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Tag: PDP

  • PDP to Appeal Court president: disband Rivers tribunal

    PDP to Appeal Court president: disband Rivers tribunal

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the constitution of the National and States Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal for Rivers State (Panel 1).

    The party, in a letter to the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, argued that the tribunal  was not legally constituted.

    PDP, in the letter dated July 24, by its lawyer, Godwin Obla (SAN), contended that the tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Victor Uchenna Okorie was appointed in violation of Paragraphs 1 (1) and  (2) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.

    The party noted that Justice Okorie, being a judge of the Customary Court of Appeal in Imo State, was not qualified to chair of an election tribunal, because he is not a judge of the High Court as required.

    The PDP urged the Court of Appeal president to disband the tribunal. It also filed an application before the tribunal to challenge its jurisdiction to continue to hear the petition by Senator Magnus Abe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the winner of the election into Rivers South East Senatorial district, Olaka Nwogu, his party, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Part of the letter by Obla reads: “We urge your Lordship to timeously look into this matter by taking appropriate steps to correct the anomaly by disbanding and re-constituting a new  panel, failing which we shall be constrained to take immediate steps by recourse to legal proceedings in the Federal High Court for the interpretation of the relevant statute as they touch and affect the said panel.”

    In a motion filed before the tribunal, PDP seeks among others, an order restraining the chairman of the tribunal, sitting at the Apo division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from further presiding as the chairman.

    The party also asked the tribunal to set aside all the directions issued, judicial rulings delivered and the entire proceedings of the tribunal from the date of the panel’s inaugural sitting till date.

    It is the party’s contention that the tribunal lacked the competence and jurisdiction to sit as a tribunal constituted in violation of the constitution.

  • PDP accuses Buhari of seeking $2.1bn World Bank loan

    PDP accuses Buhari of seeking $2.1bn World Bank loan

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of seeking a $2.1 billion loan from the World Bank “for purposes unknown to Nigerians.”

    The party challenged Buhari to explain the terms and projects for which the alleged loan is being sought even as it called for the publication of details of public expenditure by the two-month old administration.

    At a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, further alleged that the Presidency was acting alone in the alleged loan arrangement.

    “What is the loan for? What are the terms and who are those working the papers? Who are the people to decide on how the money will be spent? Is it true that the $2.1 billion loan is meant to pay back huge contributions for the APC Presidential campaign expenses?

    “If truly this government is transparent, it should come out clear on this loan as well as publicise details of its expenditure in the last two months.

    “This is more so as we have information that the Presidency acting alone, has gone into discussions with the World Bank for a loan of $2.1 billion for purposes unknown to Nigerians,” Metuh stated.

    The party also expressed worry over what it described as “ineptitude, avoidable inactivity, lack of policy direction and absence of ministers” to coordinate government affairs.

     

  • On PDP’s ‘prisoners of war’

    On PDP’s ‘prisoners of war’

    Leading chieftains of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) still regard the last general election in the country as a war lost. And even in defeat, they’re carrying on as a band of renegade soldiers still smarting from the side effects of defeat. If you disagree, how do you explain a recent statement by the party’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh, accusing the Federal Government of treating PDP members like prisoners of war?

    He made the party position known while addressing party stakeholders in Lokoja.  He said: “We are being treated as if we are prisoners of war. We are being treated as if we are refugees. We are not afraid, we have faith in our strength and unity; faith in the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.”

    And his reason for this unusual submission is none other than the simple fact that some individuals, who happen to be members of his troubled party, have been asked to explain some of their activities while in one public office or the other. To Metuh, this is the aftermath of losing a war.

    “We condemn the uncivilised method of arrest, intimidation and the denial of the fundamental human rights of members of our party who served in the last administration by the Buhari led administration,” he said. He accused the All Progressives Congress led administration of witch-hunting.

    Coming from Metuh, the submission shouldn’t be strange to keen observers of the nation’s politics, for it was the same man who justified former First Lady, Patience Jonathan’s charge to PDP women to see the then forthcoming election as “a war against the enemies of Nigeria.” Back then, Metuh saw nothing wrong in Mrs. Jonathan’s war song. Today, he is of the opinion that he and his colleagues, haven lost the ‘war’, are being fed the bitter morsels of usually reserved for POWs.

    Shedding more light into the workings of his mind, Metuh, speaking for PDP as a party, said he feels the arrest are not unconnected with alleged corrupt practices by his party men while in office. And soberly, he only came short of begging the new administration to tamper justice with mercy.

    “We (PDP) are not afraid of the intimidation, harassment and arrest of our members by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, if the arrest is done within the confines of the law. If the ruling party believes that there is anyone who has served in the federal government and is guilty of corrupt practices, they are free within the law to investigate as long as they go through due process and observe the rule of law,”  he added.

    Well, while Metuh and his party men are entitled to their thoughts and admittances, his statements come across more like veiled fear of the known repercussion for some actions of the past. Is the PDP spokesperson saying his accused party men have soiled their hands and are prisoners of conscience? Is he indirectly soliciting the rights provided in the Geneva Convention for POWs?

    Well, it may serve them all better to simply come out and put their cards on the table. Who knows, clemency may be offered. At least, President is yet to arbitrarily send anybody to long years of imprisonment on allegations of corruption the way he did in 1984. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.

     

  • PDP’s rocky road to reconciliation

    PDP’s rocky road to reconciliation

    Since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the last presidential election to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party has, through a committee led by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, made desperate efforts to reconcile its warring members and factions and to rebuild the party, but Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports that the committee’s efforts seem to have yielded little results so far

    Barring an unforeseen tide of good fortune, events within the troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appear set to make nonsense of the ongoing reconciliation process within the party. And pundits say should that happen, boast by some prominent party chieftains that PDP will bounce back to its winning ways may remain nothing more than mere rhetoric.

    Although the party wasted no time in announcing to the world last May that it was prepared to immediately put its monumental loss at the 2015 general election behind it and begin a process of rebuilding its structures ahead of the next elections in the country, there are indications that its efforts are not yielding the required results.

    The PDP had, back then, announced the formation of a committee headed by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to review the 2015 elections and embark on efforts aimed at reconciling all warring factions within the party across the six geo-political zones of the country.

    The decision was as a result of the severe crises that trailed the loss of the presidency by the party. Aside from the loss of prominent chieftains of the party to the new ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the intra-party squabbles also claimed the position of Adamu Muazu, as he was allegedly forced into resigning as the national chairman of the party.

    At the peak of the crisis, former Senate President, David Mark, did not waste any time in warning that the PDP, which once called itself the largest political party in Africa, might be on its way to extinction should the crisis be allowed to continue.

    Mark, apparently worried by the continued acrimony in the party, said, “the PDP is already hemorrhaging,” adding that, “unless we halt the bleeding and find the necessary therapy, we may be heading for the final burial of the party.”

    Mark said, “The party is already in a comatose status and we should do all we can to resuscitate it, rather than this unnecessary rancor and bulk passing.”

    The then Senate President while urging his party men to stop the wrangling in the interest of the PDP, called on them to prepare themselves for the task of playing credible opposition to ensure good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

     

    Reconciliation moves

    It was pieces of advice like that of Mark that gave birth to the Ekweremadu committee with a nine-point terms of reference to: identify the remote and immediate causes of the relatively poor performance of the PDP in the 2015 general elections; trace the origin and process of the seeming decline of the party in its electoral performance; take a critical look at the preparations and build-up of the PDP to the general elections and determine its adequacies and lapses;

    Its tasks include to review and determine the adequacy of the structures for the 2015 general elections and how those structures functioned; to ascertain the degree of anti-party activities, compromises and outright sabotage that may have contributed to the misfortunes of our party at the elections; to look at the funding of the elections to determine whether or not the funds meant for the campaigns were adequate and whether disbursements were properly done;

    Also it is expected to identify different groups in the party who were to play critical roles before and during the elections and determine the effectiveness or otherwise; determine any other matter that may be considered necessary and in the interest of the party, and propose a road map for the party to recover its past glory and definitely win the general elections in 2019.

    With such a mandate, Ekweremadu was faced with the serious challenge of reconciling the ?warring camps in the party. And as if to tell him how important the assignment is, he got a commitment from the PDP national leadership of the party that there wouldn’t be interference from anybody or group.

    Fanning out, the committee, in a release by Ekweremadu, announced that it has set up three teams to immediately tour the country and address issues affecting the progress of the PDP in the various states and zones. It said at the conclusion of these assignments, the committee would have a clearer picture of the state of the party.

    According to him, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former Governor of Kaduna State, will lead the team that will cover the states in the South-South and South-East geo-political zones.

    This team, which conducted its sitting in Port Harcourt and Enugu, met and discussed with party members and chieftains from states in the two zones between July 6 to8 and July 8 to10 respectively.

    Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, former Deputy National Chairman of the party from Osun State, led the North-East and North-West team that conducted public sittings in Gombe between July 6 to 8 and in Kaduna from July 8 to10.

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, was in charge of another team that covered the North-Central and South-West. The team met in Abuja and Ibadan to conduct its business.

    But while the two weeks given to the committee to bring in its report has since elapsed, party sources say PDP’s quest to mend the cracks within its walls, using the Ekweremadu Committee, may have hit the rocks.

    “The Deputy Senate President and his team, having realised the enormity of the confusion within the PDP across the country, may have simply packed up the job given to them. In fairness to them, they moved round the country as expected of them.

    But there is no need saying that what they saw was beyond their expectation. And if you also consider the fact that while they were on the assignment, the leadership of the party was busy with a new set of infightings, then you will appreciate the difficulties they face,” a chieftain of the party said.

     

    Gory tales afterwards

    Events that followed the exercises of the committee also confirmed insinuations that it may have achieved very little or nothing at all. According to sources, everywhere the committee went; it met disinterested members and chieftains who were either too neck-deep in intra-party crisis or plotting to defect to the APC.

    “One cannot blame the committee if they didn’t achieve much. The rot within the PDP is age-long and the result of the last election was simply the last straw that broke the proverbial Camel’s back. We lost because some people played Judas and it is difficult to reconcile us to such traitors.

    “Here in Bayelsa, we know those who worked and prayed against Jonathan’s victory. They were scared that they will be checkmated once he is re-elected. Now, they are the ones claiming leadership of the PDP in the state. It will be difficult for true Bayelsans to be reconciled with such people,” a chieftain of the party from Bayelsa State, said.

    Of course, recent events in Bayelsa confirms that a crack too difficult to mend occurred within the state chapter of the PDP as the party lost scores of prominent chieftains and thousands of members to the APC in quick succession after the leadership of the party announced the suspension and expulsion of some loyalists of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Not even Jonathan’s intervention, through a reconciliation committee, could save the day as many of his political associates insisted on joining the opposition to stop the re-election bid of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Among those who abandoned the PDP were former political office holders, appointees who served in different capacities in various PDP administrations and past party executive members. Also, former aides, whose appointments were terminated in controversial circumstances by the incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson, were among persons who joined the APC.

    They were led to the APC by a two-time member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Warman Ogoriba, who was denied the PDP ticket in the last general elections. Others in the train of former political office holders who dumped the PDP are Gesiye Frank-Oputu, Abel Osuo, Nelson Belief, Samuel Boy, William Ofoni, Benjamin Yebouowei, Ayibakoro Nelson and Livingstone Egba, among others.

    Pioneer Majority Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Ayiba Glover; former Secretary of the PDP and close associate of President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. Tarila; former PDP Secretary, Sokari Jackson; former Commissioner for Environment in Dickson’s administration, Mr. Sylvanus Abila and former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Charles Opuala, were among the defectors.

    They were received by a former governor of the state and the leader of the APC in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, in the presence of former Ambassador Felix Oboro, former acting governor, Chief Nestor Binabo, APC state chairman, Tiwe Orunimighe, and former deputy and acting governor, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu.

    Advancing reasons for their defection, Ogoriba said the APC is the light while the PDP represents darkness. He said the government of the PDP in the state was based on falsehoods and too many talks without action. According to him, the Dickson-led government has ridiculed the people of the stage by building a “monkey bridge and walkway” in the name of a flyover.

    He said while the PDP was claiming to be unruffled by the defections of its members, it was busy calling defectors at night for reconciliation. “The APC is a sweet party and we are happy we have been accepted into it. We will subject ourselves to all the authority of the party. We have not come with any ambition. We have come to strengthen the party. With our presence here, the PDP has murdered sleep.”

    In Kogi, the party is also in turmoil over the December gubernatorial election in the state. In spite of the effort of Ekweremadu’s committee and the national leadership of the PDP, factions within the PDP in the state are currently at dagger-drawn over who would get the party’s governorship ticket.

    While Governor Idris Wada is seeking re-election, prominent elders of the party in the state are up against him. Consequently, there are fears that the party may be in serious trouble as the date of the next gubernatorial election draws nearer.

    “Unless something happens urgently, we may lose Kogi State to the APC. While the crisis between the governor and the elders continue to weaken our bases across the state, the APC is daily waxing stronger with the defection of PDP chieftains into its fold,” a former council boss said.

    In recent times, Kogi PDP has suffered from a mass exodus of many of its prominent members to rival parties, with All Progressives Congress (APC) as the biggest beneficiary.

    The list of defectors includes a former governorship aspirant, Air Vice-Marshal Saliu Atawodi, former Accountant-General of the state, Ubolo Okpanachi, and former state chairman of PDP, Barrister Dangana Ocheja.

    Other chieftains of the PDP that have joined APC included Senator Nicholas Ugbane, Samson Ihiabe and former Executive Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Sani Ogu, two former Speakers of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello and Asiwaju Clarence Olafemi, to mention but a few.

    The situation is similar in many other states. A group within the PDP in Oyo last week, at a meeting held at the residence of one of the party stalwarts, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia, in Ibadan, launched what it called a ‘Reformed PDP’. According to the convener, Olopoenia, the motive behind the move, is to reform the party and also make it a force to reckon with in the world of politics.

    “We are gathered here today to reform the PDP in Oyo State. The last session was marred with ordinate ambitions. By the time we hold our congress in March 2016, we will have those that can take the party to greater heights in place. The former leaders are not honest with most of us who are real party people and the PDP we are going to have now, is going to be a collection of new breed PDP members”, he said.

    One of those present at the meeting, Prof. Soji Adejumo, while speaking with journalists, said “I am fully part of the whole process. This rebranded PDP will do away with politics of selfish, moribund unintelligent interest by some party leaders who struggled to take control of the party”.

    This was just as the PDP leadership in the state described the promoters of ‘Reformed PDP’ as dissidents who are working against the party. Consequently, Olopenia and his co-travelers were declared suspended from the party till they purge themselves of alleged anti-party activities.

    From Sokoto, where former Deputy Governor, Muktarhi Shagari, is still bitter over the way he was denied the last governorship ticket of the party, to Ebonyi where Governor Dave Umahi is determined to probe the administration of his predecessor and party man, Martin Elechi, the PDP is still in turmoil.

    Ondo, Kano, Taraba, Nasarawa and Imo states are not spared the ugly drama of intra-party wrangling in PDP. On the side, the party is also battling discontent on the part of some close associates and aides of former President Goodluck Jonathan who are currently alleging marginalisation by the leadership of the party.

    This has given rise to the speculation that unable to get hold of the PDP, Jonathan’s men would soon announce their next line of action, which could be in form of mass defection from the party. As for Jonathan, party sources say he remains an issue within the PDP until he finally decides to open his mouth.

    Party sources even claimed the quest for who will replace Muazu Adamu as national chairman may soon throw up another round of crisis at the national level. Summing up all these, some analysts predicted the death of the former ruling party in not too distant time.

    But Ekweremadu insists it is illogical to surmise that a political party that has 13 governors and 49 senators is dying.

    “PDP is strong as ever. We have 49 members in the Senate and nobody can say that such a party with 49 members in the Senate is dying. Certainly, that is not true. That is not how to die. And we have 13 governors in place. And we believe God that we are going to get more when the remaining governorship elections are held.

    “We want to appeal to our members to remain faithful in PDP. And we will do everything to regain their confidence both at the state and national level. And by the grace of God by 2019, we will be able to get back to power to give Nigerians a new lease of life for a complete new government.”

    It is not only the Deputy Senate President that sees 2019 as the prophetic year of PDP’s rebound, even as analysts say the signs are not right for such brave prediction. A few of his fellow party men like Olisa Metuh and Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State are also optimistic. But until then, if the current trends continue, it may be goodbye to reconciliation in the PDP.

  • PDP abhors corruption – Metuh

    PDP abhors corruption – Metuh

    The National Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisah Metuh, said the party abhors corruption and will not undermine the present administration’s anti-corruption campaign.

    Metuh, who spoke in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Thursday, said the party will not oppose measures by the government in probing those who served under the past administration.

    He described corruption as a crime against humanity, saying that the party would not be a safe haven for corrupt persons.

    He, however, said the party will stoutly defend its members in situations where their rights, liberty and freedom were being trampled upon.

    He said the party retains the best democratic credentials when compared to others and urged members to remain committed to the ideals.

    Metuh pleaded with members of the party in Kogi State to close ranks so that the PDP can come out tops in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

     

  • ‘Summit organisers are PDP stooges’

    The Senator representing Osun East, Babajide Omoworare, has described the organisers of the proposed summit on education and the financial status of Osun State holding today as stooges of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a statement by his media aide, Tunde Dairo, the senator said this was one of several moves by the PDP and its agents to destabilise the peace and political tranquility in the state.

    According to him, the PDP is hiding under “an emergency and politically conjured group, calling itself Osun Stakeholders”.

    He maintained that the group is a front organisation of the PDP, adding that the “conveners of the summit are the party’s agents being used to fight a dirty cause”.

    “Nothing necessitated the summit except being a forum to execute plans targeted at frustrating the Aregbesola administration.

    “The financial stress in Osun is not peculiar to the state. It is a direct result of the economic cluelessness of the PDP controlled Federal Government.

    “We recognise the right of groups and associations under whatever appellation, including the PDP, to assemble, but this latest move by the so-called stakeholders is capable of resulting in treason.”

  • 10 injured as PDP, APC supporters clash

    10 injured as PDP, APC supporters clash

    •Lawmakers flee Assembly

    The suspension of the 17 council chairmen in Plateau State and the refusal of Governor Simon Lalong to reinstate them, yesterday led to a clash between supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and those of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The fracas, which occurred at the House Assembly complex about 11am, left 10 people injured.

    Four councillors and six youths were among the victims.

    The suspended local government chairmen marched on the office of the police commissioner on Tuesday.

    Yesterday’s clash forced lawmakers to suspend their sitting and flee.

    The incident began with a peaceful demonstration by PDP loyalists, as youths carrying placards protested the suspension of the council bosses.

    Before the arrival of the PDP supporters, the affected councillors had arrived the Assembly complex to complain to the legislators.

    APC youths later mobilised and disrupted the PDP loyalists’ and councillors’ protest.

    The PDP supporters carried placards with the inscriptions: “No to council dissolution”. “Bring back our chairmen and councillors”. “Lawyer Lalong, a lawbreaker”. “Lalong, we no go gree”. “Lalong is another Boko Haram on the Plateau”, etc.

    Addressing reporters, a protester, Wangbe Njim, the councillor representing Seri Ward in Kanke Local Government, said: “Lalong has no power to dissolve the councils. The people gave us a mandate as they gave him.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari cannot sack governors. Lalong must obey the law. By the power of the law, we must have our seats and complete our tenure.”

    A youth leader, Mr. James Nyam, said: “We are not happy with the situation because the politicians do not consider how it will affect the masses. These people were elected the way the governor was elected. He promised to work with them for the good of the state.

  • Plateau PDP, ALGON accuse Lalong of instigating conflict

    Plateau PDP, ALGON accuse Lalong of instigating conflict

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has been accused of taking actions capable of provoking political conflict in the state.

    The accusation followed the suspension of the local government chairmen by the governor and his alleged refusal to respect the court injunction restraining him and the House of Assembly from tampering with the tenure of elected council chairmen.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON) staged a peaceful protest in Jos on the matter.

    The police commissioner, Nasiru Oki, addressed the protesters behind close door for an hour. They included the local government chairmen, state zonal vice chairman of PDP (central zone) Hon. Yusuf Ishaya and the legal adviser of PDP, Bitrus Gyang.

    Ishaya, who represented the party chairman, Raymond Dabo, said: “The party has to lead the council chairmen to see the commissioner of Police because of the actions of the state governor in recent times”

    “I am here to represent the state chairman of PDP in this struggle along with all the ALGON members to intimate the state police commissioner on the actions of the state governor who have chosen to disobeyed the law, disrespect court order and ridicule the entire judiciary.

    He added: “The governor announced the suspension of elected local government executives without genuine reasons, and when the council chairmen went to court to seek justice, the court ordered that status quo remains pending the determination of the case.

  • PDP, APC in battle of titans over Lugard House

    PDP, APC in battle of titans over Lugard House

    As the Kogi State governorship poll draws nearer, aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have started making preparations for the primaries. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN looks at the issues that will shape the contest and the chances of the two parties.

    The Kogi governorship election, scheduled for November 21, will once again put to test the strength of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which suffered defeat in the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the recent presidential and National Assembly elections. The poll will also afford the APC the opportunity to prove that its victory during the general elections was not a fluke.

    Though there are about 19 political parties in the state, the contest will be a straight fight between the APC and the PDP, which has been in power in the state since 2003 when former Governor Ibrahim Idris defeated the Prince Abubakar Audu of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).

    To observers, the election would be a keenly contested one. They contend that the profound changes occurring in the political arena and the twist in the conscience of Kogi people will thwart the machinations of aspirants that rely on primordial factors for victory at the primaries and the election.

    They are of the view that the election will be determined by many factors: the platform on which the candidates are contesting; the candidates and the parties’ antecedents and the process through which the candidates emerged. The results of the recent presidential and National Assembly elections in which incumbent Governor Idris Wada lost all seats in his local government suggest that he has lost grip and political relevance. What took place during the general elections in Kogi has clearly established that the power of incumbency may no longer remain relevant in future, especially in cases where the candidates being imposed on the people are unpopular.

    However, observers have warned that the APC not to be carried away by its victory in the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. The party has been enjoined to go for a saleable candidate. According to analysts, there were instances where voters support the presidential candidate of a party, yet they would not back the governorship candidate of the same party.

    They recalled that, in 2011 general elections, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) had a sweeping victory in Kano State, but the party’s  governorship candidate  had a very poor outing; he lost to his PDP counterpart. The reason adduced was that, despite the fact that the CPC was adjudged to be a core and famous northern party, it lost its governorship bid in Kano because it dropped a popular candidate, who had emerged through the primaries, but was denied the ticket. Thus, protest votes gave the PDP victory.

    Indeed, the impunity displayed by the leadership of the defunct CPC in Kano in 2011 governorship  is not different from what happened in Kogi State in 2011 where Jibrin Isa Echocho was dropped in favour of the incumbent Governor Wada. The only dissimilarity with Kogi is that despite the obvious undemocratic process which led to Wada’s emergence, the PDP was noted to have been able to manipulate the election to its favour.

    However, the APC state chairman, Alhaji Haddi Amentur, is very optimistic that his party would emerge victorious in the coming governorship election. He said the party would repeat its performance during the presidential and National Assembly elections because the people are tired of the PDP’s bad governance.

    He said: “The people are tired of the PDP and they desire change, which the APC represents. The PDP cannot boast of any achievement, despite being in power in the last 13 years. This is a plus for the APC. The people want development and not hopelessness. The people are yearning for change and that change will come through the APC. The people cannot afford to make another mistake during the next election because it would be another opportunity to ensure development of the state.

    “When you look at the state, the only positive development that is visible is what the opposition did under former Governor Abubakar Audu. The PDP has spent 13 years with nothing to show for it. What will they use to campaign? Is it the bad roads that dot the capital city and other parts of the state?”

    Also speaking on the chances of the APC, a chieftain of the party, Mr Yori Afolabi said he was confident that his party would win the election, if it presents a credible candidate and observe due process in the shadow election where the governorship candidate would emerge. Afolabi, the former Minority Leader in the State House of Assembly, said the chances of the opposition were very high, given the woeful performance of the PDP.

    He reiterated that the personality and character of the person that the APC would present matters a lot in the crucial governorship election. “Nigerians are becoming wiser and politically enlightened. They don’t vote for party alone. They consider the candidates involved. People are tired of the PDP. They want change and they see that change in President Muhammadu Buhari,” he added.

    But, a PDP stalwart, Mr John Ele, did not see it that way. He said the National Assembly elections should not be used as a yardstick to judge the outcome of the governorship election. According to him, the dynamism of state governorship election is quite different. He noted that despite the fact that the APC won the presidential and the National Assembly elections, the PDP won the highest number of seats in the House of Assembly. Given this scenario, Ele said the PDP would have the upper hand in the election scheduled to take place in November. He added: “All that we need to do is to put our house in order.”

    Another factor that will affect the outcome of the governorship poll is the alleged marginalisation of certain areas in the state. Kogi West and Central Districts have teamed up to challenge the dominance of Kogi East District. Both zones have resolved to present a single governorship candidate for the election. They also vowed to disown anyone from their zones who accepts to be the running mate of any candidate from the East senatorial district.

    Their grouse stems from what they describe as “unconscionable level of marginalisation and oppression of the people of the Central and Western districts.” Available statistics show that the two zones account for 55 per cent of the state population and about 85 per cent of the internally generated revenue, but in terms of appointments and recruitments into the civil service, as well as resource allocation, Kogi East district has continued to dominate. It has also been producing governors since the inception of the state.

    Many aspirants have indicated their interest to run for the governorship election. The APC has the highest with over 10 aspirants jostling for its ticket. So far, only two aspirants have shown interest in the PDP ticket.

     

    Idris Wada

    Although Governor Wada has not publicly declared his interest for a second term, his body language suggests that he is the candidate to beat. He emerged the PDP governorship candidate in 2011 in a rescheduled primary skewed in his favour, following the cancellation of the earlier exercise that produced Echocho as party flag bearer. Wada polled 300,372 votes to emerge winner of governorship election, while his closest rival, Prince Abubakar Audu of the defunct ACN polled 159,913 votes.

    Things will not be as rosy as it was for Wada in 2011 this time around because of certain developments. First, the people of Kogi are not impressed by his performance; his four years in office has not witnessed any significant development. Secondly, Kogi elders who were instrumental to his victory in 2011 are divided over his re-election bid. Many of them have withdrawn their support for him. Thirdly, the support of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) for Wada’s re-election bid is in doubt. The NWC had cancelled the delegates election held on June 27. According to party sources, the result favoured Wada’s camp which would have made it easy for him to emerge as party’s governorship candidate at the primary. Fourthly, even if he wins the primary, he will have to go the extra mile to win the governorship election. According to observers, this is because a lot of disenchanted leaders of the PDP in Kogi have dumped the party for the APC, with their teeming supporters.

     

    Abubakar Audu

    Audu is a foundation member of the APC. It was by virtue of this fact that he became the party leader in Kogi State. He was elected governor in 1999 on the platform of the ANPP. Since he was defeated in 2003 by the PDP’s Ibrahim Idris, all attempts to return to Lugard House, Lokoja, the seat of power, have been unsuccessful. Audu believes this is his finest hour in Kogi’s politics, as he led the party to electoral success in the last general elections. Hence, he has expressed his aspiration to contest the November 21 governorship election.

    Some APC leaders have challenged Audu’s leadership. A group known as the All Progressives Elders Vanguard alleged that Audu has hijacked the party machinery to his benefit, warning that the APC would lose the goodwill it enjoyed during the presidential election, if Audu was not called to order. In the same vein, another group, Kogi Renewal Group, has kicked against Audu’s quest to get the APC governorship ticket. The group leader, Dr Abubakar Yakubu, said the return of Audu to Lugard House is not the change the state needs.

    However, a group loyal to Audu, Confluence for Change insists that the former governor is the leader of the APC in the state and that he remains the rallying point for the APC not only in Kogi, but in the Northcentral zone. On the rationale of Audu’s bid to return to power, it said since the former governor left office in 2003, the state had collapsed socially and economically, adding that they wanted him to come and save the state from bad leadership.

     

    James Ocholi

    A legal practitioner, James Ocholi (SAN) is a leading aspirant on the platform of the APC. A Lokoja-based group, the Network for Change and Good Governance, said Ocholi stands tall among other aspirants. They noted that though he is not a moneybag politician, he is credible, dependable, honest and of high integrity.

    Ocholi was a member of the CPC, one of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC.

     

    Yahaya Bello

    Bello is one of the aspirants contesting for the APC ticket. The youths, under the aegis of Kogi APC Youths Arise Movement, are rooting for him. The group leader, Mr. Edward Onoja, said Bello stands out as the most pro-masses and youth friendly. He said: “As youths of Kogi State, we see Yahaya Bello as the carrier of our hopes and aspirations. His blueprint is pro-youths and it addresses the germane issues that concern our demographic needs.”

     

    Jibrin Isa Echocho

    Echocho won the PDP ticket for the 2011 election, at a primary conducted by the party in 2010. But, he was dropped in favour of the incumbent Governor Wada. The fallout of this development has not been addressed by the party. So far, it has resulted in mass defection of its members. This deliberate mistake of the PDP has not only weakened the electoral capacity of the party, it has also grossly contributed to strengthening the APC. Echocho worked for the APC’s success at the recent polls. He is hoping to realise his governorship ambition on the platform of the party.

     

    Yakubu Mohammed

    Veteran journalist Yakubu Muhammed was former editor of the defunct National Concord. He was co-founder of the rested Newswatch magazine. He vied for the PDP ticket in 2009, but lost. He is of the Igala ethnic nationality, the dominant tribe in the east senatorial zone. He believes his integrity will make up for what he lacks in financial wherewithal.

    There are other aspirants from the APC that have declared their intention publicly. They are Suleiman Ali, Habib Yekeen and Zakari Jiya.

     

    Mohammed Ali

    Ali is the former Chairman of Dekina Local Government. He is the only aspirant that has come out to slug it out with Wada at the PDP primary. His posters bearing the PDP logo have flooded major towns in the state. The under-40 aspirant represents generational shift and effective management of the state’s largely untapped resources. Observers see him as the bridge between the new and the old order in the state. They are of the view that almost all persons that have worked with him in the past are supporting his aspiration to become governor speaks volume of his character and leadership quality.

  • PDP Reps seek end to leadership crisis

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday urged the APC leadership in the Green Chamber to get its act together and end the crisis on leadership positions.

    The lawmakers chided the Department of State Security (DSS) on the allegation of treason against the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), saying the DSS would be invited on resumption of the House to clarify its allegations.

    The caucus, which spoke after a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly yesterday, said the crisis had become embarrassing, as it had stunted legislative activities.

    The lawmakers warned that any attempt, once again, to shift the resumption of the House (which was moved from  July 21 to 28) would be resisted.

    Its warning came as fears are heightened that the House might not meet the 181-day mandatory sitting, following the recess over the June 25 battle for principal offices and other impending holidays.

    Leo Ogor, leader of the Caucus, said: “The new resumption day should be non-negotiable because resumption must take place.

    “We are ready to work, we were elected to legislate and there are issues having negative impact already.”

    Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Ogor flayed the manner the DSS had been carrying out its duties.

    He urged the DSS to clarify  its search on the home of  Dasuki and the arrest of Gordon Obua, the chief security officer to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Let’s know these other people that are within and planning treason.”

    He added that “a motion will come on the floor inviting the DSS to explain this issue of treason.

    “There are also issues about the chief security officer to our former President, we are told he was detained and nobody provided reasons for his detention.”

    Continuing, Ogor said “…every agency must work within the confines of its responsibility. If care is not taken, we may end up creating a scenario that may bring in dictatorship.

    According to Ogor, the DSS is derailing.

    His words: “There are developments in Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State where the DSS invited the rest of those various states and even the INEC officials.

    “I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the DSS act stipulates that clearly the responsibility and functions of that agency, the responsibility of that agency borders purely on internal security and private security for government functionaries. I don’t know how they found themselves in electoral business because first we need to understand the act, the electoral act stipulates very clearly that all issues must be handled by the tribunal.

    “We find ourselves in a scenario or situation where we see some level of creeping in, intimidation partly, and what I want to call some level of dictatorship. We will try as much as possible as a party to stand by democratic principles and ethics. We must do everything within our laws to protect this great institution.

    “A scenario where a government functionary has been saddled with the responsibility of clear internal security of the nation is finding itself in electoral matters is an issue of concern to us, everybody and every Nigerian.

    “I think the time and power has come for all of us to stand and allow the law process, the court process and the tribunal process that are setup by our various courts to carry out some of these clear responsibilities.

    “We need to look at all these issues collectively and as soon as the House resumes, there is the urgent need to raise some of these issues so that Nigerians will know where they are.

    “We are in a democratic system of governance and we must do everything to protect this system.

    “I believe that the DSS should wake up to their responsibilities, concentrate purely on their internal security and leave politics aside, if they are interested in coming to  play politics then they have to resign and come in and contest for political offices.