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Tag: PDP

  • 2019: Sokoto PDP commences registration of members

    …issue 100,000 membership cards

     

    GEARING up ahead of its primaries, Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) on Wednesday began the process of revalidation and registration of its members across the 23 LGs of the state.

    No fewer thannm100,000 members had so far been issued with membership cards according to the party.

    Handing out the cards to members through respective councils party chairmen at a brief ceremony in Sokoto, PDP state Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma who made the disclosure at the Zuru road party Secretariat, appealed to the party leaders to work hard and make sure that only genuine and eligible party members collect the membership cards so as not to misuse them.

    According to him, two committees each across local governments in the state were inaugurated to ensure a hitch free process that would smoothen its success.

    ” The essence is to make sure that each bonifide member of the party gets his or her membership card without been missed.

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    Milgoma further explained that the committees comprise of former chairmen of APC and PDP so as to monitor and ensure proper distribution of the membership cards to PDP supporters.

    He hitherto, urged the distribution committees to ensure justice and fair in the discharge of their assignment adding that local government with ten wards will receive no fewer than 400,while those with eleven ward were scheduled to collect 440 membership cards for onward distribution to party members.

    The party chairman however, described the exercise as the first step on the path of the party’s anticipated victory come 2019 general elections in the state.

    Milgoma who rated APC’s government performance low , expressed optimism that the opposition party ‘s three years of failures had widened PDP’s chances of win elections in the state and Nigeria next year.

  • 2019 polls: I’m waiting to see my challenger, says Ishaku

    Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, has picked his nomination form in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he is waiting to see the candidate other political parties will throw up to challenge him in next year’s guber poll.

    Special Adviser on Political Matters, Abubakar Bawa, the San Turaki Gashaka, who spoke at a press conference in Jalingo for the governor, after picking the nomination form on his behalf, said “there is nothing to worry about.”

    He said: “The governor is ready for whoever the oppositions will nominate to challenge him at the election. In 2015, the election was a two-horse race between the PDP and the APC. In the end, PDP won with a landslide.

    “PDP won because it presented the right candidate (Darius Ishaku). The same scenario seems to be playing out. We are only waiting to see the candidate APC will field this time around.”

    Bawa said, although, PDP is very democratic enough to welcome any governorship aspirant who may want to contest on the PDP platform, members however, have unanimously agreed that Ishaku should fly the party’s banner.

    The governor’s political adviser said: “I can advance many reasons why I am optimistic Ishaku will be reelected. None of the opposition parties, including APC which is the main opposition party in Taraba State, has a candidate that is better than Ishaku.”

    “There is no party that can withstand the PDP in Taraba State. The PDP is an opposition in the country, but in Taraba it is the ruling party. And it has been the ruling party since 1999. So, we believe there is no other political party here apart from the PDP. Even if there are other parties, we don’t take them serious.

    “Besides political parties, Taraba people want someone who naturally cares for them. And Darius Ishaku is the answer; he is one leader who has deep love and rare passion for Taraba people; how they eat, dwell and make progress bother him. For now, he is just the right person.

    “Therefore, in sha Allah (with God on our side), I think we will triumph at the poll, because of the governor’s performance and goodwill. I have been in politics in Taraba State for long so I know what I am talking about.

    “Recently, I went round the State to do a silent opinion poll, and the goodwill has been overwhelming for the governor. Nevertheless, the PDP is working hard. The party chairman, Victor Bala, and all his party executives, are leaving no stone unturned; the governor is doing his part –by providing developments; and we are working very hard and still soliciting support from the electorate to make sure we return the governor for a second term.

    Read Also: 2019: Imo APC adopts indirect Primaries

    “The general consensus is that Ishaku should do a second term. Rev. Jolly Nyame did 10 years from northern zone, from 1992-1993 and 1999-2007. Late Pharm. Danbaba Suntai, from central zone, did eight years (2007-2015). So the fairest thing to do, as it has become our zoning formula, is to allow Ishaku, who is from the southern zone, to also do eight years, to complete the rotation.

    “And to the best of my knowledge, the PDP stakeholders from his area (southern Taraba) have no other candidate. They have all agreed that Ishaku has done well. Bringing another person, even from the same southern zone, will affect our political arrangement.

    “The northern and central zones are also in full support of the arrangement to give Ishaku the party’s ticket and subsequently re-elect him for a second term.

    “In terms of performance, he has scored a distinction everyone can attest to. Ishaku has done well in education, agriculture, health, infrastructure and so many other areas. So, we are yet to see his challenger.”

  • Aregbesola appoints new Chief of Staff, LGSC boss

    Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has appointed Mr Abdulrasak Salinsile as his new Chief of Staff.

    Mr Sola Fasure, the Media aide to Gov. Aregbesola, made this known on Thursday in Osogbo.

    Fasure said that the appointment was approved during the State Executive Council meeting, adding that that the new chief of staff was sworn-in immediately.

    Salinsile replaced Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, who is now the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Sept. 22 governorship election in the state.

    Oyetola scored 127,017 votes during the APC primary held on July 20, to defeat 16 other aspirants.

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    Fasure said in a statement that the State Executive Council also approved the appointment of Mr Tunde Adedeji as the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission.

    Adedeji is to replace Mr Peter Babalola, who resigned his appointment on Aug. 23.

    Babalola, who was one of the 17 aspirants that contested the APC primary, defected to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Aug. 24.

  • PDP extends sale of nomination forms

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended the deadline for the collection and submission of nomination forms for all categories of elective positions.

    A statement yesterday by the spokesman of the party Kola Ologbondiyan said the deadline had been extended till Tuesday. It was billed to close today.

    The extension affects presidential, governorship and National Assembly positions, but the deadline for state assemblies remains today.

    The statement added that aspirants to the various positions are to submit their duly completed forms at the designated offices not later than Tuesday

     

  • Shekarau dumps PDP

    Former Governor of Kano State Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The 2011 presidential aspirant on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) left the PDP after the party leadership dissolved the Kano State Executive Council and set up a caretaker committee dominated by supporters of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, who has just returned to the pary.

    Shekarau has met with Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and was expected to meet with his supporters before formalising his return to the APC, four years after he left the party.

    Shekarau yesterday left Abuja for Kano for consultations with his supporters and other stakeholders on his defection.

    It was learnt that Shekarau and his supporters were unhappy that the PDP defied an order of the Federal High Court to dissolve the Kano Chapter of the party.

    Also, out of the seven-man caretaker committee put in pace, Kwankwaso was allotted five sots and the remaining two were left for Shekarau and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Aminu Wali.

    The Special Adviser on Media to the former governor, Dr. Sule Yau Sule, said Shekarau would meet with stakeholders yesterday or today.

    “After meeting with the stakeholders, he will announce his plans either to defect to APC or otherwise.”

    Yau described how PDP treated the ex-governor as an act of injustice.

    He added: “We obtained an order from the Federal High Court in Kano stopping the PDP from dissolving the legally elected PDP Executive Council in  the state. The party disregarded the order and went ahead to put in place a seven-man caretaker committee.

    “Out of the seven members, five came from Kwankwaso’s camp and two were conceded to Shekarau and Amb. Wali. These two leaders were not allowed to even nominate who should be their representatives in the committee.

    “To represent ex-Governor Shekarau, a former Chairman of Bebeji Local Government Area, Namadi Bebeji, was handpicked. He was once Shekarau’s supporter before he ported to Kwankwaso’s camp. He is politically no longer in Shekarau’s group.  Bebeji even attended Kwankwaso’s declaration rally in Abuja.

    “So, it is like Kwankwaso controlling the entire caretaker committee. Yet, the national secretariat of PDP does not see anything wrong with it.”

    Sule added:  “The defection of Shekarau to the APC is not yet official but there are moves to that effect.  We are going to hold stakeholders meeting that will finally decide the next direction.

    “My boss has met with Governor Ganduje in Abuja and they have discussed “.

    The leadership of the PDP is making a last ditch effort to prevent Shekarau’s defection.

    A statement by its spokesman Kola Ologbodiyan said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) assures that no stone will be left unturned in the overall quest to bring good governance to Kano state, while putting in place machinery to hedge the infiltration of fifth columnists into the party’s fold in the state.

    “The party leadership further assures of its preparedness to engage with all stakeholders in Kano provided all matters in court against the party are withdrawn, as all members work together to build a united PDP that can confront and send out incompetent and insensitive people in governance in Kano state and Nigeria at large.

    “Furthermore, the NWC urges all stakeholders to always emulate our members in Benue state in the way and manner they united to resolve all issues concerning party structures of their state”.

  • I will support any PDP presidential aspirant – Bafarawa

    Attahiru Bafarawa, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant has pledged to support any presidential aspirant in the party that wins the party primary election for the 2019 general elections.

    This is, however, in the event he is not able to get the ticket of the party to contest the election.

    Bafarawa, a former Governor of Sokoto state made the pledge on Tuesday in Abakaliki during a courtesy visit to Gov. David Umahi as part of his visit to party faithful over his presidential ambition.

    He said:“I am a democrat and therefore ready to support any aspirant who emerges as the party’s flag-bearer in order to move the country forward.

    “We all, however, need to be screened before the final decision on the party’s candidate is taken.

    “The other aspirants who visited Ebonyi before me must have promised to solve the economic, security and infrastructural challenges of Nigeria.

    “But I am presenting two books on my eight years stewardship as governor and what I will do as president,” he said.

    He urged Umahi and the party faithful in Ebonyi to support him, noting that his votes from the South-east states and the entire northern part of the country would enable him win the presidential election.

    “I didn’t come into politics to make money but to serve and I remain the best choice for the south-east zone, due to my favourable disposition to its people.

    “I assisted several Igbo businessmen to become billionaires and ensured for instance, that no individual from that tribe was affected by the Sharia riots during my tenure as a governor.

    Gov. Umahi, in response, extolled the virtues of Bafarawa, describing him as a man of humility, commitment to the develop the country.

    “One of the reasons why you achieved much in life was because you are a businessman.

    “Thank God for His vindication when the court declared you not guilty in a corruption charge,” he said.

    He noted that about 14 presidential aspirants had emerged under the PDP, describing the situation as heart warming.

    “All of you are eminently qualified for the position but some of you who spent eight years as governors would have the requisite experience to govern.

    “The south-east states, governed by PDP, would take a common stand on whom to support as the person would be ready to make certain concessions to accommodate the zone equitably.

    Sen. Ben-Collins Ndu, the Deputy Director- General of the Bafarawa Campaign Organisation, urged party faithful in the state to support his principal due to his favourable disposition to the people. (NAN)

  • PDP urges world leaders to advice APC on credible elections

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged world leaders to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that 2019 general elections is credible and violence-free.

    In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Tuesday in Abuja, the party said that the advice was critical following the alert by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on the elections.

    It said that the call from the world leaders and international bodies was important, so that electoral desperation did not result in a large-scale political and humanitarian crisis in the country.

    The PDP said that the independent report by USIP, which detailed the plots by the ruling party to ‘use intimidation tactics’ in the electoral
    process, has vindicated its stand that the APC was not ready for credible elections.

    According to it, the use of violence and intimidation by the APC in recent elections, including Ekiti governorship election and by-elections in Kogi, Bauchi and Katsina states, further validates USIP’s report.

    The party added that USIP’s direct caution to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over manifest credibility doubts to deliver credible election, also placed a huge moral burden on the commission’s chairman.

    It expressed worry over the desperation of the APC as reflected in the USIP report and called on all Nigerians and friends across the globe to rally in unity.

    “Moreover, Nigerians are already decisive on a peaceful and united country, where compatriots live harmoniously and will do all to resist the divisive machinations, particularly ahead of the 2019 general elections.”

    The PDP said that the APC should know that no amount of intimidation and harassment could break the will of Nigerians in their iron-cast resolve to rally on its platform to free the nation.

    “Nigerians have witnessed enough violence, bloodletting and deaths and are not ready to allow such to prevail in the 2019 general elections,’’ it said. (NAN)

  • Nigeria no longer working under APC – Atiku

    …seeks Ekiti PDP support ahead of primaries

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) out of power, accusing the ruling party of failing in fulfilling its promises to Nigerians.

    Atiku alleged that Nigerian has retrogressed under the APC watch adding that nothing is working again in the country.

    He promised that he will get the country working again if he emerges as the next President.

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    According to him, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led has failed in its cardinal objectives of reviving the economy, ensuring security of lives and property and anti-corruption crusade.

    The former Vice President spoke on Tuesday at the new Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, where he canvassed the support of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) delegates ahead of the presidential primary.

    Ekiti PDP delegates were led by Governor Ayo Fayose to receive Atiku who was accompanied by the Director General of his campaign organization, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Senate Deputy Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, among others.

    The presidential aspirant urged the Nigerian electorate to entrust the PDP with their votes claiming that the umbrella party, which ruled for 16 years, managed Nigeria better than the APC

    Atiku said: “Today, the nation’s security system has collapsed and Nigerians are yearning for PDP to return and set things straight.

    “In spite of APC’ promises to get us massive employment, 12 million of our youths are unemployed now. They promised to fight corruption but according to international rating, Nigeria is now more corrupt than ever.

    “They promised us peace but today the security challenge has been the worst in my lifetime, they promised unity but today we are more divided than ever because they lack respect for rule of law and our constitution and are only protecting the interest of a few.

    “I assure you, we are going to get Nigeria working again the nation hasn’t been working since APC took over government.

    “This is not the government that we should allow to be here, therefore, my fellow brothers and sisters, I have come to appeal to you to support me and compare with the other contestants in terms of my capacity and integrity.

    “I have challenged anyone that if you have any evidence against Atiku on corruption you should come forward but nobody has done that. I urge you to compare all these attributes.

    “Give us the opportunity to develop our resources and our people so that we can achieve better development for our people.”

    Fayose said the major objective of the PDP is to chase Buhari and APC away from power urging all party members to be united to realize the objective.

    He said: “I want to assure that on behalf of Ekiti that this journey will not come to sorrow for you. Our prayer is that this will not be an effort in futility.

    “For Ekiti, we will speak in one voice; we believe that the only solution is PDP now, and that we must win. Today, we are being oppressed.

    “We need power more than personal interest; we have to operate a PDP that can win election. This journey will bring joy peace to your hearts.

    “If we must win, we must go to the poll united, we should not discriminate against anyone by saying someone has just come.

    “Our focus is to chase Buhari away. And we must work assiduously towards that. And I believe he will leave.”

    Ekiti PDP Chairman, Gboyega Oguntuase, said: “Buhari is not behaving like somebody who can bring the desired growth and development that Nigeria yearns for. God’s hand writing is clear that Atiku will be the next Nigeria President.”

  • Ex-PDP Kwara governorship aspirant, others defect to APC

    . Says he cannot cohabit with Saraki

    Two terms governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Sunday Babalola and supporters on Tuesday announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress in Kwara state.

    Babalola, an engineer, said he cannot be in the same political party with Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, Babalola said “I have defected with over 20,000 supporters who belong to several groups across Kwara State. I am involved in partisan politics because I believe that politics is about service to the people.

    “With the defection of Saraki and many of his loyalists, who have led the state and its people into penury, poverty, anguish, hunger, oppression and retrogression, from APC to the PDP, which he laboured very hard to destroy as a result of his inordinate ambition, it is very clear that I have to move with all my supporters to a political party that is more focused on people development.

    “I find it very difficult to be in the same political party with them major actor or principal, who many people, including I, believe hasmplunged Kwara state into abysmal condition. As a past aspirant and an electorate, I have decided to pitch my tent with the All Progressives Congress.”

    Said he: “Our dear state, as it is now, needs urgent liberation from the over 45 years of deceit, oppression and primordial politics of ‘stomach infrastructure’ so that the people can be delivered from a people that has held them hostage and put them in the shackles of poverty and underdevelopment for so long.

    “I believe that government plays significant role in advancing the well-being of the citizens, through the provision of infrastructure and amenities, human capital development and by engendering an environment that is conducive for business growth and expansion.

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    “The improper management of state resources by the ruling elite, especially the oligarchy of Senator Bukola Saraki, who ruled the state for eight years and still pilots the affairs of the state, through cronies, has to be brought to an end. The level of poverty and infrastructure decay in spite of the volume of the revenues that had accrued to the State over the years, both from the federation allocations and internally generated revenue, is what every well-meaning person should rise up and fight against.

    “I will continue to offer my services and resources for the emancipation of my people and for societal development. I do not believe that the return of Saraki and his loyalists to the PDP, after his several actions and utterances, intended to debase, strangulate, ridicule and public opprobrium, that the party would be able to offer anything good for Kwara indigenes and residents.

    “Those who have been accused to have held the state in the jugular, tried to suffocate and strangle it cannot metamorphose to be saviours and liberators of the state, their bombastic claims and promises notwithstanding.”

  • Shakarau returns to APC

    Former governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has returned to the All Progressives congress (APC) after four years  in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The ex-minister of Education’s decision according to him, became necessary, over what he described as lack of internal democracy in the PDP as well as injustice by the party headquarters to Kano members and its stakeholders.

    According to his media aide, Sule Yau Sule, who spoke to The Nation on phone, “the defection of lbrahim shekarau to APC is not yet official, but, obviously, there are moves to that. We are going to hold stakeholders meeting that will finally decide the next direction”.

    The development, he said,was due to the insistence of the national headquarters of the party to dissolve the state executives without recourse to due process and despite a court restraining order.

    He explained that Shekarau is already consulting with his supporters on the next line of action and the party to move to.

    “My boss has met Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in Abuja and they have discussed “.

    However, The Naion learnt that the former minister was contemplating moving to the APC as discussion has almost being concluded.

    The PDP on Monday had appointed a caretaker committee for Kano state after dissolving the party’s structure last Friday.

    Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of the state who recently dumped the APC for PDP was said to have ignited the crisis in the state PDP with his insistence to have 51% of the party as he was promised by the party headquarters which the state chapter rejected.