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  • APC’s report on restructuring a ruse – PDP

    APC’s report on restructuring a ruse – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the report of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on restructuring, describing it as a ruse and fresh attempt to beguile Nigerians with another round of lies, empty proposals and hollow promises ahead of the 2019 elections.

    Saying that it is a recast of APC’s deceptive stunts in the run up to the 2015 general elections, the PDP also said the report is another calculated ploy by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to divert public attention from the woes of a worsening economy, unrelenting killings, corruption and the endless litany of afflictions occasioned by ruling party’s dysfunctional governance.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said it amounted to outright depravity that the same APC leaders who at assumption of office, rejected restructuring would now suddenly turn around to pose as fathers of a restructured Nigeria simply because the 2019 general elections beckon.

    It noted that the attitude and body language of APC leaders, including President Buhari, indicated that they have no intention of implementing any form of restructuring.

    The PDP recalled that President Buhari had in his 2018 New Year address to the nation, rejected the idea of restructuring when he declared that “when all the aggregates of nationwide opinions are considered, my firm view is that our problems are more to do with process than structure.”

    The opposition party also recalled that Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who chaired the APC Restructuring Committee, had vehemently denied reports that the ruling party ever promised restructuring.

    It cited a June 29, 2017 interview that El Rufai granted Channel Television where he described Nigerians who were clamouring for restructuring as “political opportunists and irresponsible people.”

    “This is in addition to a declaration by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who in a Radio Nigeria (FRCN) interview programme on June 9, 2017, stated that restructuring is not President Buhari’s priority.

    “From Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, who was quoted to have said “to hell with restructuring,” to the totality of APC leaders, none believed in either true federalism or restructuring by any name called.

    “As a matter of fact, it is instructive to note that the APC refused to rally its members in the National Assembly to support or vote for any amendment that dwelt on restructuring when the federal legislature voted on sections of the constitution where amendments had been proposed in the direction of restructuring.

    “If anything, APC leaders have consistently criticised any amendment that spoke or had a semblance of restructuring or true federalism.

    “It is therefore deceptive that in the wake of their rejection by the people, the discredited APC and its dysfunctional government have suddenly woken up to parade as champions of a restructured Nigeria. This is a callous and wicked attempt to once again take Nigerians on a trip to the land of fantasy,” the statement added.

    The PDP urged Nigerians to reject what it described as the new ploy by the APC to deceive them for their votes in 2019.

  • Ahmed: I’m not returning to PDP

    Ahmed: I’m not returning to PDP

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has debunked claims that he is planning to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A statement yesterday by his media aide, Muyideen Akorede, said the governor, Senate President Bukola Saraki and other political leaders in Kwara State have no reason to return to the PDP, or join any other party, unless pressured by supporters.

    Ahmed clarified that the insinuations, which emerged from his recent interview, did not suggest he was planning to leave; rather, he was stating the conditions under which he and other stakeholders left the PDP.

    The governor emphasised that he, Saraki and other governors left the PDP due to impunity, disregard for the rule of law and lack of inclusiveness.

    He reiterated that they are committed to the APC and have no intention of defecting.

    Ahmed urged those commenting on the matter to read the interview properly rather than relying on social media headlines and insinuations to draw uninformed conclusions.

    Chieftains of the APC in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State have dismissed insinuations of their planned defection to the PDP.

    A member of the party recently said the APC leaders defected to the PDP for alleged marginalisation.

    A statement by a member of the party caucus, Idris Buko, thanked the leaders for giving them what were due to them, saying “as a party faithful, we say with all sense of modesty that we are not marginalised”.

    The statement reads: “To set the records straight, at no time or forum was the issue of leaving APC discussed.

    “However, it’s pertinent to state here that the author of the publication is a card-carrying member of PDP, and it is incontrovertible that he participated in the elections as a member of PDP; the records are there

    “It’s laughable for a non-party member, who we learnt has been commissioned to destabilise our party, to come up with the theory of defection. We were not surprised he went to town with concocted falsehood to seek unavailable attention and relevance in APC.

    “The Baruten chapter of our party is proud of our leaders, both at the National and State levels, for their contributions to the success and growth of our party in the state.

    “We, therefore, call on party members and supporters at home and in Diaspora, to disregard Samari Abdullah’s self delusion of getting attention from the party hierarchy as a dream, as we remain loyal to the APC.”

  • ‘PDP will take over Ogun in 2019’

    ‘PDP will take over Ogun in 2019’

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, is optimistic that the party will return to power next year. The former member of the House of Assembly spoke on the intra-party crisis in the chapter, its prospects and other partisan issues. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN met him in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    Why is your executive committee still operating from outside the party’s secretariat?

    Secretariat is a mere structure. It has nothing to do with the party administration. It does not make our executive less authentic. The Sikirulahi Ogundele–led Peoples Democratic Party executive in Ogun State is legitimate and recognised by the national secretariat of the PDP. If Buruji Kashamu believes holding on to the secretariat will confer legitimacy on the so-called executive led by his puppet, Bayo Dayo, it will soon dawn on him that he is just wasting his time. At the appropriate time, the security agencies would do the needful. We would not use force to take possession of the secretariat, because we want to avoid bloodshed.

    Where do you operate from?

    We have a temporary state secretariat where we carry out day-to-day management of the party. We have documents to work with. In fact, I’m just coming from there; we have just finished our executive committee’s meeting. The PDP national secretariat recognised our secretariat; we receive official communications through the secretariat address. We are law abiding; we are for peace, no matter the provocation being perpetrated by the Kashamu group.

    Did your executive influence the suspension of Senator Buruji Kashamu by the national executive?

    The suspension is over; it was one month; it lapsed in December. It is not over for him; he has to face the national disciplinary committee of our party in Abuja for appropriate sanctions against his anti-party activities. The PDP is a disciplined party. No one is above the party’s constitution; members must subject themselves to the party’s guidelines and constitution.

    Can you still work with the Kashamu group?

    My plan is to run a united party in Ogun. Despite that, we have to be extremely careful with Kashamu. We don’t want people that will go and disclose our strategies to the opposition parties. In any case, when we get to the bridge we shall cross it. When he is through with the disciplinary committee, we shall know what to do.

    We started having problems when Buruji Kashamu came up with a deceit. We found out later that Kashamu was out to use our political fortunes to enrich his business interest through a diabolical organisation he called ‘Omo Ilu Foundation’. He forced many members of the party to swear to an oath of allegiance to his leadership. He took the party to court on certain issues. He used court injunctions to take over the party structure. What Kashamu did to Ogun PDP was the height of deceit. He is on his own. He should retrace his step. You can’t foist yourself on people no matter your wealth. You can earn leadership, you don’t buy it. The Ogun State Chapter of the PDP under my leadership will continue to preach peace and unity through constructive engagements with all aggrieved members of the party in order to achieve the sole aim of winning not only the 2019 governorship election, but in all other elective positions to give the people of Ogun State the  good governance they deserve.

    But, the Bayo Dayo group is claiming to be the authentic executive…

    The highest organ of the party had dissolved the Bayo Dayo-led PDP executive in Ogun State and conducted congresses from where the new executive headed by me emerged. Kashamu should stop flexing muscles over the former executive. Bayo Dayo-led executive has become history; no amount of threat, blackmail or court injunction will bring it back.

    The Bayo-Dayo group challenged the appointment of Southwest National Vice Chairman. What is your reaction?

    How can they challenge a party official that was validly elected at the party’s national convention? The man paid for nomination form; went through party screening and got elected at the party’s convention held in Abuja on December 9, 2017. It was a stupid action. How can you say someone who went through the process of the party election should be removed?

    What are the chances of Ogun PDP in 2019?

    Our party, the PDP, will bounce back to power in 2019. We will win not only in Ogun State but at the centre given the high-level insensitivity of the APC administration. People will compare the cost of living under the PDP government to what it is under the present government, especially the price of petrol and food items. All this will be taken into consideration before the electorate cast their votes. Before anybody can thumb print the ballot paper, I am sure he or she will consider the hardship the APC government has put us through.

    Have you zoned your governorship ticket to a particular district?

    We have decided to zone the governorship ticket to Ogun East. The PDP took the decision as part of political strategies to win next general elections in the state. The party cannot afford to gamble on 2019 hence the strategic decision to offer the governorship slot to the Ijebu axis of the state. The PDP had zoned the governorship in two previous elections to Ogun West but lost. Now, Egba is occupying the office, we want to try Ijebu this time around. The people of Ogun West- the Yewa should speak in one voice and let disunity stop among them, then, they will be in a position of strength to produce governor.

    Have you endorsed a candidate?

    Not at all, we have many aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket. Many of them are coming out; we will encourage them by creating a level playing ground. The field is open for everybody. They will go through primary. All we are interested in is for the best candidate to emerge.

    What is your advice to the electorate?

    I sympathise with the people of Ogun for the poor management of governance by the APC government. They should remain calm and steadfast. PDP is coming back to restore the lost glory of the state in 2019.

  • Ekwueme, a strong pillar in National Development – Yakasai

    Ekwueme, a strong pillar in National Development – Yakasai

    An elder statesman in Kano, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has described the late former Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, as a very meticulous and hard working person who contributed a lot toward the development of the country.

    Yakasai made the remark in an interview in Kano on Tuesday.

    Ekwueme died on November 19, 2017, at a London Hospital after a brief illess and he will be buried on Friday.

    Yakasai, who was a Special Adviser to President Shehu Shagari on National Assembly Matters, said the late Ekwueme was also a committed politician who believed in the unity of Nigeria.

    “The late elder statesman was a principled and very intelligent person, who bagged five degrees in different fields.”

    Read also: Senate, Jonathan, ACF, Ita-Giwa mourn ex-VP Ekwueme

    According to him, Ekwueme spearheaded the campaign for a number of issues, including zoning and rotation during the National Constitutional Conference held between 1994 and 1995.

    “So, zoning and rotation was originally part of the defunct National Party of Nigeria ( NPN ) Programme as it was the party that introduced the idea of zoning and rotation.

    “During the conference, Ekwueme articulated a number of issues which the conference eventually adopted.”

    He said that Ekwueme’s connection with the NPN, gave him the opportunity to be adopted as the Chairman of G34, a group of Nigerians who eventually formed Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ).

    He said he was very close to late Ekwueme even when they were in Kirikiri Prison together after the military coup of 1983.

    “I and the late former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, kept Ekwueme company in the prison. He even requested me to teach him Hausa language.”

    He said there was good understanding between them when they were in government as they used to visit each other’s families.

    “We used to disagree on certain issues but we lived peacefully when we were in government,” Yakasai said.

    On the state of political parties, he said disloyalty was the bane of Nigeria’s democracy, noting further that governors had hijacked their political parties in their respective states.

    He, therefore, urged politicians to change the trend by being loyal to their parties in order to strengthen democracy in the country.

    “Disloyalty to political parties is the bane of Nigeria’s democracy and this is a major challenge threatening the system, Yakasai said.

    NAN

  • Buhari’s choice as AU’s anti- corruption czar laughable – PDP

    Buhari’s choice as AU’s anti- corruption czar laughable – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mocked the choice of President Muhammed Buhari as anti-corruption champion by the African Union (AU), describing the choice as laughable, derisory and eminently qualified as Africa’s joke of the year.

    In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said it was clear that leaders of the AU were not well briefed on happenings in Nigeria.

    The party said that unknown to the AU leaders, “heavy sleazes” are being perpetrated around the Buhari presidency, adding that the African leaders were misled by the Federal Government with its deceptive name-and-shame stunt in the anti- graft war.

    The party said it was embarrassing that the Presidency, in its desperation to launder its “irredeemably battered image,” would resort to exporting its deceptive proclivities to the international arena.

    It noted that the AU leaders would not have honoured President Buhari if they knew that what obtained in Nigeria was a direct persecution of the opposition, under the guise of war against corruption, while government officials swim head deep in corruption under the overt protection of the Buhari Presidency.

    The party said: “As we speak, those receiving accolades as champions of anti- corruption have not yet cleared the air on the leaked memo detailing underhand oil contracts to the tune of N9 trillion ($25billion dollars) at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources which are under President Buhari’s direct supervision as minister.

    “They are yet to offer any explanation on series of reported fraud in the oil sector, including allegation of the use of 18 unregistered companies to lift and divert N1.1trillion worth of crude oil in the last one year to service APC interests.

    “This is a government which has provided cover for its corrupt officials, including former state governors, who were indicted of looting funds belonging to their states to sponsor their presidential election in 2015 as well as cronies openly indicted for other various sharp practices; including padding of federal budget, secret oil subsidy deals and stealing of funds meant for fight against insurgency and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    “Perhaps, AU leaders need to know that the Presidency has virtually failed to do anything regarding the heinous diversion of N5 billion meant for the IDPs under the Presidential Initiative on the North East, for which the Senate mounted a stiff investigation, only because some officials of APC government were indicted.

    “They might also need to be shown the motion by Senator Baba Kaka Garba from Borno Central, who exposed how some individuals, known to have connections with the APC, fraudulently cornered N1.2 billion from the Federal Government under the guise of supplying items to IDPs, only for the money to be diverted for other purposes which are related to APC interests.

    “Furthermore, the AU might need to know that the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who was openly indicted by the Senate for stealing funds meant for IDP activities, was only arrested after a public outcry but was quickly released with a pat on the wrist, while opposition members facing similar charges are being detained and persecuted with spurious charges in the various courts.

    “The truth lies bare that the Buhari administration is not engaging in any fight against corruption but political witch-hunt of the opposition, while his government reeks with corruption.”

     

     

  • No agreement to establish cattle colony in Edo – Obaseki

    No agreement to establish cattle colony in Edo – Obaseki

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has described as outright falsehood, the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, that the Edo State government has approved land for the establishment of a cattle colony in the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said in a statement issued on Monday in Benin City, that the claim is a barefaced and brazen lie concocted and fabricated by the PDP.

    “Our attention has been drawn to another set of lies by the dying Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has approved land for the establishment of cattle colonies in Edo State.

    “We wish to categorically state that the Godwin Obaseki-led government has not entered into any agreement for cattle colonies in any part of Edo State.

    “The claim is the PDP’s concoction, fabrication, and the aim of the dying party, peopled by rogues and bandits, is to attempt to smear the rising profile and image of the Obaseki administration,” Osagie said.

    He noted that the “PDP’s resort to outright falsehood as a tactic for redeeming its irredeemable image, demonstrates the party’s lack of capacity to engage in intellectual and ideological contestations.

    “Only a hopeless party like the PDP tells such barefaced, blatant and brazen lies because it has no issues to bring to the table. It is also not true that the Edo State Government is not doing anything about the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in Edo North.

    “The security challenges we face today in Nigeria’s North East region originated with the PDP.”

    He explained that “every educated Nigerian knows that the nation’s security apparatus are controlled by the federal government and it will amount to sheer mischief to blame Governor Obaseki for the nation’s security challenges.”

    He assured that the Edo State Government was working assiduously to attend to all the needs of Edo people and residents in the state including the protection of lives and properties and will not be distracted by the false and bogus claims of the bandits who ruined Edo State when they were in power.

    “No amount of misinformation by the ailing PDP will sway Edo people and residents in the state, who witnessed the criminal activities of the PDP while the party was in power. Edo people are very intelligent who can sense a lie from a distance.

    “The PDP lacks the credibility to speak on any issue in Edo State. Rogues and looters cannot suddenly turn advocates of good governance. PDP cannot give what it does not have.”

  • Re-positioning of Rivers health sector is on course – Wike

    Re-positioning of Rivers health sector is on course – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the process for the re-positioning of  all levels of the health sector is effectively on course, with the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment for Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital.

    The governor also declared that the total rehabilitation of structures at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital will create the right environment  for quality tertiary healthcare.

    In an interview after an inspection visit to the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt on Monday, Governor Wike said that the health sector will continue to recover  priority attention from his administration.

    The governor who was accompanied on the project inspection by the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said that majority of the equipment procured by the State Government for the hospital have arrived.

    He said: “Our objective is to improve the standard of the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital as a centre of excellence in tertiary healthcare.

    “In terms of equipment, the contractors have done well. Eighty percent  of the equipment have arrived  the hospital premises and they will be installed as soon as the rehabilitation “.

    He, however, noted that the progress of work on the structural rehabilitation is slow, hence the contractors  should expedite action.

    “We believe the contractors should deploy more workforce for the rehabilitation of the hospital.  The State Government is doing what is necessary to enhance the quality of the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital “, he said.

    The governor also inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the Doctors Quarters at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital . He advised the contractors to improve on the pace of work.

    He assured that funding of the the projects will be sustained  early completion.

    The governor was briefed during the project inspection by Dr. Paul Kua, Medical Director of Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, and Mrs. Ajumoke Okpu, Director of Nursing.

    The Wike administration has completed the reconstruction and equipping  of 13 General Hospitals spread across the three senatorial districts of the state.

  • 2019: Kaduna PDP endorses Makarfi for presidency

    2019: Kaduna PDP endorses Makarfi for presidency

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna has unofficially endorsed former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, to contest the presidency come 2019.

    The party made the endorsement at its Executive Committee meeting on Friday. Party loyalists, who filled the conference hall at the state Secretariat in Kawo expressed optimism that Makarfi was the right man for the job

    The immediate past governor of the state, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who was the first to address the conference asked them if they would support Makarfi’s presidential bid and a thunderous response of ‘Nigeria sai Makarfi’ rented the air in affirmative.

    But when the meeting was over, Makarfi himself declined to talk to the press as he walked down the hall in company of other party chieftains.

    Should he agree to join the presidential race, he would be facing other top contenders including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is at the moment, the party’s most popular candidate.

  • 2019: Kaduna PDP endorses Makarfi for presidency

    2019: Kaduna PDP endorses Makarfi for presidency

    The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) in Kaduna at its Executive Committee meeting on Friday informally endorsed former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi to run for presidency come 2019.

    The party’s loyalists, who filled the conference hall at the state Secretariat in Kawo, Kaduna, to capacity during the first of its kind meeting of recent, expressed optimism that Makarfi was the right man for the job

    The immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who was the first to address his party’s members asked them, if they would support Makarfi for President and a thunderous response of ‘Nigeria sai Makarfi’ rented the air in affirmative.

    But when the meeting was over, Makarfi himself declined to talk to the press as he walked down the hall in a company of other party’s big wigs in the state.

    Should he agree to contest as been suggested to him, he would be facing other top contenders, including former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who for now, seems like the most popular candidate.

  • Day Ebonyi communities stood still for Umahi

    Day Ebonyi communities stood still for Umahi

    The Central School Obiozara recently was agog as the people of Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State converged on the school in their numbers to honour their son, David Umahi who hails from one of the local government areas in Ohaozara Federal Constituency.

    It was a gathering of who is who in the Constituency in particular and the state in general.

    Umahi’s Deputy, Kelechi Igwe, Nigeria’s former Ambassador, Frank Ogbuewu, former Minister Fidelis Nwankwo, National Vice-Chairman of the Southeast Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), , CEO of Orient Global, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii and a host of other dignitaries attended the event.

    Also in attendance were the member representing Ohaozara Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Linus Okorie, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Odefa Obasi Odefa and other lawmakers from the zone.

    Welcoming the guests to the event, Mr Odii who was the Chairman of the occasion, said Governor Umahi is a worthy son of the area.

    He noted that he has fulfilled all the campaign promises he made to the people which included massive infrastructural development of the area and the state.

    Mr Odii said the governor’s second term is not in doubt as the people of the zone are ready to vote massively for him again.

    In a motion moved by Mr Okorie and seconded by Odefa, members of the zone unanimously adopted Umahi as the sole candidate of the zone for this year’s governorship election to enable him to complete the good works he has started in the state.

    Responding, Governor Umahi told opposition parties in the state that there is no vacancy in Ebonyi  State Government House in 2019, insisting that PDP was on ground and will win the next general election.

    He said 29 political parties in Abuja have already adopted him as their sole candidate for the 2019 general election and will be in the state next month to seal the deal.

    He challenged those who are interested in occupying the Government House to display their achievements as, according to him, he has transformed the state which earned him various adoptions by the people.

    He said the state has been a PDP state, even as he urged the people not to be deceived by some people who are scheming to unseat him in 2019.

    “We have accepted to continue with this divine call. Anybody who tries by any means to terminate it will not succeed because God will contain those who contain with us.

    “I will give attention to politics in Ebonyi on January 1, 2019 and it is going to be a Tsunami. It is going to be divine manifestation. You will see what you have never seen before and it is not by my might.

    “No other party apart from the PDP can take Ebonyi State because God has already taken Ebonyi under PDP. When they tell you they have plans, ask them to go and organise rally and show what they have. Let them show what they have because if you want the votes of the people of Ebonyi State, you will come and talk with them.

    “For now, Ebonyi is 100 per cent a PDP state. Let nobody deceive you because no humankind other than PDP is on ground. Let them organise rally, let them bring as usual people from the neighbouring states.

    “By April, we will organise one-million-man mega rally and it is a rally that will challenge every other states in this country based on the number of people that will attend it.

    “Those that we have adopted are irrevocably adopted but this adoption is conditional. You have to go back to your constituency and encourage voters to register; you have to go and take care of the women, youths, support the governor and support the widows. If you are not doing these, we will collectively review our support.

    “Already, there are some people who I am reviewing my support for them. If you think that you will cause trouble simply because you have been adopted, we will first stop projects in your area and your people will tackle you. We have to go and work very hard though we have done very well.

    “When you want to challenge us, are you going to tell people about our concrete roads? Will you tell them about empowerment of our youths? Will you tell them about taking care of the widows? Will you tell them about electricity? Will you tell them about flyovers? Will you tell them about the peace in the state?

    “Let me announce to you that, already 29 political parties in Abuja have adopted me as their sole candidate. By February, they are coming to make real the adoption in Ebonyi State”, Umahi stated.