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Tag: PDP

  • Ihedioha clinches Imo PDP guber ticket

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has emerged winner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in Imo.
    Ihedioha won the contest with a total of 1,723 votes to defeat the Senator representing Imo East senatorial zone, Mr Samuel Anyanwu, who came 2nd with a total of 1,282 votes.
    Announcing the results, the returning officer, Mr Emma Nwala, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed in various ways to the success of the electoral process.
    “I am most grateful to all security personnel for their painstaking commitment to the security of lives and materials all through the night and on till this morning.
    “Also, I thank all aspirants, delegates and officials for conducting themselves properly.
    “With the power vested on me as returning officer, I hereby declare Emeka Ihedioha the winner and flag bearer of the PDP in Imo for the 2019 governorship  election, ” Nwala he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise which was originally scheduled to hold on Tuesday Oct. 2 started at 4.00p.m on Monday and ended at 4.30a.m on Tuesday at the Kanu Nwankwo Sports Centre, Owerri.
    The exercise which was largely peaceful, hitch-free and transparent had over 3,000 delegates drawn from the 27 local government areas  in the state participating.
    The party adopted the indirect primaries with delegates casting their votes in alphabetical order of their senatorial zones – Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri zones.
    Other aspirants who participated in the process are: former senator representing Okigwe senatorial zone, Mr Athan Achonu, who scored 63 votes, Prof. Jude Njoku, 21votes, Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), 7 votes and Mr Chukwuemeka Ezeji, 1 vote.(NAN)

  • Who gets Edo APC, PDP tickets?

    Who gets Edo APC, PDP ticket? There will be no governorship election in Edo State next year. But, would-be state and federal lawmakers are battling for tickets of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Correspondent

    THE race to secure the tickets of the major political parties, to vie for National Assembly seats in Edo State is degenerating into dirty fights in some instances. The political platforms where this struggle has been more pronounced are the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    For the Edo PDP, the battle for the  ticket was made relatively easy for incumbent National Assembly members, as they were all given automatic tickets. Those who secured the tickets without a fight are Hon. Omosede Igbinedion from Ovia Federal Constituency, Sergius Ogun of Esan Southeast/Esan Northeast Federal Constituency, Senator Clifford Ordia of Edo Central, Hon. Joe Edionwele of Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben Federal Constituency and Hon. Ogbeide Ihama of Oredo Federal Constituency.

    In constituencies where the PDP has no representatives in the 8th National Assembly, there are sole aspirants seeking the party’s nod to contest the election. In Akoko Edo Federal Constituency, Mr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun is the sole aspirant. Mr. Abubakar Momoh is also the only aspirant for the Edo North senatorial ticket. In Owan Federal Constituency, Hon. Johnson Agbolagba is equally the sole aspirant.

    But, in Estako Federal Constituency, there are three aspirants. They are: Blessing Agbonmhere, Donald Osikhena-Boih and Victor Okhaimho. Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency also has three aspirants. They are: Nosa Adams, Hon. Jude Ise-Idehen and Mrs. Itohan Ogbeide. For the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency seat, there are two aspirants, including Lady Uwa Osunbor.

    The aspirants tipped to emerge as the party’s flag bearers in the constituencies that are still undecided are; Agbonmhere for Estako, Jude Ise-Idehen for Ikpoba-Okha/Egor and Uwa Osunbor for the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode seat.

    For the ruling APC, the battle is tough. The push by Governor Godwin Obaseki for consensus candidates failed in some areas, as some party chieftains insisted that some of the aspirants that emerged through the process were unpopular and so it would be a tough sell them to the people. The Edo APC successfully used the consensus arrangement for the party’s congresses and selection of its candidates for the local government election. Governor Obaseki, it was learnt, moved for a consensus arrangement to reduce the cost of securing party’s nomination as was experienced by him ahead of the 2016 governorship election.

    The APC Secretary, Lawrence Okah, agrees with the governor’s position. He said in an interview recently that the last governorship election was a bitter experience for Governor Obaseki and the entire party structure, because it came at a huge cost to the aspirants. An aspirant for the House of Representatives, Mr. Isaac Osahon, who also backed the call to make campaigns less expensive, said Governor Obaseki was emphatic that he does not want aspirants to spend much to get the party’s nomination.

    Osahon said the governor had stressed that he spent so much money in 2016 and would not want any aspirant to sell properties to seek for the party’s ticket.

    After the failure of the consensus arrangement, the Edo APC caucus settled for the indirect primary option to elect its candidates. In Edo North, where the party’s National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole hails from, incumbent Senator Francis Alimekhena got automatic ticket after other aspirants stepped down for him. In Owan, Professor Julius Ihonvbere who is tipped to get the ticket will slug it out with the APC Legal Adviser, Mr. George Ohima, and Harrison Ehimiyen. It will be a two-race race for the Akoko Edo seat between incumbent Peter Akpatason and Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, while Hon. Johnson Oghuma who is currently representing Estako is battling one Julius Abuda for the party’s ticket.

    The candidates likely to emerge in Edo North are: Senator Francis Alimekhena, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere and Johnson Oghuma. But, there are still doubts as to who will get the ticket in Akoko Edo between Akpatason and Adjoto. Prof. Ihonvbere’s desire was to go to the Senate, but he was asked to step down for Alimekhena and he obeyed. Oghuma appears to have the backing of the party, because he only got elected into the House of Representatives in 2017 after the exit of Philip Shaibu who became the Deputy Governor. Some APC leaders argue that Oghuma should be allowed to do another term, because he has only done half term.

    Edo Central

    In Edo Central, with five local government areas, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. John Inegbedion, is locked in battle with a former member of the House of Representatives, Patrick Ikharhiale, for the APC senatorial ticket. Many party chieftains have penciled down Inegbedion as the likely candidate to emerge. The main challenger, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, stepped down from the race to support whoever the party structure is disposed to. The support for Inegbedion stems from the way he managed the party leadership in Igueben after the exit of Chief Tom Ikimi from the APC. Inegbedion secured victory for the party in the 2015 general elections in an area, which was supposed to be a stronghold of the PDP.

    For the Esan Southeast/Esan Northeast Federal Constituency seat, Prince Odianosen Okojie, the husband of Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson, will slug it out with a former council chairman, Mr. Joseph Ikpea. Prince Okojie appears to be the party’s favourite to pick the ticket, because the APC wants to end the PDP’s dominance in the area. Ikpea is from Esan Southeast where the incumbent lawmaker, Sergius Ogun, hails from.

    The aspirants for Esan West/Igueben//Esan Central Federal Constituency seat of the party are: Deputy Speaker Victor Edoror, Ojieomon Ebohon and Patrick Idiake. Idiake is said to be favoured to be the party’s candidate by consensus, but Edoror’s popularity may give him victory in direct primary.

    Edo South

    The battle for the APC ticket for Edo South is a straight fight between old foes, Emokpae Erhabor and Patrick Obahiagbon, who is more popularly known as Igodomigodo. Emokpae and Obahiagbon contested for the same senatorial ticket in 2015 and both of them lost to Samson Osagie. Obahiagbon is believed to have the backing of the party’s hierarchy, but Emokpae is not disturbed and has vowed not to step down. He denied reports that he has agreed to step down for his opponent and added that he has no intention of doing so, even though nobody has approached him.

    Emokpae said: “I am not backing down. There is no such thing. The race, currently, is a two-horse race clearly between myself and my opponent and the contrast between the two of us could not be clearer.

    “In Edo South, we need freedom of choice. Freedom of choice is the foundation of true democracy. So, we are going to have a democracy; the National Chairman has promised no less.

    “I will do my best. I will present what I will do and the people will decide. I am working with the people and the people are behind the delegates.”

    For the Oredo House of Representatives seat, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha and Osaro Obazee are in the race for the ticket. Iyoha who is the Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly is believed to be the candidate that has the clout to defeat the incumbent lawmaker, Ogbeide Ihama. He may likely emerge the party’s candidate.

    Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima, the lawmaker representing Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency is battling for the APC ticket with on Victor Obanor. Agbonnayima has secured the support of major party stakeholders in the area and is likely to be given the return ticket.

    In Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, incumbent Patrick Aisowieren will have to defeat a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Elisabeth Ativie, to secure the party’s ticket. Aisowieren hails from Orhionmwon, while Ativie hails from Uhunmwode. The APC structure in Orhionmwon and majority of the leaders in Uhunmwode has endorsed Aisowieren to get a return ticket. So, he is likely to get the ticket.

    The battle for the Ovia Federal Constituency seat is between Isaac Osahon and Dennis Idahosa. Osahon was in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015. He lost his return bid in 2015 to Omosede Igbinedion. It is not clear who will pick the ticket, as neither has agreed to step down.

    Major aspirants that have picked the ADP ticket are Mr. Pius Alile, who is seeking to represent Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency. Alile recently sunk boreholes in some communities and graded some roads to woo voters. He said he would lobby other lawmakers to bridge the infrastructural deficits in the constituency.

    Ese Owie, a son of a former Chief Whip of the Senate, also picked the ADP form to contest for the Senate. Owie who dismissed people referring to him to as daddy’s boy said he is contesting on his pedigree and achievements.

    OSAGIE OTABOR examines the preparations for the primaries.ckets?

  • Nigeria @58: Prospects of better Nigeria very bright, if … — Secondus

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, says prospects of a better Nigeria are very bright, if democracy flourishes and people are allowed to exercise their franchise at will.

    Secondus said this in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Ike Abonyi, on Monday in Abuja, to mark Nigeria 58th Independence Anniversary.

    He said it was regrettable that a richly endowed nation like Nigeria was being declared the headquarters of the World poor due to leadership problem.

    Secondus expressed concern about threat to the country’s democracy as Nigeria celebrated another anniversary.

    According to him, this was witnessed at the last governorship election in Osun state, where he said that will of the people was truncated.

    He said that the consolation was that democracy provided Nigerians the opportunity to change bad government and urged them to do so in 2019.

    The PDP leader urged Nigerians to stand up against anything that would prevent them from freely determining who governs and how public funds were expended.

    Secondus wished Nigerians happy Independence Anniversary, saying they deserve salute for their dexterity in the face of  leadership problem.

    He also saluted Nigeria’s fallen heroes and wished Nigerians well, assuring them of a better Nigeria under a PDP administration. (NAN)

  • Ortom emerges Benue PDP guber candidate

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has emerged as the 2019 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ortom defeated other three contestants; John Tondo, Paul Orhii and Felix Atume at the primary election.

    The Chairman, PDP Electoral Panel for the state, Hajia Zainab Maina announced that Ortom scored 2,210 votes to emerge winner, while Tondo got 475 votes and Atume and Orhii polled 44 and 10 votes respectively.

    No invalid votes were recorded during the election.

    Read Also: Air Force Jets destroys Boko Haram meeting venue

    According to her, the election is free, fair, peaceful and conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution.

    In his acceptance speech, Ortom commended the delegates for re-electing him as the party candidate, adding that he would ensure unity among party members for the progress of PDP.

    He promised to carry all aspirants along for growth and development of the state for the future generations to benefit.

    Ortom promised to carry all stakeholders along in tackling insecurity in the state in order to ensure safety of lives and property.

    He also urged those who lost in the contest to support the party candidates so as to ensure victory in the 2019 general elections.

  • Fintiri wins Adamawa PDP governorship primaries

    Former Adamawa Assembly Speaker and Acting governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri has emerged winner of Adamawa Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship primary election.

    Fintiri scored 1,656 votes to defeat four other candidates to emerge winner.

    Declaring the result on Monday, the Returning Officer for the election, Alhaji Adamu Shuaibu, said Fintiri scored 1,656 votes, followed by Amb. Mohammed Jameel, who scored 465 votes.

    Mr Bala Ngilari scored 78 votes, Mr Aliyu Umar scored eight votes, while Dr Umar Ardo scored only one votes.

    Two other contestants, Alhaji Sa’ad Tahir and Alhaji Adamu Modibbo withdrew from the primaries.

    “I Adamu Shu’aibu, returning officer of the Adamawa PDP Governorship Primary election, wish to announced that the election was transparent, free and fair.

    ” And after counting the votes, I wish to announce that Umar Ahmadu Fintiri haven scored the highest votes of 1,656 is hereby declared winner of the Adamawa PDP  Governorship Primary Election,” Shu’aibu said.

    Addressing his supporters shortly after the announcement, Fintiri thanked the party’s stakeholders, especially Atiku Abubakar, Bamanga Tukur and Prof. Jibrin Aminu among others.

    Fintiri also appreciated the effort of the delegates and promised to bring meaningful development into the state.

    “If elected I will guaranteed the welfare of people of the state, especially the civil servants. And I will make the retirement to be blessing rather than curse as being experienced in the state,” Fintiri said.

    He called on the party’s members to support him to capture the Dougirei Government House, Yola, comes 2019. (NAN)

  • 2019: Dan Iya picks Sokoto PDP guber ticket

    In what  seemed a formality, Sokoto State former Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Muhammad Mannir Dan Iya  emerged winner at the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) gubernatorial primaries held on Sunday.
    Mannir who appeared to be the lone contender on stage polled 4,175 votes following Prof. Hamza Maishanu Yabo’s decision  to withdraw from the race.
    No fewer than 4,496 delegates from across the 23LGs  participated in the primaries.
    Yabo last Friday announced his withdrawal from the race to leave Dan Iya.
    Dan Iya‎ who emerged unopposed through electoral process was affirmed at the exercise which was conducted at Giginya township Stadium, Sokoto.
    ‎Declaring the results, Chairman of the  election Committee, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda in his remarks, described the exercise as smooth, successful and credible in accordance with the constitutional provisions of the party.
    He said the total number of delegates who participated in the primaries were 4,976‎ out of which 4,175 voted for the aspirant who emerged as the standard bearer of the party.
    He therefore, acknowledged the collective efforts of party members as well expressed appreciation to the LOC for the peaceful, transparent and purposeful success of the exercise and hoped that same will be reflected at the polls for the victory of the party come 2019.

  • Ekiti: Tribunal dismisses PDP’s application for recount of ballot

    The Ekiti Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the recount of ballot papers used in the July 14 poll.

    The PDP and its candidate, Prof. Olusola Kolapo are challenging the outcome of the election in court.

    The respondents in the matter are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Dr Kayode Fayemi, the winner of the election.

    Ruling on the application, the Chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Bolaji Belgore, declared that the application lacked merit.

    Belgore noted that Ekiti had 177 wards with 2,197 polling units in 16 local government areas but the petitioners only complained of 325 polling units in their petition before the tribunal.

    The chairman said PDP and its candidate did not complain about all the 2,197 polling units in the state.

    “To pray for recount in all wards and polling units across the state is to make firm nonsense of the petitioners’ pleading,” Belgore said.

    According to him, pleadings are written statements of parties in a procedure wherein they clearly state the materials, including documents, they will rely on in the proceeding.

    He said the tribunal could only admit where it was supported by pleading, adding that what the petitioners wanted could not be situated in their pleading before the tribunal.

    The chairman further said that the evidence so generated from the recount would have no basis in the proceeding.

    He added that what the petitioners wanted to do was to spring a surprise on the respondents which they would not be able to respond to as time for pleading had closed.

    He stated that the tribunal was in agreement with the submission of the counsel for Fayemi, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), that the petitioners were fishing for evidence under the guise of recounting the ballot.

    The relief that seeks the recount be done in the presence of two representatives of the parties in the matter, secretary of the tribunal and security operatives, the tribunal held that involving its secretary would amount to the secretary giving evidence for the petitioners.

    “The secretary of the tribunal cannot be a party to do what the application wanted,” Justice Belgore stated.
    He, therefore, declared, “we hereby rule that the application is lacking in merit.”

    In a related development, the tribunal turned down INEC’s application from excluding the smart card reader machines used in the July 14 governorship election.

    Ruling on the application argued by Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for INEC, Belgore said that excluding the card readers from inspection would be tantamount to setting aside the tribunal’s early order granted on July 26.

    The tribunal, however, made a consequential order that the inspection of the card readers must be completed by the end of each party’s case, which would commence on Oct. 17.

    The chairman declared that the consequential order was not setting aside the exparte order granted on July 26.
    The tribunal thereafter adjourned the commencement of hearing in the petition until Oct. 17.

  • I am not ashamed to call Buhari my friend – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that he is not ashamed to call President Muhammadu Buhari his friend despite belonging to the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP).

    Umahi made the assertion on Friday night in Abakaliki during the quarterly media chat/ dinner as part of celebrations to mark the nation’s 58th anniversary and 22nd year of the state’s creation, noting that their relationship was beyond politics.

    The governor remarked that the State Government would name the one and half kilometres glass tunnel it is constructing after Buhari as it would be one of the best in the world.

    “I want to state that aside my wife, Buhari remains my only boss and should be respected by Nigerians because of his status as the president.

    “Buhari as the president, is the symbol of the country just as the governor’s are mini-presidents in their respective states.

    “The fact is that as a human being, he might not be doing everything correctly, but the citizens owe him prayers and understanding to lead the country aright.

    “I have said repeatedly that I don’t have to insult him to show that I am a PDP member and it is not my duty as a governor to insult the president.

    “This does not mean that I do not identify with the ideals of the PDP, but it must be stated that those who say they are supporting Buhari in Ebonyi are only deceiving the people,” he said.

    The governor noted that the opposition in the state was only interested in his job and not genuinely supporting the president, vowing not to allow them to take the position from him.

    “The northern senatorial zone of the state produced a governor who served for eight years; the central zone did the same and the southern zone where I hail from should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure.

    “This is the tripod on which the state’s equity rests and even though a sitting governor wanted to truncate it, God brought a David in my person to ensure it was maintained and it will be maintained till the end,” he said.

    Umahi urged Nigerians to realise that power comes from God and to check the brazen quest for political offices which has brought several problems to the country.

    “Politicking has recklessly taken the centre stage in the nation’s affairs and if such is not checked for the next four years, it would be difficult for the country to handle its consequences.

    “The common man in the country just needs food on his table as politics has become a means of profiteering even from those who have nothing to offer to the people,” he said.

    The governor, who took time to enumerate his administration’s strides in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, education, heath, human empowerment, among others, noted that his decision to modernise the state capital was irreversible.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that media practitioners from within and outside the state, took turns to ask several questions bordering on the state’ s existence and made general comments, at the occasion. (NAN)

  • High stakes as PDP picks governorship candidates tomorrow

    Will PDP improve on its gubernatorial rating in 2019? The opposition is doing its calculations in virtually all the states. How does the game add up for PDP? In this peep, Yusuf ALLI, Musa ODOSHIMOKE, Lagos, Oseheye OKWUOFU, Ibadan, Abdulfatah ALABELEWE, Kaduna, Bisi OLANIYI, Port Harcourt, Chris OJI, Enugu, Ogochukwu ANIOKE, Abakaliki, Kolade ADEYEMI, Kano, Nicholas KANU, Calabar and Justina ASISHANA,Minna review the intrigues in some states,the contenders and the pretenders.

    NOTHING underscores the challenge of picking PDP governorship candidate than the emergency shuttle of the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to Kwara State on Monday night where he held a closed door session with all the aspirants. So far, none of the aspirants is ready to step down for the September 30 (tomorrow’s) battle.
    The aspirants include the following: ex-Governor Mohammed Sha’aba Lafiagi; ex-Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi; ex-Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman; a ranking member of the House of Representatives, Alh. Zakary Mohammed; the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad; a former Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Razaq Atunwa; a former Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Saka Isau(SAN); and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahman Pategi Aliyu; a Secretary in the FCT, Mr. Ladi Hassan and Ibrahim Ajia, who was a former Aide-de-Camp to ex-President of the Senate Anyim Pius Anyim.

    Saraki has five challenges confronting him namely: he is haunted by his pledge to allow transparency in the primaries and the need to walk the talk; his promise to give a sense of belonging to Kwara Central, Kwara South and Kwara North Senatorial districts; most of the aspirants are his core loyalists; and whether or not to gamble between Kwara Central (which held the governorship mantle in the state from 1999 to 2011) and Kwara North which has not tasted the power since 1993; Naturally, it ought to be the turn of Kwara North but the political permutations in APC will largely determine the beacon of Saraki and PDP in the state. Saraki is uncertain of the joker of the APC on where the ruling party at the centre will pick its candidate.

    If APC concedes the ticket to Kwara Central, he will have no choice than to take the battle to the same district to the ruling party. But PDP runs the risk of losing Kwara North(where President Muhammadu Buhari is popular) and Kwara South which Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed cannot deliver to him.

    KATSINA

    In Katsina State, Sen. Garba Yakubu Lado has been unanimously endorsed by all the stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

    Lado is a veteran in governorship race having contested for the same position on the platforms of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and the Peoples Democratic Movement(PDM). He is from the same Katsina South with the incumbent APC Governor Aminu Masari. While Masari is from Karfur Local Government Area, Lado is from Kankara in Kankara LGA. Lado faces a straightforward “family” battle with Masari because he has always been an ardent loyalist of President Muhammadu Buhari until when he dumped CPC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The deliberate choice of Lado by PDP was designed to make the race tougher in Katsina because the candidate is a man of the grassroots having been a local government chairman, a member of the House of Representatives and a Senator. Apart from the incumbency factor, Masari might have a smooth sail back to power because of the influence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    GOMBE

    Out of the 30 governorship aspirants of the PDP in the North-East, Gombe is topping the chart with 13 aspirants who are eager to succeed Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo who has succeeded in sustaining the high standards he inherited from his predecessor, Sen. Danjuma Goje.

    Those in the race include a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen.Bayero Nafada(who is said to have a secret pact with the governor);the Managing Director of the Tinka Point Limited, Bala Tinka who was the convener of the ‘’Talba Neighbor 2 Neighbor’’ which worked for the re-election of Dankwambo in 2015despite the formidability of APC; the state Commissioner for Finance, Hassan Muhammadu; the Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Ahmad Abubakar Walama; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, Senator Haruna Garba; Ambassador Haruna Garba; Alhaji Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna (who is the Managing Director of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

    With a united APC in the state, it will be extremely difficult for PDP to sustain its 15-year old winning streak after the tenure of Dankwambo. The leader, who holds the aces in Gombe, is Sen. Danjuma Goje. He is anxiously waiting to dislodge PDP by installing his loyalist as the next governor of the state.
    Although Dankwmabo will have substantial say on who will get the PDP ticket, the manner in which he plays his politics will determine the success of his party. Gombe State is a politically slippery environment where zoning plays a key role.

    ADAMAWA

    The refusal of Governor Jibrilla Bindow to defect from APC to PDP has left ex-VP Atiku Abubakar with a wild card to call the shots and prop up his banker son-in-law, Adamu Modibbo which may not translate to a victory for the opposition party.
    Those who might give Atiku a headache are a former Acting Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmed Fintiri, who has been funding PDP before Atiku and others defected; Barrister Ahmed Aliyu; Jamilu Waziri, who was a former protocol officer to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; Saad M. T. Tahir(ex- Deputy Governor) and ex-Governor James Bala Ngilari. The imposing attitude of Atiku might affect intra-party cohesion and PDP may end up not making significant gubernatorial impact in a heterogeneous state like Adamawa.

    BENUE

    Going by the negotiation which heralded his defection from APC to PDP, the main governorship aspirant to beat in Benue State is Governor Samuel Ortom. Investigation confirmed that Ortom’s return to PDP was a “wholesale” deal by the National Secretariat of the party because of what is termed as his “high electoral asset.”
    Notwithstanding, there are five others struggling for the ticket with him including a former Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii; Prof. TorIorapuu; Gabriel Nyitse; Felix Atume; David Iorhemba, and John Tondo.

    Wherever the pendulum swings, the obvious part of the race is that PDP’s ticket will certainly go to a Tiv candidate like the case with APC in view of the huge voting strength of the tribe.

    BAUCHI

    In Bauchi, the PDP is managing to find its bearing because of the cult followership which President Buhari enjoys in the state. The only notable coalition by PDP leaders is alleged gang up against Governor Mohammed Abubakar who has remained unperturbed.

    According to the Chairman of the North-East Screening Committee of PDP, Mr. John Mathew, only four aspirants had been screened in Bauchi State but only three had been prominent. The aspirants are a former Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed; a former Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Abdul Ningi; Sen. Ibrahim Gumba; The plot to outwit each other by power brokers in Bauchi PDP may be the undoing of the party. There are many vested interests that are unprepared for political rapprochement.

    The scramble for the slot is between Bauchi South Senatorial District and Bauchi Central Senatorial District. The incumbent APC governor, Bala and Gumba are from Bauchi South. But Ningi is from Bauchi Central. It will be politically fatal for PDP to pick its candidate from Bauchi Central in derision of the exiting power rotation agreement in the state which allows each district to spend two terms in office.

    AKWA IBOM

    By the power sharing formula of the PDP, Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State enjoys the Right of First Refusal. Since he is interested in a second term ticket, he is the automatic candidate of the party. The hurdles against the governor are his estranged political relationship with his erstwhile godfather, Sen. Godswill Akpabio; the new coalition in APC which looks like a Tsunami; and his inexperience in politics. If Udom wins, he would have nailed the coffins of godfathers in the state. How he will wriggle out of this self-inflicted political problem is a riddle to be solved in 2019.

    PLATEAU

    It is a Southern affair in Plateau State PDP and it could be anybody’s chance. The party, like the APC, has zoned its governorship slot to Plateau South Senatorial District and it is unsurprising that all the 13 leaders aspiring to occupy the Government House in Rayfield in Jos are from the Southern part.

    They include the aged formerFCT Minister, Sen. Jeremiah Useni; Brig-Gen. Gently M. Gambo; Arc. Samuel Jatau; Hon. Exedos Pennam; and Engr. Jimmy Cheto. Others are Rt. Hon. Daika George; Hon. Johnbull Shakarau; Mr. Yitman Maimako; Mr. Sam Abashe; Dr. Godfrey Bawa; Hon. Kemi Nshe; Sen. Victor Lar and Engr. Ibrahim Ponyah.

    NASARAWA

    The joker of the outgoing Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura in ceding the APC governorship ticket to Nasarawa North Senatorial District has left the PDP stranded with no campaign issue. Al-Makura opted to create a sense of belonging for all groups in the state and if his formula works, it will be the first time that power will shift to the North in the state.

    The PDP, which also opted for Nasarawa North to pick its governorship candidate, boasts of the following aspirants: ex- Deputy Governor Solomon Ewuga; Sen. Philip Gyunka; Hon. David Ombugadu; Sen. Patricia Akwashiki and Hon. Dameshi Luka. Except for ex-Governor Abdullahi Adamu who is opposed to the emergence of APC candidate from Nasarawa North, the consensus in the state appears to be in favour of the neglected North.

    Being a volatile state with many ethnic groups, only power shift to Nasarawa North can address the security and disunity challenges facing the state.

    ZAMFARA STATE

    If there is any state where PDP is battle ready for governorship race, it is Zamfara State where the stakeholders came together to endorse former member of the House of Representatives, Bello Muhammad (Matawallen-Maradun) as the party’s governorship candidate. Although it was not easy pleading with another aspirant, Sahabi Ya’u, to step down, the interest of the party was larger than other consideration.

    With the ongoing re-strategizing of PDP in Zamfara by a former National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau(rtd) and other elders, the APC will have to look for a credible candidate against PDP’s choice. Since 1998, beginning with the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), Bello had won elections into the National Assembly. Apart from serving as a commissioner in many ministries in Zamfara State, the PDP candidate was in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011.

    JIGAWA

    In Jigawa State, some foxes in APC are now realigning with their old folks in PDP against Governor Abubakar Badaru . Leading the pack of PDP aspirants is Ibrahim Aminu Ringim, who was the gubernatorial candidate of the party in 2015.

    Others, who have obtained the governorship nomination form, are the first Civiilian Governor of the state, Barrister Ali Sa’adu Birnin-Kudu; Useini Namadi; Danladi Auyo and Tijjani Ibrahim Kwiya whose posters are everywhere in the state.

    LAGOS

    The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not go into its governorship primary with more than two aspirants. As at now, the aspirants jostling for the ticket of the party are Mr. Deji Doherty and Mr. Jimi Agbaje.

    Though, the news wasvrecently circulated that billionaire businessman Femi Otedola was in the race, this he had refuted. Doherty and Agbaje are not new in contesting for the governorship of the state; the only person who came close to testing his popularity is among the electorate is Agbaje. He was the standard bearer of the PDP in the 2015 election which was won by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The PDP has not been able to win the governorship election in Lagos State, even when it was in control at the centre. The PDP is aware that it must present a formidable candidate to slug it out with the candidate of the APC in 2019. That is why, in deciding who picks the party’s ticket at the shadow polls, the candidate must be well grounded for the position.

    As part of the preparations to ensure victory for the party in 2019, its leadership is closing ranks in order to ensure victory for the party in next month primary. The fortune of the party was recently deflated when the former Lagos State PDP chairman Chief Moshood Salvador defectef to the APC with thousands of his followers. The party is still battling to fill the wide gap.

    OYO

    It’s a straight fight between Makinde,Adeseun Businessman and philanthropist, Engineer Oluwaseyi Makinde and Senator Ayoade Adeseun are the gladiators in the Oyo state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary tomorrow.

    Makinde is from Ibadan while Adeseun in from Ogbomoso. Makinde is not new to the governorship race having previously bid for the PDP ticket in  2015 and lost. He soon switched allegiance to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on which platform he contested the governorship election only to lose to incumbent governor Abiola Ajimobi. He returned to the PDP in 2017 at the invitation of the then caretaker national chairman of the party,Senator Ahmed Makarfi,spending his time and resources to rebuild the party ahead of the 2019 elections.

    His efforts have endeared him to many party supporters who are rooting for him to go all the way. His popularity and grip on the PDP structure seemed to have forced former governor Rashidi Ladoja and his supporters out of the PDP to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). His opponent, Adeseun ,is not a push over either.

    He has been chairman , Surulere Local Government, pioneer chairman of All People’s Party (APP) in the state, member House of Representatives elected on the platform of PDP and senator elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before rejoining PDP ahead of the 2019 polls.

    But the odds seem to be overwhelmingly in favour of Makinde who many party supporters adore for his generosity. The fact that majority of the votes will be coming from Ibadanland which controls close to half of the 33 local government areas of the state is a factor in deciding who,between the two, will fly the PDP ticket.

    KADUNA

    A former governor and an array of ex-commissioners and legislators.That is the line up for the Kaduna State PDP governorship primary tomorrow. Immediate past governor Ramallan Yero is slugging it out with former NEMA Director General, Sani Sidi, Dr. Mohammed Sani Bello, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, former House of Representatives member, Isah Ashiru, Mohammed Kadade, Bello Kagarko, Jonathan Kish Adamu, Shuaibu Mikati, Ibrahim Dauda and Mohammed Sani. Of the lot,Yero,Sani Bello and Isah Ashiru appear to be the top three aspirants. Bello is a former Commissioner for Science and Technology and former financial controller at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Party chieftains are well disposed to him for sustaining the party since it lost power in 2015.

    The party chiefs, according to sources,are not happy that many of the other aspirants were not there for the PDP when it needed them most in the aftermath of the last elections. They said it was only Bello that put his resources at the disposal of the party and ensured that the party did not go under. He is regarded as the godson of former governor of the state,Senator Ahmed Makarfi,who remains immensely popular in the state and is also a presidential aspirant.

    Ashiru is a grassroots mobiliser and former member of the House of Representatives. He also enjoys the support of notable party bigwigs, including the longest serving chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Audi Yero Makama. He had defected to the APC and only rejoined the PDP recently.

    Some party members believe he can hold his own against Governor Nasiru el Rufai and that but for the support of President Muhammadu Buhari in the run-up to the 2015 elections he would have defeated el Rufai in the APC primary. Jonathan Kish Adamu is the only PDP aspirant from southern Kaduna state. Alhaji Shuaibu Idris Mikati, is a business mogul and perennial aspirant. Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),is another perennial aspirant. He said he joined the PDP for the purpose of kicking Governor El-Rufai out of Government house.

    KANO

    Things are not looking good for the PDP in Kano state ahead of the primary. On the one hand is the struggle for the soul of the party by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, headed by a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi, and the embattled leadership of Senator Masaud El- Jubrin Doguwa, which was purportedly dissolved by the party’s national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus. There is also the nomination of Abba Kabir Yusuf by his father in law and PDP leader in the state ,Dr.Rabiu Kwankwaso who recently defected from the APC.

    He was handed 51 percent of the party leadership structure in the state by the national leadership, to the chagrin of other party stakeholders, including former Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. Shekarau has since defected to the APC in protest. Many PDP supporters are opposed to Yusuf’s choice, saying he can’t win the state for the party. Professor Hafiz Abubakar who resigned as deputy governor last month and joined Kwankwaso in the PDP seems to have been left to his fate after picking his own nomination form for the PDP governorship race. Alhaji Sagir Salihu Takai,a former ally of Shekarau who decided to pitch his tent with Kwankwaso has also abandoned the Kwankwassiyya group having refused to succumb to pressure from Kwankwaso to forget the governorship ticket and instead gun for a senatorial ticket. Takai has already been screened by the PDP for the governorship race.

    Another political heavyweight who has picked the gubernatorial form and screened is Alhaji Al-Amin Ibrahim Little,an associate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He has been nursing the ambition to govern Kano since 2003. He is regarded as Atiku’s eye in Kano and is mobilizing support for the former VP ahead of the PDP presidential primary. Also in the race are Sadiq Wali, son of the former Permanent Representative of Nigeria at the United Nations, Ambassador Aminu Wali and Jafar Sani Bello, a young breed politician who has served PDP in Kano in several capacities. Sources said some of the aspirants are trying to forge a common front to defeat Yusuf.

    The Nation gathered from reliable PDP sources that Sadiq Wali, Jafar Bello and Sagir Takai met for several hours last Tuesday working out how to come up with a consensus candidate that would confront and defeat Kabir Abba Yusuf. They are yet to make their decision public.

    CROSS RIVER

    Ibeshi, Udayi to challenge Ayade Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State will have a former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Emmanuel Ibeshi, and a real estate developer,Paul Udayi to contend with in the party primary. The three men are from the northern senatorial district of the state.

    Some party members are reportedly unhappy with the governor for allegedly neglecting them since his assumption of office. They fear that the PDP will be taking a risk by fielding him in next year’s election. But Ayade has maintained his hold on the party structure and remains the aspirant to beat in the primary.

    BORNO

    Locked in the battle for the Borno PDP governorship ticket are Alhaji Mohammed Wakil who doubles as the state co-ordinator of the Bukola Saraki presidential campaign organization, and a former chairman of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Mohammed Imam. Political observers in the state consider the two not formidable enough to pose much threat to the APC and even say the PDP could be waiting in the wings to cash in on any possible disagreement that may erupt in the APC during its own governorship primary by offering aggrieved aspirants a chance to try their luck in the PDP.

    YOBE

    In it also a two -way affair in neighbouring Yobe State where two former ambassadors are gunning for the PDP ticket. They are Alhaji Umar Illya Damagum, former ambassador to Romania and Alhaji Umar El- Gash, former ambassador to Pakistan.VParty sources said Damagum stands a better chance to clinch the ticket having previously served as partysecretary for over five years and seems to have mastered the terrain. One of the sources said the non-participation of serial contestant,Adamu Waziri, is also a good omen for Damagum.

    NIGER

    Five aspirants are contesting the PDP governorship ticket in Niger State with Nigeria’s immediate past High Commissioner in South Africa,Mr.Ahmed Musa Ibeto on top of the list. Contending the ticket with him are: the party’s governorship candidate in 2015, Umar Nasko, prominent Minna hotelier Umar Ahmed, Engineer Aminu Bakar and Engineer Hannafi Sudan.

    Party sources told The Nation that it will be a straight battle between Ibeto who recently rejoined the PDP from the APC, and Umar Nasko. According to the sources, Ibeto would not have left his ambassadorial position and ditched the APC if he was not sure of clinching the ticket of PDP based on assurances from PDP kingmakers. But they also conceded that Nasko could spring a surprise as he is well respected in the party for his steadfastness.

  • 300 Ekiti PDP members join APC over alleged imposition of candidates

    The ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have swelled in Ekiti State with the crossing over of about 300 members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ire-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area.

    The defectors said they quit the PDP over alleged imposition of State Assembly and National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2019 general elections and alleged one-man dictatorship in the umbrella party.

    At a well attended rally held in the town on Friday, the defectors who were led by Hon. Emmanuel Ogunlayi and Hon. Stephen Mosele said they were left with no option than to join the APC because their complaints were allegedly rebuffed and left unattended to.

    They added that they were attracted to the APC by what they described as “President Muhammadu Buhari’s impressive performances at the
    federal level” promising to work harder for their new party at the coming elections.

    The former PDP members said who pledged allegiance to the APC at Ire Ekiti Ward 1 and Ward 2 were attracted to the broom party by former House of Representatives member for Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency, Hon. Bimbo Daramola.

    They were received by the state APC Chairman, Mr. Paul Omotoso, who led other members of the State Executive Committee to the community for the defection rally.

    Speaking at the rally, Daramola welcomed them into the APC saying the people of the state will begin to enjoy a new lease of life the moment
    the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is sworn into office.

    Daramola said he is seeking the APC ticket to return to the Green Chamber of the National Assembly to provide good governance and complement Fayemi’s efforts to make Ekiti get its fair share in the Nigerian federation.

    He also said Ekiti will benefit from having a ranking member in the next House of Representatives niting that his membership of the federal parliament between 2011 and 2015 brought dividends of democracy to the constituents.

    Daramola said: “You can see that good things are happening in Ekiti APC and this was as a result of my ambition for the House of Representatives. I am re-contesting based on my records and reputation in APC and it is on these bases that I want to be judged.

    “They knew what I did in my first term. I built a 32-bed hospital in this town among other things I did for my constituents. APC knew the
    value of having a ranking lawmaker in Abuja.

    “They knew the value of having a qualitative legislator who can complement Dr Kayode Fayemi here, because the expectations of our people are daunting.

    “My contesting is not to acquire power and wealth, but to consolidate democratic gains for my people. Within six months Fayemi is sworn-in, the euphoria of inauguration will be over and people will expect gains from government and this makes it necessary for us to have those who can complement his efforts and that I know I am qualified of achieving if given the chance”, he said.

    Daramola assured that he would protect the defectors and ensure that they are not sidelined in the scheme of things in APC.

    The APC State Chairman, Omotoso, said: “This is a good omen ahead of 2019. We thank God for delivering us from Governor Ayodele Fayose in the July 14 governorship poll, that accounted for the benefit we are enjoying today.

    “In APC, there are no new and old members, we are all one. No discrimination. Whatever due for those that have been here before will be due to you. We operate like one indivisible family”.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon. Stephen Mosele promised that they would add value to APC by ensuring that President Buhari and
    other contestants win during the 2019 election.

    He added: “PDP has disappointed us, it is being controlled by one man. The voices of members are no longer recognized. Their contributions
    mean nothing to the powers that be and such party is bound to collapse as we are witnessing.”