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Tag: PDP

  • Oyo council chief accuses PDP aspirant of plotting crisis

    •It’s not true, says politician

    THE Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, Oyo State, Alhaji Taoreed Adeleke,has accused a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Seyin Makinde, of plotting to cause chaos.

    He alleged that the aspirant was inciting traders at Aleshinloye Market against the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led state government.

    Makinde was also accused of sponsoring false and malicious statement in the media, to disparage the Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led administration over the fire that gutted a section of the market.

    About 500 shops were said to have been affected and goods worth over N100 million lost in the inferno.

    Adeleke noted that the actions of Makinde were aimed at inciting the people.

    He said a media report that he led a team of suspected hoodlums to the market to destroy a borehole dug by Makinde was “a blatant lie.”

    The council chief, who spoke with reporters in his office yesterday on the borehole saga, said the policemen in the market stopped the contractors from digging the borehole after he had gone there to lodge a complaint.

    “We are not going to allow it because we are peace lovers and the people are enjoying the peaceful atmosphere in the state since the government of Ajimobi came into power”.

    The Chairman of the traders Association, Alhaji Abudulfatai Amubikan, its Youth Leader, Alhaji Basiru Aikore and the Chairman of the Fancy Section of the market, Mr. Ramon Olabamiji, said they were not informed by the PDP aspirant of his intention to donate a borehole.

    Makinde denied the allegation, saying that the council chief only misconstrued his philanthropy to the traders who needed assistance.

    A media aide to the PDP aspirant, Alhaji Afeez Akeem, said what Makinde did was in fulfillment of his promise to the traders when he visited them after the fire.

  • PDP’s misrule ‘ll end next year, says Odigie-Oyegun

    PDP’s misrule ‘ll end next year, says Odigie-Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, assured yesterday that the administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which started 15 years ago, would end next year.

    He said the administration would be  replaced by that of the APC.

    Odigie-Oyegun spoke at the Third Progressive Governance Lecture Series in Owerri, the Imo State capital, with the theme: “Dealing with the Challenge of Building a Physically-Healthy Nation through Preventive, Protective and Innovative Medicare”.

    He said the nation could not survive another four years of PDP misrule.

    The APC chief said his party would ensure that the change Nigerians desired was actualised in 2015, adding: “The tenure of the PDP at the centre must end next year. This is the mission before us. Our mission is simple. We must do everything legitimate to end PDP’s 15-year inept administration.”

    Odigie-Oyegun noted that the nation’s problems were caused by “totally visionless and clueless leadership,” saying: “Nigeria ranks among the lowest in the world in all facets of modern society.”

    The APC chairman said corruption had affected all sectors of the society.

    His words: “Corruption has become the business of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. This shows that the PDP government needs to be changed to save the country from impending collapse.

    “But the good news is that all Nigerians need a change. They look on to us as the vehicle of change.”

    The chairman of the event and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar advocated the devolution of power at the centre, to enable states drive development and check corruption.

    He said the country runs a defective federalism structure, which he advised should be restructured to address the challenges. “The Federal Government should hand over the functions to the state governments and give them funds to develop the sectors.”

    Atiku went on: “Federal Government has no business in agriculture, education and health sector as well as infrastructure development. These should be handed over to the state governments with the required funds for effective development.”

    Highlighting the challenges in the health sector, the former vice president called for adequate investment in primary healthcare. Said he: “We need to identify the illnesses, which affect our people, identify the priority areas and tailor our health policies towards addressing them.”

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha said the health sector was a source of concern, despite efforts to improve it in some states.

    Okorocha, who also chairs the APC Governors’ Forum, said the party believed that health cannot be ignored and improvements must be sought in the policy, strategy and management of healthcare to build a world-class and affordable healthcare for the citizens.

    He said: “The health sector seems to be in a standstill. As it is, the three health-related Millennium Development Goals of reduction in infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and the reocurrence of HIV, malaria and tuberculosis have not been met. In truth, a lot of the difficulties we face can be attributed to the dearth of preventive healthcare system.”

    Okorocha said Nigeria’s healthcare sector, according to the statistics released by the United Nations’ Report on the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in 2013, stands at 187 of 191 countries, adding: “The report seems to insinuate that Nigeria is the only country clogging the wheels of the forward movement in the fight against the disease, towards a global target of reducing HIV infection by 50 per cent in 2015.”

    He said the APC governors met to examine the state of the country’s health sector with regard to harvesting perspectives on preventive, protective and innovative healthcare delivery.

    Those at the event include governors of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi; Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi; Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

    Others are Senators Chris Ngige and Magnus Abe.

    In her paper presentation titled: “Nature, Scope and Dynamics of the Prevailing Crisis in Nigeria’s Health Sector; Examining the State of the Health Sector in Nigeria”, the guest lecturer, Prof. Ijeoma Okoye of the Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Chairperson, Association for Good Clinical Practice in Nigeria, said the health of a nation enhances its economic development and vice versa.

    She said HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, under-five mortality, malaria and tuberculosis, compounded by the non-communicable diseases, had undermined and impoverished many developing nations, such as Nigeria, adding: “The pursuit of better health should not await improved economy, rather measures to improve health will contribute to economic growth.”

  • Dangerous signal from Northwest?

    Dangerous signal from Northwest?

    The Northwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders have caught the bug of second term endorsement for second term. Although Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders have endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan in the South, the lack of consensus in the most populous zone is a setback for the campaigns for his re-election by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) and other pro-Jonathan groups.

    Since last year, Northwest PDP has not fully cooperated with its national leadership over the President’s agenda. To whip the zonal leaders into line, the national leadership applied the big stick. But, it appeared the party shot its arrow in a wrong direction. Not only was the zone balkanised, following the defection of two governors —Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State and Alhaji Musa Kwakwanso of Kano State — to the All progressives Congress (APC), those who have stayed on in the party still have an axe to grind with the PDP National Leader.

    One of them is Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who is eyeing the Presidency. At a news conference in Dutse on the  PDP zonal meeting. Jigawa State Deputy Governor, Ahmad Mahamud, who obviously spoke Lamido’s mind, said the region had not agreed on Dr. Jonathan’s ambition.

    The dissension has reflected the lack of total reconciliation and ineffective resolution of the PDP crisis. It has implications for the unity of the party and its chances in next year’s election.  Analysts have raised some posers: Can the PDP joke with the Northwest? Can it damn the most populous region?

    The Northwest is the cradle of the formidable power brokers in the polity. If the zone takes an exception to this presidential agenda, conventional wisdom dictates the retracing of steps or the application of tact, if an electoral tragedy of monumental proportion is to be averted by the PDP.

    From Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate, through Kano to Kaduna, the acclaimed political capital of the North, the Northwest is a vibrant zone. It is a pre-eminent geo-political zone occupying a strategic place in the country’s political history. In the hey day of the famed Kaduna Mafia, the cult of leaders and pride of the one-time monolithic North, the impetus came from the Northwest axis, which coordinated the real or imaginary battle for national dominance. Four zones-Northcentral, Northeast, Southwest and Southsouth-have six states each. The Southeast has five. But the Northwest has seven. Politically, this is an added advantage because, in the National Assembly, the zone has the largest number of lawmakers, and ultimately, the highest number of appointees in other critical areas.

    The Northwest has produced three military Heads of State – Gen. Muritala Mohammed (Kano) –  Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Katsina) and Gen. Sani Abacha (Kano). The fourth, Gen. Yakubu Gowon from Plateau State, is more of a Kaduna man. The first civilian President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, hails from Sokoto State.

    Politicians from the Northwest zone are no-pushovers. The voting population is sophisticated. It is huge. Therefore, it can sway the outcome of any election. It is natural that, at every periodic election, PDP presidential aspirants often target the zone because they perceive it as a critical factor.

    The analysis of the voters’ list from the zone also underscores its vibrancy, electoral asset and indispensability. The zone will always be in the national reckoning.  In the last voter registration, next to Lagos (6.2 million) were Kano (5.10), Kaduna (3.50) and Katsina (2.9). The figures speak volumes about the potency and electoral strength of the leading zone. This may continue to make it an electorally sought-after zone in any national contest.

    The onus is on the PDP to manage the “Lamido challenge”. Should the Jigawa governor be compelled to seek an allegiance with his colleagues in the APC, the chance of the PDP at the poll will further reduce. If the Northwest’s objection is not properly managed, the President will sweat at the general election, even if he escapes the hammer in the primaries.

  • Ekiti cautions PDP on baseless allegations

    Ekiti cautions PDP on baseless allegations

    EKITI State government has advised the state People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to focus on ways of ensuring a smooth transition and how to record laudable achievements during the next administration.

    Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, who gave the advice in Ado-Ekiti, cautioned the PDP to stop the current campaign of calumny against the government.

    He described the alleged lies being churned out by the PDP in the last couple of weeks as part of a plan to generate public disaffection against Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration.

    The commissioner, who said the plot would not work, noted that the incoming PDP government should by now be busy on how it would surpass the “standard already set by Fayemi instead of chasing shadows, telling blatant lies and making all kinds of unsubstantiated allegations.”

    The commissioner cited instances of false and misleading report found to have originated from the PDP camp to include the allegation that the administration recruited over 3,000 workers into the civil service after the June 21st governorship elections.

    Ekundayo, who emphasised that the allegation was far from the reality, said 500 teachers for mathematics and some core science subjects were recruited in November, 2013 based on existing vacancies.

    He added that 493 civil servants were recruited in February 2014 into key vacant positions in the civil service.

    “In any case, what is wrong in recruiting Ekitis into the state civil service if there are vacancies and budget provision to take care of such?” he queried.

    The commissioner also dismissed allegation by the PDP of massive recruitment into the state university, Ado-Ekiti, as “hogwash.”

    He noted that the ivory tower has its governing council, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the institution.

    He added that the allegation was another figment of imagination of the opposition in its desperate wild goose chase.

    The commissioner said the allegation that landed properties and other assets of the government were being sold to political appointees and associates of Fayemi at give-away prices was absurd.

    He said as a transparent and accountable government, there was no way the  administration would allocate land in government-owned estates to anyone no matter highly placed without following due process and strict adherence to the approved rates, adding that the records are available for interested parties to peruse.

    Describing the allegation that government assets in Lagos and Abuja were being sold as “another tale by moonlight”, Ekundayo challenged the PDP to substantiate its allegations and show proof of the alleged wrongdoings.

    “Do they think we have no morals like them?” he wondered.

    “Everyone in Ekiti can vividly recollect how the Ikogosi Warm springs was looted and every valuable thing including 50 air conditioners, 75 brand new mattresses and beds, rugs, brand new bath tubs, toilet and electrical fittings were looted under the watch of the PDP government in 2005.

    “The Ikogosi warm springs tourist resort, which was stripped bare by these locusts have since been transformed into the number one tourist attraction in Nigeria by the Fayemi administration.

    “Why is the PDP in a hurry? What are they afraid of? Let them wait till they receive our hand over note when they take office on October 16th, 2014 as all information they will require is contained therein.

    “They should know that this administration has tenure. Let them stop the pretense and the game of guessing and pre-empting the state of our state,” Ekundayo advised.

     

     

  • APC seeks apology from PDP on alleged links with APGA

    APC seeks apology from PDP on alleged links with APGA

    The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seven days to retract its statement that it was planning to team up with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    APCF said if the PDP failed to make a retraction, it (APC) would take a legal action against the party.

    APC also said it never held any clandestine meetings with APGA as being peddled by the PDP.

    The party’s reaction followed a publication by Anambra State PDP Chairman Ken Emeakayi in some dallies that APGA had been romancing APC.

    In a statement yesterday in Awka, the state capital, by its state Publicity Secretary Okelo Madukaife, APC said it was not interested in whatever was between the PDP and APGA.

    The statement reads: “The name of our great party, the APC, cannot, and must not be drawn into the romance between the PDP and its trading outlet in the Southeast – the APGA.

    “APC will never disappoint the people of Anambra State by wining and dining with a clueless political party making false claims about representing our people, nor with those who, having lost face with the electorate, commit themselves to rigging elections in the name of other parties in Anambra and Ondo states to stay relevant.

    “It is also necessary to strongly say that APC will not be the cannon fodder for diverting the attention of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP from serious issues of anti-party, which have gone on in Anambra State continuously for close to two years.

    “In the circumstance, APC has no option but to request the PDP in Anambra State to withdraw the aspect of that publication that unwarrantedly libels our party and apologise for their excesses, within seven days, while returning to the rule of law, particularly as it affects observing electoral rules.

    “It is to be noted that our great party shall not hesitate to pursue any of the alternative causes of action open to it within the law, in reaction to the publication immediately or upon the expiration of the given time.”

  • Ondo monarchs back Mimiko on defection

    Ondo monarchs back Mimiko on defection

    ONDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s planned defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received a boost from the state’s traditional rulers.

    The governor had sought the advice of the traditional rulers at the weekend at a consultation on the defection.

    The monarchs reportedly took turn to praise Mimiko before declaring their support for him on the planned move to PDP.

    The traditional rulers expressed satisfaction at the leadership style of the governor and on his ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

    Sources said the traditional rulers praised the governor for deeming it fit to carry them along regarding the overture for him to join the PDP, despite the fact that they were not politicians.

    The Amapetu of Mahin Kingdom, Oba Lawrence Omowale, who spoke on behalf of the other traditional rulers, hailed the governor “for his plan to take Ondo to the mainstream of the national politics.”

    The obas pledged the support of the traditional institution for Mimiko in his political pursuit.

    Mimiko had earlier consulted with different interest groups in the state to intimate them of the PDP’s overture.

    The stakeholders pledged their support to the governor on his decision.

     

  • ‘How INEC, PDP rigged Niger by-election’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of conniving with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig last Saturday’s by-election in Niger East Senatorial District.

    The election was declared inconclusive by INEC.

    APC’s State Publicity Secretary Jonathan Vatsa alleged that the commission accredited PDP mercenaries as security officials, who tried to induce voters at polling units.

    In a statement in Minna, Vatsa alleged that PDP thugs resolved to ballot box snatching when it became clear that the electorate were voting for the APC candidate.

    He said reports from the field indicted INEC workers at polling stations of turning a blind eye to the irregularities perpetrated by PDP members, especially in Paiko, Rafi, Gurara, Tafa and Suleja local government areas.

    Vatsa said: “When they (PDP) could not rig in the township, they went to the villages, intimidated our agents with their mercenaries who paraded themselves as security men to stuff the ballot boxes, only to come and say that there would be supplementary election in a few places. What of Gurara, Suleja and Tafa where there was massive rigging?”

    The APC fingered the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, in the alleged rigging plan, adding: “We are not new to the antics of the REC, who was always calling for supplementary elections and postponing elections to suit the PDP. He did the same thing in 2011 and that is why we have being calling for his removal.

    “We are aware of the various moves aimed at going against the wish of the people by not allowing our candidate, David Umaru, to emerge as desired by majority of the people. We urge our supporters not to relent, but to continue to mobilise themselves ahead of Saturday for the conclusive election.”

    The state government also said there was gross misconduct during the election.

    In a statement after a PDP stakeholders’ meeting, Mr Israel Ebije, the chief press secretary to Governor Babangida Aliyu, said many eligible voters were disenfranchised for frivolous reasons and thugs took over some polling units.

    He called for more security operatives at the affected units during the re-run on Saturday.

  • ‘Stop plans to replace Kwara SURE-P beneficiaries’

    •’Allegations baseless’

    Coordinators of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) in Kwara State have alleged plans by the Presidency to remove All Progressives Congress (APC) beneficiaries from the scheme.

    They alleged that the illegality was being perpetrated by the state Chairman of the scheme, Moses Ibiyemi.

    A statement read to reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, by Alhaji Kola Yusuf, who spoke for the coordinators, reads: “It is regrettable that the chairman of the state implementation committee has not only politicised the programme, but is plotting to clandestinely replace the names of the original beneficiaries with those of members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Reports reaching us as zonal coordinators confirmed the plot by the chairman to change the bank account in use for the payment of Sure-P workers’ salaries at Access Bank, as well as change the names of beneficiaries from various communities and replace them with his party members’ names in order to have illegal access to funds meant for their salaries.

    “As zonal coordinators, we always interact with our local government coordinators who supervise and coordinate beneficiaries at the local government and community levels.

    “It is sad to receive in their report that the chairman threatened to sack coordinators, supervisors and workers who belong to another party, except they join the PDP.

    “Beneficiaries across the state reported that the state chairman had been going about claiming that non-PDP members would be replaced with PDP members because the scheme was designed by the party and meant for PDP members.

    “We caution President Goodluck Jonathan against any attempt to use the Sure-P as a political weapon to foist himself on Nigerians. Funds accruable from subsidy removal belong to Nigerians, therefore, the beneficiaries are Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliation, religious belief or ethnicity. The people are entitled to the right of association.”

    Ibiyemi described the allegations as baseless and unfounded, saying: “It is not true that there was a meeting or plan to replace APC members with PDP members because the programme is apolitical. There are situations that call for the replacement of beneficiaries, which include death, moving out of the project site, abandonment of duties, absence without authority and other gross misconduct by the beneficiaries.

    “For any of the beneficiary to be replaced, the community in which that beneficiary serves will have to make a report and such reports verified. If the allegation is found to be true, such replacement would be authorised by the national headquarters of the scheme.

    “One can, therefore, see that the press conference was a mischievous and calculated attempt to smear the image of Mr. President and the management teams. It is a case of ingrates biting the fingers that feed them.

    “It should be noted that Kwara State does not belong to a particular group of individuals but to all of us and nobody should threaten the other with violence, as this is not a monopoly of any group. We all own the state. I urge the people to remain calm and continue to enjoy the only benefit of democracy in the state brought by the president, as we have not replaced any beneficiary on the basis of belonging to the APC.”

  • ‘I ‘ll tackle insecurity in Adamawa’

    ‘I ‘ll tackle insecurity in Adamawa’

    Adamawa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa spoke with reporters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his ambition and plan for the state. Excerpts:

    How are you preparing for PDP primaries?

    We have secured waivers. Now, we are preparing for primaries. There is a provision in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) constitution, which says all members who aspire to run for any office, whether the party’s position or actual government or elective positions, should have spent a minimum of two years,  failing which they will not be able to run, unless they are granted a waiver for this position.

    When the former chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, became the chairman, you will recall the party structures were dissolved and new congresses were organised for the party and all those new members that crossed over from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) spent less than two months and were deemed qualified to run in the congresses and today, they remain in elective positions.

    Nobody asked them for waiver and none was given. Based on that,  we had full confidence that waiver will not be an issue. In  any case, another fundamental thing is that almost everybody in the party will ask for waiver because a fresh registration took place at that time and so, you will find out almost everybody has spent less than two years in the party.

     What are your plans for Adamawa State, if you are elected as governor?

    By the grace of God and because of  the fear of God, our deep sincerity and commitment, our capacity for hard work , our propensity to excel and care for the downtrodden, those things that I did in Borno and Lagos states,  I will multiply them because you have to build on previous records. My state is unfortunately at the bottom of the ladder of all states due to unsatisfactory leadership.

    All the indices of progress beginning from security in the Northeast, I will bring to bear my background, my training, my experience and capacity to face squarely these  challenges  and, by the grace of God, working with other stakeholders and security agencies,  we should bring this issue of insecurity to a successful resolution. I am not saying that I General Marwa will resolve all these challenges, I am saying with my experience I will contribute meaningfully towards the resolution of these issues, having been governor in the same Northeast.

     What is your view on consensus candidacy?

    I think  we have to be very careful with the word consensus. The word, by definition, is an understanding of agreement reached among contestants, not somebody foisting it . Fine, if the issue of consensus is to be contemplated, there is absolutely nobody who wants to go through the rigour  or stress. But,  having said that, I know the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a party that wants the electoral process to be properly followed and this has happened in Ekiti, and Osun states and there is no reason why the same process should not  be followed  in Adamawa State.

    Are you afraid of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s entry into the race?

    The word must be carefully examined. When  you say afraid, maybe, other people  are afraid of Marwa. Maybe, that is what you mean. Nobody drafted anybody. Everyone of us willingly joined the race. It depends on what everybody has done.  The electorate will have the final say.

    Ahead of primaries, has there been interface among aspirants?

    I can confirm  that I have held meetings with few of the aspirants. It is a continuous process. There is absolutely no reason why all of us intending to build our state, if given the mandate, should not be talking to ourselves because we are not enemies. We built  the Adamawa State PDP and  I will remain in the PDP.

     

  • Princewill to run for governor in Rivers

    Princewill to run for governor in Rivers

    The former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill,  has joined the governorship race.

    The politician is running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He will face the  Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, and other aspirants at the primaries.

    Already, Princewill has set up a campaign structure, the ‘Princewill Exploratory Committee’ to mobilise support for his bid among stakeholders.

    His media aide, said the outfit will also mobilise for the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said the aspirant was advised by the committee “to use his popularity among youths, the non-political class and elders to encourage participatory funding by the generality, to prevent the system being hijacked by moneybags. The belief is that he is about the only one who could do this.

    Princewill told reporters in Port-Harcourt, the state capital, said that his ambition is not a conjecture.

    He said: “I’ve been with the grassroots many years ago, even when it was not about politics. Let others play catch-up and tell the public where they were and what they were doing for them, even without a political appointment.”

    Princewill recalled that, in 2007 when he contested for the governorship, he defeated the  governor in his ward and  Buguma Local Government.