The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PDP

  • Saraki’s performance at convention indicates rejection – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the poor performance of the Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Election Convention was an indication of his rejection.

    Mr Yekini Nabena, the APC acting National Publicity Secretary stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He added that Saraki’s poor performance at the convention held in Port Harcourt was a befitting end to Sarki’s ambition.

    “With a miserly 317 votes, behind Aminu Tambuwal’s 693 votes and Atiku Abubakar’s 1,532 votes, the PDP delegates have given clear indication that they are fed up with Saraki’s political style.

    “When a leader cannot be trusted, cannot be relied upon, and cannot keep agreements, the people take due cognizance and records of these actions and respond with their votes at the appropriate time,” he said.

    Nabena wondered how someone who emerged as President of the Senate through conspiracy with members of the opposition party and against the wishes and interests of his own party could be trusted to be elected as the presidential candidate of a party.

    He added that throughout Saraki’s tenure as President of the Senate, it has been one confrontation between the Assembly leadership and the Executive or other arm of government.

    Nabena recalled that the confirmation of executive nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation and the annual national budgets had been delayed unnecessarily.

    “For instance, the supplementary budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2019 General Elections is continually delayed due to Saraki’s selfish political machinations.

    “A selfish Saraki will rather than perform his constitutional legislative functions by ensuring timely consideration and passage of Executive Bills, sabotage the efforts of the Executive in furtherance of his treacherous politics.

    “Having sabotaged the President Muhammadu Buhari government while in the APC, he later showed his true colours by formally joining the opposition PDP.

    Read Also: Bindow for Buhari as Fayose threatens to quit over Atiku

    “However, in doing so, Saraki must do the needful by giving up the Senate President position,” Nabena said.

    He added that Saraki should be a distinguished Senator in name and in deed, saying that he cannot continue to preside over the APC-dominated Senate as a member of the minority PDP.

    “The delegates of the PDP have rejected Saraki as their presidential candidate.

    “Let the Senators also do likewise by rejecting the greedy, deceitful and unreliable President as their leader,” Nabena said.

    He added that a new President of the Senate, free from all allegations of criminality was needed now.

  • National Convention: PDP dismisses claim of vote-buying

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the claims of vote-buying at its national convention as false and completely unfounded.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

    Ologbondiyan said that the false claim was part of desperation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discredit the process of the convention which had “been acclaimed as the best in our political history’’.

    He said that such allegation from the APC was not unexpected given that it had tried everything possible to scuttle the national convention and presidential primary but failed.

    Ologbondiyan said that the whole world watched with excitement as 12 aspirants contested the PDP Presidential primary, where delegates drawn from respected Nigerians across the country, freely voted for a candidate of their choice.

    He added that to the amusement of Nigerians, the APC conducted a non-contested convention in which it declared President Buhari as “winner” with over 14 million votes.

    He said that it was strange that the APC declared a candidate as winner when there was never a contest.

    He advised APC to steer clear of its party and get ready for issue-based campaign ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “It is instructive to state that their attempt at smear campaign against our candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will fail as Nigerians are interested only in the candidate that can make a turnaround of the ugly situation’’.(NAN)

  • 2019: PDP on a rescue mission in Plateau – Paradang

    As politicians intensify the hunt for votes ahead of the 2019 elections, Mr David Paradang, PDP candidate for Plateau Central Senatorial seat, says the party is on a rescue mission in the north-central state.

    Paradang, former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), told the NAN on Monday in Pankshin that the party opted for “tested hands” to rescue the state from security and economic challenges confronting it.

    “I have served as a boss of the NIS; our governorship candidate, Gen. Jerry Useni (rtd) has served as military governor, FCT minister and now senator.

    “As a military man, he knows a lot about security and we believe this will help Plateau’s quest for stability,” he said.

    Paradang, who regretted the rising spate of killings in Plateau, promised to support Useni to restore peace to Plateau if both got elected in 2019.

    He also expressed deep concern over the poverty in most Plateau homes, and promised to initiate policies and projects that would help the residents to improve their living standards.

    The PDP candidate said that Plateau was on the brink of total collapse, and called for unity among its people to rescue it from `this very precarious situation”.

    “As Plateau people, we should be one united family fighting enemies seeking to destroy us, but we are sharply divided along the lines of tribe, religion and ethnicity. We cannot continue like this,” he said.

    He regretted that Plateau residents were lacking basic social needs such as healthcare delivery, education and jobs, and described the situation as“unacceptable’’.

    Paradang thanked the PDP delegates for entrusting the ticket to him, and promised to serve the constituency “with the whole of my heart and energy”, if elected as senator.

    The candidate decried the lack of federal presence in the five local governments – Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam, Mangu, Bokkos – that constitute the constituency, and promised to change that tide when elected. (NAN)

  • 2019: Why Atiku can’t be president – Group

    A group identified as Buhari National Votes Guards and Awareness on Monday reacted to the emergence of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), saying that, Atiku cannot rule Nigeria.

    The group said the former Vice President is no match for President Muhammadu Buhari, as they opined that, his political background has been marred with corruption allegations.

    The Coordinator of the group, Engineer Kailani Muhammad at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday however described Atiku’s emergence as a good omen for President Buhari.

    Kailani said “the main fact however, according to the majority of Nigerians is that for a certainty, Atiku Abubakar is no match for president Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election of 2019 because of his alleged political corrupt marred background and President Muhammadu Buhari’s antecedent as a man of impeccable pedigree that is focused towards building a socio-political and economic development.

    He explained that the former Vice President before securing his ticket under PDP has made four unsuccessful attempts to get a party ticket to contest for the presidency, but “he is not suitable to lead Nigeria at this moment,” as Nigerians have made their stand.

    Kailani explained that, “Politics in our country today is big-time business. The only impediment for actualization of aspirations in the space in our mother Nigeria is the financial capacity and muscle. It is in no doubt either that Atiku has both in abundance. Nigerians are aware that those with the financial muscle to procure the venture hope to reap a million fold.

    Read Also: Buhari, Oshiomhole others to grace book launch on Bénin Monarchy

    He said the Buhari’s government has achieved in 3 years, what previous administrations failed to achieve in 16 years, which includes rapid economic growth, transformation in power sector, education, empowerment of Nigerians and among others.

    While commending the president’s achievements so far in the fight against corruption and insecurity, Kailani also remarked that “Mr President has taken a giant stride to improve the image of the country at the global stage. This are the glaring evidences on ground that some politicians refused to acknowledge.” He said.

  • 2019: Massive defection looms in Abia PDP

    There is a planned mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia state to another party should what a group within the PDP in the area described as a daylight robbery during the party primaries was not addressed by the party leadership.

    PDP held primaries in Aba for the House of Representative seat and an indigene of the area, Hon Blessing Nwagba lost to Hon Uzo Azubuike, current commissioner for Agriculture in the state.

    It was learnt that youths in the area protested the result, sighting what they described as high level of electoral fraud which gave room for a candidate they said wasn’t their choice.

    Patrick Ikebekee, leader of the group said, “We are not talking about how the current administration in the state under PDP has abandoned us. We have tolerated the PDP enough, but since they all have conspired to put Aba Ngwa people into perpetual servitude, we shall push PDP out of Aba.

    “No matter what it will cost us, there shall be massive defection into another party. We shall make sure nobody talks about PDP in Aba again. This is our land and any party that commands Aba owns Abia.

    “We are therefore issuing one week ultimatum to the PDP to reschedule this Kangaroo primaries that was conducted today or there will be a massive defection of the entire Aba Ngwa people into another party. This is not how elections should be done”, he said.

    Another youth, Marvelous Ahuama alleged that what transpired at the primaries and how the result was controversially announced showed that there was a huge conspiracy from the top to be keeping them away from enjoying what belongs to them and make them settle for crumbs.

    He said: “We have asked that we be granted opportunity to at least represent ourselves, but with what has played out here it means it has eluded us again. The election was marred with several irregularities like over voting and we complained earlier, but the PDP hierarchy ignored us”.

  • Ohaneze: We’ll vote against Atiku, PDP if……

    The Youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Monday congratulated the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar on his emergence at the party’s primary.

    The former Vice President on Sunday defeated 11 other aspirants to pick the party’s ticket.

    Read Also:Ohaneze warns PDP against denying South-East VP ticket

    He will challenge incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in next year’s general election.

    Reacting to the victory of the former Vice President, Ohaneze Youth Council Worldwide led by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro said Atiku is the right man for the job.

    The group, however, insist that only a running mate from South East will be a suitable pair for PDP to win 2019 Presidential election.

    “Majority of Igbo believes in Restructuring and majority of Igbo Youths wants Referendum because of the economic hardship in the country, we believe that Atiku whose campaign of restructuring will win the hearts of Nigerians and possible pair of running mate from South East Will quell the quest of referendum by agitators and Igbo Youths”

    “We insists that any betrayal of denying Ndigbo the Vice Presidential slot of PDP will make Ndigbo dump PDP in the Presidential election, but will vote PDP in the Gubernatorial elections in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu”

    The group further said that the zone ‘has better personalities like Peter Obi, Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala, Sen Dr Ike Ekweremadu and Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe who are fit for the Vice Presidential job’

    The group warned that it will work against the PDP by mobilising youths in the zone to vote for another party of Mr Atiku fails to pick his running late from the South East.

  • Jang congratulates Atiku, pledges total support

    Former Plateau governor, Sen. Jonah Jang, has congratulated Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for picking the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general elections.

    Jang, who also contested alongside Atiku and 10 others, said in a statement issued on Monday in Jos that the victory was well-deserved and he would support the party’s candidate to win in 2019.

    Our reporter reported that  Atiku polled 1,532 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Aminu Tambuwal, who had 693 votes at the party’s elective convention held in Port- Harcourt.

    Read Also:Bindow embraces Buhari as Atiku’s victory divides Adamawa

    “On behalf of my campaign team and teeming supporters, I hereby congratulate Atiku Abubakar for a deserved victory and accept in totality the outcome of the Primary Elections.

    “As a loyal member and responsible stakeholder of our party, I hereby pledge to support and work for the actualisation of the anticipated Atiku Abubakar presidency; a presidency which I strongly believe will have answers to the multifaceted problems confounding the current occupant of Aso Rock, ” Jang said.

    The former governor urged Atiku to pay special attention to the challenges confronting the people of Middle Belt, particularly the countless killing of innocent citizens by ” faceless” gunmen, when he becomes president.

    He advised the candidate to make the security and welfare of the middle belters his top priority.

    Jang commended the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee and the Dr Ifeanyi Okowa-led Convention committee for organising a hitch-free and transparent convention.

  • Bindow embraces Buhari as Atiku’s victory divides Adamawa

    Governor Mohammed Umar Jibrilla (Bindow) of Adamawa State has declared unreserved loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and support for his candidacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 presidential election.

    The declaration came against the background of the emergence of a son of the state, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a development which has divided an Adamawa State that was otherwise solidly behind Buhari.

    The state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr Sajoh Ahmed, who spoke for Bindow at a press conference in the Government House in Yola Monday, condemned what he described as a looming blackmail by elements who he said were planning to design a poster pairing Bindow with ‘the presidential candidate of another party’, a ploy which he said was wicked and baseless.

    “Bindow is an APC governor working for APC and has no intention to support or canvass support for any presidential candidate outside APC. He has no support for any candidate other than Buhari,” he asserted, adding that anybody who prints any document to portray anything to the contrary should be disregarded.

    Read Also: 2019 election: Atiku can’t stop Buhari’s victory–UK APC

    The commissioner who refrained from specifically mentioning Atiku’s name in his initial address, submitted at the question and answer session of the press conference that Atiku as an Adamawa man winning the presidential ticket of a major opposition party was ‘a factor’ but that Bindow already had the candidate of his party and that Adamawa would always choose reality rather than promises.

    He said Buhari had done enough for Adamawa State since he became president to make the people prefer him to any other candidate.

  • IYC Chairman wins PDP ticket in Bayelsa

    The Central Zone Chairman, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Tare Porri, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the 2019 House of Assembly election in Ekeremor Constituency 1 in Bayelsa State.

    Porri, who polled 26 votes defeated the incumbent lawmaker, Ball Oyarede, who got 25 votes to clinch the ticket in a keenly contested election.

    The IYC chairman attributed his victory to the courage, overwhelming support, steadfastness and prayers of all stakeholders in the 

    Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capita, Porri said he was indebted to the delegates for their belief in him and promised not to let them down.

    Porri commended Governor Seriake Dickson for keeping democracy alive in the state the PDP.

    Referring to the governor as his father, mentor and GovernorI’d -General of the Ijaw nation, he said Dickson allowed a level-playground for all aspirants.

    Addressing his fellow contestants, he said: “To Miss Tari-ere Joyce Gita, history will never forget how you stood tall to defend democracy, with an outstanding character like you, there is hope for our people. 

    “I thank Chief Ball Oyarede for a keen contest and invite you, alongside with other aspirants to join hands with me in moving Ekeremor constituency 1 forward and also leading our party to victory in 2019 because l cannot do it alone.

    “It is the people, who won the election. You my people are the true winners and i accept this victory on your behalf, with confidence that we shall unanimously do same in the general elections.

    “I assure the PDP that there is no viable opposition in the general elections. With this mandate, l shall work tidiously to ensure the victory of the party at all levels. I shall reconcile all perceived aggrieved factions. I shall increase the numbers of the party in the area, and l shall ensure that the music of PDP never fades in the ears of my people.

    “Going forward shall set up a reconciliation committee, to ensure that the party is united and in one accord. After my emergence in the general elections, I assure my people, that Ekeremor constituency one will experience optimal development and growth, working in tandem with the Restoration government.  

    “This cooperation and enhanced policy harmony will surely pay handsome dividends, that will bring infrastructural growth, opportunities for youths, good policies, business sponsorship for market women and many other goodies”.

  • Pastor Bakare congratulates Atiku for winning PDP presidential ticket

    The Convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare on Sunday congratulated Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his emergence as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate.

    According to Bakare, Atiku’s victory would make the 2019 election keen and interesting.

    Bakare, Senior Pastor, Latter Rain Assembly, spoke to newsmen in Ikeja after making a speech on Nigeria’s 58th Independence in his church.

    Atiku, a former Vice-President, was declared winner at his party’s convention in Port-Harcourt early Sunday.

    He polled 1,532 votes to defeat his closest rival, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State (693 votes) and Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, among others at the convention that started on Saturday.

    Bakare said the emergence of Atiku was a welcome development as it meant that the battle for the presidency would be a tough contest between him and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The SNG convener said both the president, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Abubakar were equal match and it was Nigerians who would decide between the two.

    “I congratulate him (Abubakar), he makes the issue in 2019 more robust.

    “It is not going to be an eaglet versus an eagle but an eagle versus eagle: an old eagle versus new eagle and probably both of them old eagles.

    “I wish president Muhammadu Buhari the best in 2019.

    “He has the power of incumbency and he will do his best to win the election, but Atiku is not going to take No for an answer when the two forces collide in the election,” he said.

    Bakare said Abubakar, just like Buhari, had the experience, the exposure and the acceptance expected of the country’s president.

    He, however, pointed out that having those qualities alone would not translate into the victory for him, as the electorate would decide the parameters on which to elect the next president.

    “I can’t say Atiku will win or lose. You see, I am not advocating for him. Among all the aspirants who contested the PDP’s ticket with him, he is perhaps the most cosmopolitan,he is a Wazobia man.

    “He was Vice-President for eight years, and he inherited something from late Yaradua that he had held on to so effectively.

    “He has been a businessman with a business acumen and he has the exposure.

    “But you see, that is not what qualifies you to win. A lot comes into play, so again, I can not say whether he will win or lose,” he said.

    Bakare said for the PDP to win the 2019 elections, they would need to demonstrate to the electorate that they were a regenerated party and “show repentance for the years of the locust they engineered”.

    He added that the opposition party had to convince Nigerians that they would not return to corruption, which he said was the way of life during its rule, to win the confidence of the electorate.

    On the chances of APC, Bakare said though the government was trying its best, there was the need for them to do much more to win the next election.

    He said the country was facing a lot of challenges which the government needed to offer solutions to, in order to fast track pace of development.

    The cleric said that performance and policies, and not necessarily incumbency factor, would guarantee victory for the APC in 2019.

    The SNG Convener said his comments about the Buhari’s administration from the beginning, should not be interpreted to mean he was attacking the government, but he was just raising issues needing attention.

    “I didn’t take any swipe at the administration of President Buhari.

    “What I have always said is that despite the acclaimed progress in the country, Nigerians are not feeling the impact in their homes.

    “That does not mean the government is not working. Look at the groanings of the people, the government still has to do a lot more before the 2019 elections.

    “They have to work harder to assure Nigerians that they are really up to the task of listening to their yearnings and aspirations.

    “The purpose of government is the welfare and security of people.Take that from the equation, then governance means nothing,” he said.

    He said the emergence of many political parties was good for democracy and freedom.

    Bakare, however, said many of the parties were pretenders and they would need to “rise above the cacophony of noise” they were making to make impact in the elections.

    The SNG Convener said he had a presidential ambition but would not contest against President Buhari.

    Bakare, who did not say the year he would contest, however, said he would be the one to succeed the president.

    In his speech on the Independence titled “The Road to 2019: Quo Basis Nigeria’, Bakare said Nigeria had the potential to be great with the right leadership and positive attitude of followers.

    He said 2019 presented another opportunity for citizens to realise the destiny of the country by participating in the process and voting right.

    Bakare urged citizens to vote according to their conscience and elect leaders that mean well for the country. (NAN)