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Tag: PDP

  • Ogun PDP woos LP members

    Ogun PDP woos LP members

    TheChairman of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief  Bayo Dayo, has urged Labour Party(LP) members to join the PDP.

    Dayo spoke at a rally in Ijebu-Igbo, where he received over 250 defectors from the Accord Party(AP) and the All Progressives Congress(APC).

    He said the APC leader, Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the LP leader, former Governor Gbenga Daniel, cannot lead the state to the promised land.

    Dayo urged the defectors, including the LP Chairman in Ijebu East Local Government, Mr Ganiyu Ishola, to work for the success of the PDP in Ijebu East Senatorial District.

    He said Daniel has been dropping the name of President Goodluck Jonathan, thereby creating the impression that they can be relevant through the back door.

    Dayo described the LP as a sinking ship, urging the members to desert it before it is too late.

    PDP chieftain Dapo Abiodun, who attended the rally, said he was in Ijebu-Igbo to hold consultation the party leader and financier in the Southwest, Prince Buruji Kashamu, stressing he would make the outcome of the consultation known to party supporters soon.

  • ‘APC not a threat to PDP in Rivers’

    ‘APC not a threat to PDP in Rivers’

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Chief Felix Obuah , spoke with BISI OLANIYI in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid, the agitation for power shift, zoning and preparations for next year’s elections. 

    How can crisis be averted in Rivers State in next year’s elections?

    Some people are trying to heat up the polity. The major stakeholders in the game should play by the rules of the game. Rivers used to be a one party state, but Governor Amaechi decided to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), based on his personal reasons.

    During the 2015 elections, there will be opposition in Rivers State, unlike it used to be, but 2015 will come and go. With God on our side, it will not degenerate to what we cannot handle. Although, a lot of problems are associated with pollicking, what matters most is for the stakeholders to play it according to the rules of the game. The security agencies are equal to the task.

    The right leaders will emerge in 2015, because we always believe in the God factor. It is not about how high you are, the money you have or your influence. There is no power that will be, except ordained by God. So, let us not overheat the polity, because of our personal interests. God makes leaders. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan never knew he would be the President of Nigeria. He showed interest in becoming the Governor of Bayelsa State, but he became the Vice-President and later President.

    President Jonathan has surpassed all the records of Nigeria’s past presidents and Heads of State. Imagine Dr. Jonathan, an Ijaw from Bayelsa State, a minority part of the country, now the President of Nigeria. That alone is a confirmation that only God can give power. We should not be killing ourselves or carrying guns, just because we want our brothers, friends or kinsmen to emerge as candidates of the political parties or winners of elections. We should always remember the God factor. God makes leaders.

    The feeling is that President Jonathan has not performed/ Why are you suporting him?

    President Jonathan has performed very well. He is the best so far. I am supporting him wholeheartedly. Not only me, all the members of the Rivers state PDP will wholeheartedly support the re-election of President Jonathan, without dropping a vote.

    Can the PDP beat the APC in next year’s polls?

    The APC is not a threat, any day, any time and can never be. With the defection of Amaechi, how many persons have followed him to the APC, besides the people he is sharing our resources with? The local government caretaker committee chairmen and members; his House of Assembly members and his commissioners moved with him to the APC. Amaechi is almost rounding off his tenure, but no development in all the 23 LGAs of Rivers state.

    I am from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers state, very rich in crude oil and gas, but what has Amaechi done in my LGA? He will always talk about health centres and model primary schools, but forgetting that my LGA produces the resources that sustain Rivers state and Nigeria.

    Amaechi has not done well. He may be claiming to have done well in mono-rail, which is laughable. I used to like Amaechi as a brother and namesake (Amaechi). In his first tenure, when he was in the PDP, he was doing well, but his attention is now on his personal interest. Amaechi is not up to 50 years and I am moving close to 60 years. I am Amaechi’s senior in age, but I still see him as my friend.

    I am ready to welcome Amaechi back to the PDP and there will be a level playing field for everybody. Amaechi will be forgiven, upon his return to the PDP. He must realise his mistakes, plead and come back to the PDP. His reasons for defecting to the APC are uncalled for. He left the PDP that is doing very well, to support the unknown the APC.

    Some of Amaechi’s friends, who left the PDP, have been given waivers and they are back to the PDP. I can also plead on behalf of Amaechi with the leadership of the PDP to also grant him waiver, if he repents and apologises. Amaechi is a young man and he still has hope for tomorrow.

    I have always placed emphasis on peace. I have been inviting Amaechi for peace meeting, as his elder brother, but he is claiming that I have been insulting him with the invitations. What is wrong in inviting my younger brother to a meeting to ensure peace, no matter his position? I am a man of peace.

    Amaechi remains my friend, but the truth must be said. As the governor of Rivers state, I will continue to give Amaechi all the respect, but that does not stop us from telling Amaechi where he is not doing well. Words of elders are words of wisdom. Amaechi should listen to us, as elders. PDP’s candidates will win the Rivers governorship and the presidential elections in 2015.

    Why is the PDP threatening to sanction former Minister of Culture and Tourism Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas for allegedly fraternising with Governor Amaechi over the proposed power shift to the riverrine area?

    Unlike what was the situation in the PDP, when Amaechi and Godspower Ake (ex-Rivers Chairman of the PDP, whom Obuah succeeded) were in charge and were imposing candidates and not allowing the people’s choices to prevail. That is not democracy. This time, the delegates will elect the candidates of the party, without imposition. No matter how highly placed the person is, we will not allow him/her to impose candidates on the party. We should allow the delegates and the electorate to elect their leaders.

    A particular person, because of his closeness to Governor Amaechi, cannot on behalf of the party, meet with the so-called governorship aspirants, without due regard to the party’s hierarchy in the state. After meeting with and fraternising with Amaechi, in the name of stakeholders, he will then come back and call PDP stakeholders to a meeting. We are just trying to caution that if he does not play to the rules of the game, he should not blame the party’s hierarchy for taking drastic actions against him, based on the party’s rules and regulations.

    How can the division in the PDP over zoning be resolved?

    There is no division in the PDP in Rivers State. In the PDP, we have guidelines. The PDP is going to present the best candidates for the elections. PDP is going to allow the people to choose their leaders. The zoning they are talking about is a gentleman’s agreement, but not in the constitutions of the PDP and Nigeria.

    Some selfish politicians are trying to create problems, but we will not allow them to dictate to the party. If the United States of America zoned its Presidency, maybe Barack Obama would not have been the President today. Not considering where Obama came from, he was elected the President of the USA twice and he is doing very well.

    We want the best persons to be the candidates of the PDP in Rivers state, during the 2015 elections. If the best governorship candidate is from Kalabari, Ogoni or Omoku (his hometown), we will support the person. Omoku people are also entitled to be governor, because we are feeding this nation, through the abundant crude oil and gas.

    An Omoku person has not been Rivers governor. What stopped the PDP in Rivers State from zoning the governorship to Omoku? In view of my leadership style and belief in internal democracy, I want the best hand to lead. The best candidates with the best credentials will be featured by the PDP in Rivers State during the 2015 elections.

    The Minister of State for Education fought for you to become the chairman. He is a governorship aspirant. Won’t you support his ambition?

    I have no choice candidate. I will allow the people’s verdict. If I wanted to capitalise on my relationship with Wike, I could have acted like Amaechi and Godspower Ake and imposed Wike on the people, but I am insisting that the best governorship candidate should be elected by the PDP’s delegates, no matter where he/she hails from, as long as the person is an indigene of Rivers state.

    Wike is the leader of the PDP in Rivers state. When Amaechi left the PDP, vacuum would not be allowed and a senior official in government, Wike, was chosen. Barr. Wike is doing so well. Rivers people, especially PDP members, have been calling on Wike to vie as governor in 2015. If he chooses to run and the people vote for him, what stops him? He has handled positions of trust and he has done very well. I am the father of all the aspirants. They are all my children. My role is to ensure a level playing field.

    Who is the PDP leader in Rivers? Dr. Peter Odili or Wike?

    Dr. Peter Odili is our father and leader of the PDP, the APC and other political parties, as well as non-politicians in Rivers State. Dr. Odili is also the leader of Amaechi and he (Odili) is the political leader of Rivers State and the Southsouth zone. In the PDP in Rivers state, our leader is Chief  Nyesom Wike.

    Have you and other leaders of the PDP been fair to Amaechi?

    Amaechi wanted to play smart, by denying me, the rightful leader that won the PDP primaries, of victory. He knows that I am an upright and transparent man, who will never give to cheating. Amaechi knows that as chairman of the party in Rivers state, I will not allow his imposition of candidates to prevail.

    In the 23 LGAs of Rivers state, there is no development, because Amaechi imposed all the chairmen, who will be loyal to him. The people are crying. I was a chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LG council of the state and I put in my best. The records are still there.

    When Amaechi denied me the chairmanship of the PDP in Rivers state and imposed Godspower Ake, I went to court and God restored my stolen mandate. Many politicians, who left the PDP, because of Amaechi’s highhandedness and dictatorial tendencies, are now back to the party, with my emergence as chairman.

  • Ugwuanyi emerges Enugu PDP consensus candidate

    Ugwuanyi emerges Enugu PDP consensus candidate

    •Eze: I’m aspirant for Enugu governorship seat  

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Marine, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) consensus candidate for Enugu State in the 2015 governorship election.

    But his endorsement, which elicited a lot of excitement among the residents at the weekend, has aroused bad blood between him and another aspirant, Senator Ayogu Eze.

    It was learnt that the Enugu North Senatorial District Caucus of the PDP met with the aspirants to agree on a consensus candidate.

    A source said Governor Sullivan Chime spearheaded the meeting to reduce bitterness among the aspirants.

    When the meeting ended, party faithful reportedly cheered up Ugwuanyi,  singing victory songs and praises.

    The crowd was ecstatic that Ugwuanyi (aka Gburugburu) was adopted.

    One of them, Jude Eneh, described Ugwuanyi as a humble and peace-loving gentleman, who would build bridges, sustain the development in the state and keep the PDP intact.

    Also, there was jubilation in the six local government areas in the zone when the news of the endorsement filtered in.

    Before the endorsement, a source at the meeting had told our reporter that Ugwuanyi would be chosen because the governor had pleaded with the caucus that he preferred a candidate who would unite the party and sustain his administration’s development.

    Chime reportedly advised the members of the caucus to lay out a plan to bring out a consensus candidate who would be presented to the other zones before the state caucus and the State Executive Committee of the party for endorsement.

    Following the governor’s intervention, it was learnt that the state chairman, who was also an aspirant, Vita Abba, addressed the caucus and stepped down for Ugwuanyi.

    Abba was quoted to have said that Ugwuanyi was the most suitable aspirant since he possesses the virtues the party expected from its candidate.

    After the chairman stepped down, nine of the other 11 aspirants also stepped down.

    The caucus requested that a motion be moved for his adoption as the consensus candidate.

    It was moved by Fidel Ayogu and seconded by the former Deputy Governor Okechukwu Itanyi.

    Before the motion was adopted, the governor reportedly asked the aspirants if any of them opposed the motion. The motion was unanimously adopted by a voice vote when there was no objection.

    Those who stepped down for Ugwuanyi are Abba, Eddy Ugwu, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, Pat Asadu, Prince Mathew Agu, Ambassador Fidel Ayogu, Prof. Osita Ogbu, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, Prof. Simon Ortuanya and Dan Onyishi.

    Chime advised Ugwuanyi to mend fences with those who refused to step down for him.

    Ugwuanyi has reportedly visited one of those who declined to step down, Eugene Odo, the House of Assembly Speaker. He held a closed-door meeting with him.

    The outcome of the meeting was not made public last night.

    Ugwuanyi is billed to meet other stakeholders in the next few days.

    Also, Eze, who chairs the Senate Committee on Works, has said he remains an aspirant in the race for next year’s Enugu State governorship seat.

    Eze made the clarification yesterday to oppose the alleged endorsement of Ugwuanyi.

    In a statement in Abuja, titled: I am Still the Candidate to Beat for Enugu Government House 2015, the senator said he would not step down for any “anointed” candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said the consensus candidate of various interest groups in the state should be allowed to test their acceptability at a primary election to determine who flies the PDP flag for the governorship election.

    The statement said: “I’ve been inundated by calls and personal visits by my supporters, who have expressed worry and outrage about reports purporting that a consensus candidate has been anointed for Enugu State 2015 governorship election. My supporters are particularly worried by the aspect of the story claiming that I have stepped down for the anointed candidate.

    “I wish to state clearly and unambiguously that I have not and will not step down for any anointed candidate. I’m still squarely in the race for the Enugu Lion Building in 2015.

    “I was invited to a meeting of a gathering of the people of my senatorial district, presided over by the governor at the Governor’s Lodge in Enugu on Friday, September 26, 2014.

    “Prior to our arrival at the Government House, the agenda of the meeting was not circulated; neither was the criterion for selecting those attending the meeting made known to me.

    “At the meeting, I pointedly stated that although I was in their midst in a sort of an ambush, I was not bound by their decision, to which I believe they were entitled. It is their inalienable right to choose a consensus candidate in the same manner that to my supporters and well wishers I’m also a consensus candidate.

    “I look forward to all the consensus candidates of the various interest groups meeting in the field at the PDP governorship primaries on November 29, to test who, among the various consensus blocs, is numerically stronger.

    “Democracy is about elections and the will of the people. Those elements of democracy will be put to test when we arrive on the field for the primaries.

    “I’ll gladly accept the outcome of the primaries and go the extra mile to work for the party with resources and whatever it will take to give the opponents of the PDP a run for their money.

    “Let me state categorically that my respect for the governor and leader of PDP in Enugu State is not diminished in anyway by this development. My loyalty to the party is also unalloyed.

    “I urge the party to do the right thing by providing a level-playing field for all legitimate aspirants and consensus to express themselves in a truly democratic and fair manner…”

  • Zoning of Rep seat divides Abia PDP

    Zoning of Rep seat divides Abia PDP

    The planned zoning of one of Abia State House of Representatives seats to Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency to a particular area is threatening the peace in the constituency, it has been learnt.

    Several political groups are said to be at loggerheads over the arrangement.

    Sources told our reporter that the member representing the area in the House of Representatives, Prince Arua Arunsi, might have begun moves for his second term through the zoning arrangement.

    But a political support group, under the aegis of Equity Charter Movement, is alleged to be claiming that the seat had been zoned to Arochukwu.

    This is creating confusion on the true status of the seat.

    Anthony Nwankwo, the leader of another political group, Onyereubi Unity Forum, has dismissed the claims.

    He said there was no zoning in the area.

    Nwankwo said those talking about zoning were not the right parties, adding that those talking about zoning forgot that some other communities had not produced such a representative.

    He said: “These people don’t know what they are talking about. They are not political parties that can zone any position because the same area they are projecting has tasted that position. So, if we are talking about zoning, we should be talking about those who have not got to that position before…”

  • Disquiet in Enugu as Chime anoints successor

    Disquiet in Enugu as Chime anoints successor

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State at a meeting of stakeholders held at the instance of Governor Sullivan Chime, on Friday night endorsed Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a member of the House of Representatives from Enugu North Senatorial zone, as the man to fly the party’s governorship flag in 2015. He was described by the stakeholders at the meeting as the “consensus candidate.”

    A source at the meeting also told The Nation that Ugwuanyi would be the only candidate the party would present for the primaries billed to hold November this year.

    Sources, however, said yesterday that there was disquiet in Enugu and Abuja as other aspirants and stakeholders querried the decision at the Government House, swearing to challenge it at the right time.

    The 50-year-old Ugwuanyi is representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is the Chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transport.

    There were jubilations in the Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency whose people have voted in Hon. Ugwuanyi for three consecutive times as member representing them in the House of Representatives.

    The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by the political leaders and governorship aspirants from the Enugu North Senatorial zone of the state to which the state PDP had zoned the position.

    Sources close to the meeting said yesterday that most of the stakeholders at the meeting did not oppose the emergence of the lawmaker as a consensus candidate, a development they said would lessen the enormous political tension that has been building up over who would pick the ticket of the party.

    Some of the political leaders from the zone who attended the meeting held at the Enugu Government House included former National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo,  Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Ayogu Eze, Senator Fidelis Okoro, Ambassador Fidel Ayogu, state PDP Chairman, Chief Vita Abba, elder stateswoman  and former member of the House of Representatives, Chief (Mrs.) Justina Eze, Chairman of the PDP in that zone, Chief Mike Ejinima, all legislators at all levels from the zone, all local council chairmen from the area, among many others.

    Meanwhile reports from Igbo-Eze North and Udenu local government areas yesterday said there was visible joy among politicians following the choice of the candidate.

     

  • PDP’s ingenious presidential primary

    PDP’s ingenious presidential primary

    NIGERIANS must not underestimate the contributions of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to their country’s political development, even if a part of those contributions ends up destroying democratic principles. Last week, the party’s impulsive publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, was quoted by a newspaper as saying that with the massive adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’ sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election, the party was no longer interested in conducting a presidential primary. Instead, he said joyfully, the party would only affirm the candidacy of the president at the appropriate time.

    But I suspect the PDP is merely restraining itself not to go the whole hog. They have indicated there would be no presidential primary. Supposing they had not been so condescending, and had equally indicated that consequent upon the widespread TAN rallies that have so far garnered more than 10 million signatures for the president there was no need for a presidential election? It would of course be unconstitutional; but since when did the party begin to bother itself with constitutional restraints? If the party understands that the mood of the country today is not amenable to a countrywide adoption of President Jonathan as everybody’s sole candidate, do not put it past them that on a fortuitous tomorrow, and given their vow to keep Aso Villa in thrall for 50 years, they could still perfect the manoeuvre of no elections for sole candidates.

    And with the widespread subversion of the country’s principal elites through various artifices such as national conference and all, it is not impossible that one day, the PDP, claiming its right as a party, would perfect the art of winning elections without balloting, to the general approbation and mirth of the country.

  • PDP governors shun pro-Jonathan rally in Kano

    PDP governors shun pro-Jonathan rally in Kano

    The final edition of the zonal rallies held in Kano yesterday by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) to drum up support for President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of next year’s election almost ended in a fiasco.

    Only Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State was at the Northwest leg of the rally held at the Kano Polo Ground.

    Apart from Katsina, the president’s party –PDP – controls Kaduna, Kebbi, and Jigawa in the geopolitical zone.

    Governor Muktar Yero of Kaduna was represented by his deputy.

    Speaking at the rally, Governor Shema of Katsina pledged the support of the people of the state for President Goodluck Jonathan in next year’s elections.

    “We, the Katsina people, are here because Katsina State is always in the forefront of Nigeria’s unity,” he said.

    “We believe in Nigeria and I have no doubt in my mind that this nation will stand tall among the comity of nations if equity and justice is upheld.”

    Shema charged Northern politicians to come together and stand as one for the love of Nigeria, pointing out that without peace and unity, nothing meaningful can be achieved in the country.

    Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, Minister of State for Health spoke on behalf of Sokoto people, noting that, “President Jonathan is the latest gift for the North-West and he should be supported due to his tremendous achievements so far in the North-West and in the country in general.”

    Alhasan said President Jonathan’s success at the 2015 polls “will solidify the unity of Nigeria.”

    Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Minister of State for Finance speaking for  Zamfara State said the Jonathan administration “has created an economy that is all inclusive enough to benefit all Nigerians irrespective of religious and ethnic background.”

    Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Government Affairs said that for Kebbi State, President Jonathan remains the man to beat in the 2015 presidential election.

    According to him, President Jonathan deserves another chance to occupy Aso Rock, adding : “In the North-West zone, particularly, in Kebbi, we are pleading with President Jonathan, we are calling upon President Jonathan to answer this clarion call upon him to continue beyond 2015.”

    Mohammed Garba Danladi Auyo, a PDP governorship aspirant from Jigawa State and a loyalist of Senator Saminu Turaki, said the Jigawa people are solidly behind President Jonathan, pointing out that age and performance have given him an edge over whoever will come out to challenge him in 2015.

    Speaking on behalf of PDP stakeholders from Kano, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali who was flanked by Mohammed Abacha and Alhaji Akilu Sani Ndabawa, both PDP governorship aspirants in Kano, described President Jonathan as a detribalized leader.

    According to him, President Jonathan, though a Christian was the only Nigerian president who has attended the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Cairo, Egypt, pointing out that Jonathan’s relationship with Muslims is a clear indication that he is a pro-Muslim president.

    He said:”Those fanning the embers of religion should also remember that it was as a result of President Jonathan’s intervention that the Saudi-Arabia authorities decided to welcome Nigerian pilgrims despite the Ebola hype.

    “In 2015, PDP will wrest power from APC in Kano. We are confident of this fact because President Jonathan has done a lot not only in Kano but in Nigeria as a country. He has exhibited patriotism and nationalism.”

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim who conveyed President Jonathan’s condolence message to victims of the recent Boko Haram attack at Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano, said 2, 393, 331 Nigerians from the  North-West Zone have endorsed Jonathan for a second term in office.

    Anyim, who also handed over TAN’s relief materials for bomb blast victims in the North-West Zone to Governor Shema, said in no distant time, President Jonathan will personally be in Kano to commiserate with victims of the FCE bomb-blast.

  • 2015: PDP begs North to support Jonathan

    2015: PDP begs North to support Jonathan

    •President: Why we surpport ‘stomach infrastructure’

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went emotional yesterday in the bid to woo the north to support President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term.

    The party said that the Southsouth zone from where President Jonathan hails has always been a political ally of the north,  and now looks up to that part of the country to reciprocate the gesture in next year’s  elections.

    The PDP has endorsed the president as its sole candidate ahead of the National Convention where he will be officially named as the party’s flag bearer.

    Influential groups from the north including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the northern Elders Forum (NEF) are uncomfortable with the endorsement which, in their view, has shut out Northerners in PDP from contesting the Presidential election next year.

    Spokesman for the NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi had boasted in an interview with The Saturday Nation that the North would make PDP pay for its alleged anti-North stance.

    But speaking at the Southsouth Unity rally of the party in Benin yesterday, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, pleaded with the North to back President Jonathan the same way the Southsouth supported northern candidates in the past.

    Chief Anenih  also drew attention to what he called the  sacrifice made by successive Southsouth  leaders  towards the nation’s stability.

    “The Southsouth has played a unifying role in this country. It has made supreme sacrifice for the development and stability of Nigeria with people like Anthony Enahoro, Okotie-Eboh, Isaac Boro, Dennis Osadebey,” he said.

    “The Southsouth has always been an ally of the North and now we call for their cooperation. We have fought political battles together, contested elections on the same political platform. We have given support to the North when it matters most.

    President Jonathan said at the rally that PDP is in surpport of politics of  stomach infrastructure as part of effort to check poverty he said power can only be meaningful by puting food on peoples table.

    He called for unity among party members for the PDP to win the 2015 general elections.

    Former Foreign Affairs Minister  Tom Ikimi  who formally returned  to the PDP at the rally  begged the party’s leadership for re-integration.

    He recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) after losing out in the bid to become the party’s national chairman. Chief Ikimi who claimed  that the APC was ‘clinically dead’ in Edo State said: “You will help us to speak to all the branches in the Southsouth to agree to incorporate all our members who are now leaving APC.“ National Chairman of the PDP, Mallam  Adamu Mu’azu dismissed allegations of rancour  in the party. He urged those criticizing the endorsement of President Jonathan to ‘shut up’ and bring out their best to contest against Jonathan.

    He vowed that the PDP would win back Edo and River States.

    He said: “Elections are coming. At every level of elections so many people will be interested but only one person will go at a time. We should do it decently.

    “When we continue to unite, we will get our states back. When I took office as deputy governor, we were all PDP in the Southsouth. Today, two states have k-leg. From 2015 to 2016 elections we will get all our states back. We will win Edo. The only party in River State is PDP. Others exist only on sign boards. We will allow their signboards to stay. All what we need is unity.”

    He said his administration believes in stomach infrastructure because of its belief in food security.

     

     

     

  • Delta 2015: Power must shift to Delta North – Nwaoboshi

    Delta 2015: Power must shift to Delta North – Nwaoboshi

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Barrister Peter Nwaoboshi, has said there is no going back on the quest of the people of Delta North senatorial district to produce the next governor of the state come 2015.

    The PDP chieftain, known for his forthrightness, disclosed this when members of the Anioma Media Professionals (AMP) paid him a courtesy call in Asaba.

    According to the legal practitioner, the mood in the party from Abuja to Delta State is that in 2015, somebody from Delta North would become the governor of the state.

    He traced the history of power shift to 1998 when the party was formed, adding that as a founding member of the party, he was in a position to chronicle vividly the genesis and the dynamics of the principle of power rotation which first produced a governor from Delta Central in James Ibori and now Delta South (Emmanuel Uduaghan).

    “It is only reasonable, just and fair that the only Senatorial district that has not produced governor in the state, Delta North, does so this time,” he declared.

    “We have gone too far in this journey, we have had series of meetings, we have made compromises in times past to ensure equitable distribution of power in the state, we cannot afford to recant our position as a people and as a party.

    “I challenge those who think otherwise to show evidence why power should not shift to Delta North. This is the zone that has shown the most loyalty and commitment to the PDP in the state, returning the highest number of votes for the party in all elections since 1999. The records are there at INEC for anybody to verify”, he said.

     

     

     

    Spokesman for the group, Ken Ugbechie, assured the PDP chieftain of fairness and dispassionate reportage by the media in the electioneering process.

  • Rumpus in Bayelsa APC as members plan mass defection

    Rumpus in Bayelsa APC as members plan mass defection

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has been thrown into confusion following plan by many of its members to defect en masse to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It was gathered that major stakeholders of the party including some members of the APC’s state working committee were holding meetings with the leadership of the state PDP to perfect the arrangement.

    The defection, it was learnt, will take place in a rally to be attended by President Goodluck Jonathan in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    It was gathered that the governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, who was elated at the development, directed the leadership of the state PDP to liaise with all the stakeholders and select a suitable date for the event.

    Already, PDP was said to have received a one-time National Youth Leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Interim Ex-officio member of the APC, Mr. Miriki Ebikibina.

    Ebikibina, who is an aide to Governor Dickson on Inter-Party Affairs, was received along with other aggrieved zonal members of APC during the PDP’s rally in Benin, Edo State.

    It was further gathered that the former state chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr. Sunday Frank-Oputu, who is a known loyalist of former Governor Timipre Sylva, was among the APC chiefs ready for defection.

    But Oputu and other APC members in the state were said to have preferred making their declarations for PDP at the Yenagoa rally.

    The aggrieved APC members were said to be angry at the comatose nature of the party in the state and the alleged highhandedness of the party’s state chairman, Mr. Tiwe Oruminighe.

    When contacted, Frank-Oputu said Oruminighe and Sylva killed APC in the state, adding that members of the party in their thousands were ready for the defection.

    But the leadership of the APC disowned Miriki, Frank-Oputu and others planning to join the PDP, describing them as liabilities to APC.

    The state chairman of the party, Mr. Marlin Daniel, said they were planted as moles but became frustrated when APC failed to give them a chance.

    “If you look at the activities and antecedents of these people, you will know that what they do is to trade with opposition for monetary reasons. They cannot cope because APC has come to make a difference.

    “We decided to quarantine them because we have known them for a long time and their motives. We will celebrate their exit because we know that even PDP will not accept them.

    “Frank is fond of selling parties to any government. PDP wanted him to be the chairman of our party so that he can sell the party to them later, he contested but he lost. APC is credible and strong in Bayelsa. We are not shaking,” he said.