The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PDP

  • Kashamu hails group over Bankole

    Kashamu hails group over Bankole

    The Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has spoken of the role played by former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole, in the alleged trading off of Southwest people.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Kashamu said: “I hereby confirm some of the issues raised by a group, the Voice of Reason, on Page 59 of The Nation of yesterday’s edition, about the alleged trading off of the interest of the people of the Southwest by the former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, on the choice of his successor.

    “Indeed, it was the climax of his usual politics”.

    Thanking the group for its courageous intervention in the issues leading to the 2015 general elections in Ogun State, Kashamu urged more individuals and organisations to join the fray.

     

  • Fayose sets up campaign organisation

    The flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 21 June governorship election in Ekiti State, former Governor Ayo Fayose, has appointed Chief Dipo Anisulowo as the Director-General of his campaign organisation. In a statement yesterday, Fayose named other members of the team as Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, Deputy Director-General; Chief Akin Awodunmila, Treasurer; and Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, Publicity Chairman.

  • NCP fixes April 14 for Ekiti primary

    The primary of the National Conscience Party (NCP) for the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State will hold on April 14.

    In an interview yesterday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, NCP’s National Chairman Dr. Yunusa Tanko said: “Machinery is in place to hold the party’s primary on April 14. So far, we have two aspirants contesting the election and we have fixed dates for congresses. Our nomination form is free because that is the policy of the party. What the party does is to check if an aspirant is of impeccable character and has not engaged in fraudulent activities. As long as an individual is free of any negative issue, the NCP is ready to give him or her a nomination form to contest the primary.”

    He said by giving out forms freely, the party’s candidate would not mismanage public funds, if he is elected.

    On competing with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), Tanko said: “We are not intimidated by their presence. We had a similar situation in Ekiti in 2003. We did not bother about other parties and that was when the NCP won its first election.”

    He said the party has a chance to win the poll, if it mobilises well.

    Tanko, who is also the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), decried money politics, saying it was detrimental to the political system.

    He urged the electorate not to vote for candidates because of money, but to vote for candidates with integrity.

    Tanko also urged leaders of the party to remain united.

  • ‘Don’t bring Mr. President into this’

    ‘Don’t bring Mr. President into this’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has said President Goodluck Jonathan had nothing to do with the emergence of former Governor Ayo Fayose as the party’s standard bearer for the June 21 governorship poll.

    Reacting to the Governor Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation’s (APC’s) allegation that the Presidency masterminded Fayose’s emergence, PDP’s Director of Publicity Mr. Gboyega Aribisoga said: “Fayose is the choice of the Ekiti people.”

    Aribisogan said: “PDP members in Ekiti , on their own, decided on a candidate of their choice in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

    “Mr. President, the National Chairman and the National Working Committee advocated a constitutional arrangement and stood by it.

    “If Fayemi is alleging that Fayose is being foisted on Ekiti, it goes to show that he is jittery. Fayemi is being mischievous by mentioning a case that has been decided by a competent court of law. Mr. President should not be brought into this issue at all.”

     

  • Ekiti PDP primary crisis deepens

    Ekiti PDP primary crisis deepens

    A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Chief Dayo Adeyeye, has urged the party’s leadership to call former Governor Ayo Fayose to order before he “scatters” the party.

    Fayose is also a PDP governorship aspirant.

    Addressing reporters at his campaign office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Adeyeye alleged that the Central Committee that came for the PDP ward congresses had been influenced by Fayose to change the list of delegates to tomorrow’s primary.

    In a speech, titled: “Time to save Ekiti from destruction”, the former Afenifere Publicity Secretary urged the leaders to suspend the primary slated for tomorrow, to enable the party entertain complaints emanating from the congress.

    He said despite efforts to twist the outcome of the congresses, the results reflected the aspiration of members, adding: “I am aware that the delegates from Abuja colluded with Fayose to twist the results they went back to Abuja with.

    “It has become necessary for me, as a loyal party man, who is desirous of the PDP wining the June 21 election, to bring to public knowledge how the entire process was manipulated in favour of Fayose, who incidentally was the one who clamoured for a primary election. Yesterday’s ward congresses exposed him as unpopular, even in the PDP.”

    Explaining that congresses did not hold in Ado, Gbonyin, Ise/Orun, Emure and Ikere local government areas, Adeyeye said: “Particularly in Ise/Orun, my council area, election materials were diverted in connivance with some loyalists of Fayose. The results we have, which are also with the police, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), State Security Service (SSS) and our party officials clearly show that we had majority of the delegates and anything contrary to the original results shall be rejected.

    “It is our position that if we must participate in Saturday’s primary election, the authentic list of delegates elected in the 11 local governments where the ward congresses were held must be used.

    “Also, fresh congresses must be held in Ado, Emure, Gbonyin, Ise/Orun and Ikere councils, where congresses did not hold on Wednesday. Anything other than this will simply mean that the primary will be held with Fayose as the sole aspirant and we will wait and see what happens thereafter.

    “As the leader of the party, we want President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and direct the suspension of Saturday’s primaries, pending the resolution of complaints emanating from the manipulated ward congresses.”

    Fayose debunked the allegations, saying: “The allegations are not correct. They are baseless because Adeyeye has no proof to link Fayose’s supporters to the hijack of electoral materials. Was it not Adeyeye and members of his consensus club that sent thugs to the PDP state secretariat on Wednesday to prevent the ward delegates’ congress from holding?

    “They did not only send thugs to harass the delegates from Abuja, but also sent thugs to hijack the electoral materials of some local governments. Adeyeye, like his co-travelers, expected to be handpicked, since he is not used to internal democracy.”

    Yesterday evening, armed policemen and some officers of the State Security Service (SSS) were stationed at various points around the PDP Secretariat in Ajilosun.

  • Abia South PDP stakeholders hail Orji’s election

    Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party in Abia South have hailed the election of Governor Theodore Orji as the chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum .

    Some of the party members who spoke to our correspondent in Aba, described Orji’s appointment as not only timely, but a square peg in a square hole.

    They said that it was important that the governor became the southeast governors’ forum chairman, adding that his election into that position would attract more Federal Government’s attention to the region.

    Chief Friday Nwosu, a PDP chieftain, described the governor’s election as historic and well deserved, adding that, the election is a testimony to the laudable achievements of the governor and the stabilising role he is playing in the zone.

    According to him, “Abians are grateful to the governors and other stakeholders of the zone for the recognition accorded our first citizen. We rejoice with Governor Orji for this historic election. It is a confirmation of the fatherly role he is playing in the zone as well as his achievements in Abia State.”

    Nwosu who is a legal practitioner, stated that the election came at a time the South East Governors’ Forum needed a grassroot mobiliser like Governor Orji as the 2015 elections draw near.

    He thanked other governors for the peaceful manner in which the election was conducted and enjoined them to rally round their new chairman and President Goodluck Jonathan to protect the interest of the zone in the politics of the nation.

    Chief Simon Emeh, another PDP chieftain, said it wasn’t a mistake that the governor emerged the chairman after outgone Anambra Governor Peter Obi.

    According to him, “Ochendo has performed so well in the things that concerned Igbo race. He is also, one of the modern leaders we have that have emerged as the chairman of the forum. Ochendo suspends anything he is doing in Abia State immediately it concerns anything about the Southeast. Since 2007 till date, he has been participating effectively. He will use his humility to attract so many things to the Southeast. Since Mr. President is a friend to the current chairman of the forum, I think whatever that is our need; the president will give it a listening ear.

  • PDP suffers set back in suit against defecting governors

    PDP suffers set back in suit against defecting governors

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) suffered a setback Wednesday in its anticipation of a prompt hearing of its suit against five governors who defected from the party to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The spirited effort by PDP’s lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN) to have the court hear his fresh motion on notice, with which he sought to obtain the court’s permission to serve the governors through their states’ liaison offices in Abuja, yeilded no fruit.

    Defendants’ lawyers, including John Baiyeshea (SAN), Yusuf Ali (SAN), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and Awa Kalu (SAN) insisted that their pending motions, challenging the competence of an earlier service effected on their client, should be heard first.

    The PDP had sued the Independent National Electoral Tribunal (INEC), Alhaji Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara) before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking their sack following their defection from the party.

    Iziyon said Wednesday that his decision to file the fresh motion was informed by the defendants’ challenge of the earlier service of processes on them.

    Iziyon said he decided to notify the defendants’ lawyers of his intention to serve the defecting governors through their liaison offices because of their position that they entered appearance in protest.

    He said the intention was not to serve the governors through their lawyers. He urged the court to hear his fresh motion.

    The defendants’ lawyers argued that their application, challenging the earlier purported service on their clients were earlier in time and should be heard and decided first before the court could hear the PDP’s new motion.

    The defendants’ lawyers, who had complained that the court processes were served on a wrong address of the APC in Abuja, are by their motions praying the court to set aside the service.

    Ruling, Justice Gabriel Kolawole elected to hear all pending applications together.

    He adjourned to April 7 for hearing.

    It is the PDP’s contention that the governors should be sacked from office on the ground that, upon their defection, they have forfeited their offices, which, as a result, have reverted to the party.

    In the event that the five governors are sacked from office, PDP wants the court to order the deputy governors or speakers of the states’ Houses of Assembly of the affected states, or any officer next in rank, who is still its member, to assume the office of governor.

    The PDP wants the court to declare that by the combined provisions of sections 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the 1999 Constitution, the five governors, who were elected under its platform, cannot continue to enjoy the mandate given to it (PDP) by the people/electorate of the concerned states as they (governors) have defected to another political party.

    It is also seeking a declaration that in the absence of any division in the PDP, the five governors have vacated or forfeited their seats upon their defection to the APC.

    The party wants a declaration that, by the combined provisions of sections 87 of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended), and sections 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the 1999 Constitution, the offices of the defected governors have reverted to the PDP.

    The PDP also wants the court to declare that, by the combined provisions of sections 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the 1999 Constitution, upon the defection of the five governors, the mandate reverts to the deputy governor or speaker of the state houses of assembly of the respective states or any officer next in rank who is still a member of the PDP.

  • No vacancy in Gombe, says PDP

    No vacancy in Gombe, says PDP

    Ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial race in the state, the Gombe state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has declared that there is no vacancy at the state government house.

    The state’s Secretary General of the party, Alhaji Buba Shanu said this in reaction to the All Progressive Congress declaration to oust the ruling party in the state at the next elections.

    According to him: “PDP both at the national level and Gombe state, will take this as a serious business because we have infrastructure and systems in place to take care of the business

    “At the National level, when the management of PDP sneezes, Nigeria catches cold. This tells you that we are the people to beat. We are the leaders, not the followers and therefore, nothing can stop us”.

    He said the scenario is the same at the state level where the ruling party is going to continue to rule for a long time.

    Asked whether Governor Dankwambo would stay in office beyond 2015, Shanu said: “I don’t only just think he will be in office, I know for certain he will be in office.”

    He said the strength of the incumbent administration among others are its planning, prudent, transparent and participatory nature and the fact that there has been no stealing, killing, maiming or coercion since it came on board.

    He said this is a clear departure from the immediate past where coercion, killings and maiming were rampant, even as the then governor woke up every day without planning and decided how he wanted thing to be.

    He denied rumours in some quarters that three PDP Councillors defected to APC in Kwami local government, home of the state Interim Chairman of APC, saying “I am not aware of anything like that.”

    On attempts to disrupt the state government’s reorientation and rehabilitation exercise, the PDP stalwart said it may not be wholly political, hence the need to look inward with a view to frustrating future attempts.

  • Can Senator Domingo get second term?

    Can Senator Domingo get second term?

    Three aspirants are jostling for the Edo North senatorial ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). OSAGIE OTABOR writes on their strengths, weaknesses and other factors that will shape the poll.

    Senator Obende Domingo represents Edo North Senatorial District in the Senate. His ambition to return to the Upper Chamber in 2015 is being threatened by political heavy weights eyeing his job.

    The senatorial aspirants include the Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Major Francis Alimekhena and Hon, Abubakar Momoh, who is representing Estako Constituency in the House of Representatives.

    The three contenders are from the three major tribes-Owan, Etunu and Estako- that make up the district. Estako has three local governments. Owan has two councils and Etunu has one local government.

    Domingo hails from Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. He was elected on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011. He had wanted to contest for the seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007, but without success. The PDP leaders opted for Yisa Braimoh, who he later displaced three years ago.

    What worked for Domingo was the agitation for the seat by the Etunu people, who complained that they had been marginalised by the two major tribes. They said that the seat was rotating between the Owans and Estako. Also, Governor Adams Oshiomhole supportedDomingo against another aspirant, Tunde Lakoju.

    Ahead of 2015, Domingo is scheming to keep his job. He has debunked the allegation of non-performance. In a pamphlet being circulated in the district, the senator listed the projects he has attracted to the state. They include solar-powered street lights, distribution of empowerment materials, construction of classroom blocks, community centres and boreholes. His supporters are of the view that he deserves a second term like his predecessors.

    But, can he beat Ihonvbere at the primaries? Following the declaration of interest by the political scientist, other aspirants have returned to the drawing board. Ihonvbere has made attempts twice to be the governor under the PDP. He served under President Olusegun Obasanjo as Special Adviser on Project Monitoring before returning to Edo to vie for the governorship, which he lost to Senator Oserheimen Osunbor in 2007. In 2011, he was among the aspirants that staged a walk-out during the PDP primaries. He later defected to the defunct ACN. Ihonvbere was appointed as the SSG when Oshiomhole was re-elected as the governor.

    The eminent politician, Momoh, is not a push-over. He was a member of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007. He was re- elected in 2011. He started his political career as a councillor. Later, he became the Chairman of Estako East Local Government. He was elected into the House of Assembly in 1999.

    The retired soldier, Alimekhena, was a leader of the PDP before be defected to the ACN . He was a senatorial aspirant in 2011. But, luck did not smile on him.

    Observers argue that the governor is a factor in the senatorial race. he is likely to determine who wins the ticket. Sources close to Oshiomole disclosed that he would not support any political neophyte. “The governor will not just support anybody he cannot trust, someone who will not perform. Those he helped in the past have disappointed him by not fullfilling their electoral promises. Some of them have not reported to their constituency since they were elected”, said an aide.

    The zoning formula may also shape the exercise. The zoning agreement may heat up the primaries. Senator Kassim Oyofo from Estako was in the Senate between 1999 and 2007. He was succeeded by Braimoh from Owan, who served for four years before Domingo from Akoko-Edo took over.

    The Owan people have argued that Domingo truncated the agreement by not allowing Braimoh to complete two terms. Their position now is that the position can be contested by all the ethnic groups. Some Estako youth have warned their elders against conceeding the slot to other tribes.

    At a meeting convened by the APC Interim Deputy Chairman, Chief Usman Shagadi, Estako leaders adopted a resolution to support their son for the ticket. The leaders also agreed to sink their political differences.

    Shagadi told the gathering that it would be an injustice for the Etsakos to be shut out of the race after conceding eight years to other zones in the spirit of oneness.

    He described that the Edo North ticket for 2015 as the birthright of the Etsakos, urging the Owans and Akoko-Edos to reciprocate Etsako’s past gesture. He recalled that Estako conceded the slot to them without bitterness and acrimony in 2007 and 2011.

    The leaders agreed to field a consensus candidate, promising to communicate the resolution to the governor.

    Ihonvbere has also been endorsed by Owan, Etsako Central and East leader. But, he is being accused of riding to the Senate on the governor’s back.

    However, Alimekhena is unperturbed. He said he has a high chance of clinching the ticket because he hails from Estako.

    The Edo North ticket may slip from Domingo’s hand because he is from a minority ethnic group in the district. His critics have alleged that he has not lived up top expectation. But, his media aide, Balarabe Oshiafi, disagreed. He said: “The relationship among the people of Estako, Owan and Akoko-Edo and Governor Oshiomhole and Senator Domingo is as cordial. Domingo is a humble servant of the people, whose track record is well known and appreciated by the good people of Afemailand. Hence, they have asked him to return to the Senate in 2015”.

    “It is expected that the enemies of progress will try to distract us, but Senator Domingo will continue to bring manifest development to all corners of Afemailand.”

    Governor Oshiomhole hails from Estako. He is yet to declare his next political move. Whoever his ‘magic wand’ touches will get the ticket. But, the governor is interested in a performer.

     

  • Senator slams PDP for preventing Nnamani’s return

    Senator slams PDP for preventing Nnamani’s return

    A lawmaker, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, has condemned the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) move to stop former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani from returning to the party.

    Nnaji in a statement yesterday said: “I decry Enugu State government’s and PDP’s move to stop Nnamani from returning to the party. His return is a welcome development.

    “PDP’s umbrella is big enough to accommodate the old, returning and new members. If Nnamani is readmitted, it shows the party is repositioning to continue as the ruling party in the country and Enugu cannot be an exception.

    “PDP’s door is open for anybody who cares to enter. Nnamani’s re-entry is an asset to the party because as an ex-governor and a former senator, he has a lot to offer to ensure the party’s success in next year’s elections.”