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  • Jonathan begs aggrieved PDP members not to defect

    Jonathan begs aggrieved PDP members not to defect

    •PDP fund raising collects N21.27b

    President Goodluck Jonathan has pleaded with the aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the primary elections not to decamp to other parties.

    According to him, the aggrieved members should stay in the party, if they believed in true democracy.

    He spoke at the PDP Fund-Raising Dinner at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    He said any flaw in the party’s primaries would be overcome before the next dispensation in 2019.

    Jonathan said: “We all appreciate that throughout the congresses, where primary elections were conducted; there have been some outstanding issues.

    “The party is working to resolve these issues. Definitely, in such situations, all may not be resolved to the satisfaction of everybody. But my plea to party members is to remain committed to the party; stay with the party.

    “I know other parties are wooing some of you to contest elections on their platforms, but if you believe in democracy, then you will contribute to strengthen it. The only way you can strengthen democracy is for you to stay in your party.

    “If there are some issues you feel are not too correct, it behooves on us to stay together and correct them. That is the only way we can grow democracy.

    “If out of anger or frustration, you leave the party because you didn’t get what you wanted, then you are not contributing to the growth of democracy,” he stated.

    Recalling the donations of the business community to support victims of the 2012 flood and to the Victim Support Fund in September, he said the money would be used judiciously.

    He assured the business community of more policies and programmes that would promote enterprise and industry and expansion of the economy.

    Referring to a beneficiary of YouWin programme, who donated N1 million at the dinner, he said the party has made a number of millionaires and billionaires.

    According to him, his administration is working harder to make more young millionaires through YouWin and Youth Employment through Agriculture Programme (YEAP).

    He assured that the PDP would do everything possible to keep the country united.

    The total donations announced by the master of ceremony was N21.27 billion.

    Those, who donated included Oil and Gas sector (N5 billion), Jerry Gana’s friends (N5 billion), Real Estate (N4 billion), Tunde Ayeni (N1 billion), Tunde Ayeni’s friends (N2 billion), Transport and Aviation (N1 billion).

    Also, the 21 PDP governor donated N50 million each totalling N1.5 billion, food and agriculture (N500 million), construction (N310 million) and road sector (N250 million).

    The power sector donated N500 million, shelter development (N250 million), Labaran Maku (N 1 million), Volkswagen and others (N450 million).

    Vice President Namadi Sambo thanked those who donated to the party.

    Chairman of the fund-raising committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, warned party members not to be complacent in next year’s general elections.

    According to him, the elections would be very competitive.

    He pointed out that even though the party had done well under President Goodluck Jonathan, members must campaign and communicate the achievements well to the electorate.

    He said: “The 2015 elections will be very competitive. Do not take it for granted. We must never underestimate the opponent. PDP has advantage because it has done very well in its 15 years in power at the centre.

    “Besides, our presidential candidate is very good and is one of the best in the world in terms of delivery of democracy dividends. But doing well or having good candidates is not enough, we need to tell the electorate what we’ve done as a party.

    “We must endeavour to effectively communicate our achievements and candidates to the people; the elections must be issue-based, of course PDP is noted for that,” he said.

    He also warned leaders of the PDP at all levels against imposition of candidates on Nigerians.

    The PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, congratulated the candidates that won primaries for the general election.

    He urged them not to let the party down, just as he urged those that did not win not to lose hope, as there would be another time.

    The chairman also noted that the PDP is faced with many challenges for which the fund will be utilised.

  • Ekiti PDP, Speaker Omirin bicker over alleged corruption

    Ekiti PDP, Speaker Omirin bicker over alleged corruption

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, yesterday engaged in a verbal war over allegations of corruption.

    This followed Omirin’s  interview in a weekend paper in which he claimed that he and other lawmakers collect N200,000 each time they visit Governor Ayo Fayose shortly after his swearing- in.

    The state PDP Chairman, Idowu Faleye, in a statement yesterday, challenged Omirin to explain the purpose of the money collected from the governor when the state was in a “financial mess”.

    The state PDP boss described the Speaker’s action as a “fashion of corruption and indecency”.

    But Omirin lambasted the PDP chairman for , according to him,quoting his interview out of context and making an issue out of nothing.

    The Speaker said he only told the world the truth about what happened on their relationship with Fayose.

    Faleye said anyone should know that “it is only a corruptible mind that collect such amount of money on every visit to the governor and still claim to be honourable”.

    He also criticised Omirin and the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Assembly for the plenary held last Thursday outside the legislative chambers.

    Faleye challenged Omirin to disclose the location and time of the sitting, accusing APC lawmakers of resorting to “machinery of lies and brigade of blackmail”.

    But Omirin said Faleye was speaking out of frustration and failure of the PDP administration to stop a valid sitting held by the majority lawmakers to right the wrongs and illegalities wreaked on Ekiti people by Fayose and his goons.

    In a statement by his media aide, Wole Olujobi, Omirin alleged that the PDP runs a corrupt administration.

    He claimed that he (Omirin) and the APC lawmakers were offered N7 million each to defect to the ruling party.

    The Speaker explained that the refusal of the APC lawmakers to collect the money was the genesis of their stand-off with Fayose.

    Omirin said: “Who is more corrupt between a man who innocently told the public that the governor gave each member N200,000 and the one who gave N7 million to each APC member to defect to his party?

    “What of the man who provided money to security men to protect members for illegal sittings in the House of Assembly?

    “What of the man sending Ekiti State money to upgrade his hotel on the guise that he is not living in the Government House, whereas he has been living in the complex for a long time?

    “Are the Christmas gifts he purchased commensurate with the funds taken from workers in addition to millions taken from government coffers for the same purpose?

    “Have these people told us what they did with the N1.3 billion poultry project money that never produced an egg?”

  • Why we rejected PDP primary results, by Maku’s group

    Why we rejected PDP primary results, by Maku’s group

    The Maku Campaign Organisation has rejected the Nasarawa State governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It described the December 8 primary at the headquarters of Nasarawa Local Government Area as “a ruse which cannot stand the test of integrity”.

    A statement by the organisation’s Publicity Director, Yusuf Zakari Ukpo-Edego, said: “The entire process of the election was full of frustration due to sudden change of the venue without prior notice.”

    The statement added: “The election panel chairman announced 1,100 voter cards to be used for the election as against the 601 delegates for the governorship primary, thereby giving room for manipulation of the electoral process. Most of the delegates were also intimidated to vote for a particular aspirant against their wish.

    “In view of the above, the Maku Campaign Organisation hereby appeals to the PDP Governorship Appeal Panel in the state to use its good office to address these anomalies in the interest of our party and the success of the 2015 general elections in Nasarawa State.”

  • Rep dumps PDP for APC

    A Member of the House of Representatives, representing Birninkudu/Buji Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammed Sabo Nakudu, has said he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) because the PDP lacks internal democracy, fairness and justice.

    The lawmaker spoke at his first outing with his supporters, following his defection to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Addressing scores of his supporters and executive members of APC in Dutse, the state capital, Nakudu said: “We took the decision because of our concern on the national interest and the PDP attitude of a lack of internal democracy, unfairness and injustice.”

    The lawmaker said he left the PDP with his supporters, including a former chairman of Birninkudu Local Government Area, two-time Buji Local Government Area’s chairmen Sani Abdu Jigawa and Barau Abdullahi Gambasha.

  • Chaos in Delta PDP over primaries, name substitution

    Chaos in Delta PDP over primaries, name substitution

    The Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in disarray over the outcome of primaries for various offices, including the National and state assemblies.

    The choice of a running mate for the party’s governorship flag bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, is also generating frictions among key players.

    It was learnt that the deputy governorship slot had been ceded to the Ijaw. This allegedly angered Isoko over their perceived relegation in the party’s affairs, particularly as the Ijaw had also got the senatorial slot through Senator James Manager.

    In Delta Central, the Urhobo are unhappy about the alleged directive of President Goodluck Jonathan that delegates should deliver Okowa, from Delta North, against Chief David Edevbia, who was Urhobo’s choice.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although the primaries are over, winners are still anxious because of ongoing substitution of names by PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    It was gathered that the ticket of a candidate for the House of Representatives in Delta North had been “awarded” to one of the losers in the governorship primary, even though the beneficiary did not contest the December 6 primary.

    Also, it was learnt that House of Assembly Speaker Victor Ochei was angling for a senatorial seat as compensation, after coming third in the governorship primary.

    The December 9 contest for the Delta North senatorial ticket of the party was thrown into controversy, following the invasion of the venue by thugs allegedly working for one of the aspirants.

    A former PDP chairman in the state, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who was the clear leader from the results of seven of the nine local government areas counted before the imbroglio, declared himself winner of the contest.

    He had warned that he would be forced to consider his “options” following alleged undue interference of the NWC and the national leadership of the PDP, which reportedly preferred Mrs Marian Ali, wife of the party’s former National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali.

    Worried by the development, a leader of the party from the Delta Central Senatorial District and a former minister, who spoke in confidence, told our correspondent that there were concerns that the party could go into the next election in disarray.

    He said: “The cohesion and unity we have seen in Delta PDP over the past few years is now in tatters. We are in complete confusion, and this can play into the hands of the opposition in the presidential and other elections in the state.”

  • 3,000 PDP defectors join APC in Sokoto

    Over 3,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State yesterday dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors were mainly from Isa Local Government Area, the home front of former governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, a PDP chieftain.

    Receiving the defectors in Isa town, the state APC Chairman, Usman Danmadamin-Isa, hailed them for choosing a more reliable political path.

    He said: “It is a thing of joy as you immediately realise where you can have a sense of belonging for your future, not where you are left to guessing for survival.”

    Danmadamin-Isa noted that the defectors’ decision was akin to leaving darkness for light.

    The APC chairman said the PDP was at the verge of disintegration in the state, adding that its members were deserting the party in large number in the 23 local government areas.

    He said the PDP was a symbol of political doom whose national leadership were creating divisions among Nigerians through the politics of religion and ethnicity.

    Usman Danmadamin-Isa blamed the PDP for not tackling insurgency and for the killings in the North in the last three years.

    The APC chairman said it was only Gen. Muhammad Buhari that has the capacity to tackle the security bedeviling the country.

  • Donors of N21.7bn at PDP’s Fund Raising

    The over N21.7billion raised on Saturday at the PDP Fund Raising Dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the State House Abuja was contributed by State governors, top party members, some sectors and other unnamed individuals and organisations.

    Those who donated included Oil and Gas sector – N5 billion, Jerry Gana’s friends – N5 billion, Real Estate – N4 billion, Tunde Ayeni – N1 billion, Tunde Ayeni’s friends – N2 billion, Transport and Aviation – N1 billion.

    Others include 21 PDP governor who donated N50 million each totalling N1.5 billion, Food and Agriculture – N500 mllion, Construction – N310 million, Road sector- N250 million and beneficiaries of YouWin programme N1m.

    Power sector – N500m, Shelter Development – N250 million, Labaran Maku – N 1 mllion, Volkswagen and others – N450 million.

    Vice President Namadi Sambo thanked all those who donated to the party.

    Chairman of the Fund-Raising committee, Prof.Jerry Gana warned members of the party not to be complacent in the 2015 general elections.

    According to him, the 2015 elections would be very competitive.

  • Naira rain as PDP raises billions for Jonathan

    Naira rain as PDP raises billions for Jonathan

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last night flexed its financial muscle ahead of next year’s polls as stakeholders poured in money for the prosecution of the elections.

    Donors at the fund raising ceremony held in Abuja included the various sectors of the economy, PDP governors, businessmen/women and organizations.

    A prominent business woman Bola Shagaya and her friends donated N5billion. An equal amount of N5billion came from friends of Professor Jerry Gana, chairman of the funds raising committee while the 21 PDP governors gave N1.05billion, while those who called themselves friends donated N3 billion.

    Other high profile donors were construction sector with N310m, transport N1 billion, real estate N4b, the energy sector-N500million, PDP Rivers State stakeholders-N50million.

    Others were food and agriculture N5b, Cifex N10m, power sector N500m , Shelter Development Limited N250m, Emzor N50m, the NDDC governing board N15m, auto sector N450m and PDP youth group N50m.

    Present at the event were President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, PDP governors, Ministers, PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu    and the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Antony Anenih.

    The ceremony was still in progress at press time.

    The huge donation according to the Electoral Act runs foul of the law. Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution prohibits a State Government from contributing to the election expenses of any candidate or aspirant.

    The Electoral Act Section 91 (90 of the Code of conduct for Political Parties and Elections limits individual donations and contributions to a maximum of N1m.Electoral Act, Section 91 of the Act criminalizes contravention of limitation on election expenses. A Presidential Candidate who knowingly contravenes it is liable to a maximum fine of N1, 000,000.00 or imprisonment for a period of12 months or both.

  • ‘Don’t drag Buhari’s name into Ondo PDP crisis’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Charles Titiloye, has warned warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to find ways of resolving the internal crisis within the party rather than using the name of the presidential candidate of APC, Gen. Mohammed Buhari (rtd), to gain support from the Presidency for any of its factions.

    Titiloye was reacting to a statement credited to a faction of PDP in the state that the faction opposing the Jimoh Ibrahim group was working for Buhari by getting a court order, which sacked the Clement Faboyede-led faction loyal to the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

    He warned that the APC would not fold its hands and allow the name of Gen Buhari dragged into the mud.

    He said: “The people of Ondo State have resolved to vote for APC and the people’s General next year not because of the continued political Ebola scourge in Ondo PDP, but because of the conviction of the people that the joint presidential ticket of Buhari/Osinbajo is the hope to a new and reformed country where citizens’ welfare shall be the primary concern of government.

    “APC in the state see the struggle for power between the factional PDP lords in Ondo State as a product of disagreement of sharing of power and illegal loots emanating from the centre.”

    While stating that the party would not compromise its principles by supporting any of the PDP factions, the former Secretary of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Akure Chapter, hailed the leadership of APC for selecting a sound technocrat and thorough professional in the person of Prof. Osinbajo as the vice presidential candidate of the party.

  • 2015: PDP, APC won’t produce president -Balarabe Musa

    THE first executive governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, yesterday said neither the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) would produce the next president in the 2015 elections.

    Balarabe Musa who is the national chairman of the deregistered Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) told newsmen in an interview during a meeting with 26 states executive committee’ members of the party, that there is no difference between the PDP and APC.

    He added that none of the two major political parties is credible enough to take Nigerians to the promised land, stressing that for this reason, PRP has gone into a merger with Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) to produce the president in 2015 elections.

    He disclosed that PRP has since instituted legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for deregistering the party.

    His words, “We are not in support of  Buhari or Jonathan because we are not in APC or PDP, we are neutral, we belong to a credible alternative, that is, we merged with Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) for the purpose of the 2015 elections.

    “We are better alternative to both Jonathan and Buhari, and fundamentally, there is a distinct difference between the alliance and APC and PDP. The alliance makes a fundamental difference in the sense that we are committed to leading the way to end all forms of insecurity in order to ensure peace for human and infrastructural developments in the country.

    “None of the two parties is advanced. PDP is not that advanced, APC is not that advanced, and so their ideology is not relevant to the people of Nigeria, because there is no way they can guarantee the constitutional provisions in the country for welfare and security of the people with the rat race and survival of the fittest, which the APC and PDP are after.

    “Nigerians should reject APC and PDP because they brought about the negative states of the nation. And again APC and PDP represent the same thing. More than half of the leadership of the APC originated from the PDP; in fact, the ones that play the leading roles in APC, other than Buhari and Atiku were all sometimes in the PDP, it is quarrel in the PDP that made them to form their own APC.

    “Our party, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), is deregistered, and so it is not presenting any presidential candidate, but it belongs to an alliance, a democratic alliance called credible alternative alliance on the platform of ACPN. We are fielding all candidates, including a presidential candidate in the 2015 elections. The presidential candidate will soon be announced, the candidate will be announced by the ACPN.

    “When we turn our glance to the domestic front, the picture we see is gloomy. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration has proved, even to its former ardent sympathisers, that it is simply incapable of running the affairs of this nation.”

    “In whatever field or sector you consider, the Administration’s ineptitude, bankruptcy and decadence stands out for anyone who cares to look. Poverty and unemployment are on the rise and becoming more and more unbearable. Agriculture, the mainstay of the national economy and the source of livelihood of some eighty percent of the population, is stagnating and in the doldrums.

    “Most industries have since closed shop. Indeed, it’ can even be said that these past six years of President Jonathan have witnessed the deindustrialisation of Nigeria. Nigeria is now for all practical purposes just a large supermarket for all manner of imported goods and services.

    “The story is even grimmer when it comes to national security and the protection of the territorial integrity of the country, and the lives and property of citizens

    He concluded that “Today’s meeting is, therefore summoned principally to discuss the practical steps and specific modalities that would have to be taken on the part of the PRP to effect the objectives of the alliance, particularly regarding the electoral platform on which our Party shall contest the forthcoming elections”