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Tag: PDP

  • PDP advises Buhari to sign amended Electoral Act

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the electoral act, as amended.

    Ike Abonyi, the Media Adviser to Secondus, in a statement he issued in Abuja on Tuesday said PDP national chairman gave the advice when he received two presidential aspirants of the party in Abuja.

    The aspirants are: former Sokoto State Governor Alhaji Atahiru Bafarawa and the incumbent governor of Gombe state,Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo who were at the Legacy House, the national campaign office of the party, to pick the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms.

    Said there should not be any delay in signing the new Electoral Act when it was obvious that it would deepen the electoral system and ensure faster growth of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Secondus assured ALL the aspirants of the party at all levels that there was going to be free, fair and transparent primaries where decision of delegates would prevail.

    “Let me assure all aspirants of our party that the era of impunity or imposition is over in the party as a rebranded PDP, under my watch, would ensure transparency and fairness to all.”

    Secondus appealed to the aspirants to work in harmony in the interest of the party and ensure its victory in 2019 general elections, reminding them that “only one candidate will get the slot at the end of the day.“

    “We must not forget to put the will of God in all we do, bearing in mind that nobody gets power unless as designed and approved by God.

    “We are proud of all our aspirants, all of them are eminently qualified to rule this country.“

    Bafarawa, in his remark, assured that he would abide by the will of the party at the end of the primaries and called on hands to be on deck to ensure the victory of the party in 2019.

    On his part, Gov. Dankwambo also assured that he would subordinate his ambition to the party, if the delegates decide to choose another person.

    He, however, said that he had “what it takes in terms of profession and experience to lead Nigeria.“

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PDP commenced the sale of its nomination and expression of interest forms for 2019 general elections, on Tuesday.(NAN)

  • PDP suffering from selective amnesia, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is suffering from selective amnesia, forgetting the 16 years it wrecked the economy.

    In a statement to The Nation, Acting National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena said PDP was synonymous with impunity; institutionalised corruption and diversion of public funds.

    The party said Nigerians had not forgotten how counter-insurgency votes were given to political cronies and funding of political activities; illegal purchase of bullet-proof Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), limousines and private jet shindigs for ministers done at public expense; non-remittance of $20 billion oil revenue; among other atrocities.

    It added that such a party could not be in a position to debate good governance

    Nabena, reacting to a statement by the PDP challenging President Muhammadu Buhari to a public debate on good governance, said: “PDP in a statement issued on Sunday challenged the President Buhari-led APC administration to a debate on good governance. Incredible.

    “We view this request by PDP as another laughable example of its selective amnesia on the 16 years of locust it wrecked on Nigeria during its defunct rule…”

  • PDP suffering from selective amnesia, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is suffering from selective amnesia, forgetting the 16 years it wrecked the economy.

    In a statement to The Nation, Acting National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena said PDP was synonymous with impunity; institutionalised corruption and diversion of public funds.

    The party said Nigerians had not forgotten how counter-insurgency votes were given to political cronies and funding of political activities; illegal purchase of bullet-proof Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), limousines and private jet shindigs for ministers done at public expense; non-remittance of $20 billion oil revenue; among other atrocities.

    It added that such a party could not be in a position to debate good governance

    Nabena, reacting to a statement by the PDP challenging President Muhammadu Buhari to a public debate on good governance, said: “PDP in a statement issued on Sunday challenged the President Buhari-led APC administration to a debate on good governance. Incredible.

    “We view this request by PDP as another laughable example of its selective amnesia on the 16 years of locust it wrecked on Nigeria during its defunct rule.

    “Perhaps PDP needs to be reminded of the reason Nigerians voted it out in 2015 to give way to a progressive administration, which is rebuilding the country in all facets from the foundation.

    “A party synonymous with impunity, institutionalised corruption, diversion of counter-insurgency votes to political cronies and funding of political activities, illegal purchase of bullet-proof SUVs, limousines and private jet shindigs for ministers at public expense, non-remittance of $20 billion oil revenue, among other atrocities too numerous to mention, cannot be in a position to debate on good governance.

    “A party, whose administration placed the economy on life support through its voodoo economics and fiscal recklessness, cannot be in a position to debate on good governance.

    “PDP in its desperation to position itself as the 2019 general election approaches cannot hoodwink Nigerians on who they truly are.”

     

  • I regret supporting Buhari – Kwankwaso

    Former Kano State Governor and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential aspirant, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said he and other people that dumped the PDP to support President Muhammadu Buhari in 2014 against the then President Goodluck Jonathan are currently regretting their actions.

    Kwankwaso who was in Owerri, the Imo state capital on a consultation visit to PDP members, condemned President Buhari’s approach to “revving the nation’s economy”.

    The former governor expressed worry over the poor state of infrastructure in the Southeast, adding that the anomaly can only be corrected by a change of government in the center by 2019.

    He was hopeful that the PDP will form government at the center and in many states of the federation next year.

    According to him, Nigerians are fed up with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) “and would be happy seeing PDP return to power”.

    Read Also: Buhari: national interest should override personal liberty

    In his words, “from North to South, the citizens are looking for a government that would not pay emphasis on religion,ethnicity and culture but national development. PDP’s government in 2019 shall bring development and create the adequate platforms that provide jobs for teeming Nigerians”.

    “I have been in Southeast in last few days and I want to say that the state of infrastructure in this region is incredible. It is either that the government lacks the capacity to improve the economy or something. Electricity is important in this country. The people need a government that will be just and provide jobs for teeming young Nigerians”.

    In his speech, elder statesman and PDP Board of Trustee (BoT) member, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, described Kwankwaso as a good material for the office of the President.

    He urged Nigerians to join PDP to “vote out a government that had failed the country”.

    The Imo state PDP Chairman, Charles Ezekwem, who was represented by his Deputy,Martin Ejiogu, said that Igbo people would only vote for a presidential candidate that would restructure the country and create an additional state in the region.

  • Fayemi will run all-inclusive govt – Lawmaker

    The Minority Leader of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan has assured the people of the state that Governor-elect Kayode Fayemi will run an all-inclusive government as from October 16.

    The APC lawmaker representing Ikole Constituency 1 gave the assurance at Ward 7 party secretariat in Ijesa Isu Ekiti in Ikole Local government while speaking during his official declaration for second term.

    Read Also:Fayose’s rushed recruitment in bad faith, says Fayemi

    According to him, the incoming administration Fayemi will be different from the “one man dictatorship of the PDP and its outgoing governor.”

    He said: “The incoming government will be different from what we have now. It is going to be a clear departure from the dictatorship of the PDP and its governor. Fayemi will run an all-inclusive government.

    “Every interest and groups shall be accommodated. No one will be left out.”

    Aribisogan said he’s seeking for re- election because he believes he will continue to give good representation to the people of Ikole Constituency 1 based on his experience.

    In his words “I’m coming out again to serve you better because I believe I have the experience. You know I did my best for you during the 14 months I spent before my tenure was cut short by Ayo Fayose’s illegal suspension. Despite all my travails, I still made useful contributions to the political process in the state. I joined the progressives in the struggle to reclaim our land from the predators who wanted continuity of poverty, hardship and sufferings in our land. I became a visible minority voice and an apostle of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s quest for restoration of our values.

    “I have since remained a loyal party man, unrepentant and die-hard supporter of Dr Kayode Fayemi. I promise that if given the chance again I will not disappoint you. I will not let you down.”

     

  • ‘PDP should choose good candidate’

    As political parties gear up for primaries to choose their flagbearers for the 2019 general election, former National Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Markafi, has challenged the party members to ensure that only candidates with integrity and capability would be chosen to represent the party in next year’s general elections.

    Speaking on the heels of the much-awaited primary, Markarfi said the party must take cognizance of who emerges as its presidential candidate, because the voters are not only looking for candidates with integrity, but also their capacity to deliver.

    He spoke with the leaders, elders, delegates and members of the Oyo State chapter during his consultation visit to intimate them of his presidential ambition and plans for the country. He also canvassed for support to be considered as the party’s presidential candidate. The event took place at the PDP secretariat, Molete, Ibadan.

    The former governor said institutional restructuring is a must for the country, if rapid socio-economic development must be achieved.

    Noting that the PDP believed so much in the restructuring of the country, Markarfi said various stakeholders and other Nigerians have focused too much on the need for political and financial restructuring with less emphasis on institutional restructuring.

  • Atiku Abubakar still in PDP

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has not defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, his campaign office said today.

    An online report has it that Abubakar was planning to move out of the PDP in a matter of weeks or days to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), where he is sure to pick the party’s presidential ticket.

    The campaign office  described the report as a malicious attempt to confuse the public about the aspiration of Abubakar,  ahead of the forthcoming presidential primaries election of the PDP.

    “For the avoidance of any doubt, Atiku remains the frontline aspirant for the presidential ticket of the PDP.

    “In the past two months, Abubakar has moved across states in the country consulting with stakeholders of the PDP and explaining to them his agenda encapsulated in the acronym JOBS: Jobs, Opportunity, Being united and Security) for Nigeria.

    “The nationwide consultations continues this week with visits to the South West, North West and North Central zones of the country.”

    It added that Abubakar’s passion and commitment to winning the PDP primaries is without any compromise.

    “To assume that he will abandon the hard work he has done with the positive results he is getting from the stakeholders of the party is to say the least preposterous and unthinkable.

    The campaign office called on supporters of Atiku to remain steadfast and see the contrived news of defection as  an attempt to distract it from the set task of winning the PDP ticket and the 2019 presidential election by the grace of God.”

    (NAN)

  • Makarfi: PDP needs strong candidate to defeat Buhari

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must field a string candidate to stand any chance of defeating President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, one of its presidential aspirants Senator Ahmed Makafi has stated.

    Makarfi said Buhari, who is expected to be the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, still commands a strong followership in the North, which has the highest number of voters.

    The presidential hopeful declared the PDP must work on the psychology of voters in the northern part of the country many of whom he said “still retain blind followership for Buhari.”

    Makarfi spoke at the weekend when he visited Ekiti PDP delegates led by Deputy Governor Prof Kolapo Olusola at Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti in continuation of consultations on his presidential ambition ahead of the party’s national convention.

    He argued he is eminently qualified for the presidency having served as Kaduna governor for eight years and being in the senate for two terms during which he chaired the Committee on Finance and became PDP National Caretaker Chairman.

    The former Kaduna governor promised to tackle insurgency, herdsmen killings, insecurity, unemployment, epileptic power supply, infrastructural challenges and other problems confronting the nation.

    Makarfi said the sectarian problems and security challenges facing the country confronted Kaduna State during his tenure but he was able to overcome them with tact, consensus building and deployment of resources.

    He said the PDP must win very well in the North to make any headway in the presidential election, adding the party must present the candidate the people of the region repose trust in.

    Makarfi said: “If we want to the election, we must not lose the North and we should give them the candidate they trust in the North.

    “The problem for us winning is the North; the current President comes from there and there is blind followership there. If we want to win, we should field a strong candidate from there.

    “We must work on the psychology of the Buhari’s sentimental followers in the North and change their mind towards us.” On his manifesto, Markafi said: “First of all is the restructure of the country to make it good for everybody, restructuring of the security and creation of jobs and infrastructure development in all respects and promoting the private sector so that it can become effective employer of labour.

    “I am straight forward person and do not say one thing in the morning and turn it another thing in the evening.

    “We brought back PDP and made it now a threat to APC. I restructured Kaduna and Nigeria needs restructuring. I am not talking politics.

    “I was the architect of the first political sovereign conference in the country as head of the committee under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “Institutional restructuring that would include the police, INEC and other security apparatus to ensure they do not serve the dictates of the paymasters will be done by me.”

    He added: “We must make our institutions to be accountable. We will ensure comprehensive restructuring of this country. I chose to travel by road for all my campaigns traveling by road is taking eighty percent of my tour.

    “This is to enable me see the deficiencies of our infrastructure, such as roads, condition of our people and our environment among others.

    “We will also restructure power generation, what is on ground now is unitary. We must liberalize it. Each state will be allowed to generate its own electricity.”

     

  • PDP members in massive defection to APC in Lagos

    Ahead of next year’s general elections, scores of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos yesterday.

    The defectors are members of a sociopolitical group, the United Niger Delta Forum, which has been assisting the main opposition party to canvass for votes in Lagos.

    About 2000 defectors were on hand at the APC secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, where they were received, singing, dancing and waiving the broom, the symbol of the party, to formally declare their intention to join the fold.

    Its National Coordinator, Comrade Gabriel Ese, said the group was motivated to join the APC, because of the massive infrastructural developments in Lagos State, under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Ese said: “We truly appreciate what Governor Ambode has been doing in Lagos State. His achievements so far are commendable. That is what motivated us to join the APC. From today, we are no longer in the PDP; we are now in the APC.

    “We will join hands with other members of the party to ensure victory for Governor Ambode, President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates on the platform of the party in next year’s general elections.”

    He said the group had been in existence since 2006 as a voice for the people of the Niger Delta region.

    He added that the APC approached the group before the last general elections to come on board the party, but the offer was rejected because a fellow Niger Deltan, in the person of former President Goodluck Jonathan, contested that election.

    In his welcome remarks, the Lagos APC Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, assured the Niger Delta indigenes that with effect from yesterday they would be accorded all the rights and privileges due to them as members of the party.

    Balogun urged them to go back to their respective wards and register as members of the party.

  • Udom declares for second term

    Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Friday, declared his intention to seek re-election, saying his current performance would return him to the Government House.

    Emmanuel made the declaration in Uyo and said that his industrialisation efforts in the state was part of his major achievements since his inauguration in 2015.

    His achievements, according to him, include the conglomeration of industrial clusters, which houses toothpick, pencil, syringe, electric metres and coconut factories as well as Peacock Paint, fertilizer firms and many kilometres of roads.

    “No man is God. I submit myself for consideration to continue with the good work that I have done and I seek your support for my candidature as governor for second term,” he said.

    The governor urged the people to support his aspiration for second term for the sustenance of the tempo of good governance he had introduced in the state.

    He said that his predecessor left behind some uncompleted projects, including the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel at Ikot Ekpene and the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene road project.

    He said that his administration had been working hard to ensure the completion of the projects and others begun by the former administration.

    “Who said they had completed the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel?

    “It is only today that we are negotiating with Starwood Group for the retaining of the name, which some people surreptitiously put up on a building,” he said.

    Read Also: Akpabio is not God, he can’t stop me – Udom

    In a remark, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke, charged members and supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to work towards the party’s victory at the polls in 2019.

    Chairman of Emmanuel’s Re-election Committee and former military administrator of the state, Mr Idongesit Nkanga, also appeal to the people to support the governor for a second term.

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers in his solidarity message, assured Gov. Emmanuel that he would be returned based on track record of his quality works in the state in the last three years.

    He urged the people not to allow external influence to alter “the political arrangement ably directed by the PDP since 1999 in Akwa Ibom.’’