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Tag: PDP

  • PDP urges National Assembly to probe killing of soldiers

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the National Assembly to begin investigation into alleged compromises that led to the killing of over 100 Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The PDP also accused the Presidency of condoning extra-judicial killing and demanded an immediate forensic inquiry into the reported killing of a principal witness in the Offa robbery incident, Michael Adikwu, in the custody of the Kwara State Police Command.

    The main opposition party said investigation into the killing of soldiers in Metele, Borno State, has become imperative given reports of compromises and alleged failure of the authorities to promptly act on a reported threat by insurgents to attack the base and other military locations in the area, a few days before the attack.

    Read also: Metele attack: Surviving soldiers accuse military authorities of procuring obsolete weapons

    A statement yesterday by PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan said the probe has become expedient going by a disturbing video circulating in the public domain, showing soldiers, weeks before the attack, giving accounts of their neglect by the authorities, resulting in their vulnerability to insurgents.

    The statement said: “The PDP, therefore, urges the National Assembly to unravel the compromises leading to the killing of our soldiers and those behind them.”

    Similarly, the party also insisted that an inquest into the extra-judicial killing of the principal suspect in the Offa robbery has become essential following conflicting reports by the police over the cause and circumstances surrounding the death in police custody.

    The PDP noted that the police had initially claimed that the witness was killed in the course of arrest, but later claimed that he died in the course of investigation, only to again declare that he was discovered dead just as he was about to be taken to court.

     

     

  • PDP to National Assembly: probe killing of soldiers

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the National Assembly to begin investigation into alleged compromises that led to the killing of by Boko Haram insurgents.

    It also accused the Presidency of condoning extra-judicial killing and demanded an immediate forensic inquiry into the reported killing of a principal witness in the Offa robbery incident, Michael Adikwu, in the custody of the Kwara State Police Command.

    The main opposition party said investigation into the killing of soldiers in Metele, Borno State, has become imperative given reports of compromises and alleged failure of the authorities to promptly act on a reported threat by insurgents to attack the base and other military locations in the area, a few days before the attack.

    Read also: PDP to challenge Kwara National Assembly by-election outcome at tribunal

    A statement yesterday by PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan said the probe has become expedient going by a disturbing video circulating in the public domain, showing soldiers, weeks before the attack, giving accounts of their alleged neglect by the authorities, resulting in their vulnerability to insurgents.

    The statement said: “The PDP, therefore, urges the National Assembly to unravel the compromises leading to the killing of our soldiers and those behind them.”

    Similarly, the party also insisted that an inquest into the extra-judicial killing of the principal suspect in the Offa robbery has become essential following conflicting reports by the police over the cause and circumstances surrounding the death in police custody.

    The PDP noted that the police had initially claimed that the witness was killed in the course of arrest, but later claimed that he died in the course of investigation, only to again declare that he was discovered dead just as he was about to be taken to court.

     

     

  • No regrets having Tinubu as godfather, says Sen. Adeola

    Senator Solomon Adeola (APC-Lagos) says he does not have regrets having the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Tinubu as his godfather.

    Adeola, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja said there was nothing wrong in having a godfather in politics.

    He was reacting to the belief by some Nigerians that his actions and inactions, particularly on the floor of the senate were geared towards pleasing Tinubu rather than his constituents.

    The lawmaker said while the interest of his constituents remained paramount to him, he had high regards for Tinubu, who had nurtured him through his political career.

    Adeola, who is Chairman Senate Committee on Local Content recently won the APC primary election for Lagos West Senatorial District.

    He expressed optimism that with Tinubu and the people’s support, he would return to the senate in 2019.

    “I want to thank my father, mentor and role model, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu who endorsed me as the party flag bearer.

    “If not for God and Tinubu, I would not have been here today.

    “I also want to thank all the party members for seeing me fit to go for another election.

    “I am here on a mission, to protect and defend our democracy.

    Read Also: 2019 Polls: Police will be fair to all Parties – DIG

    “I believe in the power of the people and they are the ones to decide those that will represent them,” he said.

    Adeola said the electorate had seen his performance over the years and were prepared to give him their mandate to represent them in the 9th National Assembly.

    He said, “I have had the opportunity of serving as a House of Representatives member and now I am in the Senate.

    ” In the last three years, I have sponsored 15 bills and two have been assented to by the President.

    “I have also sponsored several motions on matters of national importance.

    “I have also tried as much as I can to give my people a voice and I know they are pleased with my performance.”

    The lawmaker added that he had carried out constituency projects that impacted greatly on the lives of his constituents.

    “The things I have done in my constituency are evident. As we speak, we are planning a constituency outreach by first week of December.

    “All we are doing is to ensure that we remain in constant touch with the people.

    “It is a yearly thing and we will ensure that this year’s outreach impacts as much as the ones in the past if not better.”

  • 2019: Southwest may lose out as Southsouth lobbies PDP, Atiku for SGF slot

    Southsouth is lobbying for Secretary to the Government of the Federation( SGF) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    With the development, the Southwest, which is demanding the SGF’s seat, may lose out if PDP and Atiku bow to the Southsouth pressure.

    Atiku has promised to concede the position to the Southwest as re-echoed recently by ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel, who was the Director-General of the now disbanded Atiku Campaign Organisation.

    Some Southsouth leaders and ex-militant leaders in the Niger Delta are behind the lobbying.

    They believe no other post could assuage their marginalisation than the SGF slot, The Nation learnt.

    The leaders, especially the former Niger Delta warlords, are said to be insisting that they will not play second fiddle if PDP returns to power in 2019.

    Their position is said to be the outcome of a recent meeting between some South-South opinion leaders and ex-militant coordinators.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have a fresh challenge at hand because the Southsouth wants the SGF slot in a move which may alter pre-primaries negotiation with the Southwest.

    “This demand from the Southsouth is part of the intrigues surrounding the ongoing horse-trading in PDP. Every geopolitical zone is interested in what PDP and Atiku will offer it.

    “So far, neither the PDP nor Atiku has been forthcoming on the positions to concede to the South-South.

    “What the South-South leaders are saying is that they will not wait till after the election before knowing PDP’s and Atiku’s plans for their zone. And it is more complex because ex-militant leaders are collaborating with respected leaders from the Niger Delta in this latest agitation.”

    Atiku’s camp,  however, said it is too early to jostle for positions when a big battle is ahead.

    One of Atiku’s  strategists, Mr. Phrank Shuaibu, said:  “The party has already done its zoning and that was why it’s presidential candidate came from the north. The candidate does not intend to alter the decision of the party unless the party decides otherwise.

    “We regard these remarks as permissible conjectures, allowable agitations or gambits that can be used for negotiations, particularly now that it is becoming obvious by the day that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP is a clear favourite to win the 2019 presidential election.

    “However, the truth of the matter remains that it is still early in the day  to firmly  allocate certain sensitive positions at the national level when the real battle ahead is to defeat and dismiss President Muhammadu Buhari and his APC Government at the centre.

    “The discussions on the issue of power sharing and ethnic balancing are an evolving conversation and negotiation. Nothing is static or written in gold or even cast in stone.

    “ Realistically, it is the party leadership that will have the final say on such matters and discussions are ongoing.”

  • 2019: We will end APC’s reign in Lagos — PDP

    The Lagos State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday said it was sure to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) to capture the state in the 2019 elections.

    The state Organising Secretary of the party, Mr Johnson Agbaje, spoke in Epe during the campaign flag-off of Princess Abiodun Oyefusi, the Lagos East Senatorial candidate of the party.

    He said the party had been repositioned for greatness and the confidence of residents in the party was growing by the day.

    Agbaje said that residents were tired of what he called the failures of the APC administration in the state.

    “The PDP will win in 2019. We are very confident.The people are tired of the APC and their failed promises and they want us to give them hope.

    “We are the party of the people for the people. We are the party to deliver Lagos and give it to the people.

    “With the growing confidence in the PDP, we will surely win in 2019,” he said.

    Agbaje said all the candidates of the PDP for the general elections in the state were people of integrity with the capacity to deliver.

    He described Oyewusi as a candidate with a very rich pedigree, saying the party trusted in her capacity to give better representation to the Lagos East in the Senate.

    “We have given the Lagos East a woman with great capacity. A woman who will bring the needed development for the people of this area.

    “We have given you a woman with proven track records. We need you to support her and vote for her for better representation,” he said.

    Oyefusi, a daughter of the late Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, said she was contesting the Senate seat to bring development to the Lagos East Senatorial seat.

    She said she was contesting to contribute her quota to nation-building and create opportunities for women.

    The candidate urged people of the area to give her the required support, promising not to disappoint if elected.

    “I am going to the Senate to contribute to laws that will strengthen our communities and bring development, not only to our people here, but to the entire nation.

    “I will create opportunities for our youths. I will fight for increased representation of women in politics.

    “I am for the development of this area. By the grace of God, I will make you proud”, she said.

    Oyefusi urged the people of Lagos East to vote for the PDP, as the party would not disappoint them in 2019.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oyefusi and her campaign team, after her official flag off at her Marina area of Epe, later moved from one part of the ancient town to another to sell her manifesto to the people. (NAN)

  • PDP: The “saviour” Nigeria doesn’t need at this time

    “Opuro ngbin’la, Oniwayo ngbin’gbado, Ninu oko t’alabosi da, e o r’aiye; A o m’eni to se ba se po, ninu eke pelu, alaida, et cetera, et  cetera…..”

     

    Haruna Ishola, that Yoruba philosophical musician I’m so enamoured of because of his very rich reservoir of wisdom, must have had the crowd of the PDP comedians in mind when he rendered that song.

    The wordings say something about the schemers, the irredeemable liars and the shameless manipulators who inhabit our space, and who, unfortunately, are to be found more in the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party than anywhere else.

    Those who know this columnist will attest to one fact – that he is imbibed with a high sense of fairness, ever willing to concede to even a fool that he can be right at times. I tried to be fair in assessing every statement emanating from PDP leaders, but on each occasion, I’m hard put to concede to them that they are truly imbibed with patriotic fervour.

    On each occasion that statements emanate from this crop of leaders, I cannot just help turning it in my mind how positively fertile Haruna Ishola’s brain was when he was composing his very meaningful songs which are grossly ‘un-decodable’ to most of today’s youths, whose world of music begins and ends with a Davido or a Tuface. If a liar is planting okro seedlings and the conman is also planting maize in a farm cultivated by the hypocrite, who does not know that their harvest will be like that of the man who put a chunky stone in water and starts boiling it on fire, telling whoever cares that it is yam he is preparing for meal. Who doesn’t know that he alone will eat his “yam” when it is done?

    The other day, PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar said he is in the race to take Nigeria to El-dorado and abolish misery in the land in one fell swoop. Yet, he was part of an Obasanjo administration where mindless assassinations of high profile politicians like Chief Bola Ige, Chief Dikibo and Chief Marshal Harry occurred, without a clue as to the planners and the executors of those dastardly and ungodly acts, till today.

    An Atiku who had the Midas touch in his fingers such that he shot into the top class of the nouveau rich from being a second level or third level ranking Customs officer, whose wealth today will make Rasaq Okoya or Kessington Adebutu green with envy, if the details of his economic worth are unveiled. This man must be taking Nigerians for fools if he thinks we believe he is the saviour that we need.

    Or former President Goodluck Jonathan, under whose watch the worst crippling of the nation’s economy in our history took place. We were taken into recession by Jonathan’s government which left the nation terribly impoverished. Jonathan’s regime has the distinction of creating trillionaires of uncommon hue within less than 10 years in office, much more than the number Nigeria ever had since the Yakubu Gowon’s appearance on the centre stage in 1966.

    That the likes of Jonathan and Atiku can contemplate coming back to power after the unprecedented plundering of the nation under their watch, from which we are yet to recover, tells of the disdain they and their party, the PDP, have for Nigerians. For the reason that Nigerians are not morons, it does not require a soothsayer to tell us that the PDP and its crowd of leader-looters will fail woefully in next year’s elections like never before.

  • 2019: You can’t sway Southeast with fake promises, PDP tells Buhari

    •Pan-Igbo group endorses President

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has told President Muhammadu Buhari that with the 2019 elections around the corner, he cannot sway the people of the Southeast with fake promises and false performance claims.

    The party, in a statement yesterday, accused the President of attempting to lure the Southeast geo-political zone into supporting his second term.

    It added that the people have resolved not to follow any leader who cannot deliver on his promises.

    But contrary to PDP’s position, a pan-Igbo group, Igboezue Cultural Advancement Initiative, has declared its support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019.

    The group said after wide consultations, it has resolved to collaborate with the United Progressive Party (UPP) to chart the political way forward for Ndigbo in Nigeria.

    However, PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan said President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been jittery.

    According to the main opposition party, the Southeast and other geo-political zones across board have expressed an overwhelming acceptance of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, due to his “proven competence, respect for equity and all-inclusiveness in governance”.

    The party said: “Instead of accepting his failure, which is manifest to all, President Buhari, who is reputed for not fulfilling campaign promises, is busy making a fresh list of fake promises to Nigerians.

    “In this desperation, Mr. President fails to understand that the people of the Southeast, just like other Nigerians, are too sophisticated to fall for gimmicks, false promises and ethnic politics, and as such cannot be swayed from their resolve to rally with Atiku Abubakar to rescue our nation from the shackles of misrule.

    “Nigerians have since seen through President Buhari’s bouquet of failures and fake promises, which in any case, cannot heal the wounds of marginalisation, nepotism, inequity, disregard for federal character principle and harsh economic policies, including obnoxious foreign exchange regulations and heavy taxations of his administration, which are killing businesses and plunging families into extreme poverty.”

    But, the national leader of Igboezue, Chief Chekwas Okorie, said at a news conference yesterday that the group is in total support of UPP in adopting Buhari as its presidential candidate.

    Okorie, who is also the UPP National Chairman: “Igboezue is in total agreement with UPP in its revolutionary agenda as encapsulated in the party’s manifesto and objective principles of its constitution concerning restructuring, self-determination of Nigerian ethnic nationalities, referendum, devolution of power, state police and community policing and unconditional release of prisoners of conscience etc.

    “While holding these principles sacrosanct, we also align with UPP in its wise decision to endorse and adopt President Muhammadu Buhari as presidential candidate for the 2019 election.

    “We will do everything within our power to ensure that Ndigbo do not put their political eggs in one basket either now or in the future. We shall work for the completion of President Buhari second term in office in order to pave the way for a patriotic Igbo man or woman to be elected president of Nigeria in 2023.”

    Okorie said Igboezue strongly believed that four more years of Buhari’s government was by far better and “more bearable than the possible eight years of Atiku Abubakar’s administration, which will bring back to our people sad memories of 16 years of PDP emasculation of Ndigbo”.

    He noted that the group was conscious of the truth that the PDP has not made any form of commitment to the restructuring of Nigeria or the much-desired Igbo presidency any time in the future.

     

     

     

     

  • PDP accuses FG , APC of using force to capture A’Ibom

    The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Akwa Ibom has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government of using intimidation to capture the state for the ruling party.

    In a press conference Thursday night, the state chairman of the PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo said the party has uncovered plan by the FG to use the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to haunt state government officials, as a prelude to freezing the accounts of the state.

    Ekpo said the siege on the State House of Assembly by the police and the frequent change of commissioners of police was parts of plots to capture the state by force.

    He said the impression that APC was trying to make the state ungovernable so that a state emergency would be declared ahead of next year’s general election.

    The PDP boss, however, said the party would not be intimidated by the actions of the federal government.

    Ekpo said the invasion of the state house of assembly by the five sacked APC lawmakers was done in bad faith as there was no stay of execution by any court stopping the Speaker from declaring their seats vacant.

    “The invasion of the house of assembly with thugs by Mr. Idongesit Ituen, one of the sacked lawmaker representing Itu state constituency was done in bad faith as there was no stay of execution issued by any court of law against the speaker in respect of Ituen’s case”, he said.

    He argued that the schemes of APC were to bring Governor Udom Emmanuel in a collision course with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The People’s Democratic Party has invited you this evening to alert Nigerians, international communities, and indeed the whole world of attempts by the All Progressives Congress in collusion with security agencies to make the state ungovernable and possibly declare a state
    of emergency to pave way for easy manipulations of elections results in 2019.

    “It is pertinent to note that we have uncovered a fresh plot by the APC to use the EFCC to clamp down on Akwa Ibom State government accounts. This is another desperate attempt by the APC to paralyse the activities of the government of Akwa Ibom State.

    “In view of the foregoing, we make this extant demand: that the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, should as a matter of urgency, cause the troops laying siege at the premise of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to vacate with immediate effect and cease forthwith, further intimidation of officials of Akwa Ibom government and principal officers of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly,” he said.

     

     

  • PDP to challenge Kwara National Assembly by-election outcome at tribunal

    The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to challenge the result of the last Saturday’s House of Representatives by-election in Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Isin/Irepodun Federal Constituency.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Abdulraheem Olawuyi the winner of the election.

    He polled 21,236 votes, while his closest rival of the PDP, Saheed Damilare, got 18,095 votes.

    Reacting to the outcome of the election, the PDP described its as a daylight robbery.

    It said the result did not reflect the will of the people.

    The party said its members were allegedly harassed and intimidated during the poll.

    It described the election as a charade and direct assault on democracy.

    Speaking with The Nation, PDP’s State Chairman Kola Shittu said the party won the election, but that the INEC upturned it.

    He said: “The general disenchantment among the voters and people of Kwara South against Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s administration is not enough to make us lose. There may be complaints here and there, as nobody is perfect. It is not only in Kwara State that local government workers are not paid; it is because of the economic situation of the country.

    “Yes, some people may not be happy, but that is not enough to say that we lost the election. The major cause of our losing the election is one thump-printing of ballot papers by INEC for APC and the use of un-serialised ballot papers.

    “By the time we get to the tribunal, all these will be exposed. By the special grace of God, we are planning to go to the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election. The party’s leadership is yet to sit and decide on that, but we are preparing for it.

    “Honestly, as the chairman of the party, I have no doubt in my mind that the PDP will win all the elections in February. I have no doubt because we have the populace behind us; we have the support of the electorate. You may want to ask what happened in the just concluded by-election. It is very clear to everybody that we contested against security agents.

    “In fact, let me tell you that the PDP won that election. The APC, with the help of the security people, thump-printed ballot papers at the collation centre. You also know that they were arresting all the influential stakeholders in all areas before and during the election. One of them is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Anu Ibiwoye.

    “This is not good for democracy. If we had lost fairly, we would congratulate the winner. But they have stolen our mandate. They know it themselves. That is why I don’t feel bad at all.”

  • I will attract more projects, says Hon Agbonnayima

    The lawmaker representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima, has promised to attract more projects to the constituency if re-elected in 2019.
    Hon Agbonnayima who is seeking re-election on the All Progressives Congress platform said he has performed well to the satisfaction of his constituents.
    Agbonnayima listed his achievements to include sponsoring of six bills and twenty motions, presentation of 20 petitions on behalf of his constituents, empowerment of youths and women through donation of cars, sewing machines, grinding machines and grants.

    Read Also: Ikorodu council, CDAs to partner on projects

    Speaking in a chat with newsmen, Agbonnayima said he also attracted the construction of skill acquisition centres in some communities in Egor and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas.
    Agbonnayima said people in the riverine areas were given boats and other empowerment materials.
    He urged his constituents to ignore lies of the PDP  and remain committed to the APC.
    According to him, “I have done well and I am going to do more. Provision of divdeneds of democracy is the right of the people.
    “I gave grants to women and scholarships to students. The people made it possible for me and I know they will be there for me again.”