The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PDP

  • ‘PDP wants to instigate violence’

    ‘PDP wants to instigate violence’

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary Comrade Joe Igbokwe spoke with reporters in Lagos on the preparations for the general elections and how Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains are promoting discord and intolerance in the Centre of Excellence.

    What is your assessment of the ampaigns so far?

    Campaigns have been going on across the country, but I regret to say that we are dodging the issues. We are leaving out the burning issues to dwell on personalities and this is where we are not getting it right. Desperation and fear have gripped the ruling party that they now play dirty. In the presidential campaigns, the APC candidate, General Buhari, has been a problem for the PDP. The Buhari of 2003, 2007 and 2011 has turned to a political giant, a volcano, a bulldozer, an avatar, a caterpillar and a  massive movement in 2015. A man who contested elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011 is being accused of not having a certificate in 2015 because the man has moved from the back seat to the driver’s seat. They talk about his certificate, his age, his health, his family, his religion, his wife, his culture etc.

    The corrupt and desperate politicians and subsidy scammers are worried to the bones. The fear of Buhari is now the beginning of wisdom. They know that a President Buhari will not accept corruption as a way of life again. They know that he will plug the loop holes in the systems. They know that the people that ruined Nigeria will be brought to book. They are moving their families and wealth abroad because Buhari is coming and he is coming on strong. I fear for those who think it is going to be business as usual. All things considered, President Jonathan has lost this election the day Buhari was picked as a candidate of the APC in Lagos. From all permutations, calculations and analysis the game has been won and lost at the first ballot. I pity anybody who will not be wise enough to know that the market is over. There is finger of God in all this. Did anybody remember that Buhari cried in 2011 for Nigeria? God saw that genuine tears and decided to pave way for him to help in fixing the land. Buhari’s coming in 2015 is a prayer answered. In Lagos, the campaigns are all about continuity of intelligent leadership, committed leadership and disciplined leadership. In Lagos, it is experience versus inexperience. It is Ambode’s 27 years experience and retired as Accountant-General in Lagos State versus Jimi Agbaje, a drug seller in a small shop in Apapa. It is capacity versus incapacity. It is capability versus incapability.

    What are the issues that will shape the Presidential elections and the governorship election in Lagos?

    At the presidential level we expect that Nigerians will think about the very important issues of national security. Nigerians will ask questions about the Chibok girls and our stolen territories by Boko Haram. Nigerians will ask questions about the power sector and why it has not worked after investing billions of dollars in 16 years. Nigerians will ask questions about unemployment and the NIS recruitment tragedy of last year. Nigerians will ask questions about the the stolen billions of dollars and the subsidy scam. Nigerians will ask questions about corruption in high places and why we cannot build our infrastructure. Nigerians will ask questions about the abuse of law enforcement agencies etc. In Lagos, Lagosians will look at the last 16 years of AC, ACN and APC governance. They have seen the transformation from what former President Obasanjo called a slum to a modern and cleanest city in Nigeria. Lagosians have seen how the lives and property were secured through committed and effective leadership. They have seen their Lagos has been made a world destination in 16 years.

    How can the votes count?

    Votes must count if we want to help this country to grow. If you rig a meretricious mediocrity into an exalted of the President or Governor, the people will suffer for four or eight years. This is the reason why our democratic institutions must help the system to work. Our country is down today because we have helped to rig common criminals into exalted offices. Our country is suffering today because we have helped to rig compound fools and nitwits in positions of authority. When these kinds of people are elected to positions they do not merit, they convert the huge offices to become family assets. The Police, Army, Navy, Airforce SSS or DSS, Civil Defence, NYSC, Customs, etc must allow our democracy to work. They must make our votes to count this time around.

    How can violence be averted?

    Do the right thing. Be neutral. Stop intimidation. Respect the fundamental rights of others. When peoples’ rights are violated, they may take laws into their hands. When our law enforcement agencies encourage some privileged Nigerians to oppress the poor, please know that trouble is coming. When Senator Obanikoro, a junior Minister took soldiers to stop Lagos State Housing project at Ilubirin in Lagos Island, he and the soldiers are looking for trouble. When Segun Adewale, a PDP Senatorial Candidate for Lagos West took thugs and policemen to The campaign office of his counterpart in APC in the same zone, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan’s ( Yayi) to try to assassinate him, are they not looking for violence? If you try to steal the peoples’ votes, you are looking for trouble. For our democracy to work better, all democratic institutions must be strengthened to be efficient and neutral. This is the way to avert violence.

    Why are people not collecting their voter’s cards?

    Some people are not collecting the PVCs because INEC did not get it right from the onset. You can’t plant cassava and hope to harvest yam. Whatever you sow, you will reap. I have been told that the only way a small army can defeat a huge army is probably because the small army had a better training, well equipped, well organized and possibly led by a gallant general. If INEC had been better organized and prepared like we have seen in other climes like India, collecting PVCs would not have been an issue. People and institutions fail because they fail to plan.

    Do you support deployment of troops for the election?

    If the troops will hit the streets just to help maintain law and order,that will be nice and acceptable. We have seen them do it in the past but if it turns out to be like the one we saw in Ekiti and Osun states, it will be unacceptable. Soldiers are supposed to be neutral, they are supposed to be defenders of every Nigerian but we are living witnesses of how these soldiers have been deployed to oppress, repress and suppress the opposition. Often times we see these soldiers working for the ruling party, abusing and humiliating the opposition with reckless abandon. I hope this will not happen in February 14 2015. Our soldiers must defend every Nigerian and equally defend our renascent democracy. Our soldiers that were rated among the best in Africa are now being rated as weak and ill-equipped to confront the common enemy. Our troops must redeem their battered image now.

  • ‘There is no godfather in Delta PDP’

    ‘There is no godfather in Delta PDP’

    Mr Paul Odili is a member of Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign publicity committee. He speaks with SHOLA O’NEIL on alleged hijack of the party, report of tension between Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and other issues.

    What omen does the emergence of Sen Okowa portend for your party in next month’s general election?

    The omens are very good. Okowa is a good candidate. He is well liked and he is known by the people of Delta State. He is has a lot of experience in politics. He has a lot of experience in government too.  He understands the state and the people. He is a progressive politician who wants the best for the people of the state. He wants to build on the best successes of the government of Delta state. He is the candidate to beat, others are pretenders and jokers who have been tried and have failed the people. Unlike his opponents in the other parties, Okowa has never lost an election.  Deltans don’t want failures to be elected into the exalted office of governor because they know that it is too risky. PDP with Okowa as flag bearer is going to sweep the election in Delta State.

    Your enthusiasm is not shared by a section of the party against the backdrop the deep wounds the primary left on individuals, leaders and the party…

    There is no deep wound on individuals. Where is the evidence of that?  Don’t mistake smoke as fire. Right now almost all the PDP aspirants are working with the winner in the party campaign organisation. Some aspirants are zonal coordinators, some are directors of the PDP campaign organisation; those who are not directly involved have nominees holding strategic positions in the campaign organisation. So right now the deep wounds exist in the imagination of opponents who are praying and wishing to see a PDP in disarray and are in shock that the party has come together and is forging ahead into victory. The party has experienced managers and leaders and has emerged from the primaries stronger and more united. Its leaders have reached out to everyone and there is acceptance to be together and to ensure victory for the party in all the elections.

    What’s your view on the rumoured friction between the incumbent governor and the party’s flag bearer?

    You say it is rumour and you know what they say about rumour: it is usually smoke without fire. This rumour is a very good example of that. The oppositions are always imagining things. When what they imagine is not coming to reality, they start spreading rumour. The first person to publicly congratulate Okowa was Governor Uduaghan. He followed by inviting Okowa to dinner and to wish him well. Within 48 hours, the governor was working with Dr Okowa to reach out to the other aspirants and with the party leaders constituted the campaign council. So are these actions of two people having friction? The answer is no. Since then Governor Uduaghan and Dr Okowa have campaigned together on a number of occasions, with Governor Uduaghan time and time again raising the hand of Okowa and calling on Deltans to support and to vote for him and other PDP candidates. See, the thing with rumour  is that it is easy to expose. My advice to the opposition is: don’t wait for imaginary friction, go to the field and campaign. Go to the people and look for votes. Governor Uduaghan and Dr Okowa are working together for victory. There is no friction.

    A section of the party’s faithful and Deltans believe that the PDP has been hijacked by certain elements, how do you think he can deal with the ‘godfathers’?

    There is no hijack. PDP is too big to be hijacked by certain elements. How is that possible? Again, I don’t think that godfather exists in the party. It is difficult for that to happen. I know a party with godfathers. Nigerians know that party and PDP is not that party. PDP is a masses-based party and members are free to express themselves and have always expressed themselves. There are regular meetings and consultations. So, who is hijacking who? Okowa is an experienced party leader and was part of the formation of the party in 1998 and knows all the key players and have a good eye for new members that have joined and are playing leadership role in the party. He understands how PDP works. He is a grassroots man and understands how the party works.

    Okowa cannot be hijacked by anyone; he is a listening politician; he knows how to consult and how to reach out. He is man who is committed to create balance in how things work. I know Okowa cannot be part of plot to hijack the party and give undue advantage to anyone or group or godfather as you called it. He understands politics and the ingredients of politics. His success is a product of struggle and he knows that PDP will continue to grow if it promotes mass appeal and not the agenda of any godfather.

    Some people feel that with the capital and several other key appointments, Delta north has more than its fair share of political offices and so are opposed to Okowa’s candidacy. What is your take?

    It is true that all things being equal and with God’s help, Delta north under the principle of rotation will produce the next governor of Delta State. It is good that as people of one state that we give each other a sense of belonging and opportunity to be equal stakeholders. I was pleased and excited when Governor Uduaghan, an Itsekiri from Delta South senatorial district, was elected governor. That is a good thing. Today we are looking at Okowa from Ika in Delta north. Uduaghan did not govern Delta for Itsekiri. He governed for Deltans irrespective of tribe and I know Okowa is going to do same. Okowa is going to make sure every part of Delta belongs and benefits from appointments, programmes and projects. No part will be left behind. As a member of state executive council, I know that when decisions are being taken, there is conscious effort to ensure balance, equity and justice. Okowa served as commissioner of various ministries and SSG, and I am yet to hear that his tenure benefitted one group over another. So the fear is unfounded. But you know some persons and group will always canvass more. They will look for all kinds of arguments to justify their position, even if that argument does not hold water.   Okowa’s governorship is not about Delta north, it is creating a better future for all Deltans. It is about inclusiveness for every part. I know that the silent majority of our people across know this and will give him their votes and support.

    Beyond promising to bring posperity to Deltans, the PDP candidate is yet to roll out programme and roadmap to the ‘prosperity’?

    Dr Okowa has an agenda and he has rolled it out. He is promising prosperity, he is promising empowerment, he is promising infrastructure development, he is promising real grass root development, he is promising health insurance for Deltans, he is promising agro-based industrial development. Dr Okowa is promising urban renewal and infrastructure development. He is promising environmental protection and development. He is saying that Delta State is a state with limitless possibilities and that the state with him will see great changes and consolidation. He has a five-point agenda, an improvement over the three point agenda of Uduaghan. Okowa is saying that there will be strategic wealth creation, there will be urban  renewal, he is saying there will be consolidation in education and health, he is promising political and social stability and agricultural transformation. That is his programme and I cannot think at this time think of a better roadmap. There is no doubt the future of Delta State is secured and safe. This man has been tried and tested and he has excelled.

     

  • We are not for interim govt, poll shift, says PDP

    We are not for interim govt, poll shift, says PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied alleged plots to instal an interim government if President Goodluck Jonathan loses the February 14 election. The party also denied rooting for a shift in the February poll.

    The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the ruling party of instigating a shift in dates of election and plotting to scuttle the poll, with the view to installing an interim government.

    But the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday denied the allegations, describing them as disingenuous, tenuous and shameful.

    “This is because it is common knowledge that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not provide for the Interim Nation Government contraption that the APC talks about,” Fani-Kayode said at a news conference in Abuja .

    The PDP accused the spokesman of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, of building up seemingly scary scenarios to create tension, cause panic in the polity and incite supporters of his party and well-meaning Nigerians against the Federal Government, President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP.

    The PDP urged Nigerians to discountenance the APC and Lai Mohammed’s “petty lies”, assuring them that all arms of the government are patriotically committed to discharging their constitutionally-prescribed responsibilities and duties.

    Said Fani-Kayode: “We believe that the APC’s unconscionable alarm is part of its characteristic and habitual propaganda through which it has over and over again imposed its skewed agenda on many undiscerning Nigerians.”

    Fani-Kayode said: “We, as a party, will not allow them to damage the good work that the PDP, most especially the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, has done to transform our nation.

    “Their plan is to prepare a fertile ground upon which to discredit our anticipated victory at the polls, unleash anarchy and violence on the country after they lose so that we would not be able to enjoy our victory.  By the grace of God and the support of a vast majority of Nigerians, their plan will fail,” Fani-Kayode said.

    He accused the APC of subjecting the nation to what he described as a dress rehearsal of the monumental violence that the APC, according to him, was planning.

    The President’s campaign spokesman said the decision to postpone elections was entirely vested in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that it’s not within the functions of the PDP or the Government to do so.

    “INEC is completely independent.  We have called on INEC to ensure that everybody has the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC).  We have done that public service; but as to whether election is to be postponed or not is INEC’s sole decision.

  • ‘Stop blackmail plot against Fayemi’

    ‘Stop blackmail plot against Fayemi’

    The Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has condemned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state-owned broadcasting station over alleged attempts to blackmail former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    The APC youths also disowned what it called a “phantom youth group” that goes by the name of “Ekiti APC Youths Congress”, which purportedly issued a statement condemning Fayemi for allegedly abandoning the state chapter for the presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    The purported youth group had in that statement counseled Fayemi to stay at home as Governor Ayo Fayose is doing in PDP.

    But APC said it discovered fraud and deceit in the message, maintaining that no youth group would issue a statement on behalf of the party without recourse to the state youth leader.

    In a statement yesterday by the state APC Youth Leader, Femi Ogundare, the Wing said “APC has no members bearing Tope Ogukunade and Comrade Tunji Adeleye who signed the purported statement.

    Ogundare said: “We want to make it clear that there is no group by that name in APC Ekiti State, rather, it is a creation of Mr. Fayose through his equally loquacious aide, Lere Olayinka.

    “We have discipline and structure in our party that does not allow anybody or group to issue statements on behalf of the party.”

  • Ekiti confirms receipt of N2b Ecological Fund

    •Reduces MDAs’ running grant by 60 per cent

    The Ekiti State government has acknowledged the receipt of the N2billion Ecological Fund. Special Assistant to the Governor on Information, Youth and Sports, Lanre Ogunsuyi, confirmed receipt of the fund from the Federal Government.

    The receipt of the money caused a row between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the opposition claiming that the governor  received the ecological fund on December 31, which the government denied.

    Hard times await Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as Governor Ayo Fayose has approved the reduction of their monthly running grants by as much as 60 per cent.

    Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development Toyin Ojo said this yesterday while analysing the 2015 Budget passed into law by seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Assembly.

    Ojo said the reduction of running grants to MDAs was “part of the fiscal caution taken to reduce spending to save funds for capital projects”.

    The commissioner said government reduced MDAs from 36 to 14 to cut  spending and saving more money to carry out projects.

    Ojo said the government would revive the Integrated Poultry Scheme at four designated centres.

    Fayose, during his first stint in power, carried out a poultry project which became controversial as the governor was sued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the N1.3 billion project.

    Although the case is still in court, Fayose is covered by immunity in line with Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The earlier poultry project was established in the 16 local governments and four special centres.

    Ojo said the global economic recession that has cut down the oil proceeds in Nigeria has taken a toll on the state’s finances.

  • Youths protest PDP’s multiple candidates

    Youths protest PDP’s multiple candidates

    Over 500 youths yesterday blocked the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway in Awka, protesting the multiple candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State.

    They marched on the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), blocked its entrance and chanted war songs.

    The protest caused a gridlock. Motorists and passengers were stranded for hours.

    The youth carried placards with the inscriptions, such as “No to multiple candidates in the PDP,” “We say no to fraud”, “Enough of this illegality, INEC should talk now”, among others.

    They threatened to take action if the relevant agencies and INEC failed to act.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edwin Nwatarali, assured them that he would channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters in Abuja.

  • We didn’t endorse senator, say Itsekiri leaders

    We didn’t endorse senator, say Itsekiri leaders

    The  Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT) has debunked reports that it endorsed Senator James Manager of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Delta South Senatorial election.

    The Itsekiri leaders, speaking through the group’s Secretary, Mr Edward Ekpoko, a lawyer, said: “The Itsekiri Leaders of Thought did not at any time endorse Senator Manager or any candidate for the election. That report is misleading and very unfortunate because it is not a true reflection of what transpired at the meeting.

    “What we told Senator Manager was that he should remember that he is the Senator for the area and not for the Ijaw alone. There are Itsekiri and Isoko in the area as well as Ijaws.

    “We also told him that the only time we see him, the only time he remembers that he is senator for the district, is when election comes. Apart from that, we don’t see him and we don’t feel his impact. ILOT did not endorse Manager or any candidate for the senatorial race.”

    Besides, Ekpoko said in Senator Manager’s 12-year sojourn in the Senate, he never spoke out for the interest of the Itsekiri or their homeland.

  • Monarch assures APC, Peterside of victory in Obio/Akpor

    Monarch assures APC, Peterside of victory in Obio/Akpor

    Obio/Akpor, one of the most densely populated local government areas in Nigeria and home of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Nyesom Wike,  has promised to vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates.

    The monarch of the area, His Royal Majesty, Eze A.A.A.Oriebe, the Nye Nwa Ali of Akpo Kingdom, made the promise when he received the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

    The monarch, who reaffirmed the backing of Peterside by the traditional rulers in Ikwerreland, urged his people to vote only for the APC in all the elections. Eze Oriebe said Peterside towers above all other candidates in the Governorship race.

    Eze Oriebe also called on Ikwerre people not to be misled by the inordinate ambition of some people who do not care about the consequences of their actions on the image and reputation of Ikwerre people. He described the APC candidate’s visit as historic and a sign of better things to come.

    “Today, history is made as Obio/Akpor witnesses the presence of His Excellency-in-Waiting and other well meaning Nigerians in the on-going APC campaign.

    “Your Excellency, I want to say that the people of Obio/Akpor are not only delighted to have you in their midst, but are also happy for your emergence as governorship candidate of the APC. We pledge our unalloyed support to your party, the APC with the assurance that Obio/Akpo L.G.A. will give your party the total support it deserves.

    ‘We are happy about this wind of change because we know Nigeria will change for the better. You were here before and all the chiefs of Obio/Akpor blessed you. We did so because we trust and believe in you. I am therefore not in doubt that you have a laudable programme for us. And with our sons and daughters around you, I know you will not forget us because we know you.

    The traditional ruler urged Peterside to consolidate on the giant strides of Governor Chibuike Amaechi in infrastructural development and human capital.

    He also requested that more Obio-Akpor indigenes be given opportunity to serve in government as the people are hardworking and trust worthy.

  • PDP rally in Kogi state

    PDP rally in Kogi state

    PIC.20. PDP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN LOKOJA
    .PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN, PDP CHIEFTAINS AND SUPPORTERS ARRIVING FOR PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN LOKOJA, KOGI

     

     

     

     

     

    PIC.19. PDP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN LOKOJA
    ATTAH OF IGALA LAND, HIS ROYAL MAJESTY MICHAEL (R) PRAYING FOR PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN DURING PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO THE ROYAL FATHER BEFORE THE PDP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN LOKOJA, KOGI ON TUESDAY
  • Tambuwal receives 2,400 PDP defectors

    Tambuwal receives 2,400 PDP defectors

    Speaker Aminu Tambuwal on Monday received 2,400 supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

    Tambuwal, APC gubernatorial candidate in Sokoto State received the defectors at the party’s gubernatorial campaign rally held in Kebbe town, headquarters of Kebbi Local Government Area of the state.

    He called on the defectors to work towards promoting the lofty ideals of the party in the rural areas.

    The lawmaker also called on the youth in the area to shun all kinds of violence by ensuring peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections.

    He said that the youth were a global catalyst for political development of any society, adding that they should be properly groomed to enable them contribute towards the socio economic and political growth of the country.

    The APC gubernatorial candidate also charged the youth to contribute towards ensuring the political change needed in the country to ensure quality democratic governance.

    In furtherance, he pledged to strengthen the agricultural sector through mechanization, if elected governor of Sokoto state.

    In his remarks, Governor Aliyu Wamakko called on party supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards before the election.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alhaji Isa Maitumbi, a former local government chairman, pledged to work assiduously for the victory of the party in the February general elections.