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  • 2019: APC, PDP set for war in Kano, Kaduna, 13 other ‘fluid’ states

    2019: APC, PDP set for war in Kano, Kaduna, 13 other ‘fluid’ states

    •Why Buhari is serious with Tinubu’s committee
    •How defections, mergers, religious sentiments may alter parties game plans
    •APC leaders worry panic over girls’ abduction

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are poised for intense  battles in at least 15 states in next year’s elections, going by the opposition party’s plans.

    Top on the list of the states are Kano, Kaduna, Osun, Imo, Kogi, Bauchi, Kwara and Jigawa.

    The rest are Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Ekiti, The Nation gathered last night.

    Hints of what PDP has in stock to ‘wage the battles’ may have informed the decision of  President Muhammadu Buhari to raise the Tinubu Reconciliation Committee, and overrule the National Chairman the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on the way forward for the party.

    The PDP, sources said, has its plans well laid out including a resort to the use of religious sentiments to bait voters, where and when necessary.

    It is also not relenting in wooing some APC governors, ex-governors and no fewer than 22 Senators and 50 members of the House of Representatives to switch camps.

    Among those being targeted are Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

    Tinubu has however had talks with Saraki and Dogara.

    Details of the talks are yet unknown.

    The 22 Senators and 50 Representatives are said to be priming their possible defection for what a source described as a “strategic time when APC would have been decimated and too late to salvage anything.”

    Sources cited the recent decision of the National Assembly to  reorder  the sequence of the  2019 elections,  its  rejection of some executive plans and alleged  growing hostility to  the Buhari administration as  “forewarned signals” of the battle ahead.

    Investigation revealed that the APC and  PDP currently have a 50 – 50 per cent of winning the 14 fluid states depending  on “tactical manoeuvres in the next two to four months.

    The two parties have launched into talks with formidable leaders and game changers in the said states.

    A highly placed source said although  politicking  is not yet in full  swing for the 2019 elections, APC and PDP “are locked in a cold war of engaging in covert realignment and reconciliatory talks.

    “The PDP is desperate to decimate APC and give the ruling party a good fight in the affected 15 fluid states.

    “The presidency and some APC leaders have realized that the party machinery, as currently constituted, cannot respond to what is branded as ‘PDP menace’.

    “This is why President Muhammadu Buhari empanelled Asiwaju Tinubu and others to find remedial solutions.

    “It is tough for the two sides. While APC has internal crises in some of its strategic and huge votes’ states, PDP has time constraints and funding as its major problems. It is only the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike that is heavily funding the party.”

    The scenarios in the affected fluid states are as follows:

    In Kano, the PDP is desperately wooing Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso to team up with ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and other matchmakers to reclaim the state from APC.

    But there is challenge for the PDP in this regard: the irreconcilable political differences between Kwankwaso and Shekarau.

    A source said: “The two leaders are like oil and water. Oil will always float on water. If Kwankwaso returns to PDP, he will want the party’s presidential ticket and make a case for his stooge as the governorship flag bearer. He cannot have his cake and eat it.

    “PDP leaders in Kano State are saying that since Kwankwaso is politically frustrated, it is the party which should dictate its terms.”

    To checkmate PDP in Kano, Buhari’s strategists in the presidency are trying to woo Shekarau who used to be a staunch political ally of the president.

    A source said: “Were it not for the strain in Shekarau’s relationship with Buhari, his natural political habitat should be APC. Most of Shekarau’s friends, including the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, are in Buhari’s government.

    “Apart from wooing Shekarau, the presidency and some APC leaders prefer reconciliation with Kwankwaso who they know Governor Abdullahi Ganduje cannot match.

    Although a recent visit to Kano by the President was tumultuous, it was more of love for Buhari than a measure of electoral support. It may be a different ball game in 2019.

    “The alternative is to let Kwankwaso go to PDP and APC can scramble for votes with the opposition in Kano. Some opted for this option because Kwankwaso appears to be an anointed candidate of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.”

    The APC looks good to retain Osun State largely in view of the weak opposition offered by the PDP.

    The opposition party is facing a serious internal crisis.

    Sources said one way by which the PDP could make an impact  in the governorship election in the state is for    former Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore  to forego his governorship ambition.

    The APC’s choice of its governorship candidate may also make or mar its chances.

    With the victory of Mr. Ademola Adeleke, in last year’s senatorial election, PDP is confident that APC is beatable in the coming governorship poll. But if achievements were anything to go by, Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s landmark performance has overshadowed PDP’s rule in Osun State.

    The situation in Kaduna is dicey because of the bitter rivalry between Governor Nasir el-Rufai and APC stalwarts who cannot be wished away.

    The unending guerrilla attacks on Southern Kaduna is an albatross which may take on religious colouration and affect the chances of the APC in Kaduna State.

     

    While APC and el-Rufai are clinging to the last straws, PDP is capitalizing on the combustion in APC to return to power in the crocodile state.

    The erratic nature of Governor Rochas Okorocha, his  controversial policies, monarchical tendencies, and  his plan to impose his son-in-law as APC governorship candidate, have  left a huge flank for PDP to exploit to get back to  power in the state in 2019.

    The wedge between the governor and his deputy has further made the state slippery for APC. It might be too late for Okorocha to retrace his steps.

    In Zamfara State, ex-Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima still holds the ace.

    Although Yerima is in APC, he is a beautiful bride being wooed by the PDP.

    The unusual quietness of the Sharia advocate is worrisome for APC because his loyalty to the ruling party is suspect. There are indications that the APC may not allow Yerima to produce the next governorship candidate of the party because the powers that be in the presidency appear to prefer the Minister of Defence, Gen. Mansur Dan Ali.

    The controversy  trailing the tenure of the Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulazeez Yari, the killings in the state, and alleged mismanagement of the state are causing an  image crisis for APC. And with a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau in PDP, the opposition party may have the upper hand in 2019.

    As for Kogi State, APC is already in turmoil with the winner-takes- all style of Governor Yahaya Bello.

    All that PDP requires to dislodge APC is to look for a credible governorship candidate from Kogi East which has a huge voting population strength.

    Bello is, no doubt, rabid in his ambition for a second term regardless of allegations of non-performance, non-payment of salary and pension arrears and autocratic tendency. Apart from Kogi Central, Bello might not get much support in Kogi East and Kogi West Senatorial districts.

    The herdsmen attacks on hapless citizens have made Benue State a lost territory for APC in 2019 going by the anger of the people of the state.

    Governor Samuel Ortom is said to be one leg in APC and another in PDP or any party depending on political exigency.

    PDP is already profiting from the crisis in Benue State with Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose already pleading with Ortom to leave APC. The governor has also reconciled with the PDP financier in the state, ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam.

    But APC depends on the magic wands of Sen. George Akume, political dexterity of the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh and others to bail it out. APC may dump Ortom to try its luck of retaining the state. Whether PDP will accept Ortom back or not is a matter of conjecture.

    Unless Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State is more circumspect, the anger over herdsmen attacks on farmers in the Benue-Plateau valley may take a toll on APC’s chances in the state.

    Lalong first made a costly slip in his remarks on the invasion of Benue State but he quickly apologized after realizing the political implications of blaming Ortom for the killings. PDP is already painting APC and Lalong in bad light.

    The fate of PDP hangs in the balance in Ekiti State despite the vociferous nature of Governor Fayose who seems to have lost touch with the grassroots.

    The national secretariat of  PDP seemed  to have  come to terms with the possibility of  losing the state to the APC when it inaugurated a committee headed by ex-Senate President  David Mark to wade into the crisis in the state.

    If Fayose persists with his plan to impose his deputy as the PDP governorship candidate, the party may be running the risk of losing Ekiti.

    Even the APC has to get it right in picking its own flag bearer.

    Bauchi appears unpredictable having been ruled previously by the PDP and the defunct ANPP.

    It has a reputation for causing political upset and tension is already building up on account of the disagreement between the APC governor and some leaders like Speaker Yakubu Dogara and those regarded as Abuja-based politicians.

    If the APC resolves its intra-party squabbles, it can laugh last, otherwise the PDP may bounce back with the support of heavyweights like former Governor Isa Yuguda and ex-FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed.

    Dogara who comes from a minority group in the state may not wield much influence unless he works with the Hausa-Fulani.

    The APC and PDP can boast of being well entrenched in Adamawa, the home state of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar  who is determined to  make a strong showing to prove a point.

    The  First Lady Aisha Buhari, Governor Jibrilla Bindo, SGF Boss Mustapha, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Aisha Dahiru Modibbo (Binani),among others, to contend with.

    Ex-Governor Aliyu Wammakko of Sokoto State seems to hold the ace in deciding   the fate of APC and PDP in the state.

    The Senator, who was made the chairman of Northern Senators Forum last week in a palace coup, has proved to be a game changer. It is taken for granted in APC that Governor Aminu Tambuwal might exit PDP because of his political friend (Governor Nyesom Wike) who is working day and night to get him the PDP presidential ticket.

    The presidency is battling to hold Wammako down in APC with a wild card to state his terms. Yet, he is a loyalist of Senate President Bukola Saraki whose next political destination remains unknown.

    Kwara State looks a seamless ride for the Saraki Dynasty but the jolt it suffered from PDP during the last local government elections in the state is a pointer to a dangerous pattern that an upset is not impossible.

    It is uncertain if Saraki will remain in APC or return to PDP.

    There are strong rumours that he is headed for PDP which sparked a protest last week by some PDP members in the state.

    There are also reports about his most trusted ally, one Tunde Morakinyo, being regularly sighted with the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus. There are fears that something is in the works. But if Saraki returns to the PDP, the fight with APC in 2019 may turn out very dirty.

    The heavyweights in PDP are mostly products of the dynasty who have turned against their political roots. These political “rebels” may shift base to APC to tackle Saraki. The low performance of Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed has created much dilemma and liability for Saraki. Although the Senate President has launched a subtle plot to regain lost grounds, he needs to do more homework than a cosmetic solution.

    In Jigawa, the PDP is giving the APC sleepless nights with the rebound of ex-Governor Sule Lamido who is much loved by the people of the state.

    Concerning Nasarawa,  Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura needs all the tact in the world  in choosing his successor to create a sense of belonging for all, otherwise the PDP may take advantage of any implosion in APC to win the state.

    The earlier the APC allows the Tinubu Committee to reconcile all without let or hindrance, the better for it.

    The forthcoming National Convention of the party will go a long way to define its stake in 2019.

    For PDP, it is already consolidating its gains by poaching APC members in the National Assembly.

    A source said: “PDP has perfected plans to decimate APC through mass defection, playing the religious card and propaganda.

    “The abduction of 105 girls from the Science College in Dapchi, Yobe State has put APC on electoral edge even in the North.  A timely rescue of the girls can boost the chances of APC. Or else, the incident will be a political weapon for PDP.

    “APC has a long road to travel. It needs to reconcile, renegotiate and reunite. Above all, the President is central to the unity of APC because he has not been politically large -hearted enough to many leaders of the party who toiled for him to win the 2015 poll. They are all afraid of giving him a second chance.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • EU, BBOG, CDHR, PDP condemn abduction

    EU, BBOG, CDHR, PDP condemn abduction

    There has been a torrent of reactions to Monday’s Boko Haram attack on Dapchi, Yobe state and the believed abduction of some of the school girls.

    The European Union (EU) said it stood resolutely with the people and government of Nigeria in the fight against insurgency.

    EU in a statement issued in Abuja noted that an attack on children is an attack on entire humanity.

    The statement reads: “Targeting children and abducting young girls as they seek to attend school is an attack on our common humanity.

    “The EU sends its solidarity with the affected families and the people of Nigeria. The girls deserve freedom and a chance to shape their own future.

    “The EU remains committed to supporting the Government of Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality.

    “We stand resolute to continue our humanitarian and development work, including the rights and protection of girls.”

    The members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) advocasy asked the government to locate the whereabouts of the Dapchi girls.

    “There have been conflicting reports on the incidence among state and federal institutions and officials . This draws dreadful and eerie similarities with the confusion that surrounded official communication following the abduction of our #ChibokGirls on 14th April 2014 who have remained with the Boko Haram terrorists for 1, 410 days today The group said in a statement by its spokesperson Sesugh Akume.

    The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) condemned the unfortunate attack and described the development as “primitive and wicked.”

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the federal government and the security agencies to rescue the girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents at the Government Girls Technical Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State.

    The PDP, at its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, faulted official reports indicating that 48 of the girls, who were abducted in their school hostels on Monday, had been rescued by security agencies.

  • APC to PDP: you’re engaging in deliberate falsehood

    APC to PDP: you’re engaging in deliberate falsehood

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of engaging in complete and deliberate falsehood in an attempt to bring down the ruling government.

    It said the PDP should be free to open its financial books to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), if it has nothing to hide.

    APC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said in a statement issued in Abuja that it was unfortunate that the PDP choose to launch itself back to reckoning by engaging in destructive propaganda, deliberately spreading false, misleading and fabricated tales to cause distrust within the country.

    The party was reacting to a statement by the PDP accusing the APC government of manipulating its performance indices, engaging in impunity, underage voter registration and trying to use the EFCC to monitor party campaign financing.

    But Abdullahi said while the APC welcome criticisms from the opposition, such criticisms should be constructive and not outright falsehood, stressing that while Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not yet the electoral body every Nigerian yearns for, the PDP should brace itself to face the present realities in the country.

    The statement reads: “The APC, in reacting to allegations contained in a press conference delivered by a spokesperson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), alerts Nigerians to many wild and unsubstantiated allegations against the party, government and critical institutions such as the INEC.

    “In the name of playing opposition, the PDP has typically chosen to launch itself back into reckoning by engaging in destructive propaganda, deliberately spreading false, misleading and fabricated tales with intent to cause resentments, distrust and panic in the country.

    “While APC recognises the right of the PDP and indeed any other political party to criticise our party, and the policies and programmes of our government, we believe this should be done based on facts and reason.

  • Ekiti PDP members allege persecution over support for aspirant

    Ekiti PDP members allege persecution over support for aspirant

    Some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Ekiti State  have alleged that they are being victimised because of  their support for a governorship aspirant, Otunba Segun Adewale.

    The embattled party members, who belonged to the Ali Modu Sheriff faction before the Supreme Court judgment settled the party’s leadership crisis, said the party leadership was violating their freedom of association.

    The party faithful, who are from Ijero Local Government Area, where Adewale hails from, claimed that they had been on suspension since March 23, 2016 for taking sides with Sheriff against the  former Caretaker Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

    They complained that they were  being sidelined by the State Working Committee in the affairs of the chapter, despite the directive by the National Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, and the Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, that Sheriff’s faction should be reabsorbed unconditionally.

    Speaking with reporters in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital, the former PDP secretary  in Ijero Local Government Area, Hon. Olurotimi Akande, alleged that 50 members were suspended for alleged anti-party activities.

    He said the latest alleged victimisation was due to their support for Adewale against Governor Ayo Fayose’s preferred candidate and deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    Following Adewale’s entry into the race, a crisis of confidence developed between him and the governor. Also, other contenders, including the former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Senator Biodun Oujimi from the South District, Ambassador Dare Bejide and former Commissioner for Justice Owoseni Ajayi, have objected to the endorsement of an anointed candidate by the governor.

    Akande said: “After the supreme court judgement on Senators Makarfi and Sheriff, which was an internal crisis and not about anti-party activity, Governor Fayose made a pronouncement that all of us must be reabsorbed but the State Working Committee, led by Chief Gboyega Oguntuase never implemented that.

    “Throughout that time, I was not called to any elders’ meeting in Ijero local government as guaranteed by the party’s constitution. They were treating us as outcasts despite that the NWC and the Board of Trustees had directed that we should treated well.

    He added: “Internal crisis in a political party ends when the party or court resolves such issue. Members always fall in line, it is like when a candidate of a party emerges, others will queue behind him but the contrary was happening here in Ekiti PDP.

    “I see no offence in anyone supporting a candidate of choice. Chief Adewale is our leader and we are backing him for the governorship fully but we will work for whoever wins the primary, even if it is Prof Olusola, we will display that loyalty,” he said.

    A PDP chieftain, Hon. Idowu, said the only way they can support the party in the July 14 poll is for the NWC to conduct a free, fair and credible primary.

  • PDP: APC ‘recycling’ defectors

    PDP: APC ‘recycling’ defectors

    The Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of “recycling defectors to deceive members of the public”.

    “The APC keeps presenting the same set of people at its rallies; last Saturday, they presented the same people they presented in 2015 and claimed that they were fresh defectors. I find that attitude amusing,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NA N) reports that the APC held a political rally on Saturday in Minna, to receive 34,000 PDP members it said had defected to its fold.

    But Beji, while reacting to the claims, told newsmen on Monday in Minna that a vast majority of those presented were not new to the APC.

    “Among those presented were Alhaji Muazu Bawa, a former commissioner, Bawa Wuse, a former Attorney-General, Adamu Usman, former Speaker, Niger House of Assembly, and Yusuf Tagwai, former Chief of Staff.

    “These people defected immediately after the 2015 elections and were presented at a well-publicized rally.

    “It is surprising that more than two years after that rally, the same people are being received in another ceremony.

    “You cannot present the same set of people three to four times for the same purpose,” he argued.

    He also faulted APC’s claims that 34,000 had defected, saying that those at the rally on Saturday were “far less than 10,000”.

    Beji opined that the rally was held to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abubakar Bello for re-election in 2019 “and not to welcome defectors because there were none”.

    He said that the PDP Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Yusuf, who was listed among the defectors, was suspended form the party long before he joined the APC, arguing that it was better to have few committed members “than thousands who are moles”.

    The chairman said that the PDP recently received defectors in Lavun and Agaie Local Government Areas, but that it did that quietly “without much noise”.

    On speculations that former Niger governor, Babangida Aliyu, and the PDP governorship candidate in the 2015, Umar Nasko, were set to join APC, Beji said that the duo were still very strong members of the PDP.

    “As I speak, the former governor is currently holding a PDP meeting at his house to debunk that rumour. You can go to his house now and confirm for your selves,” he said. (NAN)

  • Aliyu to APC: You can’t match PDP’s achievements

    Aliyu to APC: You can’t match PDP’s achievements

    Former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, on Monday came down heavily on the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the party cannot match the achievements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) even if it spends 12 years in power.

    The ex-governor said the dividends of his administration in Niger State cannot be matched by anybody.

    “People have been telling us everywhere we go that PDP government is the best government the nation have ever had. Government is actually about security, development and provision of basic amenities,” he said.

    Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Servant Leadership Forum in Minna, Aliyu said his performance in office had made some chieftains in APC to lobby him to join the party.

    The ex-governor declared that he is not nursing any plan to join the APC, adding that he is a die-hard PDP member who will remain in the party despite its challenges.

    “It is something of a pride to hear the rumors they are carrying that I have joined APC. That means they are indirectly lobbying me to join APC. I had the chance and right to join the APC but I did not and I stand by my decision. I am not in APC and will not be in APC.

    “I am not nursing an ambition to join APC. I am not decamping to APC. I am not a selfish politician. I remain a member of PDP no matter how difficult or hard it may be for the party,” he added.

     

     

     

  • PDP must avoid hate languages in 2019, says Makarfi

    PDP must avoid hate languages in 2019, says Makarfi

    •’Party confident of victory next year’

    Former Acting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee Chairman Senator Ahmed Makarfi has advised the party not to repeat the mistakes it made in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, if it is to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC ) in 2019 election.

    Makarfi linked some of the reasons why the PDP lost the presidency to the use of hate languages against opponents in the build-up to the election.

    This, he said, caused dissatisfaction among the party members that came from the section of the country against which the hate speeches were directed.

    Makarfi, who is a former Kaduna State governor, spoke in Lagos at the weekend, where he met selected print media reporters.

    He said: “The language used by the PDP handlers was not polite during the campaign. The manner with which some of our members campaigned during the 2015 general elections maligned the opposition candidate. You know a section of the country felt foul languages were being used on them. People, who are members of the party from the region felt let down and they became indifferent.”

    The PDP chieftain said former President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign handlers sidelined the party structure during the electioneering.

    Rather than engage party members across the states, Makarfi said Jonathan’s campaign floated Transformation Agenda of Nigeria (TAN) to run the campaign independent of the party structure.

    He said: “Another reason the party failed was that, our structure from the national down the line was not used for the campaign. Rather, an ad hoc arrangement in the name of TAN was used for the presidential campaign. And TAN was just a body promoted by some people to impress those in power. It was not something structured; but PDP is structured from national to the ward level.

    “To abandon that asset (party structure) and use something superficial, there will naturally be problems, because you discouraged people from participating and people became nonchalant and uninterested. Some governors were not even aware of how campaign was going on. Coordinators were appointed in their states without even knowing. No governor was in the campaign council. The Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum was not in the presidential campaign council.”

    Makarfi said he was confident that the PDP would return to power in 2019, saying the “lackluster performance” of President Muhammadu Buhari had made it easy for the PDP to return to power and give the country the required leadership.

    The PDP leader also said there was no deliberate effort by party leadership to marginalise its members from the Southwest during its national congress last December, saying lack of consensus among the members from the region led to their misfortunes after the congress.

    “Nobody directed the North to meet and maintained what they had zoned. As the chairman then, I didn’t ask them. It was not in my position to say so and nobody also stopped the South from meeting to agree. Failure to agree was what made the contest to be thrown open. Southwest was divided during the congress; they campaigned against each other. In politics, when you are campaigning against each other, you don’t expect the rest to give you leadership,” Makarfi said.

  • 2019: PDP rejects automatic tickets for Atiku, other defectors

    2019: PDP rejects automatic tickets for Atiku, other defectors

    •Considers APC option for contestants
    •Zuma’s exit may alter Atiku’s equation
    •Saraki, Dogara in tight corner as
    APC woos Wammako

    There will be no automatic ticket in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for defectors from other parties when the PDP meets  to pick its candidates later this year for the 2019 elections, The Nation can now reveal.

    And this applies to the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (who has already joined the PDP), and  Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso  as well as  Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State both of who are yet to join the party.

    Established PDP members who are eyeing the presidential ticket include ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano); ex-Governor Sule Lamido (Jigawa); a former Interim National Chairman of PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; Governor Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti); ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa (who is under pressure to join the race).

    Party sources said yesterday that the PDP turned down requests for automatic presidential ticket for some bigwigs in APC wishing to switch parties.

    Kwankwaso and Tambuwal are said to be testing the waters before making their next moves.

    But the APC is not relenting in persuading some of its stalwarts, including Senate President  Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker,  Yakubu Dogara, Sen. Aliyu Wammako, Sen. Danjuma Goje and Sen. Ahmed Sani Yerima, to remain within the fold.

    Sources said Saraki and Dogara appeared to be in a tight corner because they feel the APC have not been fair to them.

    The two leaders are said to be “patching” their stay in APC until what a source described as a “critical political stage” in a few months’ time.

    It was gathered that some  presidential aspirants from APC had given the  PDP some conditions for them to defect, the most critical being “ceding the  PDP presidential ticket” to them.

    The high level party source, familiar with the development, said: “About five APC stalwarts have approached PDP for talks but their request centered on giving automatic presidential ticket to them.

    “But the party leadership has said that while it is ready to welcome these leaders and new members to PDP, it cannot concede automatic ticket to any.

    “I think the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and his National Working Committee members are being fair. There is only a ticket available; it will be difficult to promise five leaders the same ticket.

    “The PDP may adopt the same method used by the APC in 2014 by allowing all the aspirants to go for primaries and whoever wins the majority of votes will be the presidential candidate of the party.

    “This is the only safe and fair option available to us as a party now. We want to leave the race open for all to avoid any fresh crisis in PDP.”

    The source said the PDP, at its last National Convention, foresaw the likely defection of some APC leaders and presidential aspirants.

    “This was why we amended the constitution of the party which allows new members to come in within three months and aspire for any political office,” he said. “This concession is substantial.

    “Some APC governors are in talks with PDP and we are also deliberately wooing some strategic leaders. At the appropriate time when we have reached appreciable agreement, we will let Nigerians know.”

    Two out of the PDP aspirants may have suffered a little jolt but they still have enough time to recover.

    These are ex-VP Atiku Abubakar and Sen. Makarfi.

    A former governor said: “We warned Makarfi against dancing to the tunes of governors to allow the South-South to produce the National Chairman of PDP. But he did so because the governors had an unwritten agreement with him to give him the presidential ticket.

    “Now, it is apparent that the governors have really betrayed him. They are no longer keen on him. He is battling to consolidate his structure.

    “As for Atiku, the exit of ex-President Jacob Zuma will affect the international dimension to his candidature. Having been very close, Zuma had been in the vanguard of selling Atiku’s candidacy to world leaders.

    “The home front is also shaky for Atiku with the shift of loyalty to Buhari by Governor Jibrilla Bindow and the continuous defection of PDP leaders and members to APC in Adamawa State. The appointment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, has shrunk Atiku’s base.

    “It is not surprising that the President will be visiting Adamawa this week as part of his pulse-feeling shuttles to some states under the guise of commissioning of projects.

    “The increasing interest of the First Lady in the politics in Adamawa State might further deplete Atiku’s camp.”

    But it was obvious last night that the PDP governors might still play a crucial role in determining who will get the presidential ticket.

    “These governors had their way with delegates at the last convention and the game may not be different during the presidential primaries,” another PDP leader said.

    Investigation however revealed that since some parties may merge with PDP, some Northern leaders may insist on giving the slot to an underdog to clip the wings of some political leaders who have become “veteran presidential candidates.”

    A key Northern leader said: “While the PDP remains a solid alternative to APC, we are also thinking along getting an underdog to break away from this cycle of ambitious presidential aspirants.

    “We think the talks and negotiation on PDP presidential candidate may be broad based than what the party is looking at.

    “And if you look at the pattern since 1978, the negotiation may not lead to the presidential ticket for any of these big names they are already peddling.

    “It is not new to have an underdog as President. In 1978, ex-President Shehu Shagari wanted to be a Senator, he ended up as the presidential candidate of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN); the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua wanted the ticket of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) but the late Chief M.K.O got the slot and his election was annulled in 1993.

    “In 1998, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted only freedom from Yola Prison but he became the President against favoured leaders of G-34 and in 2007, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua secured PDP presidential ticket on a platter of gold. And the same luck was the lot of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and 2015.”

    On its part, the  APC has launched a counter-plot to also woo some PDP governors and leaders to its side.

    The ruling party is battling to retain some of its match-makers like ex-Governor Aliyu Wammako, ex-Governor of Yobe State, Sen. Bukar  Abba Ibrahim, ex-Governor Danjuma Goje;  ex-Governor Saidu Dakingari; ex-Governor Bayo Alao-Akala and others.

    A source in APC said: “As for Wammako, the exit of Governor Tambuwal will enable him to have his political structure back in Sokoto State and install his own man as the new governor. The perception is that Tambuwal is not loyal enough.

    “But loyalists of Tambuwal have disputed any strain in the relationship between their boss and Wammako. They cited the renovation of Wammako’s house in Abuja by the state government, after an inferno, as a mark of his loyalty.

    “Some forces are also trying to woo ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa who was one of the leaders that initially worked with the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later APC.

    “Contrary to assumption, there is no political alliance between Tambuwal and Bafarawa. In fact, Bafarawa has been begging the Sokoto State Government to pay his entitlements since he left office in 2007. He even sent a message some months ago but no action has been taken.

    “Whatever may be the game plan, I think there is also a plan to make Wammako the Deputy Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation of Buhari for the 2019 poll.

    “As for Goje, he already has the APC structure back in Gombe State and this puts him in good stead for 2019 poll. But being a political ally of the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, APC leaders are unsure whether or not he will leave the party.

    “Concerning Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, he practices politics without bitterness and the degrading of Boko Haram insurgency might make him to remain in APC. He is also consistent in not joining PDP since 1999.”

    It was unclear last night where Saraki and Dogara are heading to.

    A top source close to them merely said: “It is a bit dicey for them, they are still engaging in talks and some political permutations.

    “I think we know what Saraki went through, especially his trials. He is not comfortable with APC because it can be worse if Buhari gets a second term.

    “Also, Dogara is politically tied to the apron strings of Tambuwal who has not given a clear cut direction of his next step.

    “Besides, the APC has not addressed the crisis of confidence between Dogara and the Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar. Instead, the presidency identifies more with the Governor than the Speaker.”

  • Zamfara killings: PDP bemoans daily massacre of Nigerians, calls for prayers.

    Zamfara killings: PDP bemoans daily massacre of Nigerians, calls for prayers.

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is displeased by what it terms the gruesome murder of 41 Nigerians by marauders in Zamfara State.

    It wants Nigerians to join forces in praying for the nation.

    The party, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja urged the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled Federal Government to take decisive steps to end the incessant killings in various parts of the country.

    He said it was heartbreaking that Nigerians were daily slaughtered by marauders.

    “In the last two months, hundreds of helpless citizens have been murdered by bandits in various parts of the country,” he said.

    “Hardly have tears dried over the gruesome killings in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Nasarawa and other states when marauders hit Zamfara, a state known for peace, killing 41 citizens in cold blood.

    “Nigerians now live defenceless and in perpetual fear; our people are fast losing confidence in our institutions.

    “As we speak, citizens are now sourcing their own security as APC-controlled Federal Government daily manifest crass indifference to the protection of our people.’’

    He said that the PDP stood with all citizens across the nation and share in their pains at this critical time.

    The party spokesman asked  all Nigerians, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity and political affiliation, as well as all people of goodwill across the world, to join forces in praying for the nation.

     

     

  • ‘I don’t regret dumping PPA for PDP’

    ‘I don’t regret dumping PPA for PDP’

    Hon. Maria Ude Nwachi is a member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, representing Afikpo North East Constituency. She speaks in this interview with Ogochukwu Anioke on the six month suspension slammed on her by her colleagues, challenges and political aspirations.

    THE belief in some quarters in the state over your suspension by the state House of Assembly is that Governor David Umahi is after you because of your national assembly ambition. What is your take on that?

    Before I won the State  House of Assembly election, I had a pact with myself that I will only do one term. And there is nothing on earth that will make me change my mind. It has nothing to do with my governor. This is my own decision and I have every right to take such decision. I would rather be out of politics than go back to the state Assembly. This is not arrogance; this is a resolve I made even before winning the election.

    I had never even met the governor when I told myself that I will do only one term in the state assembly because I knew nothing about politics prior to winning the last election. I had not met or seen many of the politicians I know today in the state, including my governor. I do not mean to disobey his order; this is something I cannot compromise on for anything on this earth. It is a personal decision.

    You left Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which earned you lots of criticisms. Do you regret joining the PDP?

    No, I do not regret joining PDP. I don’t like the feeling of regrets because no matter how bad a situation turns out, there are great lessons to take away from it. You can’t eat your cake and have it. You cannot benefit a lot from the lessons situations taught you for free and at the same time regret the situations. Joining PDP to please my governor was the right thing to do at that time.

    I was in the fore-front of promoting his developmentl strides, which are real, and so it was an easy decision to make; when he insisted I join PDP. I don’t regret taking that decision to leave the PPA and join my governor in the PDP. I am learning from the situation today rather than regretting it. It is never over until it is over. I was once in PDP before moving to PPA to win my election.

    I have no regret whatsoever and I am not trapped or cornered. I am the architect of my decisions and will take personal responsibility for the outcome of every decision I make. I am not a child. I don’t feed through my nose. Therefore, I welcome every consequence of my decisions in life. I am 47 years old, a middle aged woman. I am old enough in all ramifications; I take responsibility for all my actions.

    Being suspended for six months means that your constituency, Afikpo North East will not have any say and representation for that period. Do you have any plans to fight and get back to where you were duly elected to be?

    I will do the best I can.

    Without any godfather, you won the 2015 House of Assembly election through a relatively unknown platform. How are you going to go about the present challenges you are facing, which many people believe is political?

    I came into Nigerian politics because I want to do things differently from the norm. I wanted to prove to the world that a Nigerian politician can put her needs last before the need of others.  And I am living it. I have spent millions of my own money working in my constituency. I have not built a single thing for myself. I started work as soon as I was elected with my own money, even before I received a penny as a legislator.

    A state of the art facility, which I built for my people would be unveiled in less than two weeks. I am in politics to affect lives, to affect positive changes and to tone down the bigmanism associated with it. I am not in politics to look sexy or to build personal houses. I am not in politics to acquire wealth for myself. I am not into politics to bear endless titles. I came in with good intentions for others.

    Be that as it may, if I am not in politics today, I will still be fine. I have killed and buried my ego. I have no ego to feed. I am not ashamed to work, to do any work, I got to do. I am a natural servant and can serve anyone with pleasure and dedication. I am not lazy. My life should not start and end with politics. If I am not in Nigerian politics today, I will be just fine. I am contented with whatever I have.

    Have you reached out to the governor since the House of Assembly suspended you, possibly to intervene?

    Yes, but he is yet to grant me audience.

    Your admirers, supporters, friends and constituents are worried about your suspension, what is your word for them?

    I am grateful for their concern, but I am assuring them that I will continue to work hard towards my goals and vision. It is going be a bumpy ride, but nothing good comes on a platter of gold. I will be roughed up, I will be humiliated, mocked and debased, but in the end, my good intentions will see me through.

    To your ‘traducers,’ what is your word to them?

    Whether you pushed me or pulled me; drained me or fuelled me, stayed by my side or left me, loved me or hated me, hurt me or helped me, you are part of my growth and I thank you.