential candidate has been receiving to all manner of threats and blackmail, including threats to his life and those of his wife and children.

    The PDP said: “Having realised that the majority of Nigerians are rallying behind the duo of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as the our presidential and vice presidential candidates respectively, the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have resorted to all manner of machinations, including smear campaigns and direct attacks on their persons and business concerns, in a bid to run them down.

    “The Buhari Presidency is intimidated by Peter Obi’s resume, particularly, his general acceptance as epitome of fiscal responsibility, frugality and transparency in governance.

    “Otherwise, why is the Presidency on a wild goose chase in investigating Peter Obi, who left office as Governor of Anambra state five years ago with a nationally acclaimed clean record, intact reputation for frugality, transparency, zero tolerance for corruption and leaving behind a huge saving of N75 billion naira in cash and investments; without owing any salaries, pensions, gratuities or even contractors for contracts executed.

    “The fact remains that the Buhari Presidency and the APC are merely shadow boxing in their attacks on Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, as their records before Nigerians speak for them.

    “All discerning Nigerians know that the reasons for an investigation on a man like Peter Obi, is a journey to nowhere aimed to stifle him of funds as well as attempt to distract our campaign and divert attention from the failures of the Buhari administration.”

    The PDP said that it’s ludicrous that President Buhari would continue to condone the looting of the nation’s treasury by his party leaders and the cabal in his Presidency.

    It pointed out how the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, had alluded to the distortions in the President’s policy direction, regretting that the government could still be using its agencies to attempt to blackmail the party’s candidates for political reasons.

    “The PPCO reminds President Buhari that neither he nor Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in 2015, as candidates, harassed, attacked at the airport or subjected to blackmails, and wonder why they are now employing such tactics just because Nigerians have resolved to do away with them, come 2019”, the statement added.

    But Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC Tony Orilade said Obi’s allegation has nothing to do with the agency.

    Orilade, in a statement, explained: “There is no where the EFCC is mentioned in this statement. The EFCC is a law-abiding agency and committed to ridding the nation of economic and financial crimes. That we would not relent to do.

    “But let nobody cry wolf where none exist. Please direct your question to the author of the statement; and please let us not speak in parables. And let the media not interpret out of context.”

     

     

     

     

  • Electoral Act: PDP campaign urges N/Assembly to override Buhari

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) has charged the National Assembly to save the nation’s democracy by immediately overriding President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the amendment of the Electoral Act.

    The PDP Campaign said this legislative action has become imperative as the President’s decision was a calculated attempt to hold the nation to ransom.

    In a statement on Friday signed by the spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the President’s action was capable of injecting crisis into the electoral process and ultimately scuttle the conduct of the 2019 general elections. The opposition party insisted that the President was avoiding free and fair contest.

    The statement said, “President Buhari’s repeated refusal to sign amendments passed to check rigging in the election, raises issues of his sincerity of purpose and has the capacity to trigger political unrest and violence, which can, in turn, truncate our hard-earned democracy.

    “The PPCO invites Nigerians to note that this is the fourth time President Buhari is withholding assent on the amendment, without any cogent reason following his rejection by Nigerians.

    Read Also: PDP aspirant calls for fresh primaries

    “Nigerians can recall how the Buhari Presidency plotted to plunge the 2019 elections into a needless controversy by delaying the submission of the election budget to the National Assembly, presenting it at the time the legislators were commencing their annual vacation and asking for virement of funds already approved for development projects, instead of sending a fresh supplementary budget for the election.

    “It is unfortunate that Mr. President, in his desperation to hold on to power, has resorted to taking steps that are capable of destabilizing our nation, just because the people are resolute in voting him out of office democratically.

    “It is also instructive to note that President Buhari is mortally afraid of the amendments because they essentially checked the All Progressives Congress (APC) rigging plans, including the use of underage and alien voters, vote-buying, alteration of results and manipulation of voter register; for which the APC and the Buhari Presidency have been boasting of winning the 2019 elections.

    “While urging the National Assembly to save our democracy and forestall an imminent electoral crisis, the PPCO also charges all political parties, other critical stakeholders and Nigerians in general, to rise in the interest of our nation and demand the entrenching of rules and processes that will guarantee the conduct of free, fair and credible elections, as nothing short of that would be accepted”.

  • APC, PDP renew attacks as campaigns take shape

    Ruling party stresses character, performance

    Opposition vows restructuring

    Two issues will drive the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the 2019 elections, it was learnt yesterday.

    The issues are:

    • the character of the contestants, including President Muhammadu Buhari; and
    • the Buhari administration’s achievements.

    But the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is stressing restructuring as the magic pill for Nigeria’s ailments.

    Its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar yesterday promised to initiate restructuring within the first six months should the party win the election.

    He spoke in Ibadan at the opening of the PDP’s campaign in the Southwest.

    In Abuja, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) met with its governorship candidates as a prelude to the take-off of its campaign.

    A Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) is to be announced soon.

    It will be led by Buhari, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    APC National Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa Onilu said: “We are not worried, we are ready for the battle ahead. We will be focusing on two issues: the character of those who want to rule us and the difference APC has made in three and a half years in terms of achievements compared to 16 wasteful years of PDP.

    “Our campaign is essentially going to be on stewardship. For three and a half years, we have been campaigning with our performance but we will lay these achievements before Nigerians.

    “For every kilometre of road constructed, it  is an indication that what PDP could not do in 16 years, we have done it.  For every rail track laid and every megawatt of electricity added, we will render account and ask Nigerians to see the difference.”

    On threats by Atiku to defeat Buhari and send him back to Daura, Onilu said: “I want to say that the 2019 poll is a no-contest because Atiku Abubakar is no match for Buhari.

    “It will be too much of a risk for Nigerians to concede the right to govern this country to Atiku.

    “ He is not even qualified to contest the election. Go and look at his antecedents.  Just last week, he was taken to court over tax issues. He only recently paid the backlog of his taxes.

    ” Atiku should be concerned about Adamawa State because he will be defeated there. The presidential election will start and end in Adamawa for Atiku.”

    In Ibadan, PDP was stressing “restructuring”.

    The well attended rally took place – at the historic Mapo Hall in the acient city. The PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus warned all Ministries, Agencies and Parastatals (MDAs) against compromising for the Buhari administration, saying they are under close watch by Nigerians.

    Secondus, accused the APC government led by President Buhari of raising money through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to fund its election.

    The PDP chairman said: “At this juncture, we know that the APC government has gone to the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) to raise money for election. We warn all the parastatals to be careful because this is a lame dock government. We warn all the government agencies and parastatals that as they are taking the money, somebody is watching and snapping you and as you are going to steal the money for APC campaign it is time for you to know that APC cannot continue to steal and yet the armed robbers will be calling other people thieves. Enough is enough.”

    Secondus said Atiku would rescue Nigeria, because, according to him, he has been tried and tested, particularly in the area of handling economic matters. He said his administration would end hunger and insecurity.

    While addressing the crowd of supporters who came from the six Southwest states, Atiku said Buhari must go, stressing: “ Lie lie must go.” He pledged to restructure the country, pay attention to education and revive the economy.

    His words: “My fellow brothers and sisters from the Southwest, in the next two months, you will be required to make history in this country. Since the return of democracy in 1999, the best prosperity we have enjoyed in this country was under the PDP. The best peace we have enjoyed in this country was under the PDP. The best educational advancement that this part of this country enjoyed was under the PDP. Then, in 2015, some liars deceived you people, came here to deceive us and we believed them, we gave them the opportunity.

    “They said they were going to create jobs. Instead of creating jobs, we have lost 12 million jobs since they came to power. They said they were going to create prosperity; since they came we have gotten poorer to the extent that today we have surpassed many countries in the world in poverty and now we are the headquarters of poverty in the world. Is that the type of government you want to continue with?

    “My brothers and sisters, I stand before you here today to promise you that we shall return your prosperity  and the prosperity of this country. Everybody knows that I chaired the best economic team in this country that produced those reserves. If you give me the opportunity again, I will assemble the best economic team so that we can return prosperity to our country.

    “I also have come to you that this zone has been known for its educational strides since before independence; we shall continue to invest in education to make sure that this zone excels.

    “Let me tell you, one of the most important policies I have advocated is the restructuring of this country. Today, I stand before you to pledge before you that within six months, we shall start the process of restructuring.”

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, who spoke in English and Yoruba, said the Buhari administration had failed to provide security and address hunger. He said Atiku can fix the economy and bring back the prosperity of Nigerians.

    Atiku’s running mate, Peter Obi, also chorused previous speakers’ assertion that Atiku could create jobs, handle the economy and improve security of lives and property.

    Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose said PDP had already won the election, stressing that Nigerians only needed to protect their votes.

    Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and  Shuaib Oyedokun also addressed the crowd.

    At the rally were the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde; Senators  Ben Murray Bruce, Senator Dino Melaye, Buruji Kashamu, Hosea Agboola and Ayo Adeseun.

    Other chieftains of the party there were Chief Bisi Ilaka, Hazeem Gbolarunmi, Jimi Agbaje, Mrs. Mulikat Adeola-Akande and Dr Saka Balogun. The party’s governorship candidate in Osun State,  Ademola Adeleke, entertained the crowd with his dancing steps.

     

  • Kashamu to PDP: don’t present party’s flag through backdoor

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu, has urged the national leadership to present the flag to him.
    A statement signed by Austin Oniyokor for the Kashamu/Abati Campaign Organisation reads:

    “The attention of the Kashamu/Abati Campaign Organisation has been drawn to the surreptitious moves being made by some lawless members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to present the flag for the Ogun State PDP governorship ticket to an impostor through the backdoor.

    “It should be noted that following the insistence of the genuine national leaders of PDP, such as the Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, among others, to make the Party to abide by valid and subsisting court judgments in respect of the Ogun State PDP matter, the desperate elements within the NWC and their collaborators on Thursday stalled the presentation of the party’s flags to the governorship candidates from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states at the Ibadan venue of the South-West zonal rally, as it is usually the practice at such rallies.

    “Immediately after the rally, the retrogressive elements within the PDP met at the Ibadan Airport and hatched a fresh plot to present the Party’s flag to the governorship candidates from Lagos and Oyo states in Abuja tomorrow (Friday, 7th December, 2018), including an impostor from Ogun State known as Ladi Adebutu.

    “Although we reckon that the presentation of flag is merely ceremonial and of no consequence whatsoever, we were only hoping that those who criticize others for their actions and inactions will live by higher standards and best global practices where the Rule of Law prevails. The presentation of flag will not reverse the valid and subsisting court judgments and pronouncements in our candidates’ favour – from the High Court to the Supreme Court. It will also not make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept, process and publish the impostors’ names.

    “Since some elements within the PDP are hell-bent on further denting the image of our Party, the Kashamu/Abati Campaign Organisation wishes to appeal to all well-meaning leaders of our Party, including the Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to, once again, rise to the occasion and rein in these elements before they wreak more havoc to the Party and set Ogun State on fire.

    “The legitimate candidates of the PDP who have been affirmed by the Courts and accepted by INEC will not fold their hands and allow some persons in Abuja and elsewhere, no matter how powerful, to steal their mandates through the backdoor. Party leaders should learn to obey court judgments instead of resorting to strong-arm tactics that will further portray our party in bad light to Nigerians and the rest of the world.”