Tag: PDP

  • Mu’azu, PDP and Ekiti violence

    Mu’azu, PDP and Ekiti violence

    LAST week’s All-Political Parties Summit in Abuja was revealing. It exposed in all its damnable and bothersome details the poverty of reason among Nigeria’s political elite. For today, ignore President Goodluck Jonathan’s far-fetched ideas about 2015. Instead, let us focus on the ideas of PDP chairman Adamu Mua’azu, whose argument on what constitutes political provocation is itself provocative. Speaking during the summit on why PDP supporters and the police joined forces to attack APC supporters and the state governor shortly after the President addressed a party rally in the state, Alhaji Mu’azu veered into misogyny and simplistic psychology.

    “I wonder why the APC would use brooms to sweep off our footprints each time our party goes to campaign in states under their control,” he began on a misogynistic note unusual for a man of his political standing and education as a double Master’s degree holder. “It was equally wrong for the APC to go to the stadium in Ekiti State immediately after our rally in the state to sweep off our feet. I was worried about such conduct and I don’t know when men started carrying brooms.” If traces of PDP supporters’ feet were erased by sweeping, why should that humorously symbolic action attract a violent reprisal? And what is it about men holding brooms? Is sweeping, in his social psychology, the exclusive preserve of women?

    Then, more horrendously, Alhaji Mu’azu confirmed what seems to be the Jonathan government’s negativist and reactionary approach to the Chibok abductions, an approach that complicates the rescue of the abducted schoolgirls and undermines the constitution. Said Alhaji Mu’azu: “Initially, I thought the “Bring Back Our Girls” protests were well intentioned. That was why I asked my Chief of Staff, the former FCT Minister, to represent us, and for two days, he was there. Little did I know it was opposition protests against the Federal Government. But I want to remind us that the war against the abduction of the girls should not be politicised.” Phew!!!

    Now, we know where the FCT police commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, got his inspiration to ban protests in Abuja. Now, also, we know why the Jonathan government is sluggish about the abductions. And we now know why the Jonathan presidency and the PDP display gross miscomprehension of issues and pernicious contempt for the constitution.

  • PDP hails new APC leadership on successful convention

    PDP hails new APC leadership on successful convention

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) got a rare commendation from its arch rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday on the success of the APC’s national convention in Abuja on Friday.

    The PDP congratulated the national executive council members elected at the APC convention, saying the peaceful conduct of the convention is a good omen for constructive and purposeful opposition needed in Nigeria.

    The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, in a statement said his party looks forward to trading tackles with the APC on issues that could enhance the well- being of Nigerians.

    He charged the new APC leadership to purposely and constructively engage the ruling PDP on issues of principles, particularly as they relate to vital democratic tenets.

    Metuh said:”We charge the newly elected APC national officers to ensure an issue based opposition that will purposefully and constructively engage and challenge the PDP with decency and maturity as prescribed by democratic tenets and principles.”

    Stating further that Nigerians deserve a vibrant and patriotic opposition driven only by the national interest, the PDP charged the new APC leadership to put the unity and welfare of Nigerians ahead of other considerations.

  • Ekiti 2014: PDP demonic plans shall fail

    Ekiti 2014: PDP demonic plans shall fail

    Vote Fayose and turn this distinctively unique state into a plaything for not only President Jonathan and his Niger Delta boys but also the likes of Buruji Kashamu and Bode George

    For ten straight weeks on this column, I have done nothing else besides predicting, from what as a trained historian ,I know of its decade and a half stranglehold on Nigeria, what the PDP  would be up to in the run down to the Ekiti election which they, from Abuja to Otueke, see as the opening chapter of  President Goodluck Jonathan’s consuming 2015 ambition for which nothing is considered too sacrosanct  to give and that includes the very survival of Nigeria. I wrote about the role of the first lady in Fayose’s emergence, allegedly claiming  that he is the only one with the ‘craze’ to deal with a stubborn Ekiti people as well as the recruitment  of some ‘billionaire’ political jobbers both of  which accounted for the emergence of Fayose and Omisore as governorship candidates in Ekiti and Osun respectively. As a result of that imposition in Ekiti, 18 chieftains of the party, in an advertorial in THIS DAY of Wednesday June 11, 2014  disowned

    Fayose claiming that  with ‘his questionable antecedents, and for not possessing  the required temperament, disposition, and the capacity to deliver good government to Ekiti,  they cannot, in good conscience, work for him’.  Among them are Chief Ojo Falegan, Dr Bode Olowoporoku, Rt. Hon Kola Adefemi, Otunba Reuben Famuyibo, Ropo Adesanya, Chief Dapo Alibaloye, Sir Kayode Otitoju and Justice Edward Ojuolape (RTD)

    I interpreted the involvement of a Niger Delta militant, as coordinator of their  South West  security strategy, not only as a cheap sellout  of Yoruba people to a tiny Ijaw nation, but as the most direct evidence of their plan to import  Niger Delta  thugs.  Hundreds of such thugs were infiltrated into Ekiti on the occasion of the President’s visit on Saturday 7 June when he primarily came to commission the  war already  promised by his Vice.  Dozens  of them were  allegedly arrested by security operatives at Fayose’s Spotless Hotel  on June 10 as reported in the IROHIN ODUA edition of June 11, 2014.  On interrogation they claimed Fayose invited them for ‘strategic reasons’ as they were paraded with their  charms, arms and ammunition.  This is, of course, a mere tip of the iceberg, as the dangerous  Southwest PDP cabal, among them ministers, have promised to capture Ekiti. Here truly  must be the changed Fayose which Jonathan said he was presenting Ekiti  on Saturday, 7 June, and upon whose victory, which God forbid, he will now develop the state. Hogwash!

    President Jonathan on that day flagged off  another of his many wars as in  the  North East, Rivers, and  freshly,  Kano and  his Vice stayed behind to personally observe the commencement of  their  one-sided hostilities. Since it has become known that the likes of Yuguda were hankering after his job,  that  man of the permanent  overflowing babariga, would do just about anything to survive.

    Ekiti people did not have long to wait. With the intent to ‘shock and awe’, they started with the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who was tear gassed and shot at, as they broke up a peaceful rally. But if they thought we can be intimidated then they don’t know the doughty Ekiti with a checkered history of confronting, and defeating foreign invaders. Fortunately, the governor showed that minion something of the Ekiti make-up on that day. The foreign legion was, appropriately, led by an  Ijaw police officer, one Gabriel  Selenkere,  the state MOPOL Commander,  who  was alleged to have served as Jonathan’s ADC when he was Deputy Governor in Bayelsa.  Apparently, the man  who most probably  does  not take orders from the state  Police Commissioner  had  impudently told the latter when confronted by him: who? Which governor? I know no governor when the Vice President is still around. I have orders from above’.  If I may ask of this impertinent man,  what federal project was his Vice President waiting behind to commission in Ekiti ? That, incidentally,  is what Nigeria has been turned to by these  cretins.

    But all  that is only the opening glee as there are worse lined up for election day in the state. As it happened in 2003 when a substantial part of Fayose’s votes  were allegedly  ferried in to Ekiti from  the amala empire in Ibadan; the reason Baba chose whatever contract in Ekiti suited him,  they intend to have police men and thugs escort stuffed ballot boxes into  the state on 21 June. Thugs are also primed to disrupt vote counting in APC strongholds. They will be under orders to  shoot into the air but if unsuccessful, to shoot directly at the people. They have  equally  recruited some mid level  rogue elements  within INEC who will ensure that voting materials are either not supplied at all, or brought in very late to polling centres where they  suspect the  APC candidate will win.

    The most sinister of this criminal gang’s plan which is already ongoing in all Yoruba states, however, is the devilish process of political recruitment to which former governor Segun Oni referred during the APC Mega Rally in Ado-Ekiti. Having been used to maximum effect in a particular Southwest state where millions were turned to literal political slaves ahead the 2011 general elections, it is now being extended into all the other states and as I write this, I have a copy of their  membership application form  which  the Lagos PDP is already distributing. I am reliably informed  Fayose is doing the same thing in Ekiti already. The phony empowerment organisation coyly  attracts recruits with promises of jobs and credits but the two most important  questions on the application form are: the applicants’ Voters card number, for purposes of  cloning ahead the 2015 elections, and his/her mother’s name, for ritual purposes.

    The initiation process, so beguilingly simple is extremely dangerous going by what a nearly entrapped woman confessed. According to her, she was ferried, with others in a luxury bus  to a certain town  ostensibly for empowerment.  Getting there, they were asked to fill a form in which it was compulsory for them to supply their mothers’ names and voter’s card number. Suspecting foul play she gave wrong names for both herself and her mother. Then  into an inner room where a Moslem cleric was waiting to administer oaths of allegiance. After this came a herbalist  for another oath.  From there  they were herded  to another town in the state  to swear to two powerful Yoruba Deities one of which is reputed to suck the  blood of those who backslide. Then comes the dark large space inside the building where they all stood on blood as a man in white emerged with a gourd of water for the final oath-taking. She said she pretended like drinking the water but did not.  Engr Oni has warned against going to seek help from people who will make you swear to oaths, naked in a coffin and  thereby succeed in making you their slave for life. Awo, the Avatar, must be squirming in his grave.

    If care is not taken, these questionable characters will turn most of  the youth in  Yoruba land to political zombies who they will use as bargaining chips for their political harlotry , especially in 2015 and even beyond.

    Obviously, they have, in their giddiness, forgotten that  there is God.  As a result, they cannot remember how God miraculously took Israelites out of Egypt or, nearer home, how God saved  the likes of  General Oladipo Diya  from certain death in Abacha’s gulag.  As the Lord liveth,  they will fall victims of their  own diabolical plans as Ekiti will never return to Egypt nor will it ever again be ruled by crooks. Ekiti, the land of honour and distinction requires  not ragamuffins but a  visionary leadership.  Vote Fayose and turn this distinctively unique state into a plaything for not only President Jonathan and his Niger Delta boys but also the likes of Buruji Kashamu and Bode George.

    God forbid.

    We must all therefore refuse to be intimidated  come  21 June 2014 whatever the enemy’s armada. For them, nothing is sacred or sacrosanct. They will therefore descend on us  in all their fury, believing we will vote with our legs. But as Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu never ceases to say, power is never served ala carte. We must stand our ground and shame these vampires. We must vote John Kayode Fayemi overwhelmingly to  victory.

  • PDP lauds APC’s convention

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the newly elected national executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ruling party also hailed the successful conduct of the APC’s national convention, describing it as good omen for constructive and purposeful opposition that the Nigerian people deserved.

    The PDP, in a statement on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, hailed the emergence of Chief John Oyegun, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other national executive members of the APC.

    Metuh said the PDP was looking forward to trading tackles with the APC on issues that could enhance the well being of the Nigerian people.

    Metuh charged the new APC leadership to purposely and constructively engage the ruling PDP on issues of principles, particularly as they relate to vital democratic tenets.

    “We charge the newly elected APC national officers to ensure an issue based opposition that will purposefully and constructively engage and challenge the PDP with decency and maturity as prescribed by democratic tenets and principles”, the statement added.

    Stating further that Nigerians deserve a vibrant and patriotic opposition driven only by the national interest, the PDP charged the new APC leadership to put the unity and welfare of Nigerians ahead of other considerations.

    The statement called for a mutual agreement between the PDP and the APC to jettison divisive tendencies, including issuing of unguarded statements that could overheat the polity and pitch Nigerians against one another.

    The ruling party however asserted its pre-eminent position and “widest acceptance” among Nigerians across board despite the emergence of APC new leadership, which it said, posed no threat at all.

    Metuh maintained that PDP remained the only party that has continued to be committed to the national interest, as well as providing level play ground for all Nigerians to achieve their aspirations irrespective of religious, ethnic and gender considerations.

  • Sweeping of campaign venue provocative – Mu’azu

    Sweeping of campaign venue provocative – Mu’azu

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmadu Mu’azu, has described the sweeping of the Ekiti stadium by the All Progressives Congress (APC) after last Saturday’s campaign by the PDP as provocative.

    The police and PDP supporters had attacked APC supporters in Ado Ekiti during which Governor Kayode Fayemi was physically manhandled by the police.

    An APC member was allegedly killed by the police and PDP thugs during the encounter.

    Fayemi had described the encounter as an assassination attempt on him and had personally lodged a complaint with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    But Mu’azu, who spoke at the All Party Summit in Abuja on Thursday, described the APC supporters’ action as provocative, wondering why “men should be carrying brooms.”

    He said: “I wonder why the APC would use brooms to sweep off our footprints each time our party goes to campaign in states under their control.

    “It was equally wrong for the APC to go to the stadium in Ekiti State immediately after our rally in the state to sweep off our feet. I was worried about such conduct and I don’t know when men started carrying brooms.”

    The PDP chairman also alleged that the “Bring Back Our Girls” protests were being sponsored by the opposition, saying the ruling party had since dismissed the protest as an affront against the government.

    “Initially, I thought the “Bring Back Our Girls” protests were well intentioned. That was why I asked my Chief of Staff, the former FCT Minister, to represent us and for two days, he was there.

    “Little did I know it was opposition protests against the Federal Government. But I want to remind us that the war against the abduction of the girls should not be politicised.

    He charged participants at the summit to take a critical view of the security challenges facing the country and act with one voice in bringing the problem to an end.

    Former military head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who chaired discussions at the summit, commended the political class for playing critical role in the successful transition from military to civil rule, which he superintended in 1999.

    Abdulsalami cautioned the political class against blame game over the challenges of terrorism and insurgency in the country.

     

  • Abia PDP too strong to lose, says Orji

    Abia PDP too strong to lose, says Orji

    Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has affirmed the Peoples Democratic Party’s strength in the state in the run-up to its national mini-convention at which it will ratify the party’s national chairman, Adamu Mua’azu.

    Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia his return from a caucus meeting of the party in Abuja, Orji said the party is still the one to beat in the coming general elections next year.

    Orji who has been a member of the PDP caucus said that the discussed the issue of the forth coming national convention where it is expected that the position of the national chairman will be ratified and the plans for the forthcoming elections will be unveiled.

    The governor said that there is need for the ratification of Mu’azu as the PDP national chairman since his short tenure has brought peace to the party and reconciliation has been ongoing, “Therefore ratifying his office will strengthen the party and bring more confidence to the members”.

    He said that since the new national chairman assumed office, “There has been absolute peace and harmony in the party, as he has been carrying everyone along and the confidence of the party members has returned, thereby making the party stronger”.

    Orji, who was bestowed with the honour as the agric governor of the year by AgricExpos West Africa, said that the award was given to him during the agric exposition where agricultural produce of the state and other states were exhibited.

    The governor said that the award made him to be a proud Abian and more determined to improve on the agricultural production of the state, stressing that the state is blessed with many agricultural produce.

    He maintained that his administration is poised to bring back all the native foods that are being neglected, pointing out that such foods which, “Our people need such farm produce which has been neglected as they are better and good to the body, as our fore fathers lived longer on such food stuff”.

    Orji said that his government has done well for the people of the state especially as it concerns agriculture, stressing that a lot of people have been empowered through the liberation farms that have been established all over the state.

    The governor said that he is following the footsteps of President Goodluck Jonathan in the agricultural agenda, as Mr President has stopped the issue of fertilizer scandal which has tended to destroy the agriculture sector.

    He said that the President has done well in the agriculture sector through the introduction of dry farming and approved the sum of N1 billion to be given to farmers, adding that such move will help to increase food production and security.

  • Supporters protest lawmakers’ suspension

    Supporters protest lawmakers’ suspension

    Several groups marched on the streets of Benin City, the Edo State capital, yesterday as the battle for the control of Edo State House of Assembly raged on.

    Some of the groups, comprising mainly youths, were pro-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pro-All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The pro-PDP group called for the recall of the four lawmakers suspended on Monday.

    Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea, Friday Ogieriakhi, Patrick Osayimwen and Jude Ise-Idehen were suspended for alleged misconduct.

    Leaders of the pro-PDP protesters Rotimi Adams and Ojo Godwin said they were on the streets to protest injustice.

    They carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Uyi Igbe stop this action”; “Lawmakers are not Lawbreakers”; “Mr. Speaker says no to Governor’s evil plan” “Edo State Youths are against the action of Uyi Igbe”; “Mr. Speaker do your work well”.

    Adams said the constitution allows for freedom of association and movement from one party to another.

    He said they would continue to protest, if the lawmakers were not recalled.

    The pro-APC protesters stormed the Assembly, alleging that PDP wants to make the state ungovernable.

    They accused the PDP of attempting to replicate what happened in Rivers State.

    Derrick Uhunmwagho, who spoke on their behalf, urged Edo people not to be afraid.

    He said: “Benin City is known for peaceful co-existence. APC youths will not allow anybody to foment trouble in the state. We will defend that which belongs to us.”

    A protester, Shola Clement, said they had seen the good work of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and as such would not allow the state to be returned to what he called “dark days”.

    His words: “We are aware of the fact that some people are out to disrupt the peace of Edo. We will stand against anybody who wants to bring trouble to this state.”

  • N20b libel suit: Obasanjo picks ex-PDP National Auditor as witness

    N20b libel suit: Obasanjo picks ex-PDP National Auditor as witness

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declined to testify in a case brought against him by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest, Buruji Kashamu.

    He has picked PDP’s former National Auditor Chief Bode Mustapha, to testify on his behalf when the hearing begins.

    Kashamu sued Obasanjo for alleged defamation of character over his (Obasanjo’s) claim in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and the former PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, that Kashamu was a fugitive wanted in the United States.

    The suit is before Justice Valentine Ashi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Wuse 2, Abuja.

    Obasanjo’s lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, told the court yesterday that the former President had chosen not to testify in person but to call a witness. The lawyer pointed at Chief Mustapha, who was in court.

    Oyewole said his client had filed the necessary processes, in line with the court’s earlier order and withdrew the applications he filed, challenging some averments contained in one of the plaintiff’s affidavits.

    He sought a date for hearing of the applications, including the main suit.

    The plaintiff’s lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN), did not object to Oyewole’s decision to withdraw his application.

    The lawyer also agreed that a date be fixed for hearing.

    He told the court that he intended to call two witnesses for the plaintiff.

    Justice Ashi, who hailed the maturity the lawyers displayed in the case, urged them to work harmoniously while still protecting the interest of their clients.

    The judge adjourned till July 28 for the beginning of hearing.

  • ‘PDP plans telecoms cut, mass attack on APC’

    ‘PDP plans telecoms cut, mass attack on APC’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has uncovered alleged plan by the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to breach telecommunication transmission networks in Ekiti State.

    The plan, APC claimed in a statement yesterday, is aimed at disrupting communication flow among poll monitors and members of staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    According to the party, this would also hamper communication among APC members by disallowing them from responding to distress calls in the trouble spots where PDP planned to rig elections and attack members.

    The statement by State Interim Chairman of APC, Chief Jide Awe, also said PDP planned “to begin unleashing mayhem in the state, killing APC members to be clad in PDP colours and then blame the act on APC.”

    It added that the plan was to paint APC members black before Nigerians, “thus necessitating extraordinary security measures by the Federal Government that will put fears in the minds of APC members after their leaders would have been arrested for murder.”

    Awe said aside planning to disrupt communication in the major telecommunication networks, two governorship candidates of PDP met and perfected “plans to start the orgy of violence, leading to the killings of APC members, covering the corpses in PDP colours and blaming it on APC leaders” with a view to arrest them for murder.

    This, APC said, would scare leaders and members of the party away from the streets on the day of election.

    The statement also reads: “We are aware of a meeting held at Spotless Hotel in Ado-Ekiti where PDP members received instruction to hit the town to unleash mayhem. They are to target APC members for attacks in their meetings and where the population of members is thick. They were assured of police protection in their violent attacks.

    “We are not surprised at the desperation of PDP. We have expected it. PDP knows it cannot win any election without violence.

    “They are planning to start killing our members and drape their bodies in PDP colours to appear as if APC is responsible for the killings. This will cause anger among the unsuspecting Nigerians against APC.

    “We had earlier alerted Nigerians on the plots by PDP to orchestrate violence in the state to create apathy among voters on the election day. We also called the attention of Nigerians to the cloning of voter’s cards by PDP to be illegally used by mercenaries to rig election. With PDP working in cahoots with the police, APC members will now be psychologically worn out while PDP members armed with the cloned cards would storm polling centres to illegally vote for their candidate,” the party said.

    The APC called world’s attention to the fact that Nigerians stood with President Goodluck Jonathan when he was disallowed by the enemies of democracy to be sworn in and recognised as the substantive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Democratic expression by Nigerians won him that battle and today he is savouring the benefits of democratic principle. He should remember the past and act as a statesman.

    “We therefore call the attention of Nigerians to these devilish plans by PDP leaders in their desperation to manipulate the poll in favour of their candidate. We also call on the international community, poll observers, lovers of democracy and people of conscience around the globe to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to allow democracy work in Nigeria”, the statement said.

  • APC accuses PDP of inciting violence in Kano

    APC accuses PDP of inciting violence in Kano

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of inciting the violence that followed the emergence of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano last Sunday.

    The  PDP’s action was an attempt to destabilise the state, APC said.

    It urged the Kano State Attorney-General to prosecute all PDP officials involved “in this act of destabilisation”.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC condemned a statement by PDP’s Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh congratulating one of the contenders “long before the Kano State Government announced the new Emir”.

    The party said the action was premeditated and calibrated to incite violence.

    It wondered why PDP, which has access to Kano or any state government, would rush to the media to congratulate a contender who had not been selected, without even contacting the selecting authority to ensure the veracity of whatever news it might have heard.

    “What is so urgent about congratulating the new Emir that could not have waited for a few hours for the appropriate authority to make an official announcement?” APC queried.

    The party said when the announcement was eventually made and the contender, who had already been congratulated lost out, “it is only natural that his supporters would feel short-changed”.

    APC said: “It is, therefore, obvious that the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, went out of its way to stoke the fire of violence in Kano.

    “Since we live in a country which is being governed by the rule of law, the best option open to the Kano State Government is for the Attorney-General to immediately initiate criminal proceedings against PDP and its officials for incitement. Whatever explanations they have for their irresponsible and premeditated actions, they should reserve for their defence in court.”

    But the PDP said APC’s statement was an attempt to blackmail the ruling party.

    Its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, acknowledged that he “made a mistake” on the announcement.