The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PDP

  • 2019: PDP chieftain says South West strategic to party

    The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, said on Monday that the South West was strategic to the party’s “inevitable victory” in the upcoming general elections.

    Ologbondiyan made the announcement when leaders of the Federation of South West Professionals in Politics paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

    He said that the South West remained a major support base for the party, saying that the party would never treat matters concerning the zone with levity.

    According to him, the party holds leaders and party members in the zone in high esteem, stressing that the value of the zone to the PDP cannot be dismissed.

    He said that efforts being made for the stability and growth of the party were commendable and that the party was re-positioning to re-take power.

    “The difference in votes won by the APC and our great party in the South West was very minimal, that shows that PDP commands genuine followership of voters in the zone.”

    Ologbondiyan said that in Lagos State, the home of the national leader of the APC, the PDP won six House of Representatives seats and nine state assembly seats.

    He said the PDP had continued to get majority support of the voting population in Ekiti and that the party’s structure in the South West remained formidable.

    Read Also: PDP members defect to APC in Rivers

    The publicity secretary claimed that in Oyo, Ogun and Ondo States, the party was waxing stronger and that its victory at the last senatorial election in Osun West showed that the PDP would retake the state.

    “There is no way the PDP will treat such a zone that is so strategic and known for progressive politics with levity.

    “It is therefore, imperative to emphasise that the PDP holds the South West in great respect and we will continue to work with the leaders of the zone and those of other zones to ensure a clear victory in 2019,” the party chieftain said.

    On the ongoing reconciliation in the PDP, Ologbondiyan said that the effort had been yielding dividends, adding that the party had emerged stronger from its challenges.

    He commended PDP governors, other elected officials and appointed leaders as well as party faithful for their commitment to the party.

    Earlier, the national convener of the organisation, Dr Olu Bamidele, commended the PDP leadership for achieving rapid re-positioning and re-branding of the party.

    Bamidele commended the party for its moves to ensure total reconciliation in its fold, particularly in the South West.

    He lauded what he described as the PDP’s constructive opposition, saying that Nigerians were looking up to the party to salvage the nation from the government of the APC.

    NAN

  • 2019: PDP battles new albatross

    2019: PDP battles new albatross

    Following recent defection of some prominent leaders from PDP to SDP, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, examines how PDP is reacting to the development

    IF feelers emerging from many quarters within the opposition party is anything to go by, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sees the recent defection of some of its chieftains, led by former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana and former Education Minister, Professor Tunde Adeniran, into the Chief Olu Falae-led Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a fresh challenge to its bid to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the presidency in 2019.

    In the same vein, strong indications continue to emerge to the effect that the Uche Secondus-led party is not resting on its oars to ensure that the exit of the defectors did not destabilise its plan to win the next presidential election. According to very reliable party sources, the leadership of the party, determined to checkmate possible mass defection as predicted by Gana and Adeniran while explaining their decision to dump the PDP, is putting several measures in place in all its chapters across the country.

    The Nation learnt from a source in the National Working Committee of the party that although Gana and Adeniran were part of those who felt aggrieved after the last National Convention of the party, their defection from the PDP was not anticipated. Consequently, the party has set machineries in motion to prevent further exodus from its fold of members who disagreed with what happened at the convention.

    “The PDP is jolted by the development and sincerely, it came to us, leaders of the party, as a big surprise. This is not because these party leaders defected; it is more because their defection signaled the failure of our reconciliation efforts after the last National Convention. Professors Gana and Adeniran are foremost chieftains amongst those with grievances arising from the last convention.

    “I can also tell you categorically, though I am not authorised to speak on this matter, that these two and others who defected with them, were met by our Reconciliation Committee, under the leadership of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. They assured him of their readiness to stay put in the PDP. It is because of these that the party is jolted by their unexpected defection,” our source explained.

    The Nation also gathered that a high powered committee made up of largely members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), has been put in place to see how the two chieftains and others can be talked into returning to the party ahead of the 2019 General Election. “We have our fears. These are prominent chieftains of the party with followers, allies and supporters. We cannot be comfortable with their exit. You are asking an obvious question. You know the answer yourself.

    “We want them back and we have put machinery in motion to see how we can still do that ahead of the next election. This is not a good time to lose such chieftains to the opposition. More so when we understand that this is a ploy to weaken us. Let me tell you that a committee made up of largely members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), has been put in place to see how the two chieftains and others can be talked into returning to the party,” our source added.

    In a statement that confirms the resolve of the PDP to stem a possible bandwagon effect, Governor Dickson insisted that Gana and Adeniran, must be cajoled to the return to PDP. The Bayelsa State Governor added that the most rational thing for all PDP stakeholders to do now is to start a process of building consensus and reaching out to players across party lines with the PDP leading the coalition to wrest power from APC in 2019.

     

    A growing threat?

    Adeniran had, while explaining his reason for leaving the PDP, with his supporters to join the SDP, indicated that he and Gana are not the only party chieftains tired of how the party is being administered. It would be recalled that Professor Adeniran was a PDP national chairmanship candidate in the December 9 Convention of the party, and Professor Gana was one of his staunch supporters.

    “I left the PDP for the SDP with my supporters for good reasons. Most importantly, I left because there is no internal democracy in the PDP. It may interest you to know that Prof. Jerry Gana has also left the PDP for the same reason and we are not the only people who feel the party is not being administered properly,” Adeniran, who said he is not likely to return to the PDP, explained.

    The former PDP chieftains and members, mostly from the South-West and North-Central zones of the country, led-by Gana and Adeniran, in a surprise move early in the week, joined the SDP, which recently announced that it is merging with the Balarabe Musa-led Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), the Peoples Salvation Party (PSP) and the National Intervention Movement (NIM), to form a mega party.

    There are also task that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), may be interested in the mega party arrangement being championed by Falae and Balarabe Musa. The Nation learnt that PDP leaders see the development as a threat that should not be ignored even before Gana and Adeniran jumped ship to join the mega party train.

    According to reports, others that left their parties for the SDP include former Military Administrator of Katsina State, Sen. Joseph Akaagerger; ex-Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State; and ex-Minister of Defence, Dr. Olu Agunloye; a former Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Dare Emiola; former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Junaid Mohammed; Senator Bassey Ewa Hensaw and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Olamide Oni.

    Reports also have it that Hon. Dipo Olaitan (a former leader of the Alliance for Democracy in the House of Representatives); a former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Kehinde Ayoola; Amb. Yemi Farounbi; leaders of the Middle Belt Forum; Mr. John Dara as well as some prominent leaders of the National Intervention Forum, led by Dr. Tafawa Balewa, have all signed up for the new mega party arrangement.

    To underscore their seriousness with the emerging political arrangement, leaders of the mega party coalition and the new entrants, at a marathon meeting during the week, signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Ladi Kwali Hall in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja. The MoU was jointly signed by Falae (for SDP) and Prof. Gana for the defectors under the auspice of the Movement for a New Political Order.

    The signing of the MOU was done amidst speculations that not less than five serving governors and 35 senators are rearing to dump their current political parties to join the mega party arrangement. According to the National Publicity Secretary of SDP, Alfa Mohammed, proxies of these governors and senators have been attending the party’s meetings though their principals are yet to join the SDP officially.

    “At the appropriate time, we will disclose the identities of these people but for now, we are keeping everything secret. 50 civil society organisations had embraced the SDP in a coalition aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. The mass movement of prominent politicians from both APC and PDP to the SDP last Thursday was a kick starter for the chunk of other politicians and civil society groups eager to join the SDP.

    “In the next two to three weeks, the mass movement into the SDP will become more pronounced, especially at the national and state Houses of Assembly and I am sure that the party will soon become the majority at the National Assembly. Also, the national secretariat of the party had directed all state offices to commence registration of new members at ward levels and local and state congresses would be held soon before the national convention,” National Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Alfa Mohammed, said.

    A chieftain of the SDP, Dr. Olu Agunloye, said the party remained the only viable alternative to deliver real change to Nigerians. Agunloye, a former minister, noted that SPD had the programmes to move the country forward, with its focus on delivering development through good governance. He described as a good development the defection of two former ministers, Prof. Tunde and Prof. Gana from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the party.

    “The coming of Prof. Adeniran and Prof. Gana is a good development for the party. These are accomplished Nigerians and they would surely add value. But these two personalities are not the only prominent people that have joined the party. Just two days ago, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Party (APC) in Adamawa State joined the party with about 16,000 of his supporters.

    “So many people have also indicated interest to join the party from across other political parties; we are expecting more people soon. Our party would welcome people who were ready to align with its vision to reposition the country and not people who were coming just to seek tickets for their aspirations. Our party had commenced registration for interested Nigerians across the country ahead of the 2019 elections.”

     

    The Atiku factor

    The Nation also gathered that some leaders of the PDP, especially PDP governors, are more worried over the development because of recent talks linking former Vice President Abubakar Atiku with the mega party arrangement being championed by the SDP. According to party sources, there is growing anxiety within the PDP over fears that should Atiku move to SDP, more prominent chieftains will follow suit.

    “Those who are opposed to Atiku’s ambition within the PDP are even more worried. They are worried for two reasons. One, they are worried that should Atiku join the SDP, more PDP chieftains across the country will dump the party and go with him if urgent efforts are not made to prevent such a development. Secondly, they are worried that an Atiku as the presidential candidate of the SDP in 2019 will affect the chances of the PDP in the election.

    “They don’t need to be told that such an arrangement will divide the support base of the opposition and brighten the chances of the APC winning the election, especially if the ruling party fields Buhari again. There is no candidate the PDP will field that will defeat Atiku everywhere in the north. And since these people don’t want to give Atiku PDP ticket, they also don’t want him to get the ticket of any serious party,” our source said.

    While talks about some of his known supporters joining the SDP, especially in the North-East and the South-West continue, the camp of the former Vice President, who dumped the ruling APC and re-joined the PDP last December, has not made any statement on either the SDP or the mega party saga. An aide of the presidential aspirant, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, said he is still studying the situation.

    “Just as you are hearing and seeking clarification, we are also hearing many things. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar himself is hearing many things. He is a factor in the politics of this country, so it is normal for people to discuss and speculate about him and his aspiration. However, I can only tell you that he is still studying that entire situation and scenarios. He is a chieftain of the PDP till this morning, that I can also say,” he said.

    On the speculations that SDP was in talks with Abubakar to join it, Agunloye said he had no knowledge of the moves. He stated that Atiku, just like other Nigerians, was free and welcome to join the party. “Atiku is free to join our party. He is welcome to join us. I worked with him at the cabinet of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and he is a man I respect a lot,” he said.

    Similarly, Mohammed will neither confirm nor decline SDP’s link with the former Vice President. Asked whether Atiku and or his associates are among those who have secretly aligned with the new mega party arrangement, the SDP spokesperson said the party was home to the former Vice President adding that he did not need to “knock at the door before entering the party.”

    “The SDP is home to all Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku. But I need two to three weeks to confirm the issue of the former Vice President as it concerns our party. However, it might interest you to know that many prominent politicians from Adamawa States have joined us,” he said.

  • 2019: PDP cannot win in southwest without unity – ex-minister

    2019: PDP cannot win in southwest without unity – ex-minister

    A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, has called on members to work together for the progress of the party in the southwest. Ogunlewe, a former minister of works, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He was reacting to Thursday’s holding of two parallel events by the Moshood Salvador-led executive and another group.

    NAN reports that while Salvador was holding the party general assembly to mobilise members in Ikeja, a group of aggrieved members, led by former state party deputy chairman, Prince Ola Apena, was holding another rally in Ikorodu. Ogunlewe, in his reaction, told NAN that the party could not realise its objective of capturing Lagos and other states in 2019 if members were working at cross purposes.

    He, however, said disagreements are normal in a democracy, pointing out that ability to manage them is what matters. “The PDP members in the state need to work in unity with one another to achieve our objectives in the state. Election is around the corner. This is a time for unity and not for fight or discord. Personally, I see the same people in Ikeja and Ikorodu rallies as the same PDP. Yes, there are disagreements, which is normal in a democracy, we will sort ourselves out,” he said.

    Ogunlewe said the call for Salvador to leave office was unnecessary as only the National Working Committee of the party could remove him. When asked if he had any political ambition in 2019, he responded in the negative. “May be you don’t know I am 75 years old, and what will a 75 year old be looking for in office again? Sorry, I am not vying for anything,” he said.

     

  • PDP will move on without Adeniran, Gana, says Babatope

    PDP will move on without Adeniran, Gana, says Babatope

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, believes the exit of Professor Tunde Adeniran and Professor Jerry Gana from PDP will not, in any way, diminish the party’s strength.

    Babatope, a former Minister of Transport told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that although the two politicians contributed greatly to the PDP, the party should respect their decision to leave and move on.

    Adeniran and Gana, both former ministers, dumped the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) recently.

    He said there was no need calling for their return to the PDP as they were competent adults.

    “Both Prof. Adeniran and Prof. Gana were strong members of the PDP; unfortunately, they have left; there is nothing anybody can do about that,” he said.

    “I am not one of those calling for their return to the PDP because they have the democratic right to join any party that suits them.

    “Again, they are competent and intelligent adults who must have reasoned very well before they took the decision.

    “Even though the feeling might not be too good, being that I have known them for long, especially Adeniran, I cannot fault or stop their decisions.

    “I believe the PDP will remain strong even with their exit, as the party was built on strong foundations and not personalities,” he said.

    He said that Adeniran might have left because of what played out during the last convention of the party, when he vied for the party’s chairmanship position.

    Babatope said that he was also affected by the incident, as the candidate he supported, Chief Olabode George, had to pull out of the race to protest flaws in the electoral process.

    He said both George and himself had since put the issue behind them after the party reached out to them through Gov. Seriake Dickson.

    “What the party did to us then was painful especially the candidate I supported, Chief Olabode George.

    “Gov. Dickson, shortly after the convention, visited us on the way forward for the party. So that is past.

    “We remain in PDP and we will never leave. I believe strongly in the PDP and its ideals. Both George and I will be in PDP,” he said.

    Babatope wished Gana and Adeniran well in their new party, saying he was sure they would be loyal to it.

    The party chieftain expressed doubts that the SDP would evolve to be a dominant party before 2019.

    He said that his doubt was informed by his belief that political parties would need time to develop.

    “But if at the end of the day, the SDP develops into a dominant party like its chieftains have claimed, good; then, we will have three dominant parties.

    “We will all be competing together for the votes of Nigerians. I think, that will be good for democracy,” he said.

     

  • PDP, APDA, Buhari group clash over Ekweremadu’s coup comment

    PDP, APDA, Buhari group clash over Ekweremadu’s coup comment

    •Former ruling party says Ekweremadu was in order
    •No, he should withdraw statement, apologise to Nigerians-APDA, Buhari group

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday rose in defence of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu over his recent warning to the political class against actions that could trigger a military take over.

    The party said it saw nothing wrong in Ekweremadu’s opinion, and accused the ruling federal government of always trying to criminalise every contrary view or attempt to call it to order.

    But the Buhari Media Support Group and the newly registered Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) did not find the Deputy Senate President’s view amusing.

    While the Buhari Media Support Group asked him to withdraw the statement and apologize to Nigerians, the APDA said the statement was shocking and regrettable.

    It advised the military to ignore it.

    The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said the party had watched the full video of Senator Ekweremadu’s contribution on the floor of the Senate severally and that it saw nothing that could have warranted the statement issued by the Defence Headquarters on the matter.

    The party faulted the Defence Headquarters’ claim that Ekweremadu’s statement was derogatory to the army and by extension the armed forces of Nigeria’.

    The party said: “the PDP holds the institution of the Nigerian military in high esteem and we advise that it should not allow itself to be dragged into desperate attempts by the failed APC administration to criminalise every contrary view or attempt to call it to order.

    “Every student of Nigeria’s history knows that executive excesses such as sponsored political violence, intimidation of opposition and dissent voices, human rights abuses, disrespect for court orders and disregard for the separation of powers and rule of law, as we have today in Nigeria, have always been the bane of the nation’s democracy.

    “Nigerians are aware of the numerous flagrant disobedience to court orders by the APC-led administration as well as the harassment, arrest, detention and media trial of perceived political opponents of the government on the flimsiest trumped up charges, while established cases of corruption by the Presidency cabal are swept under the carpet.

    “Nigerians saw when Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso was prevented from visiting his home state, Kano; how the house belonging to Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi was pulled down by an APC government in Kaduna State and how a meeting by Senator Shehu Sani and other politicians from the State, who have political disagreement with established APC interest was visited with horror.

    “They also watched with dismay as a full squadron of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) laid siege to the sacred ground of the court to arrest Senator Dino Melaye, who was arraigned by the police over his reported attempt on his life.

    “Senator Ekweremadu’s call therefore remains timely, patriotic and not inimical to the military or the nation, especially in the face of such violations and given the fact that he only reinforced the need to guard against actions that could scuttle our democracy as already raised by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in 2017.

    “Lt. Gen Buratai, in a statement issued by the Army Spokesman on May 16, 2017, raised an alarm that some persons were allegedly approaching some officers and soldiers for what he called ‘undisclosed political reasons’ and warned such persons to desist from these acts.

    “The PDP therefore finds nothing wrong with the call by Senator Ekweremadu on our political leaders to guard the nation’s democracy jealously by imbibing the principles of democratic rule. We hold that our democracy and its attendant benefits must be of paramount interest to all citizens of our dear nation at all times.

    “Our military remains a respected institution and should not in any way allow the APC to use its gimmick to drag it in into partisan politics”.

    In a statement of its own in Abuja, the Buhari Media Support Group said Ekweremadu’s “reference to a coup plot in this dispensation is highly disappointing and clearly appears as an instigation.’’

    In the statement by Austin Braimoh (Coordinator)  and Cassidy Madueke (Secretary) the group added: “Definitely his intention while making this comment is suspicious and unpatriotic.

    “As a lawmaker and second in command at the nation’s highest law-making body, we expect Senator Ekweremadu to always exercise restraint in his utterances in order to uphold the virtues required of his high office. As someone occupying a high office in the country, it is expected that the stability and progress of the country will be uppermost in his mind.

    “We advise Senator Ekweremadu and the Senate to stop equating the inability of politicians to adhere to democratic principles as putting the nation’s democracy in danger. It is indeed strange that the Senate, rather than focusing on its law-making responsibilities, is delving into states’ matters.

    “We make bold to say that if indeed the country’s democracy is under threat as Senator Ekweremadu tried to make us believe, then it is an indictment on him as one of the leaders of the Senate, and he should stop passing the buck.”

    For its part, the APDA through its National Publicity Secretary, Tosin Adeyanju, said politicians must be mindful of their utterances and be patient and allow the current democracy mature.

    “Our democracy is evolving and we all must be patient to see it mature to a stage that will be the envy of all,” he pointed out.

    “No doubt we are still far from where we should be as a nation, but we are moving towards it and all stakeholders in the Nigeria project must be part of this journey of nation building and not be involved in destroying our hard earned democracy.

    “We are aware of the challenges being faced by Nigerians but that those challenges   are surmountable if we all unite towards nation building and contribute our quota at any area of endeavour   we may find ourselves.

    “We should all remember that we have no other country than Nigeria and we must do things that promote unity and prosperity of the country at all times. Our democracy should be protected and strengthened by all citizens of country because it is the only vehicle that will take us to our prosperity.”

    The party appealed to the National Assembly to desist from instigating the military to truncate our nascent democracy.

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in its reaction to Ekweremadu’s statement on Thursday had denied nursing a desire to dabble into governance.

     

     

     

  • Oyegun: PDP will never rule again

    Oyegun: PDP will never rule again

    National Chairman of the All Progres-sives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie- Oyegun yesterday declared the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) can never rule Nigeria again.

    He dismissed the PDP as dead with nothing to offer in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    Oyegun spoke during the Katsina State grand rally and reception of over 300,000 defectors from other political parties into the APC.

    Among the defectors were: Ibrahim Muhammad Ida, former PDP Senator representing Katsina central; Hon. Ya’u Umar Gwojo Gwojo, two terms Speaker of the House of Assembly; Hon. Bature Masari, 2015 PDP Campaign Director General and Dr. Yusha’u Armiya’u, among others.

    The APC chairman said: “With the number of defectors I received into our great party today in Katsina, we can say without fear that PDP is dead and buried and can’t recapture Nigeria again come 2019.

    “A party where virtually all their bigwigs, Senator Ibrahim Ida and host of others had deserted because they have seen the light and are now in the fold of APC, so you can see that PDP is weak even in Katsina State.

    “I have been receiving lots of defectors in other states of the federation but the ones I received today are the best considering their reputations.”

    Oyegun said the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari has generated about 7000 MWs of electricity within three years, stressing the administration had repositioned the power sector and agriculture via meaningful projects.

    Governor Aminu Masari said PDP had been completely decimated with no capacity to make any impact in the governorship and Presidential elections, let alone winning.

  • Secondus urges APC to emulate PDP in project executions

    Secondus urges APC to emulate PDP in project executions

    Mr Uche Secondus, National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to emulate their PDP counterparts, who were busy developing their states through grassroots-oriented projects.

    Secondus gave the advice on Saturday at the inauguration of the 8.4 kilometres reconstructed Ughelli-Afiesere-Ofuoma road project in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta.

    The party chairman, while commending the developmental stride of the PDP state governments, urged the APC state governors to emulate them.

    He said Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta had impacted positively on the people through his people-oriented projects and urged the people to give him the maximum support.

    “Gov. Okowa has proven to be among the best governors in the country through the execution of developmental projects with direct positive impact on the lives of the people.

    “The only way to develop the Niger Delta region is through the construction of roads as demonstrated by the governor.

    “So, I will implore the people of Delta to intensify their support for Gov. Okowa for more development projects,” he stressed.

    In his remarks, Gov. Okowa said that the state government was linking up the entire state with the construction of roads, which would have a multiplier effect on the economy and also promote ethnic integration among groups in the state.

    He said that the government had a well mapped out policies and programmes, particularly in the health and education sectors, assuring the people that his administration was committed to meeting their needs.

    In his address of welcome, the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Mr Godwin Adode thanked Gov. Okowa for the project, saying it would help to boost the economy of area. (NAN)

  • PDP will never rule Nigeria again, says Oyegun

    PDP will never rule Nigeria again, says Oyegun

    The National  Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun on Saturday declared that the opposition People’s Democratic Party  (PDP) can never rule Nigeria again.
    He described the PDP as ” dead in such states like Katsina and not capable of re-capturing political power come 2019 general elections.”
     
    Chief Oyegun, who made the declaration in Katsina, during the Katsina state grand rally and reception of over 300,000 decampees from other political parties into APC, said PDP has nothing to offer in the next year’s general elections.
     
    The decampees include: Senator Ibrahim Muhammad Ida, former PDP Senator representing Katsina central, Hon. Ya’u Umar Gwojo Gwojo, two terms Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Bature Umar Masari, 2015 PDP Campaign Director General, Dr. Yusha’u Armiya’u, among others.
     
    He said, “With the number of decampees I received into our great party today in Katsina. We can say without fear that PDP is dead and buried and can’t recapture Nigeria again come 2019.
     
    “A party where virtually all their bigwigs, Senator Ibrahim Ida and host of others had deserted because they have seen the light and are now in the fold of APC, so you can see that PDP is weak even in Katsina state.
     
    “I have been receiving lots of decampees in other states of the federation but the ones I received today are the best considering their reputations”.
     
    Chief Oyegun, however, said the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has generated about 7000 MWs of electricity within three years, stressing that the president had repositioned the power sector and agriculture via meaningful projects.
     
    “When we came on board we meet 3000 MWs of electricity, but the president has increased it to 7000 MWs within a shortest period of time. On agriculture, Buhari has made the sector almost self-sufficient for everyone”.
     
    Earlier in a welcome address at the occasion, the state Governor Aminu Bello Masari, said that PDP had been completely decimated and have no capacity to make any impact in the governorship and Presidential elections, let alone winning them
  • 2019: Ogunlewe calls for unity in Lagos PDP

    2019: Ogunlewe calls for unity in Lagos PDP

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Adeseye Ogunlewe, has urged members to work together for the progress of the party in the state.

    Ogunlewe, a former Minister of Works, made the call in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    He was reacting to Thursday’s parallel events organised by the Moshood Salvador-led executive committee and another group in the state.

    While Salvador was organsing the party’s general assembly in Ikeja, a group of aggrieved members led by former deputy chairman of the party in the state, Prince Ola Apena, was holding another rally in Ikorodu.

    Ogunlewe said the party would not realise its objective of winning the state in 2019 if members work at cross purposes.

  • Alleged underage voting: PDP, 27 parties appear before INEC committee

    Alleged underage voting: PDP, 27 parties appear before INEC committee

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) committee assigned to   investigate allegations of underage voting during the February 10 local government election in the state has received submissions and testimonies from 28 political parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The  INEC Public Relations Officer in Kano, Muhammad Garba Lawan confirmed the development yesterday.

    The  Vice chairman of PDP in the state, Alhaji Shehu Na-Allah Kura also confirmed by phone that his party made submissions to the Committee, with a view to aiding its fact-finding mission.

    The  PDP leadership had refused to participate in the election because,as it said,it had no confidence in the State electoral commission.

    The eight-man investigation  committee commenced sitting in Kano penultimate Monday.

    It is headed by Engr. Abubakar Nahuce.

    Other members are:Mrs May Agbamuche Mbu,  Barr Mike Igini,  Barr. Kassim G. Geidam,  others are Yakubu M. Duku,  Rukayata Bummi,  Bello,  Paul Omokore,  and Jude Chikezie Okwuonu.

    The Committee has already met with officials of Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Civil Society Organizations, journalists and other stakeholders.

    The  Committee is to find out whether the voters  register used during  the conduct of  the Kano Local Government election was  genuine.

    According to Nahuce, the aim of the electoral commission is not to pass judgment on the conduct of the LG polls, rather to ascertain, if the voters register used is that, which was obtained from INEC.