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Tag: PDP

  • PDP alleges plot to impeach Fayose

    The leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to impeach Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, cautioned the sponsors of the alleged plot to desist or attract “dire consequences”.

    The PDP also said the impeachment plot was being concocted in connivance with the police, warning that the development is a recipe for crisis in the state.

    The statement said: “The PDP is aware that the plot is a desperate bid by the APC to rush into the Ekiti Government House to remove and tamper with documents and evidence confirming the rigging of the July 14 governorship election, ahead of the sitting of the election tribunal.

    “Having realised that there is no way their daylight robbery at the poll can stand in the court, the APC is now employing all desperate means to subvert the course of justice.

    “This explains why a detachment of the police can be hurriedly deployed to besiege the Ekiti State Assembly complex last night without a formal request by the Speaker, the Clerk or the Sergeant-at-Arms, who is the chief security officer of the complex.

    “The PDP states that any resort to underhand measures to impeach Fayose without the constitutionally required two-thirds of the members of the Assembly, particularly at this time the lawmakers are on their annual recess, will surely be resisted by our members.”

     

  • Ortom defects to PDP

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Widely expected to leave the APC after he accused the state chapter of giving him a red card, Ortom met with National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, who struggled to prevent his defection.

    Ortom said at the weekend that he would take his decision after a meeting with Oshiomhole today in Abuja, only for him to announce his defection yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital.

    Ortom said: “This morning, I wanted to go to Abuja to attend the meeting (with the APC chairman) but some youths in the state refused to let me leave.  They asked me to go back.”

    He told his audience made up of Local Government Council chairmen and 276 Councillors, that he was ”formally” informing them that  ”I have forwarded my resignation letter from the APC to the chairman of my council ward and he has promised to join me in the new party”.

    Displayig his resignation letter, Ortom added: “As I talk to you, ten (10) out of seventeen (17) state lawmakers of APC are ready to  follow me to the new party. May I formally announce to you that I have formally moved to the PDP.”

    He added humorously: “I am too young to retire from politics.”

    The governor lamented what he called deliberate falsehood against him to dent his image.

    “ The same people who are now insulting me were the same people that endorsed me for a second term during the state’s congress of the party,” he said.

    Ortom explained that it was out of sheer magnanimity that he told them to allow other aspirants to also run for governor – in line with democratic values.

    He said he had been endorsed because of his performance and wondered why the same people were now criticising his administration.

    The leader of the councillors, who agreed to defect with the governor, Mr Tom Hanmaikyur, and the state’s Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Chairman, Mr Anthony Shawon, pledged on behalf of their colleagues to follow the governor to any party of his choice.

    They also pledged to support  the governor to enable him actualise his political dreams.

    Benue APC chairman Abba Yaro said he was yet to receive the governor’s resignation letter and added: “There is no cause to worry.”

    PDP Chairman John Ngbede said: “It is a welcome development. He is welcome to our party”.

    A coalition of Benue youths, comprising over 40 groups, blocked Ortom’s motorcade from his Abuja trip.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the youths blocked the road at the Government House Junction displaying placards with various inscriptions, among which were: “Ortom don’t go back to APC”, “ No land for cattle colony “, “Ortom is our party”. They pulled off the APC flag on the governor’s car.

  • PDP welcomes Benue governor

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom back to its fold and urged all its members in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to the party.

    In a statement, spokesman of the PDP Kola Ologbondiyan, the party commended Ortom for “showing patriotic courage and boldness” in the face of brazen dictatorship.

    Tye statement said: “The return of the Governor to PDP confirms the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari’s led-administration and the APC do not have the welfare of Nigerians at heart.

    “Painfully, Nigerians are being slaughtered in Benue, Taraba, Plateau,  kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, nearly on daily basis”.

    It hailed the governor for standing firm by the people of Benue State and refusing to mortgage their welfare to a government that has consistently demonstrated cluelessness.

    “We urge the governor to be rest assured that he will be accorded his dues and rights as a member of the PDP.

    National Publicity Secretary of the APC Bolaji Abdullahi in a statement said:   “The governor had left the meeting (with the national chairman), saying he was satisfied with the assurances given by party leaders. We are still working on giving effect to the resolutions from the meeting. Therefore, we are somewhat surprised by Governor Ortom’s decision.

    “The Party reiterates its earlier position that it respects the rights of every citizen to choose their political affiliation but expresses hopes that those who have left the party will rescind their decisions.

    “Even with this development, we don’t think it is too late for reconciliation. We have to continue to talk. As long as people keep their minds open and have the courage to put the real issues on the table, reconciliation is still possible.

    “The Party once again call on members across the country to remain calm as the party leadership continues to work hard to position the party strongly for the next general elections.”

  • Photo: Ortom displays resignation letter

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has been pictured displaying his resignation letter on Wednesday at the Government house Makurdi.

    The governor formally announced his decision to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Read Also: Ortom finally dumps APC for PDP

    He said he had forwarded his letter of resignation from APC to the ward chairman in Benue State.

    He also said the ward chairman was “ready to join” him in PDP.

  • Ortom finally dumps APC for PDP

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday formally announced his decision to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The governor said he has forwarded his letter of resignation from APC to the ward chairman in Benue State.

    He also said the ward chairman was “ready to join” him in PDP.

    Ortom was elected Benue State governor in 2015.

    Details later…

  • Ohanaeze, Ebonyi NBA, PDP kick against siege

    REACTIONS have continued to trail the alleged siege to Senate President Bukola Saraki’ residence and that of his deputy, Ike Ekeremadu, by Security operatives and subsequent defection of some senators and House of Representatives members.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo: nothing should happen to Ekweremadu

     

    In a statement by his media office, Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General John Nnia Nwodo has warned that nothing should happen to Ekweremadu.

    Nwodo said the alarm has become necessary following some disturbing reports that operatives of the state besieged the Deputy President’s house this morning for yet undisclosed motives.

    Ohanaeze President said while it would not begrudge the state for doing its statutory duty, it must be within the confines of rule of law, moreso that the nation is in a democracy.

    “In a democratic setting as ours, we expect security agencies to be civil and work within the rule of the law without breaching the civil liberty of any individual,” he said.

    Nwodo said Ekweremadu, being the highest Igbo in this government, is much cherished by his people and is expected that he should be accorded all the respect deserving of his position.

    It’s democracy at work, says NBA chief

     

    Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Abakaliki Branch Festus Nweke, in his reaction, described the defection by former members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the National Assembly as good for democratic experience and growth.

    “It is democracy at work in Nigeria. An unambiguous confirmation that the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of association is working without inhibition. It is good for our democratic experiment and growth.”

    Ebonyi PDP Chairman: it’s victory for democracy

     

    The Ebonyi State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Onyekachi Nwebonyi described the mass defection as victory for democracy.

    He said the outcome of today’s plenary at the National Assembly was a clear indication that the party had gathered momentum to take over power from the ruling APC come 2019.

     

  • We did our best to stop defection – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) tried hard to stop the defection of party members to other parties.

    He was reacting to the mass defection of some APC members in the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday mainly to the Peoples Democratic Party.

    The full text of his response published on his Facebook page reads:

    “I wish all of our party members who today defected, the very best in their future undertakings. The APC has done its best to stop the defections, and I must commend the party leadership for working tirelessly to unite the party and position it for future victory.

    I am confident that no harm or injury will be done by these defections, to the APC and its aspirations. I urge party faithful to not despair, but to instead see this as something that happens in seasons like this, on the eve of elections.

    Read Also: 32 Reps dump APC for PDP, four for ADC

    As the saying goes, all politics is local. We understand that some of the Distinguished and Honourable lawmakers have issues in/with their home states, especially on zoning which bars some of them from seeking another term in their constituencies.

    Let me also note that none of the defecting federal lawmakers has any specific grievances against me or the government I lead; neither do I harbour any ill-feeling towards any of them. I fully respect their freedom to choose what party to associate with.

    I am using this opportunity to restate my total commitment to the values of democracy, as well as my total willingness to work with ALL members of the National Assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    Muhammadu Buhari”

  • Oyo senators deny decamping to PDP

    The two senators from Oyo State, whose names appear on the list of defectors to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the floor of the Senate Tuesday, Adesoji Akanbi and Monsurat Sunmonu, have denied defecting to the major opposition party.

    In separate statements, the two lawmakers described the listing of their names as an error which they must correct to members of the public.

    But while Senator Akanbi said his name was wrongly included in the list, adding that he raised a point of order to correct it at the floor of the senate, Sunmonu said she only defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Read Also:Defection: PDP gives Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, others two-week deadline

    Sunmonu, in a statement, explained that her defection was due to the crisis in the Oyo State chapter of the APC, stressing that genuine reconciliation was not being pursued.

    “Today, 24 July 2018, a letter was read during the Senate Plenary announcing the defection of some senators from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “Please be advised that my defection is as a result of issues within the APC Oyo State Chapter.

    “As we know, politics is local and despite the rhetoric, there has been little or no effort at the state level to reconcile differences by incorporating various stakeholders and interests.

    “I hereby declare affiliation with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).”

    In his own statement, Akanbi emphasized that he was still a member of the APC, adding that he was loyal to the party and its leadership. The statement read: “It was to my great surprise to hear that my name was listed among APC senators defecting to the PDP on the floor of the Senate Chamber by the Senate President. I remain an APC member and the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District. This is to put the record straight. I am a progressive to the core. I remain loyal to my party and its leadership.”

    A total of 15 senators had been listed to have defected to the PDP at the Senate in a move interpreted by many political watchers to be the first step in allowing the PDP to take over the leadership of the Senate under Senator Bukola Saraki who is also expected to defect to the PDP.

  • Forth coming elections and the rise of political propaganda

    One of the ravaging masks of deceit that our so-called politicians wear whenever the day of reckoning is fast approaching is that of political propaganda.

    Propaganda is a collection of persuasive techniques or skills which are devised to often create false impression or perception about a phenomenon, and when it becomes political, it is often applied as a means to a deceitful end.

    Propaganda paints a black phenomenon; white and makes what is old; look new. As the quest for the seizure of political power at the highest rung of the Nigerian political ladder builds up day by day, several politicians are increasingly utilizing the deceitful technique called “Plain folks”; which involves identifying with the lifestyle and norms of ordinary people/the masses.

    It is therefore not surprising to see many of the potential political candidates and incumbent leaders (who are seeking re-election) among poor people in public spaces, eating in local cafeterias, dancing with a group of common men, and identifying with major ethnic cultures in other to gain sympathy and widespread acceptance. Whenever elections draw nearer, it always seems our politicians suddenly realize it’s time to identify with the plight and lifestyle of the common men whenever their insatiable desire for power begins to push them for more.

    “Name calling” is another form of political propaganda that is so common within our political clime; it involves the utilization of undesirable terms (dictator, poverty, clueless etc) and negative descriptions to qualify the activities of a particular individual or party. In Nigeria, the PDP has ceased every opportunity at its disposal to put out its stinking mouth of criticism into the affairs of the current seemingly ineffective ruling party (APC), despite its (PDP) previous corruption laden leadership tenure. Terms such as; ‘’witch-hunting’’ corruption campaigns, ‘’figurehead’’ leadership and so on and so forth are Name Calling terms used to black out the pedigree and intents of the ruling party, with the ruling party also doing same to the former.

    The current minister of information and culture has also shown how consistent he can be in fashioning out terms that over – clouds the real situation or nature of events or things at hand. In December 2016, the Sir; utilized the political propaganda technique called “Euphemism” as he tried to cover up for his Master; after President Muhammadu Buhari gave the December ultimatum to the Nigerian armed forces for the eradication of Boko Haram insurgents from the Nigerian soil. In the Closing half of December 2016,  Mr Lai.M came out on a live broadcast and stated confidently that the Boko Haram insurgents had been totally defeated and eradicated from the Nigerian soil. But to the utmost surprise of many, Boko Haram insurgents came back striking and bombing in the early parts of the month of January 2017. Also, the exchange of terms such using “economic restructuring” for “economic recession” and many other word /term manipulations, word – tension reduction and falsification, are “euphemisms” used by political players with the aim of dosing down tensions and building a false reputation for themselves.

    “Glittering Generalities” involves the use of undue praises and commendation – driven terms to describe the activities or nature of an individual or a party. The “change” mantra utilized by the APC in the 2015 election has so far turned out to be an element of glittering generalities – used to create good impression or image, burdening on bragging about the ability of that political party which eventually made them gain massive support from the Nigerian masses.

    “Card stacking” is also one of the viable techniques Nigeria politicians and parties utilize to gain undue access to the seat of authority. Newly ambitious individuals and incompetent old politicians called – godfathers, form an alliance, and these so-called godfathers utilize the fresh cum ambitious political candidates as a cover up to get political position for themselves too.

    All the above listed and described political propaganda techniques are not exhaustive of the many lists, but the above seems very much accustomed to the Nigeria political field. And as we have observed a lot in the recently held gubernatorial elections in Ekiti state, and as other major political elections draw nearer, the psychological resistance and will of the Nigerian masses will further be put to test by desperate political actors and parties, but we cannot choose to fall for their deceitful ways.

    Bolaji Olaniba.

    Lives and work in Lokoja,

    Kogi state        Enter Content Here

  • 32 Reps dump APC for PDP, four for ADC

    There was a rowdy session in the House of Representatives on Tuesday as 37 members left the All Progressives  Party .
    32 members aligned with the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, 4 members from Oyo State moved to the African Democratic Party, and a member, the chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Emmanuel Orker Jev (Benue) simply “resigned” from the party.
    They cited the division in the party, among others as their reason.
    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) also lost a member to the United Progressives Party ( UPP).
    But Aminu Suleiman ( APC Kano) and Umar Nasir (Niger APC) insisted there was no division in the APC and asked the Speaker to declare the seats of the defectors vacant.
    However, in spite of such argument, Dogara said he would not do so. According to him, when PDP members defected to APC he did not declare their seats vacant.
    The defection was met with victory songs from PDP members before APC members took over with victory songs of their own. This held plenary up for about 10 minutes.
    Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, who has been away for a number of days for health reasons, was at plenary today. He was however quiet for most of the session.
    With the defection of 37 members from the All Progressives Congress members in the Green Chamber, the party still managed to retain its majority status.
    The figures now read: APC 192, PDP 156, APGA 5, ADC 4. Accord 1, SDP 1, Vacant 1
    Speaking at a briefing with reporters on the  issue, the leader of the House Femi Gbajabiamila, said the defectors can return to APC when they realize “the errors of their ways.”
    His words: “Let me say it is always sad when people losing one member, those members were part of the family and I would say very quickly, they are also welcome at any point in time they realize the errors of their ways.
    But let me also say that I want to commend the reminder members of the APC in the house who have remained steadfast, who have remained committed to the party, for me that is what politics is all about particularly in a representatives democracy where people elect you on a particular platform for a particular reason,.
    “We are all aware of the Supreme Court decision in Ameachi’s case, where
    the Supreme Court said and made it abundantly clear that in Nigeria today, it is not the person that is elected, it is the party that people elect.
    “We tried to build politics of ideology in this country and that is why I commend our members who have remained committed to the ideology of this party, if ideology was entrenched, we would not see the way people cross Carpet in this country today. In advanced democracy, hardly do you hear about such a thing, so I commend our members for remaining in the party.
    “Unfortunately, that section ( under which they defected) has already
    been interpreted by the supreme court of Nigeria in the case of PDP versus Adekunle who was a member of the House of Representatives and the meaning of division has been clearly stated by the supreme court and the so-called R-APC that everybody is chanting, does not fall
    within the interpretation of the Supreme Court,
    “Therefore, we would be encouraging the party to take the necessary steps not because we are against the members, but so that we can further entrench democracy. When people elect you to represent on a particular platform, that seat does not belongs to you, the seat belongs to the constituency, so it is important that this position is stated
    clearly, and that we put it to rest.
    “I want to say that inspite of the movement of about 36 members I think 4 went to ADC in Oyo State and 32 to PDP and I believe they was one resignation thereafter without a party as of yet, I want Nigerians to know that not only does APC remains the majority of the House, APC is actually a clear majority in the House I believe those who wanted to defect were expecting about 60 members
    “I want to say once again that on behalf of all the APC members of the House of Representatives we would continue to do the biding of the people, we would continue to do the biding of the country in spite of whatever shenanigans that may be going on in the country .
    “Every four years we witness this, they say survival is the first instincts of every human being, so, every four years everybody is in search of a ticket and I believe that is the bottom line here. “
    He however applauded the Speaker and his deputy, Yussuff Lasun and the leadership of the house in the side of the APC “who remained and have piloted the affairs of this House.”
    Also the defectors led by Rasak Atunwa ( Now PDP Kwara) in another briefing said the Muhammadu Buhari regime has derailed from the initial ideals of the party.
    According to him,  they left the APC “for the good of this country and for the good of the people of this country.”
    His words: “On the floor of the House of Representatives, a massive defection from the APC to mostly the PDP and some to the ADC, you already know the figures, 37 members left the APC on the floor and crossed over to other parties.
    “Let me inform you that ( those that defected)  constituted the first batch of those who signified that they would leave the APC and therefore you should expect in the next few days defecting members of the APC on the floor of the House of Reps.
    “Having said that, it is important to put on air some of the reason why we felt  it is important to leave the APC. Firstly, this was a party that we all laboured for, a party that we all joined together from our various parties came together pre 2015, campaigned heavily for it in 2015 and we formed a government.
    “We came together because we believed in what we have been proposed to the people of Nigeria, we believed in change, we believed  that this country needs to be better ruled, we believed that the youth of this country deserves better, we believed that the men and women of this country deserves better, we believed there ought to be a better method in social integration we believed that job opportunities must be provided.
    “We believed that there must be respectful rule of law, we believed that there must be a better way for improved education, we believed in all these ideals so therefore we came together to form the APC.
    “But sadly, no sooner have we formed government in May 2015 that the party set itself on the course to derail itself and that derailment continued up till today, continued in APC.
    “So already some of us have been agitating for us to go back for what brought us together and those are the ideals that brought us together, the party rather than listening embarked on victimization and criminalization on its members. Those who it perceived as opponent, those who it perceived as not following the line , those who its feels as having divergent views.”
    Atunwa said the party  set itself on a course of destruction and “what happened on the floor is the first step today.
    ” Secondly, within the party itself some of us who were aggrieved came together and brought our grievances to the floor, we were castigated  as being uninformed, we were castigated as being a nobody and being  brainwashed.
    “Therefore putting all that together, particularly the interest of the country, particularly the fact that the APC are deviating from their ideals to see Nigeria prepared to a higher status, and see Nigeria advance democratically, that to see the economy improving then we felt that if those our concern are been ignored then we are to take a step.
    “We took the step today. Like I said, 37 members left the APC as a first batch more people will leave the APC in the nearer future.”
    Just as our reporter was about to file this report, another lawmaker, Tony Nwulu ( PDP Lagos) came to brief reporters that he was moving from PDP to United Progressives Party ( UPP).
    This changes the figures to APC 192, PDP 155, APGA 5, ADC 4. Accord 1, SDP 1, UPP 1, Vacant 1
     Earlier, PDP lawmakers, from the House who had converged at the lobby of the National Assembly when the news of the siege in the House of the President of the Senate Bukola Saraki and Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu filtered in had vowed not to allow a leadership change in the Senate.
    They threatened to forcefully gain entry into the Senate  Chamber to forcefully truncate any attempt to change the leadership of the Red Chamber.
    But the members burst into jubilation when the news of the defection of 15 Senators reached them and started chanting various songs of victory.
    They sang “O my home, when shall I see my home” a children’s rhyme made popular by Senator Dino Melaye and taunted the Majority leader,  Femi Gbajabiamiila who happened to chance by at the time.
    They mobbed him and many could be heard shouting “minority leader! minority leader! Conversely, the Deputy Minority leader Chukwuma Onyeama was hailed as “Majority Leader. “
    But the atmosphere suddenly changed as the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara came in.  There were screams of “Dogara! Dogara! Dogara!” as they milled around him. until he took refuge in his office at the White House prior to the commencement of plenary.
    Some of the members that defected from APC to ADC from Oyo State are: Sunday Adepoju (Oyo), Olugbemi Samson (Oyo), Taiwo Michael (Oyo), Olasupo Abiodun (Oyo),
    Garba Umar (Kano), Olayonu Tope (Kwara), Ahmed Garba (Kano), Kabiru Marafa (Sokoto), Zakari Mohammed (Kwara), Abubakar Amuda-Kanike (Kwara);
    Also are: Ali Madaki (Kano), Hassan Saleh (Benue), Ahma Pategi (Kwara), Mark Gbillah (Benue), Shehu Usman (Kano), Aminu Shagari (Sokoto), Nuhu Danburam (Kano), Atunwa Abdulrazak (Kwara).
    Others are: Salisu Zakari (Bauchi), Hassan Omale (Kogi), Oker-Jev (Benue), Rufai Chanchangi (Kaduna), Abdulsamad Dasuki (Sokoto), Sani Zoro (Jigawa), Benjamin Okolo (Kogi), Funke Adedoyi (Kwara), Bode Ayorinde (Ondo), Bashiru Salihu (Sokoto), Barry Mpigi (Rivers).
     Nasiru Sule (Kano), Segun Ogunwuyi (Oyo), Lawal Rabiu (), Sani Rano (Kano), Dickson Tarkighir (Benue) Musa Adotsamiya () and Emmanuel Udende (Benue).