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  • ‘PDP can’t match APC in Kano’

    ‘PDP can’t match APC in Kano’

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, represents Kiru/Bebeji Constituency, Kano State. He spoke with Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi on chance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s elections and issues that will shape the polls .

    What is the chance of the APC in next year’s elections?

    The party was initially weak before the five governors moved in. They did their best to move the party forward. But, it was when 37 federal lawmakers switched loyalty to the APC that it became obvious that the party has moved up. Historically, when an opposition and an incumbent government are going shoulder-to-shoulder, the opposition always win that election. Several polls have been conducted, indicating that the APC has more support base. Nigerians are no longer behind the PDP. They want change. The reality is that, although we keep encouraging the APC to close ranks and resolve internal crises, there are bigger fundamental crises in the PDP.

    It is a blunder to adopt a man who has not said that he would contest.The PDP states are in crises. There is internal wrangling. I can assure you, most of those internal crises cannot be resolved. That is why we want the APC to position itself, move into the PDP territory and take advantage of some of these crises. They are obvious crises. The PDP is deceiving itself. It is a sinking ship and the APC will emerge victorious in the next election.

    Chief Tom Ikimi has left your party. Also, some have predicted that the APC will have crisis at its presidential primaries…

    I think people should be fair. The party is very strong. It has lost individuals. For instance, if it were Edo State that pulled out of the APC, then, you should be worried. So, if one person from Edo State, who has followers leave, it may be worrisome.

    How should the party conduct its presidential primaries?

    We need to be honest with ourselves and that has been the challenge confronting the North  over the years.  I like Gen Buhari. I respect him so much. If you go to Kano today, if you see all my bill boards, all my posters, Buhari is there. I won my election without knowing Buhari. I am putting him on my bill board. When I won my election, I didn’t know him.I have never met him. Buhari is akim to integrity. Buhari has a kind of messiahic image. But, the truth of the matter is that we want this integrity of Buhari to be protected. In 2011, Gen. Buhari came out and announced to the country that he will not contest in any future election, specifically presidential election.

    To be very honest, he has a lot of junior brothers-Sam Nda Isaiah, Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Adams Oshiomole, Tambuwal and, of course, Kwankwanso. So he has a lot of them; even Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti. These are young people who are all his junior brothers and very competent Nigerians that can take up that responsibility. So I think what Buhari supporters should be doing now is to try to get Buhari to support one of these younger brothers.

    You are indirectly campaigning for your governor…

    Everything I have said is not a campaign for my governor. All the candidates have the national spread. Are you saying Oshiomole, Tambuwal or Fashola do not have the national spread? If you take the governor of Kano State, Kwakwaso, he was in the civil service for 17 years. He is a former member of the House of Representatives,  former Deputy Speaker, Minister of Defence, twice governor of Kano. So, all of them have national spread and acceptability to be supported to achieve their ambition.

     Is Tambuwal a member of the APC?

    Well, it is a wish. My own personal wish that he should come to the APC. He is not a member of the APC, but we have always wanted him to come to the APC. The PDP is still going round to lure the governors back to the PDP.  My inclusion of Tambuwal is in good faith I am trying to send a clear message that the APC is interested in him. It is not a hidden thing. If the PDP wants to keep him, they should step up their game. But, I can assure you that we will do all we can to take in Tambuwal.

    Atiku Abubakar has declared his presidential ambition. What is your view?

    Of course, Atiku is a member of the APC and he has the right to contest. Atiku never said he was not going to contest again.

    The PDP is campaigning in disguise while the APC is just criticising the style of the ruling party…

    I don’t think we will encourage illegality. What the APC always stands for is the rule of law and I want them to play by the rules. We are not going to resort to an illegal method. I think the PDP should listen to the voice of wisdom and stop the illegality.  In all places where they did the TAN rallies, when they leave, the APC comes in and sweeps away everything. So the APC is rooted in the grassroots. We are planning and doing our homework. We are confident. We will play by the electoral laws. By the time we start the campaigns, you will see the fire works of the APC.

    The PDP is determined to influence the House to declare vacant the seats of 37 PDP lawmakers, who defected to the APC. Are you all not worried?

    We took a decision that we felt was  in the interest of the country and I think the journey has been good. We feel more at home now in the APC . The problems and the challenges in the PDP are still there, although the new chairman has tried to close some gaps. I think the only challenge that we have and we are still trying to manage is the challenge of proper integration. When we wanted to leave the PDP, the leaders of the opposition party followed us from house to house, room to room to talk to us, plead with us to come into their fold. I want to state very clearly that we shouldn’t be taken for granted. For instance, if you look at our APC delegation from Kano or the population of Kano, even if you are going through the delegate system,  ww have the population in Kano; I mean those of us who are followers of Kwankwaso. Let me tell you, the PDP is very smart. The PDP has not stopped going after the governors and members to try to get them back into the PDP and it tells you how smart they are. On daily basis, they are still making gestures to the five governors. So, it would be very dangerous for any body to take us for granted in the APC. Although in the APC, nobody has promised us ticket, we are not threatened. We are warming up for primaries. But, you can see the threats coming out from the PDP as they intimidate their members, pushing them from one corner to another. But, we thank God for where we are. Everybody is pleased and at peace with one another.

    I know that the Speaker came under tremendous pressure from above to get our seats declared vacant. The PDP was factionalised. That was why we left the party. There is a court judgment  now from  Kwara.

  • PDP ‘won’t appeal’ judgment on Adamawa

    PDP ‘won’t appeal’ judgment on Adamawa

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said the party would not appeal Wednesday’s judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that sacked the erstwhile Acting Governor of the state, Umar Fintiri and installed the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Bala Igilari as governor.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated this while reacting to the verdict of the court.

    According to him, the PDP was not joined in the court case and so there is no basis for the party to appeal the judgment.

    Metuh said: “The party has looked at the judgment on Adamawa and we resolved as follows:

    “The PDP is a law-abiding party and we have therefore advised our members to obey accordingly. As is being done in every legal matter, there is right of appeal.

    “But in the meantime the PDP has enjoined our party members to obey the decision of the court.

    “Secondly, the paramount thing for us is peace in Adamawa. And we enjoin the Executive Governor of Adamawa State that was sworn in today to pursue peace and progress of Adamawa State.

    “The state has had its own fair share of political turmoil, the state has had its own fair share of challenges. We believe that the citizens of the state deserve peace and unity.

    “We urge our state chairman to ensure that PDP remains united as one body in Adamawa. And as a PDP member we can only say to the former Deputy Governor to continue to pursue the party’s programmes for the benefit of the people.”

     

     

  • PDP governorship aspirant promises to transform Lagos

    PDP governorship aspirant promises to transform Lagos

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Mr. Akintoye Branco-Rhodes, has promised to serve Lagosians diligently, if elected as the governor.

    The aspirant, who spoke in Alimosho, during the novelty march organized in his honour by youths, said that the time had come for Lagosians  vote for change.

    He promised to fight the infrastructure battle and rekindle the confidence of the people in governance through people-oriented programmes.

    Branco-Rhodes is not intimidated by the big names in the race.  The more the merrier, he said.

    He added: “Politics is all about merit. We are not afraid of competition. We’re going to the primaries and we believe the people will choose the candidate of their choice. It’s about the people. We are hoping that they will choose someone who understands the issues.”

    Branco-Rhodes, an energy expert, reflected on his pro-democracy activities in the last two decades, stressing that he understands the problems of Lagos.

    He promised use his experience for the transformation of the state, especially in the area of power supply. This, he said, would assist in creating employment opportunities for youths.

    The Deputy Chairman of the PDP in Alimosho, Hon. Abu Ojeikere, commended Branco-Rhodes for visiting the area to assess the situation on ground. He said other aspirants are only targeting votes from the local government.

    Ojeikere said, in spite of huge population of Alimoso, which he described as the biggest local government in the country, the area lacks many social amenities.

    He said: “They are only interested in our votes. You can see how dilapidated our roads are. Apart from roads, there are no street lights. If you build a house here, you provide everything for yourself.”

     

  • 200 aspirants collect PDP nomination forms in Kwara

    200 aspirants collect PDP nomination forms in Kwara

    Over 200 aspirants have collected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) nomination forms for 35 seats in Kwara State.

    Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, at a Sallah feast, a governorship aspirant, Mr Mohammed Belgore (SAN), said the number of aspirants showed that everyone had a say in the party.

    The event was attended by former Deputy Governor Pa Joel Ogundeji, PDP State Chairman Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, the party’s state executives, community leaders and youths, mostly from Kwara Central.

    Although Belgore stopped short of formally declaring his governorship ambition, he urged prospective party delegates to consider the most popular aspirant.

    He said: “Everyone has a say in the PDP, unlike in the All Progressives Party (APC). That we have many aspirants in the PDP is a sign of liberty; it is sign that we have democracy. When did you ever have so many aspirants? Over 200 people have collected nomination forms for just 35 seats. That is historic! It was never so before.”

    “Primaries are ahead of us and I urge party delegates to consider two key things: Who among these aspirants has ever confronted these guys without retreating? Who has never been with them before? Only one person will get the ticket. What is the point of getting the ticket when you can’t win?

    “Ask them, who can win the majority votes among them? This is not about just getting the ticket; it is about winning majority votes. So who can truly win? Who do the majority of Kwarans want? Who has been the major subject of APC attack? APC has always attacked me. I have been their main target and this says something.”

    Belgore, whose speech was preceded by good will messages from his supporters, said the time was ripe to “end years of underdevelopment in Kwara”.

     

  • ‘How Ogun PDP can be strong again’

    ‘How Ogun PDP can be strong again’

    The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Adewale Oladipo, has said the key to the party’s greatness in Ogun State is in the hands of former Governor Gbenga Daniel and the Chairman, Mobilisation and Organisation Committee in the Southwest, Prince Buruji Kashamu.

    He said the party could not afford to record defeat in the coming elections, as experienced in 2011, adding that the working relationship of the duo would ensure the party’s victory.

    Oladipo spoke against the backdrop of Daniel’s surprise visit to the Goodluck Jonathan Political Centre, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State venue of the Eid-el-Kabir party hosted by Kashamu.

    The event was witnessed by the Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, the National Auditor of the PDP, Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju, former governors of Ogun and Oyo states Chief Gbenga Daniel and Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senator Teslim Folarin, ex-deputy governor of Ekiti State Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, Dr.  Abisola Sodipo-Clark,  Abiodun Akinlade, Prince Segun Adewale and former deputy governor of Ogun State Alhaja Salimot Badru.

    Members of the party’s executives under the leadership of Bayo Dayo were also represented.

    Oladipo said: “I’m sure with the coming together of Buruji and Daniel, they have demonstrated their friendship. They will consummate it soon by the special grace of God. The National Working Committee (NWC) is encouraging them to do that.

    “We will ensure they come together, work together so that our presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is re-elected, while the PDP will take over the mantle of leadership in Ogun State by the grace of God next year.”

    The PDP national secretary said Daniel and Buruji have many followers, who must be brought together under one canopy.

    He described them as the two strongest forces as far as Ogun State politics is concerned.

    Said Oladipo: “In Ogun State, some of us familiar with the terrain know that Kashamu is a formidable political activist and an astute politician. He commands a very strong political structure in the PDP.

    “Also, you know that Daniel, a member of the Labour Party, has many supporters. These are the two strongest forces in Ogun State.

    “There may be other minor players, we will accommodate them, but the greatest task before us is to bring Buruji and Daniel together. This has been accomplished.

    “You know birds of a feather flock together. That was why you saw Daniel here with his associates. We in the PDP have worked very hard in bringing the Daniel structure and the Buruji structure together.”

    Kashamu described Daniel’s visit as “significant and a good omen” for the party.

    He said: “Although it was a private visit, it is perhaps a confirmation of my prediction penultimate Sunday that Daniel has no choice but to return to the PDP. As I said on that occasion, most of his foot soldiers had returned to the PDP. It is just a matter of time before Daniel and a few others, who are still outside, will join us.

    “It is a good omen that a party that is not in government at the state level is growing in leaps and bounds everyday. It can only get better in the days, weeks and months ahead.”

     

     

     

  • ‘Ishaku must wake up’

    ‘Ishaku must wake up’

    Southern Taraba’s consensus candidate and Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Ishaku, “must wake up and do more” to clinch the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) governorship ticket, Colonel Agbu Kefas (rtd) said yesterday.

    Kefas, who chairs the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), spoke in Wukari and Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, while canvassing support for the minister.

    The names of Ishaku, Kefas and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha were submitted to former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma by Southern Taraba stakeholders as the most credible governorship aspirants from the zone. They asked Danjuma to endorse a consensus candidate for the zone.

    But Danjuma’s nominee, Ishaku, an architect, is opposed by some people, who described him as “an Abuja politician”, who is not popular at home.

    Kefas told his supporters that he had stepped down for Ishaku, adding that the minister would “wake up” and do more to endear himself to the people.

    He said the northern and central zones had ruled for 18 years and it was the turn of the southern zone to produce the governor for the first time.

    Kefas said: “It is not a tribal or local government agenda. It’s all about power shift to Taraba South. Ishaku would have done same if I was endorsed because that was what aspirants from the zone agreed on.

    “Don’t allow anybody to mislead you. I am not better than him just as he is not better than me; we are all qualified for the contest but it’s a matter of choice because the seat is for one person.

    “If you say Ishaku is not popular, use your popularity and colour him to be popular. He too must wake up and do more to be endeared to the people. He may be the best governor because power comes from God and governance is a collective project; it is not about one person. We are all involved. Let us work towards progress and make Taraba develop.”

     

     

     

    “Feel free, maintain peace, let’s work together as a cohesive people. Don’t stay away to condemn and conclude that he is not a good candidate. You can write and tell him you want to see him; tell him what he should do to succeed.”

     

     

  • ‘PDP primaries will be open’

    ‘PDP primaries will be open’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has said its primaries will be open to all qualified aspirants and ethnic groups.

    It said it will field only tested, trusted and capable candidates who can match any opponent from any party.

    The Chairman, Felix Obuah, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Jerry Needam, said he was not intimidated by criticisms, as the party’s decision was resolute.

    Obuah said no system could be more democratic than giving all ethnic groups the opportunity to field their best candidates.

    “May I also use this opportunity to enjoin faithful party members not to be deceived by our opponents’ antics and remain steadfast to party policies and resolutions.”

  • Ondo PDP rejects Mimiko-NWC deal

    Ondo PDP rejects Mimiko-NWC deal

    •‘Governor’s defection is a blessing for APC’ 

    ONDO State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the manner the defection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko was handled by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    It noted that the process was executed without respect for the state Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi and members of the State Working Committee (SWC).

    The party’s Publicity Director, Ayo Fadaka, in a statement yesterday, said the action was calculated to treat the members of the party as inconsequential.

    “We therefore declare that this is grossly unfair and so reject outright, all negotiations purportedly entered on our behalf without our direct input and blessings.

    “We state in the most unequivocal manner that we repose absolute confidence in the executives of the party at every level in the state and will take serious exceptions to any action taken directly or indirectly to harm or dismantle them,” the statement reads.

    It added: “We welcome Mimiko and his followers to the party in their individual capacities. We also respect the Constitution of the PDP, particularly the recognition that it confers on any governor who is a member.

    “However, we remain mindful of the fact that he is joining as a governor. We say this because PDP is a big party with established structures that must not be treated anyhow.

    “We also understand that Governor Mimiko’s publicly stated goal of defecting into our party is to enable him contribute effectively to the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan. We must say this is appreciable, but as citizens of Ondo State, we do know that Governor Mimiko carries a lot of baggage and liabilities that precludes him from discharging such responsibility.”

    The party said the governor has descended from the charismatic height he operated from in 2009, when he came into office, to a level of scorn, alleging that his administration has mismanaged the state’s finances and commonwealth.

    “Most disappointing of all is the now emerging trend of the inability of government to pay workers’ salaries as at when due and even owing two months salaries now.

    “This we consider a baggage and liability that will do great harm to the electoral prospects of President Jonathan than any good,” it stated.

    The party also observed that the governor was conscious that his party could no longer win any election.

    “We also want to bring to public domain the fact that before Mimiko’s defection to our party, principal and prominent members of his Labour Party (LP) had already abandoned him and his party and are already members of our party, prominent among them is Senator Boluwaji Kunlere.

    “Therefore, we declare again that our party, the PDP, was already set on a winning course before this desire of Mimiko to cross into our party again.

    “The generality of our members want it place on record that they demand proper respect from the leaders of the party in Abuja and that they equally conduct their research on the viability of people before admitting them to the party,” the statement added.

    But the Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Ajayi Boroffice, said Mimiko’s return to PDP would assist the All Progressives Party (APC) to win more elective posts.

    He spoke at a rally entitled, ‘The Broom Revolution,’ organised by the youth wing of APC as part of efforts to drum up support for the party and welcome over 250 defectors to the party.

    Boroffice said the development was a blessing to APC since the LP had turned into a rudderless ship without direction.

    He added that the crisis in the PDP over leadership shift has started bringing more members into APC.

    The senator noted that the LP would be dissolved, explaining that from what he gathered from sources, the party would soon submit its certificate and flag to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the disappointment it suffered from the governor.

    He said: “The LP in Ondo State has become a rudderless ship that is going on a wide sea without direction. The implication is that the people will have to leave a sinking boat that is LP for the only alternative, which is APC. Therefore, the development is a blessing to APC in the state. Only that right now, majority of people are civil servants, a reason many of them are yet to declare that they have deserted Mimiko’s administration”.

    Boroffice added that in 2015 general elections, the APC will be the political party to beat.

    The senator assured that the partywould win at the the Federal level as well as in 26 states.

     

     

  • Aondoakaa, Orhii, Orya, 23 others back Suswam

    Aondoakaa, Orhii, Orya, 23 others back Suswam

    Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Mike Aondoakaa, National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director-General Paul Orhii and NEXIM Bank Managing Director Robert Orya have endorsed Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam’s senatorial ambition.

    At a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders meeting in Ushongo Local Government Area, Aondoakaa, Orhii, Orya and 23 other prominent sons and daughters of the council backed Suswam for the Benue Northeast senatorial election next year.

    They signed an undertaking to support Suswam in the election in which the incumbent, Senator Barnabas Gemade, has also shown interest.

    They also washed the governor’s legs and dressed him in the Tiv traditional attire to show their support for him.

  • 2015: Two aspirants step down for Health Minister Chukwu

    Two aspirants stepped down yesterday for Health Minister Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for Ebonyi State.

    They are: Prince Sam Agom Eze and Chief Ben Akpa.

    The two aspirants are from Ebonyi South Senatorial District, where the ticket was zoned to.

    They spoke yesterday in Abakaliki, the state capital, when they visited Governor Martin Elechi.

    The decision, they said, followed the adoption of Chukwu by stakeholders of old Abakaliki political bloc on Monday night.

    The old Abakaliki bloc comprises Ebonyi North and Central senatorial districts.

    The stakeholders, after a marathon meeting, unanimously adopted Prof. Chukwu as the consensus candidate.

    The meeting, which lasted several hours at the Governor’s Lodge in Abakaliki, was attended by stakeholders from the area.

    They analysed the political situation and considered succession, transition and power rotation.

    The stakeholders resolved that key political figures from the zone, who were interested in the governorship ticket, should shelve the ambition in the interest of the state.

    Governor Martin Elechi, according to a source at the meeting, reportedly adopted Chukwu, following a search for the best aspirant.

    The governor was said to have urged the minister to prepare for the governorship position in next year’s election as PDP’s consensus candidate.

    Commissioner for Information and State Orientation Dr Chike Onwe said the resolution was taken in good faith for and on behalf of the people of old Abakaliki zone.

    Onwe explained that part of the resolution was that Abakaliki residents should support the power shift in the interest of peace and mutual co-existence among the various sections of the state.

    Chukwu’s adoption, it was also learnt, might have been informed by the fact that he is the least controversial among the aspirants from the zone.

    The minister’s popularity and rising profile following the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was said to have convince the governor that Chukwu would make a good governor.