The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PDP

  • Enugu PDP chairman resigns, Ugwuanyi confirmed flag bearer

    Enugu PDP chairman resigns, Ugwuanyi confirmed flag bearer

    THE Enugu State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Vita Abba, has resigned.

    His resignation was through a letter to the State Executive Committee dated October 20, 2014, which was read on the floor of the State Executive Committee meeting held yesterday in Enugu.

    Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was unanimously adopted as the consensus governorship candidate of the party for the 2015 governorship election in Enugu State by the Executive Committee.

    Abba said he was resigning to enable him stand for election in the forthcoming party primaries in the state. He is aspiring to be elected to the House of Representatives.

    The executive committee accepted the resignation and appointed Chief Ikeje Asogwa who is from the same zone with the former state party chairman as the new chairman of the party in the state, in line with Article 47 (6) of the PDP constitution.

    It commended Abba for his meritorious and selfless service to the party and wished him well in his future endeavors.

    The meeting, which deliberated on how to move the party forward for the challenges ahead, unanimously adopted Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the consensus governorship candidate of the party for the 2015 governorship election in Enugu State.

    Earlier, PDP Enugu State Chapter had dismissed as false and mischievous, media reports that Ugwuanyi would not be cleared by the party’s national leadership.

    In a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr. Okey Eze, the party warned those behind such “mischievous publications”, who it said, lost out in the democratic process that led to the emergence of the party’s consensus candidate, to desist forthwith.

    The state executive council meeting was attended by Governor Sullivan Chime and members of the National Assembly.

    But Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and Senator Ayogu Eze were absent.

     

  • PDP BOT member picks Kogi nomination form

    PDP BOT member picks Kogi nomination form

    A member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Barrister Halima Alfa, has joined in the race for Kogi East Senatorial seat.
    Alfa, who is also the National Co-ordinator, North Central, Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), commended the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, for refusing to give automatic ticket to any aspirant.
    Her words: “I am a member, Board of Trustees of the PDP and I am happy by the level playing ground provided by the national party leadership. This will greatly promote a healthy democracy in the country.”
    She said she was in the race to ensure better legislation, especially on the issue of girl-child education.
    She called on her male co-contestants to allow for a level playing ground as directed by the party “in order to allow free participation.”

  • 2015: Propaganda and the road to fascism

    2015: Propaganda and the road to fascism

    All political parties indulge in one form of propaganda or the other. As the campaign for the 2015 polls begins, the use of propaganda will intensify. The All Progressives Congress (APC) will try to demonise the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the PDP will respond vigorously. Already, using various political and non-governmental organisation (NGO) vehicles, the PDP has taken on the APC’s leading presidential aspirants, and made the party look like a congregation of loathsome politicians. The APC’s choice of targets is a bit limited. It trains its guns on just one PDP aspirant/candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, who seems to grow in popularity as his leadership foibles multiply. Worse for the APC, it is unable to attack Dr Jonathan as heartily as it would like on account of the fact that he is president, and some decorum must be observed. Expectedly, however, with the elections a mere four months away, and as the parties get desperate, the APC will open a fusillade of verbal and political fire against the president, whether he constitutes himself into a moving target or stands immovably and implacably as a buffalo.

    But often propaganda morphs imperceptibly into fascism, especially in the hands of organisations and individuals who have found a way of disgorging it of its ethical core. And here Ekiti is the archetype, showing the way Nigeria is heading. It is easy to lose the import of what is happening in Ekiti in the partisan fog of politics. It is easy to dismiss criticisms of Governor Ayo Fayose’s methods and politics as tantamount to sympathising with the APC. However, the lurch to fascism is real and frightening, not only in Ekiti but nationally, notwithstanding the governor’s protestations to the contrary or his sanctimonious embrace of spiritual change and rebirth. Sadly, what is true of Ekiti is also true of the Goodluck Jonathan government, where propaganda is indistinguishable from fascism, and where tyranny is used interchangeably with liberalism.

    Having tasted blood before the June governorship election by deploying misinformation and disinformation to hoodwink the electorate, Mr Fayose has found the value of misleading the electorate to achieve predetermined political objectives quite entrancing. Thus hundreds of thousands of text messages were disseminated to convince Ekiti voters and anyone else straying into the line of fire that the former governor, Kayode Fayemi, had enriched himself and enriched his godfathers. Spurious claims of costly diversion of state resources by Dr Fayemi for personal aggrandizement were told in the text messages. The public believed. After the elections, the same Fayose team also told stories of how hundreds of millions of naira had been budgeted to subvert the inauguration of the governor-elect. On the basis of this unproven stories, Ekiti foot soldiers were whipped into a self-help frenzy to subvert the judicial process and frustrate the natural course of justice.

    Seeing how successful that method was, and recognising tantalisingly that all the new governor needed was to modify a formula that is proving so effective, Mr Fayose has arbitrarily assigned figures to how much his predecessor spent on certain items and projects, proceeded to denounce those figures without proof, and elicited curses and mob action from the people of Ekiti. They have uncritically swallowed Mr Fayose’s accounts, and are bewitched by his words and populist inclinations. Reminiscent of Nazi era propaganda, and like every fascist government throughout history, Governor Fayose’s men have also purveyed stories of the opposition’s plot to impeach the new governor, for which, according to them, hundreds of millions of naira had been set aside by opposition leaders. There are already demonstrations by hundreds of Ekiti people denouncing the said plot. There will be more such stories coming out of Ekiti in the following weeks and months, all designed to malign reputations, instigate the people into unlawful acts and achieve predetermined goals.

    This lurch to fascism is not limited to Ekiti as a state, nor to Mr Fayose as a person. In fact he seems to have been inspired by the Jonathan presidency, which is replicating the same fascistic style in many parts of the country, especially the Southwest. It was this style that made the Jonathan presidency embrace the Iyiola Omisore option for Osun. And it is this same style that is inspiring the return of Adebayo Alao-Akala in Oyo State, the Gbenga Daniel/Buruji Kashamu confederacy in Ogun State, and the Musiliu Obanikoro option in Lagos State. It was this sinister and cynical approach in the first instance that inspired the president into introducing Jelili Adesiyan and Mr Obanikoro into his cabinet. As events showed soon after, it was clear they were not brought into the Jonathan cabinet because they had anything to offer, seeing how roguishly they behaved during the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls. They were hired for a decidedly malevolent purpose, and they have not disappointed.

    The opposition cannot set the tone for the ennoblement of Nigerian politics; it is first and foremost the responsibility of the government. The opposition can only respond dignifiedly to the fluctuating mood and temper of the Jonathan presidency; but so far, they have not responded adequately enough to overcome the ruling party’s subterfuge. Indeed, given the temper of the Jonathan government, it is apparent neither the president nor his men understand which direction to head, or that as things stand decadently, they appreciate what must be done to bring about healing and progress. I do not malign them. Not only have they fumed and sulked against the independence of the House of Representatives under Hon Aminu Tambuwal, seeking to rein him in and castrate the lower chamber like they did to the Senate, they have also renewed their plot to replace the Speaker with the grovelling Hon Mulikat Adeola-Akande. They have found it difficult to understand that the health of Nigerian democracy is contingent upon the independence of the legislature and judiciary, and the principle of virile checks and balances without which democracy will be doomed.

    But perhaps the most damaging propaganda embarked upon by the Jonathan government is turning the table effortlessly against the opposition on the Boko Haram controversy. The terror group and its violent acts predate both the Jonathan government and that of his predecessor, former president Umaru Yar’Adua. But by some incredible feats of propaganda, the Jonathan government has made it seem like the insurgency was inspired by the North and executed by the APC, both as a religious and ethnic plot to make the country ungovernable for Dr Jonathan, and to indicate that no one else but a northerner could and should rule. Sadly, the propaganda has caught on, especially in religious circles and among the unthinking elite of the Southeast and Southwest.

    There is very little anyone can say to dissuade the PDP from intensifying its destructive propaganda, regardless of the cost to the county. It brings them much gain, and they will kick viciously should anyone try to smother their efforts and style. What stands in the way of the dangerous lurch to fascism and state failure is the opposition’s ability to counter the ruling party’s bitter and unconscionable propaganda. But if the spineless acquiescence of Ekiti to Mr Fayose’s trickeries is a judge, the opposition will have to look for other ingenious stratagems to demolish the PDP’s architecture of misinformation and disinformation, and to demolish the bastions of fascism they have begun to erect with shocking lack of concern for the peace and health of Nigeria.

  • Guber race: PDP in turmoil as consensus collapses in states

    Guber race: PDP in turmoil as consensus collapses in states

    • Guber aspirants’ number rises to 170
    • Wike, Maku, Wogu, Ishaku, Ortom face tough opponents

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in a fix following the failure of the consensus option proposed for many states.

    As at the last count, a check at the National Secretariat of the party showed that over 170 aspirants have collected the party’s governorship nomination form in at least 20 states.

    Out of the 36 states, there will be no governorship primaries in Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Anambra, and Kogi states.

    It could not be immediately ascertained if the earlier nomination forms obtained by 13 aspirants in Adamawa State would still subsist or not.

    But the governorship nomination crisis is worse in the South-South, South-East and South-West with high number of aspirants.

    Out of the seven ministers that resigned last week, five of them are facing serious battles ahead.

    The affected former ministers who are aspirants are Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Health); Dairus Ishaku (Minister of State for Niger Delta), Emeka Wogu (Labour and Productivity), Nyesom Wike (Minister of State for Education); Musiliu Obanikoro (Minister of State for Defence), Labaran Maku (Information), Samuel Ortom (Trade and Industry).

    While Wike is facing 16 opponents in Rivers State, Wogu has to contend with seven in Abia; Maku faces opposition from Sen. Solomon Ewuga and Deputy Governor Dameshi Luka; and Ortom will slug it out with five others in Benue.

    In Taraba, the battle line is drawn between Ishaku and the Acting Governor, Garba Umar and a former Director of Finance in the National Assembly.

    The breakdown of the list of aspirants so far include Akwa Ibom (18); Rivers (17); Imo (16); Delta (14); Oyo (12); Adamawa (13); Kebbi (10); Niger (8); and Enugu (4).

    Others are Abia (7); Zamfara (5); Kwara(6); Benue (6); Katsina(6); Oyo(12); Ogun (9); Bauchi (3); Yobe (3); Taraba (3); Plateau ( 7);  Nasarawa (3) and Sokoto (2).

    Findings confirmed that the increasing number of aspirants is worrying the party leadership.

    It was learnt that the challenges surrounding governorship nomination in some states made the President of the Senate, Chief David Mark to intervene in Oyo State when he hosted the aspirants to a meeting in Abuja.

    It was also gathered that the same development forced the National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Muazu and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan to make separate shuttles to Rivers State to calm down frayed nerves.

    A highly-placed source in the party, who spoke in confidence, said: “So far, we have over 170 aspirants seeking the governorship tickets of our party in about 20 states. The number is likely to increase in the next one week because we are expecting returns from about 11 states.

    “This turn out of aspirants might look healthy for our democracy but it also shows that we have a major crisis at hand. It is getting difficult for PDP to build consensus in many states.

    “The crisis at hand is compounded by the determination of most of the outgoing governors to impose their successors.

    “Some ministers, who resigned last week, have also added to the challenges facing the party because they have presented themselves as “anointed” candidates of the presidency.”

    A member of the NWC said: “The fact that these aspirants do not mind paying so much for nomination form indicated that we might be faced with problems in some states. Many of the aspirants are desperate.

    “The party is certainly concerned because the nomination process is virtually turning into a war in some states. But the National Leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan, members of the Board of Trustees and the NWC will find solutions to the nomination challenges.

    “We are hopeful that things will take shape and we will be able to iron out our differences.”

    The president had on Sunday told PDP governors that there was nothing bad in having interest in their successors but they should put the party’s interest and survival above personal aggrandizement.

    The president told the governors that since most of them are completing their two terms in office, he will be the one to work with their successors.

    Jonathan said: “I cannot take chances, the PDP cannot take chances, we are interested in those who will be governors in 2015. You should not field unpopular candidates or else the party will lose.”

    The president said if he and the PDP were circumspect in 2011, the ruling party would not have experienced the defection of five governors to the opposition party.

     

    THE ASPIRANTS SO FAR

     

    Adamawa———————–13

    Akwa Ibom ——————–18

    Rivers —————————-17

    Imo——————————–16

    Delta——————————-14

    Kebbi—————————–10

    Niger——————————-8

    Enugu——————————4

    Abia——————————–7

    Zamfara—————————5

    Kwara——————————6

    Benue——————————-6

    Katsina—————————–6

    Oyo——————————-12

    Ogun——————————-9

    Bauchi——————————3

    Yobe——————————–3

    Taraba——————————3

    Plateau—————————–7

    Sokoto—————————–2

    Nasarawa————————-3

  • PDP kicks as Amaechi marks 2007 Supreme Court ruling

    PDP kicks as Amaechi marks 2007 Supreme Court ruling

    Former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd); ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the Governor of Kano State, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, all presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will today storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State for Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s 7th anniversary of his Supreme Court victory.

    Also to honour Amaechi, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), are two other presidential aspirants of the APC, Rochas Okorocha, the Governor of Imo State and Sam Nda-Isaiah.

    Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, will lead nine other APC governors to the mega rally, among other eminent personalities.

    The elaborate event, scheduled to commence at 7 am and transmitted live on many television stations, will hold at the newly-built 65,000 capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali near the Port Harcourt International Airport, constructed by the Amaechi administration to boost sports in Nigeria.

    The committee put in place to oversee the mega rally has the state’s Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, an engineer, as Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, with the state’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chuma Chinye, as Secretary, while the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, is the Chairman of the Publicity Sub-Committee.

    Genesis of anniversary

    The Supreme Court, in its landmark judgment of October 25, 2007, had sacked Sir Celestine Omehia and pronounced Amaechi the duly elected governor of the state. He was inaugurated the following day at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    Amaechi and Omehia, both Ikwerre, hail from Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

    Semenitari, while speaking on Rhythm FM Port Harcourt’s Funky Four Plus One, said the rally would also be used by the governor to render account of his stewardship to the people of the state who renewed his mandate during the 2011 elections.

    She noted that the NGF chairman and the leaders of the APC did not believe in renting crowds like some unnamed chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, stressing that the massive supporters of Amaechi volunteered to be at the stadium, without being induced, to honour a performing governor.

    Rivers information commissioner said: “Governor Amaechi’s problem is that he is very frank, straightforward, calls a spade a spade and does not speak from both sides of his mouth.

    “Governor Amaechi’s critics know that if he says something, he will stand by it.

    “Governor Amaechi has conscience. They promised him a lot of things to abandon the fight on the ceding of Rivers oil wells to neighbouring states, but he refused. Another governor would have sold out and abandoned his people, for his personal interest and benefits, not Governor Amaechi, who will always stand by his people and will never negotiate the future of Rivers State for his pocket.

    “Governor Amaechi felt it was not proper to keep quiet, when Rivers State’s oil wells were being ceded by the Federal Government to Bayelsa and Abia states, with revenues accruing to Rivers State now dwindling, thereby making Rivers people to suffer untold hardship and delivering ongoing projects being affected.”

    Further speaking on the mega rally, Semenitari stated that today is a landmark day because seven years ago, Amaechi was appropriately and duly acknowledged as the winner of the 2007 governorship election in the state.

    She noted that the day is significant in the sense that it would be the last time the NGF chairman would be celebrating October 25 as governor of Rivers State, reiterating that next October 25, he would no longer be governor and that he would make a mega statement at the mega rally.

    She said the new stadium has 40,000 sitting capacity but could take up to 80,000 people, with many people from the 23 LGAs of the state complaining that the number of persons officially told to come was small and many people volunteering to come by themselves.

    She stressed that all the entrances to the stadium would be left open to prevent any incident, with a strong team of medical personnel to be led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, while crowd and traffic control would be efficiently handled by the appropriate agencies, with a strong security team to be in place.

    Semenitari added: “Rt. Hon. Amaechi has three graces. He became the governor of Rivers State by the grace of God, the grace and the will of Rivers people, and by the grace and permission of the Supreme Court.

    “Governor Amaechi will address Rivers people at the stadium. For the first time, he will publicly speak to the crowd on why he took certain political decisions and he will take feedbacks from the people. Since democracy is about participation. It is time for true Rivers people to speak.

    “Once has God spoken, twice we have heard that power belongs to God. We know that there is a God who rules the affairs of men. Governor Amaechi and the peace-loving people of Rivers State will continue to put their trust only in God.”

    She assured that Amaechi would finish strong and complete almost all the ongoing capital-intensive and people-oriented projects, with the people to continue to be adequately empowered.

    The Chief Press Secretary to Amaechi, David Iyofor, also yesterday, in an online statement, quoted the Rivers governor as stating that despite poor funding to states by the Federal Government, the NGF chairman was determined to complete most of the projects started by his administration.

    Amaechi, according to Iyofor, expressed confidence that the reserve fund in the state coffers amounting to N19 billion, which was approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly, would be used judiciously, especially to complete ongoing projects before the end of his tenure.

    Governor vows to complete ongoing projects

    Speaking during an inspection tour of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium ahead of the APC’s mega rally in Port Harcourt today, Amaechi said: “We will shame those people who think we cannot complete our projects. We promised to work on Oyigbo Road, complete Elioparanwo Road and also work on Rumuagholu Road and several others.

    “We will also furnish our primary schools and carry out renovation of our secondary schools. But we are starved of funds by the Federal Government. So, how do we complete our projects? That is why I said we will work until May 29, 2015, before leaving office.

    “While saving N1 billion monthly, I knew that there could be a time when the economy of the country or state will be challenging. So, I started saving the money in our reserve fund. But the problem of money is not only in Rivers State. The Lagos State Governor has complained bitterly, including other APC governors. The approval of the N19 billion by the Rivers State House of Assembly from the reserve fund will help us to complete our projects.”

    Worried by alleged high level of stealing in Jonathan’s administration, the NGF chairman also stated that the Federal Government had derailed from its vision of creating wealth for the Nigerian people, to sabotage the economy of the nation and deliberately impose unnecessary suffering on innocent Nigerians.

    Amaechi said: “Stealing is increasing by the day, but President Jonathan said there is no corruption in the country. Corruption in Nigeria is uncontrollable. People are stealing our money every day and the police are helpless because they are part of the system.

    “The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said Nigeria is not broke. If she is saying that there is money in the country, let her pay us our debts and our money.

    “She said the shortfall in revenue does not mean that Nigeria is broke. When Commissioners of Finance converged on Enugu, almost everybody left without money. How then can we define being broke?”

    PDP kicks

    Reacting to the planned mega rally in a statement yesterday, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State condemned alleged plan to shut down markets and shops in Port Harcourt for the sake of the rally.

     The statement signed by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser on Media to the State Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, said it was insensitive and smacked of lack of concern for the welfare of the people “by coercing them to remain indoors simply because an uncaring governor wants to celebrate a controversial court victory that took place seven years ago, which has caused the people more pains and backwardness.”

    The party said it was shocked that a governor who wants the people to continue to support him in his future political career could not be moved by the conditions of public servants in the state who were being owed months of salary arrears and allowances yet Gov Amaechi is excited to organize such a jamboree with the State resources.

    “It’s also surprising to the PDP that Amaechi who had wasted huge resources of the state in legal battles in defence of his faulted participation in the April 26, 2011 governorship election, claiming that his first tenure actually terminated on May 28, 2011, is still laying claim to October 25, when the controversial Supreme Court ruling was given as the date he took over the reins of office and power in the state.

    “This is nothing but self deceit, a feature of a warped mind,” the statement added.

      However, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, described as a blatant lie and a campaign of calumny, the Rivers PDP’s allegation that Governor Rotimi Amaechi ordered the closure of markets and shops in Port Harcourt today to celebrate the 7th anniversary of his Supreme Court victory.

    Okocha, who is the Chairman of the Mobilisation Committee of the anniversary and doubles as Amaechi’s Political Adviser, also stated that the decision of many Rivers people to attend the event was voluntary, in view of the governor’s impressive performance, adding that nobody was hired.

    Okocha said the celebration was neither a jamboree nor a waste of Rivers government’s funds, describing Rivers PDP leaders as confused and visionless and that Rivers remains an APC state.

  • Borno deputy governor, lawmakers, others refuse to join PDP

    Borno deputy governor, lawmakers, others refuse to join PDP

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders were yesterday shocked by the refusal of a majority of House of Representatives’ members from Borno State and lawmakers in the Borno House of Assembly to defect to the party with ex-Governor Ali Modu Sheriff.

    The mood in the PDP was low, following the lawmakers’ insistence to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Sheriff promised to defect to the PDP with the “soul” of Borno APC, but that was not the case yesterday.

    The development suggests that the APC and Governor Kashim Shettima may be enjoying large support in the state.

    Only three of the eight House of Representatives’ members from Bornu defected from the APC to PDP.

    They are Isa Kangar (Guzamala/ Nganzai/ Mobbar Federal Constituency); Peter Biye (Gwoza/ Chibok/ Damboa Federal Constituency) and Abdulrahman Terab (Bama Federal Constituency).

    It was learnt that of the 28 House of Assembly members, only Idrissa Jidda (Ngala State Constituency) indicated interest to join the PDP.

    Deputy Governor Zannah Mustapha, five House of Representatives members, two of the three senators from the state, 27 House of Assembly members and the 27 local government chairmen refused to leave APC.

    A source said: “The mood was sombre on Wednesday at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja because the PDP leaders were expecting massive defections from the APC to the ruling party. Those expected to defect with Sheriff were Deputy Governor Mustapha; National Assembly members, except Senator Mohammed Ndume, who has been at loggerheads with him; Assembly members; serving and past chairmen of the 27 local governments, state and council executives of the APC and 312 ward executives. These people have not joined us.

    “Definitely, with what we saw, Sheriff and other defectors have to do more homework to win Borno for PDP in 2015. We had higher expectations than we recorded. This was why the PDP National Chairman, Alhahi Adamu Mu’azu, categorically declared that waiver for defectors seeking elective offices are not automatic.

    “Mu’azu also said each defector has to apply for waiver and the party will treat every application on its merit and not as a group. This is the rule of the PDP and we have to abide by it.”

    Another party source added: “It was obvious to all of us that we need to move faster to gain more mileage in Borno State. The coming of Sheriff and others is just the beginning of a long journey to win the state for the PDP. We are hopeful that things will work out for the PDP because not everyone can defect at the same time.”

    When asked why those scheduled to defect with Sheriff did not do so, a top aide to the ex-governor simply said: “What type of question is this? How do I know that?”

  • PDP supporters clash in Kogi

    PDP supporters clash in Kogi

    Loyalists of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants in Kogi State yesterday turned the Lokoja party secretariat into a war zone.

    It was learnt that “disenchanted” supporters of a former House of Assembly member, Danladi Bababudo, attacked supporters of an aspirant, Idris Idako, who was allegedly anointed by Bababudo.

    Idako was at the party secretariat to collect the nomination form to vie for the Lokoja II House of Assembly seat.

    Both parties threw stones at one other and vandalised vehicles parked on the road, including a Mercedes Benz 190 belonging to Mr. Sunday Adebija of Prime FM, Lokoja, and a Toyota KIA belonging to the Publisher of Kogiwatch, Mr. Amuda Suleiman.

    While they were on the rampage, Senator Smart Adeyemi’s agents picked a nomination form on his behalf for the Kogi West senatorial seat.

    It took the intervention of the police to restore normalcy to the area.

    A patrol vehicle and some policemen were stationed at the party secretariat.

  • PDP warned over Southeast aspirants

    PDP warned over Southeast aspirants

    The Southeast Revival Group (SERG) warned yesterday the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the zone to desist from fostering anti democratic tendencies, which can be contagious to other parties and jeopardise the genuine wishes of the people.

    It said its warning was in response to media reports that aspirants perceived to have supported the House of Representatives Speaker, Waziri Tambuwal, were under watch and would be stopped at all costs from becoming candidates in the general elections.

    A statement by the National Coordinator of SERG, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said the party would be applying double standards if it okayed consensus candidacy at the national level and opposed it at state level, even when this is what the indigenes want.

    The statement said: “We find it worrisome that only Southeast aspirants are being singled out on the basis that they were reported to have supported the emergence of Tambuwal as the Speaker. “

     

     

     

    The newspaper report mentioned Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha as those who would be stopped. Where then is democracy when people are being hounded for acting in what they perceived as being in the best interest of their constituents?”

    SERG said: “In the case of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, we understand that almost all other aspirants present at the meeting where he was endorsed voluntarily stepped down for him and subsequently endorsed him as the consensus candidate. These aspirants could not have acted contrary to the wishes of their support base, which is a valid component of democracy.

    “We will not allow this to be dismissed as the internal affairs of a party because past experiences have shown that it is a matter of time before the contagion spreads to other parties with the implication that the elections will lose credibility and acceptability even before they are held. One must therefore act now that there is still time to stop any attempt at stifling those wishing to contest the elections.”

    The group advised President Goodluck Jonathan as the leader of his party to review the activities of those who claim to be working for him, as they may subvert his interests for their selfish whims and can eventually trigger crises for the nation.

     

  • PDP crisis over, say Kashamu, Daniel

    PDP crisis over, say Kashamu, Daniel

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has said the crippling division that had bugged it in the last five years is over.

    It said the party was united and formidable enough to contest next year’s election.

    The party leaders – Bayo Dayo, Senator Jubril Martins – Kuye, Prince Buruji Kashamu and others- said this yesterday at a mega rally to welcome former Governor Gbenga Daniel and his followers back to the party.

    Kashamu, who chairs the Organising and Mobilisation Committee in the Southwest, said PDP was large enough to accommodate the returnees.

    He said: “I urged members to stay united for 2015. I assure you all that the umbrella is big enough to accommodate all of us. We shall ensure fairness, justice and sincerity in all our dealings. I expect same from all stakeholders. The party belongs to us all.

    “For me, today’s event marks another milestone in our party’s history. The PDP is waxing stronger by the day. The people are waiting for the PDP.

    “We can no longer afford to wait and waste our time fighting. Let us come together and solidify this union.

    “A house divided against itself cannot stand. United we stand; divided we fall.

    “Let the message go from here and now that Ogun PDP is back, there is no stopping us.”

    “At the rally were former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Ms. Lola Abiola – Edewor former Deputy Governor Salmot Badru.

     

  • Enugu East people buy form for Chime’s ex-aide

    Enugu East people buy form for Chime’s ex-aide

    Enugu East people stormed yesterday the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to buy senatorial nomination form for the former Chief of Staff, Enugu Government House, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo.

    Led by Deputy Governor Rev. Ifeanyi Nwonye and the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, Mr. Cornelius Nnaji, the people assembled at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, from where they trekked five kilometres to the party house.

    They formed a carnival train with five long open trailers, carrying dancing troupes and orchestras.

    There was traffic jam on three of the major roads in the Enugu metropolis -Ogui Road, Okpara Avenue and Abakaliki Road, as Nwobodo’s supporters danced and sang in her praise.

    Traders joined the supporters in carrying the woman’s posters.