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Tag: PDP

  • ‘I won’t seek re-election if I win’

    ‘I won’t seek re-election if I win’

    Former Oyo State Deputy Governor Hazeem Gbolarumi has said if elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor, he would not seek a second term.

    He spoke yesterday with reporters at his Bodija home in Ibadan while celebrating his 57th birthday.

    Gbolarunmi, who said he would soon send his letter of intent to the state PDP, added that a governor should rule for one term.

    “If I am elected next year as the governor, I will not seek re-election because we have millions of indigenes from Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun zones, who are qualified for the position.”

    “Government goes and government comes. If anybody becomes the governor, I believe he should do his best and leave the rest for other qualified people to improve on.”

    He said there was no faction in Oyo PDP, adding that members were one under the leadership of Mr. Yinka Taiwo.

    Among dignitaries at the birthday prayer were Senator Ayoade Adeseun; Senator Lekan Balogun; Alhaji Abass Oloko; Chief Imam of Offa, Sheik Muideen Salmon; Prof. Taoreed Adedoja; Prof. Soji Adejumo; former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Bamidele Dada, Chief Femi Babalola; Alhaji Mukaila Aborode; Alhaji Lateef Akinsola aka Tokyo; Elder Wole Oyelese and Alhaja Bose Adedibu.

     

  • Why Governor Shettima is right; a preface

    Why Governor Shettima is right; a preface

    As the reader can see I have devoted virtually the whole of today’s column to reactions to my last two columns; the first on the need for the new opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to get its act together, if it is to have any chance of unseating the ruling PDP in next year’s election, and the second on the spat between President Goodluck Jonathan and the sacked governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, ostensibly on his alleged “reckless” management of the CBN, but in reality over Sanusi’s whistle blowing on the apparent grand thefts of the country’s oil and its revenues.

    The first article elicited only 18 text messages and a few emails while the second got 69 and a couple of emails. One of the texts on the second piece expressed great disappointment that I wrote on the GEJ/SLS spat when I should’ve done so on the blood curdling middle-of-the-night massacre of pupils of Federal Government College, Bunu Yadi, Yobe State, the day before, allegedly by elements of Boko Haram.

    “I,” the reader who texted from +2347067280114 but did not give his name said, “was expecting to read from you a lamentation on the killing of innocent students of so-called unity college. Haba mallam!”

    The reader’s disappointment, possibly even anger, is understandable. The problem, however, is that we’ve had too many lamentations and condemnations by just about everybody but little or no sign that President Jonathan, on whose table the buck stops, is sincerely willing and/or capable of dealing with the terrible insurgency.

    Of all the things that raise doubts about his commitment and capacity to end the insurgency none has been as revealing as his angry retort at the remark, no doubt dead on target, by a tearful Governor Ibrahim Kashim Shettima of Borno State, following Boko Haram’s sacking of Kauri, Idzge and Konduga villages in the state, that the insurgents “are better armed and better motivated” than our military and are therefore not about to be routed anytime soon by the military.

    Next week, God willing, Shettima’s remarks and the president’s reaction will be the subject of this column.

    For today I leave you with some of the mixed reactions to my last two pieces.

     

    FEEDBACK

    Re: “GEJ versus Sanusi, the whistleblower”

     

    Sir,

    One of my favourite topics in my O’ Level School Certificate Government, is the Principle of Collective Responsibility. The Central Bank governor cannot be a whistleblower in a government he is part of. The honourable thing to do is resign and blow the whistle from outside.

    When Eze Festus Odimegwu opened his mouth wide about goings-on at National Population Commission, as regards Census figures in Nigeria, Gov. Kwankwaso and company went to the Presidential Villa, and prevailed on President Jonathan to sack him. Odimegwu was eventually sacked and heaven did not fall.

    So Sanusi deserves his sack because no employee ever dictates the terms and conditions of his employment.

    Sanusi’s behaviour lately reminds me of late Chinua Achebe’s story of the bird, Nza, which dared his CHI (personal god) to a wrestling bout after enjoying a sumptuous meal. Of course, we have now seen the outcome of the wrestling match. Sanusi’s sack is good riddance!

    Chukwuma Dioka. +2348166933115

     

    Sir ,

    He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Sanusi is guilty of what he accused Jonathan of. The kettle cannot call the pot black. They are all thieves.

    Ibegbu. +2348035410176

     

    Sir,

    Sanusi lives in glass house and was dropping stones in the president’s ATM machine, the NNPC.

    Patrick. +2348032571244

     

    Sir,

    If you were the president will you allow Sanusi to remain on seat fighting you directly?

    Engr. Anolue. +2348037114167

     

    Sir,

    In your write up you failed to take note of the fact that Sanusi said he saw the allegations against him on the day he was suspended. This is critical and touches on principles of fair hearing.

    +2348123464980

     

    Sir,

    Jonathan and his government have been a terrible disappointment, a ‘Badluck’ and a curse on Nigerians. The man is busy picking fights against his betters like Amaechi and now Sanusi while Boko Haram continues to slaughter innocent Nigerians right under his nose and he remains criminally clueless and helpless. This impunity, corruption, social injustices, security ineptitude and economic malversation characteristic of his government must stop.

    +2348096966605

     

    Sir,

    Police were on the trail of armed robbers, a prostitute informed of their whereabouts. Please let’s arrest the armed robbers first, collect our $20 billion then face the lesser offender. The government waited for months after Lamido’s request and realising that the man is determined, dusted up a report that will not stand in a law court but gain popularity in beer parlours in Bayelsa.

    Cardinal O.C. Arogundade. +2348055567777

     

    Sir,

    Please tell them, in case they don’t know, that even if they acquire the whole world they will leave everything behind on their deaths.

    +2348053263196.

     

    Sir,

    I agree with you that Sanusi has won the hearts of the poverty-stricken Nigerians, while the position of the president remains unenviable. What I want to add to your incisive piece is this: the eyes of the poor have opened. They now know that the present suffering did not fall from the sky but flows from corruption in high quarters.

    Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna. +2347085284103

    Sir,

    Under section 11 (1) (b) of the interpretation act, the power to hire includes the power to suspend.

    Abubakar Sani, Abuja/Kano. +2348034533892

     

    Sir,

    Whenever a father uses hammer to kill mosquito when a wild snake is left roaming around in the house, the child standing by is put in a state of confusion. May we see Nigerian army strike again to handle the mega thieves in the oil cartel.

    Ondas Nas. +2348032399800.

     

    Re: For APC, time is ticking

     

    The opposition APC using paid loyalists like you in their employ is engaging in subjective and destructive criticism against Africa’s biggest party. Cure yourself of deliberate blindness and discover that APC is too desperate, immature and unprepared to rule Nigeria. I wish you both good luck. You need it.

    Dr. Ifeanyi Nwaeboh. +2348163295663.

     

    Sir,

    I am an Igbo man and the problem with people of my tribe is lack of knowledge and blind sentiment. Each time I make comments about GEJ and his corrupt government both on radio and in our gathering they accuse me of being an agent of Boko Haram. By God’s grace PDP mis-rule will end come 2015.

    Collins, Abuja. +2348059876387

     

    Sir,

    The APC appears to rely so much on propaganda.  It is stretching the capabilities of its talented Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.  But Lai alone cannot win the 2015 elections. The APC needs to encourage and nurture a formidable structure in all the 36 states of the federation to stand a good chance of occupying Aso Rock in 2015.

    For example, in most of the South East, apart from Imo State and to lesser degree Anambra state, the APC is in the hands of charlatans, who cannot even deliver their wards.  They are just after the crumbs they are expecting from the national secretariat or other APC controlled states.  And after the elections, they will drift back to their PDP pay-masters.  You will recall how the South East CPC disowned General Muhammadu Buhari after the 2011 elections.

    Azunna Nnamani, Enugu State.

     

    Sir,

    Your piece on For APC, Time is Ticking is a free consultancy for the APC which you should also extend to the PDP.  Perhaps, because of your interest in APC, you are too soft on their current leaders as to point out their incompetence.  Since the APC got five PDP governors to join them, they have not ceased celebrating to the extent that they appear to have forgotten that the main purpose of all the manoeuvring is the 2015 elections. Their congresses are supposed to be a few days or few weeks away and yet they have not come out with the modalities for the congresses.  This is where PDP is better.  Kindly give PDP some credits next time.

    James Onoriode, Sapele

     

    Sir,

    Usually it is not in my character to reply to publications like your article on the back page of The Nation of 18/02/2014 but I have to make an exemption to the rule for correction purpose only and only to set the record straight.

    The party, All Progressives Congress, came as a result of the merger between the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a group from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Senator Annie Okonkwo, and a group from the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) led by late Senator Pius Ewherido and my humble self.

    I represented DPP throughout the process leading to the merger. Two positions, National Auditor and Deputy National Organising Secretary were allocated to the DPP. Today, I am the Interim National Auditor while the former state chairman of DPP in Imo State Chief Romanus Egbuladike is the Deputy National Organising Secretary.

    Sir Olisaemeka Akamukali.

  • I was misinterpreted, says Nasarawa deputy governor

    I was misinterpreted, says Nasarawa deputy governor

    Nasarawa State Deputy Governor Dameshi Luka said yesterday that he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to the “attitude of exclusion exhibited by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

    Luka said he was misinterpreted by his boss, Governor Tanko Al-Makura when he was seen with President Goodluck Jonathan on a pilgrimage last year.

    Luka made the clarification at the PDP secretariat in Lafia after submitting a letter of intent to join the party.

    He said his purported suspension from the APC while he was away in the United States did not follow conventional procedure and was targeted at humiliating him.

    He alleged that he was accused of disloyalty by honouring President Goodluck Jonathan’s invitation to accompany him on the pilgrimage to Israel.

    According to him, Gov. Al-Makura misinterpreted the spiritual obligation as a plan being hatched to unseat him.

    Luka said he opposed the directive of the APC leadership to its members in the National Assembly to block all executive bills, including 2014 Appropriation Bill.

    “I want to reiterate that as a patriotic citizen, I stand firmly on that statement and insist that national interest must supercede party or any other interests,’’ he added.

    Luka said he was yet to register as a member of the APC since he was away during the party’s membership registration exercise, and wondered how he could have been suspended from a party he was yet to register as a member.

    “My disinterest to register with the APC is not unconnected with the attitude of exclusion exhibited by the leadership of the party with the active collaboration of the governor.

    “Consequently, I and my teaming supporters across the state have decided to move over to the PDP with immediate effect,” Luka said.

    The PDP State Chairman, Yunana Ilya, likened Luka’s action to the prodigal son, adding that the party was glad to have him back under the umbrella.

    Iliya said the deputy governor and others, who recently joined the PDP will soon be hosted to a grand reception to be graced by the national leadership of the party.

     

     

  • 2015:Cross River Speaker declares intention

    2015:Cross River Speaker declares intention

    Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Larry Odey has said he will contest for the governorship in 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said his ambition was borne out of the desire to sustain the development and growth of the state.

    In a meeting with chapter chairmen of the PDP in Calabar, he said: ‘’I am propelled by the desire to sustain the development and growth in the state.’’

    He said if given the party’s ticket and he wins, he would implement the party’s manifesto as a loyal PDP member.

    ‘’But if I don’t get the party’s nomination, I’ll support whoever is chosen to fly the party’s flag. I see it as a race that must be run with a collective will to ensure victory for the PDP,’’ he said.

     

     

  • Gundiri dumps APC for PDP

    Gundiri dumps APC for PDP

    A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Markus Gundiri, has dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Yola, Gundiri said his decision to defect to the PDP was based on “breach of trust and lack of accommodation” in the APC.

    Gundiri, a governorship candidate on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, said his action was aimed at “strengthening democratic norms and principles”.

    He said he was initially optimistic that the merger to form the APC would provide a rare opportunity for the APC to defeat the PDP in 2015.

    Gundiri listed “injustice and impunity’’ displayed by the interim committee of the APC as other reasons that forced him to dump the party.

    The candidate criticised the way the interim committee of the APC was constituted in the state without “due recognition and respect’’ for senior partners in the coalition that formed the APC.

    He alleged that trained registration supervisors were not allowed to handle the APC membership registration in some local government areas as demanded by law, adding that the exercise was cancelled in some local government areas.

    Gundiri called on his supporters and the electorate in the state to support the PDP to move the state forward in 2015.

    He said arrangements were on to receive him and his supporters into the PDP.

    But some of his supporters have vowed to remain in the APC. His running mate, Abdurazak Namdas, said the followers of the defunct ACN are still in the APC.

    The State Interim Public Relations Officer, Salihu Baba Ahmed, said as far as APC is concerned, Gundiri was still a member as he has not formally withdrawn his membership.

    “For us to acknowledge his defection, he has to go back to his ward and tender his membership card or even come to the state interim committee and tender the membership card.”

     

  • I remain authentic PDP national secretary, says Oyinlola

    I remain authentic PDP national secretary, says Oyinlola

    Former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has warned that no one should parade himself as the national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said he remained the only authentic secretary .

    At a rally organised by the PDP in Osun Central in Okuku, his home town, Oyinlola said he had challenged the PDP national leadership on his suspension.

    He said: “Until the court decides otherwise, I remain the PDP national secretary. I am the only authentic national secretary of the PDP. Any other person, who claims that office, is an impostor and should be treated as such. If any other person acts as the PDP national secretary, it can affect our party in future because other parties can use that against us.

    “Only the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) has the right to discipline a NEC member. I have studied the constitution of our party and as a lawyer I know that the state chapter of the party or any other organ within the party lacks the prerogative to discipline me.”

    Recalling that the crisis in the PDP at the national level led to the birth of the new PDP, Oyinlola said: “There is only one PDP in Nigeria now and I belong to the party. There is no old PDP or new PDP again. We are all in PDP.”

    The former governor, who explained that he had no link with the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he was invited to join the party.

  • ‘PDP can survive without Obasanjo’

    ‘PDP can survive without Obasanjo’

    Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Chief Adebayo Dayo, in this interview with Jeremiah Oke, speaks on the crisis rocking the party, defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and preparations for next year’s elections.

    What is your reaction to the election timetable recently released by the INEC?

    When Professor Jega assumed office as the INEC Chairman, we are all rejoicing that the Messiah, who will salvage the commission and perform wonders, has arrived. Now that he is ready to carry out his duties, why are people complaining about ordinary timetable? If you are sure of your party, whatever timetable presented by the INEC, you have to accept it. It is the right of the INEC to tell us how the election will be conducted. Either the presidential election comes first or the governorship election comes last, I do not see anything bad in it.The most important thing is to prepare for the election. It is the people that are not prepared that are complaining about time-table. But, as for the PDP, we are ready.

    You said the PDP is ready. But there are factions in the Ogun State chapter. Is the party really ready?

    There are no factions. Chief Fadairo completed his tenure when we had the last congress, even though there were disputes after the congress. Dayo Soremi took over from Chief Fadairo. Later, Dipo Odujirin was talking about the non-existence of the executive in Ogun State. Odujinrin did not participate in the March 2011congress. Meanwhile, there was no reason for him to participate in the election because the whole 36 states of the federation had their congresses the same day the ward, local government and state levels. There is no reason why that of Ogun State should be different.It is unfortunate that people who are holding sensitive positions in the country insist on imposition, instead of the due process. Odujinrin was imposed, but we said no, we don’t want imposition. We insisted on the congress, which was held in the presence of the INEC officials, security agents, and press men.

    But, to our surprise, the National Secretary then, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, ensured that our executive was not recognised at the national level. They also went to court and the court ruled that we had a legitimate congress because there was an order from the national headquarters that Dayo Soremi-led executive should conduct the congress. It was in February, last year that I received a letter from the NEC which stated that our committee has been recognised by the NWC. That was when we started representing Ogun State at the NEC meetings and other national assignments.

    Your explanation has confirmed that there is division in the chapter. How do you intend to win election in 2015 when the house is divided?

    The PDP is one in Ogun State. Dipo Odujirin has nowhere to go, even though we heard that they had decided in Baba Obasanjo’s library to defect to the APC. But as at today, I know they are still in the PDP. Obasanjo himself said he will keep his membership card and he will stay in the PDP. Other dissenting members have come to terms with the court ruling. We are one and we work together. Few days ago, I was in Imeko-Afon to visit Chief Adejobi, one of the staunch members of Baba Obasanjo’s group.The situation is unlike when the former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, had his own PPN as a faction of the PDP. Today, most of the people in the PPN are back in the PDP. For instance, the representative of the PPN in my own local government is now my Personal Assistant.

    Do you agree that the Ogun PDP crisis led to the sack of Oyinlola, Oni and others from the national executive?

    To certain level, it is correct. We had one national convention and six zonal congresses. The Southwest congress did not follow the rule of law and the party’s constitution. We in Ogun State went to court to challenge the validity of the zonal congress that produced Oyinlola and others as national officers. We believe Oyinlola and others were not duly elected at that congress, since the congress was faulty.

    The case of Ogun State is different from Adamawa. In Ogun, Chief Buruji Kashamu is fighting for the rule of law. He is fighting for the masses. He is fighting for the people to know their right. We have people here in the state who believed in staying in their living room and writing down names of those who are going to represent the state at the federal level. The court had pronounced the congress held in the Southwest illegal. I am close to 70 years now. Why must I be afraid to call a spade a spade? This country does not belong to a single individual. It belongs to all of us.

    Former President Obasanjo has not be participating in the activities of the party. Don’t you think it will affect the party?

    If a single individual says he does not want to go ahead any longer, would that consume a national party? The PDP still remains the only national party in Nigeria.

    So, what you are saying is that the PDP can win election without Obasanjo…

    With or without anybody, the PDP will win elections. When Chief Obasanjo won the Presidency, he did not win his polling booth, he did not win his ward, he did not win his local government and he did not win his state. Yet, he became the President because God wanted him there. For Jonathan to contest and win election, it is up to God and not that an individual will be telling us that it is over. If anybody loses his life today, people will continue to live. Despite the fact that we are having three solid groups in the Ogun PDP, we are still going to win election.

    Northerners are clamouring for power shift and Obasanjo is backing them. In view of the North’s voting strength, do you think it will be possible for Dr. Jonathan to secure second term?

    Where have you ever heard an African President losing election? Not that they usually rig, but the power of incumbency is very strong in Africa. People love Jonathan and they will vote for him in 2015 because of his performance.

    Are you saying both at the national, regional and state levels, Obasanjo is not a factor…

    What I am telling you is that, when he contested the presidential election, he did not win his ward, polling booth, local government and the state.

    G5 governors, Atiku and many National Assembly members have defected to the APC. Don’t you think it is a threat to your party?

    Well, politics is a game of number. But, don’t forget that, when we lost one person to the APC, 10 members of the APC will also defect to the PDP. So, if anybody leaves, there are thousands who are ready to join the party. The governors did not believe in the party supremacy. They are indisciplined and they wanted to dictate for the party, which is not acceptable in the PDP.

    Do you think Chief Obasanjo can move to the APC because you said he is planning to defect?

    Yes, they are already negotiating with the APC. Have you not heard that? They negotiated with Amosun and they have succeeded in working together. Is that the guarantee that Amosun will retain in Ogun State? If Obasanjo supports him, it is never a guarantee for him that he will return to government.

    Don’t you see Otunba Gbenga Daniel as a threat in Ogun State as he has instructed his men to defect to labour party ahead of 2015?

    When Daniel was in government, he has money and followers but today, all his commissioners who helped him are nowhere to be found. I am not saying he does not have money again but not like when he was in office as governor. His commissioner in my home town cannot win his ward again. Is that not the kind of people he relied on to win election in 2015? Although he has some people working with him but many have defected. I told you earlier that my PA was his leader in my home town. So, what left for him? As far as I am concerned, in Ogun state of today, labour party is not in existence.

    Atiku said the crisis in PDP has gone beyond redemption, and the new chairman Adamu Mu’azu is moving from state to state and region to region to ensure reconciliation of members. Do you have confidence in the leadership of Mua’zu that he can bring back the fortune of the party?

    Atiku has said such thing sometimes ago before he came back to the party, so I am not surprised. I believe so much in the leadership of Mu’azu. He does not need any magic to turn around the fortune of the party. Everything he needed is fully on ground and all he needs to do is to coordinate the party members and he has been doing that.

    Do you think national conference can address many challenges facing Nigeria most especially when some states have declared that they won’t send delegates to the confab?

    National confab is the only solution to Nigeria problem. People will be able to say their mind and I trust Mr. President; he must have done necessary things to ensure that the delegates are people of high moral standard. I know there is equal representation and they are going to give us the way forward. If they refused to send delegate the presidency knows how to handle that.

     

  • ‘Defection ‘ll not affect PDP in Kaduna’

    ‘Defection ‘ll not affect PDP in Kaduna’

    Alhaji Bashir Sakadadi is the Political Adviser to Kaduna State Governor Mukthar Yero. In this interview with TONY AKOWE, he speaks on the protracted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crises and future of the party in the state.

    Governor Yero has been in the saddle for over one year now. As his Political Adviser, how would you access his performance?

    God gave him the opportunity to govern this state. Before he assumed office, there were many challenges, especially in the area of security. But, looking at the issue of insecurity in the state at the moment, we have course to thank God because, at the moment, we are enjoying some level of peace. I can tell you that, among the 19 Northern states, Kaduna is one of the few states where people go about their businesses freely. You know that many states in the North have banned commercial motorcycle operation; but many of them have been accommodated here, particularly those from the states close to us and they are enjoying their stay in the state. In view of this, I can tell you that Kaduna has turned to a mini- Nigeria. In terms of projects, when Governor Yero came to power, he promised that he will continue from where the late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa stopped and that is exactly what he is doing right now. We want to believe that the people of Kaduna state are really enjoying the dividends of democracy.

    But, there are those who believe that Governor Yero has not done well in the last one year.

    I disagree with them. We have just one government and it is a government of continuity. Don’t forget, the governor was the deputy to the late Yakowa and we have already made plan from 2011 to 2015. I will appeal to the people to give us more time because the governor has studied the situation of governance and he is very well equipped to lead the people and to provide them with social amenities. When he came to power, we were having problems of insecurity. But when he stepped into office, he gave more priority to security and now, we are enjoying peace. Secondly, he realised that youths in the state lacked employment and we started recruiting science teachers. We have already recruited teachers, right from secondary to our higher institutions. Infact, we have employed more than 6,000 teachers. We have also trained about 7500 youths under the SURE-P programme. They were in block making, fish farming, printing among others.

    But the people of Southern Kaduna alleged that projects in their areas stopped after the death of the former governor?

    That did not happen only in Southern Kaduna. There was a time when on-going projects across the state stopped due to several reasons. Those handling the projects were expecting the government to give them additional payment. I was the Commissioner for Science and Technology and Commissioner for Agriculture. At a time, the governor invited stakeholders and told them what is on ground, with regards to funding. When Yakowa was alive, the state collected a loan, which the late governor promised to pay back within four years of his administration. That money was used to mobilise contractors for the projects. All of them collected part payment, but most of the contractors were expecting additional payments. But the government was having shortage of funds and that made most of the contractors to stop work. But today, if you go through most of the 23 local government areas, you will discover that most of the contractors have gone back to site to continue their work.

    There seems to be a sort of religious segregation, with Muslims and Christians living in different parts of the state and afraid to miss. What is government doing about this?

    You will agree with me that it is not going to be easy to ask somebody from Ikara to go to Southern Kaduna to build a house and live there. The reason why Christians and Muslims occupy Kaduna is because that is the headquarters of government and the centre of business. What we are saying is that, if we must live together, we must agree to live in peace. We must learn to work and eat together. The previous misunderstanding in the state was brought about because of religion. The late Patrick Yakowa set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which involved almost 160 people, including religious, traditional leaders. They did their best and have submitted their report.

    Population growth has led to increased agitation for amenities. What is the government doing about this?

    If you look at the state budget for this year, you will discover that security was given top priority. This was followed by education. Considering the influx of people from other states, I must say that we in Kaduna State have done our best. We pay attention to security because, without security, there is no way people will enjoy staying here.

    We also have a new Millennium City where a 300 bed hospital is being constructed by the government. The Millennium City was conceived as part of our plans to continue accommodating people that are coming into the state. Kaduna State University is one of the newest in the country. But, when you go there, you will testify that the state government is really doing something.

    Some prominent members of your party, the PDP, have defected to the APC. How would you react to this development?

    To me, it is not new because, in politics, we don’t have permanent friend or enemy. If you are talking about interest, it comes with a reason. Before the merger, we had three major parties in the state. These are the ANPP, the CPC and the PDP. Now that we are approaching elections, some people will start calculating and looking for a party to belong to win elections. For those who are defecting from the PDP to other party, it is my opinion that they have not taken the right decision. To us in PDP, it is not a big loss because we are talking about individuals and not the party. If I decide to the APC, I am going with my attitude and character because you cannot change me at my age.

    How prepared is the PDP for the 2015 elections, in view of the potential threat by the APC in the state?

    I don’t agree with you that the APC poses a threat to the PDP in the state in 2015 because there is no fact to back it. The PDP structure is on ground and the fact that one or two PDP people defected to the APC means nothing to us. We are talking about elections. Let us wait for the election to come and then, we can decide.

    Are you confident that the PDP will retain power in 2015?

    Of course, I am confident that we are going to retain power, especially when you look at the initial starting point of the APC. It is not going to be easy for them to take away government from the incumbent government because they do not even believe and trust themselves. Everyone among them wants to be a leader and after the interim leadership, there will be time for the original leadership of the party to be formed and later to get who to represent them at the general elections.

     

  • More Ekiti PDP aspirants back consensus option

    More Ekiti PDP aspirants back consensus option

    More Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Ekiti State have backed the call for a consensus candidate.

    Despite former Governor Ayo Fayose’s insistence that the party’s flag bearer should emerge through a primary election, four more aspirants have supported the consensus option.

    The four aspirants – Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju, Mrs. Bola Oloyede, Mr. Adewale Aribisala and Dr. Peter Obafemi – spoke with reporters yesterday after picking up their nomination forms at the PDP national secretariat.

    This brings the number of aspirants, who have obtained the form, to 12.

    Adeyanju is a former aide of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    They said the consensus option saves cost and reduces disaffection among contestants.

    Fayose has continued to object to a consensus candidate, saying it is arbitrary, undemocratic and capable of throwing up an unpopular candidate.

    He urged the party’s national leadership to fulfil its promise to ensure a level-playing field for all aspirants through a transparent primary election.

    Another aspirant, Chief Bosede Dada, objected to a consensus candidate, describing it as “undemocratic.”

    She said: “I do not want consensus. I have paid for my form and I am ready for the primary. The Chairman, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, has assured me that there will be a primary.”

    Other aspirants, who have obtained their nomination forms, are former Minister for Police Affairs Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade(rtd.); Prince Dayo Adeyeye; Senator Gbenga Aluko; Chief Bisi Omoyeni; Chief Biodun Aluko and Fayose.

     

  • Confab should be used to draft new Constitution

    Confab should be used to draft new Constitution

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain from Eket, Akaw Ibom Senatorial District, Robert Umoette, has urged the government to use the National Conference to produce a new Constitution.

    He added that such a constitution would be a a Constitution of the people as differ from the present one, which was handed to us by the military.

    Umoette spoke to reporters at the party’s secretariat in Lagos, where he announced his intention to vie for the governorship seat in Akwa Ibom State in the next election.

    He said: “Despite the compromise that may arise there, it should be a give-and-take thing and others should sacrifice for the other regions to benefit from.”

    On his ambition, he said: “I will make people gainfully employed by bringing my international knowledge to us.”