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  • Atiku dumps PDP for APC

    Atiku dumps PDP for APC

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and joined the All Progressive Congress, APC.

    In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by by Alhaji Abubakar, he said his decision followed extensive consultative process political associates and supporters.

    His letter of resignation as a member of PDP will be submitted to the party on Monday.

    He said he opted for the APC which according to him is a party of change committed to the improvement of the lives of our people and to the continued existence and development of Nigeria as one indivisible country.

    ” This is the right decision. As in 2006 it is the struggle for democracy and constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are driving my choice and my decision. Let me emphasize that this is not about me. We have to have a country before people can aspire to lead it, but as it is today we may be losing this country. That is not acceptable.

    ” I encourage my political associates and friends to register and join the APC once the registration exercise commences, so that together we can change this country for the better, ” Atiku stated.

    Full text of the letter reads :

    In 2006, as a result of my firm stand in defence of our constitution and our democracy, my supporters and I were pushed out of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, a party that we worked tirelessly with other compatriots to build as a vehicle to restore democracy to our country. We later returned to that party in 2009 when a new leadership of the party and the country promised a new direction, a direction of inclusiveness, of internal democracy, of an end to impunity, adherence to the rule of law and respect for the dignity of members and Nigerians.

    Sadly, however, those promises have not been kept. In addition, the PDP continues to be beset with many crises, mostly leadership-induced crises. It has since lost touch with Nigerians and efforts made by many well-meaning members and stakeholders to bring it back to the vision of the founders have been rebuffed. To demonstrate the seriousness of the challenges and bring public attention to it I and some other leaders and stakeholders staged a walkout during the party’s last convention in Abuja.

    As I speak, most of the issues that led to that walk-out are yet to be addressed. Many founding members of the PDP, I included, continue to be marginalized and excluded from the affairs of the party. For instance as a former Vice President, I am by virtue of the PDP constitution, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees and its National Executive Committee. However, I am not invited to the meetings of those organs nor consulted on their decisions, apparently because I dared to exercise my right to contest in the party’s primary election for a chance to be its flag-bearer in the 2011 elections. We have, therefore, concluded that that party cannot be redeemed. In short the PDP has abandoned Nigerians, the very people who gave it life and many electoral victories.

    More worrisome though is the danger posed to the continued existence of this country by this culture of impunity and arbitrariness. We continue to have threats from officially protected political extremists. Increasingly our people are recklessly being divided along the lines of religion, ethnicity and region for political gains. Our history and that of many other countries in Africa and Eastern Europe ought to teach us that this is very dangerous and must stop.

    We can and we must do better. Our people deserve better.

    It is against this background that we should understand the visit by the leaders of the APC and their invitation to me to join hands with them to save the country. Consequently, I have been consulting my supporters and associates, my family and friends for the past few weeks. My decision may not satisfy some of my friends and associates. In the end, however, I have to put the interest of our country first. This country has done so much for me personally and it deserves all that we can do to help rebuild it and serve our people better.

    Following this extensive consultative process, I have, therefore, decided to cast my lot with the APC, a party of change committed to the improvement of the lives of our people and to the continued existence and development of Nigeria as one indivisible country. My resignation letter as a member of the PDP will be delivered to the party tomorrow.

    This is the right decision. As in 2006 it is the struggle for democracy and constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are driving my choice and my decision. Let me emphasize that this is not about me. We have to have a country before people can aspire to lead it, but as it is today we may be losing this country. That is not acceptable.

    I encourage my political associates and friends to register and join the APC once the registration exercise commences, so that together we can change this country for the better.

    The process of building a nation, of securing and deepening democracy is indeed difficult. And it is not a lineal process. There would be alignment and realignment of political forces. There would be ups and downs and zig-zags, triumphs and challenges. Amidst all that, patriots must remain focused and do what has to be done to save and build the country and serve our people better.

    That is what I have decided to do. I will do all within my God-given powers to help the APC win elections all over Nigeria and bring true change to our country and its long-suffering people.

    Thank you and God bless Nigeria.

     

    Atiku Abubakar, GCON

  • War of words over PDP’s future

    War of words over PDP’s future

    •Its rule worse comparable to slave trade, says Borno governor

    •Party does not want change- Atiku

    •Ex-Vice President to make ‘major announcement’ today

    •Whatever happens, we’ll win again-PDP chair Mu’azu

    A war of words raged last night over the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s elections with Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State saying that apart from the slave trade, no bigger calamity has befallen Nigeria than the 14 years of PDP rule.

    Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar whose majority of his supporters across the country are urging him to dump the party said the PDP is not interested in changing its way.

    He is due to make a ‘major announcement’ today on his political future.

    But the new National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, vowed yesterday that whatever happens, the party will win the 2015 elections.

    Governor Shettima told supporters of the All Progressives Party (APC) at the inauguration of the party’s interim executive committee in Maiduguri that the PDP has repeatedly failed to address the myriad of problems afflicting Nigerians.

    Citing electricity as an example, he said it was a matter of regret that the PDP cannot find a solution all these years with power generation falling at will.

    He said that the APC is out to deal with all such problems if voted into power next year.

    The governor described the PDP as a dying party with many of its key members in Borno defecting to the APC.

    He said: “Any one that matters in this state is with us now in the APC family, whether former CPC, ANPP or even PDP. I can tell you that there is no opposition in the state now because even Mohammed Goni is in the same page with our family”.

    The Governor told party stalwarts that the coalition which gave rise to the present interim executive was a ‘well thought out one’ after series of painstaking consultations among the different parties that formed the APC in Borno State.

    He warned party faithful that “we are living in a very interesting period which is why there is need for maturity, diplomacy, forgiveness and tact in handling issues that touch on the people.

    Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, a top member of the PDP, took to the Twitter yesterday to take a swipe at the party.

    The PDP, he said, is not prepared for change.

    He notified his friends and associates of his intention to make a major announcement today.

    He gave no details but it was gathered that he might be defecting to the APC.

    He accused the PDP of not recognising his worth.

    He said: “My friends, I shall be making a major announcement tomorrow (Sunday) and I will be sharing it with you.

    “Over the years, since I returned, the PDP hasn’t invited me to any party functions, even as a statutory BoT member.

    “I have also been kept out of the PDP National Executive Committee meetings and locked out of its caucus.

    “Even after walking out of the Special Convention to force changes, the party never contacted me. Not once. PDP doesn’t want change.”

    The ex-Vice President also said it was obvious that Nigeria might end up with a two-party state.

    He added: “Nigeria is inevitably moving towards a two-party system. It is time to make decisions on which ideological direction we will align with.

    “The interests of Nigeria override personal interests. We can only achieve personal ambitions by making Nigeria work first.”

    However, the new national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, declared yesterday that nothing would stop the party from winning the 2015 elections.

    He spoke in Bauchi at a civic reception organised in his honour by the Bauchi State government.

    Mu’azu, the immediate past governor of the state promised to provide a level playing ground for every member of the party to enable it win next year’s elections.

    He said that the PDP is working to ensure that those who win its tickets to contest eventually win the elections.

    He also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu during which he dismissed fears that the problems facing the party are insurmountable.

    He pledged to solve the problems by reconciling all aggrieved parties, and reposition the party ahead of the challenge ahead.

     

  • Edo denies sales of industries

    Edo denies sales of industries

    Edo State Government has described as ridiculous accusations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the state-owned industries have been sold.

    It said such accusation was a calculated attempt to disparage performances of the present administration.

    Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Macdonald Obasuke who stated this at a press briefing yesterday said the present administration inherited moribund industries which were either privatised or sold outright.

    Obasuke said the PDP-led administration should be held responsible for the sale of the industries and mismanagement of the proceeds realised from such sales to the detriment of the people.

    He urged the PDP to bury its head in shame having ruined the state economically.

    The commissioner displayed documents on how the industries were privatised and stated that Churchgate Industries acquired Bendel Brewery Limited in 1992, Josien Holdings acquired majority shares in Edo Pharmaceuticals in 1993 while Bendel Feeds and Flour Millsa was bought in 1986.

    Others are Bendel Cement Company purchased by Scancem Holdings, Solid Minerals Processing Company purchased by Goopex Nigeria Limited in 2005 and Fruit Juice Processing Company bought by Alliance Limited in Lagos State.

     

  • 5,000 PDP members defect to APC in Imo

    5,000 PDP members defect to APC in Imo

    It was a massive defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) when over 5000 members of the PDP, led by their various leaders, joined the APC.

    The ceremony, which was held at the Orlu Township Stadium in Orlu Local Government Area, was witnessed by National Leaders of the APC, including the National Vice President South-East, Dr. Anyim Nyerere, National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, Imo Satate Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Senator Chris Ngige, among others.

    Speaking shortly after his defection, one of the PDP chieftains, Dr. Louis Obodo, who led members of the Integrity Group, a political pressure group, to join the APC, said his decision to dump the PDP was as a result of the goodwill and success of the APC- led administration in the state.

    He said he was endeared to the APC by the ideals of the party, which he said has promoted internal democracy and raised the hope of level playing field for members, “I left the PDP because of injustice which is not in the APC.”

    According to Dr. Obodo, who contested the Oguta/Ohaji-Egbema Federal Constituency under the PDP in 2011, he led members of the Integrity group to the APC because of his conviction that the party has the platform that will give Ndigbo national leadership.

    Receiving the defectors, the state Interim Chairman of the party, Marshal Okafor Anyanwu, congratulated them for embracing change and progressive ideals.

    He charged them to remain focused and steadfast in the APC, assuring that the party guarantees equal opportunities for all members.

  • PDP’s trade by barter

    PDP’s trade by barter

    Things appear to be looking up for the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boss, Adamu Muazu, in his bid to re-unite his torn party. It seems he wouldn’t suffer much before regaining the support of members of the ruling party in the House of Representatives.

    But the said support comes with a price, or is it a deal?

    In what appears like a trade by barter arrangement, Muazu can now ‘buy’ his disgruntled party members’ loyalty by assuring them all of automatic return tickets to the hallowed chamber in 2015.

    House Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola, who informed Muazu of the party’s promise, said ”all the members of this party in the House would want to be assured of automatic ticket in the forthcoming elections and the opportunity to nominate membership of various committees in their constituencies as the need arises.”

    Also, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio, who solicited for cooperation with the leadership of the party, said “The outcome of this meeting will determine to a large extent the return or exit of some of you, because your governors are here. Since you don’t relate much with your governors and get disconnected from state functions. But this meeting would strengthen all that out. Whatever is decided here would become the Abuja accord.”

    The barter arrangement was discussed at a parley between Muazu and the lawmakers recently. Though he did not say so at the meeting, the body language of the new party boss was that of a desperate produce buyer willing to pawn anything to get what he wants.

  • Filibustering is legal

    Filibustering is legal

    APC’s directive to its members to block executive bills conforms to legislative norm

    The directive by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to its members to block all executive bills, including the 2015 Appropriation Bill, has continued to generate controversy. The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), its supporters and allies, have alleged that the directive was meant to promote chaos in the land and portray the Federal Government as a failure, especially if the 2014 budget is successfully blocked.

    Other analysts have suggested that any attempt to stop the screening of service chiefs at a time like this is simply unpatriotic. Many are miffed that a party that has consistently criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for doing little to contain the insecurity across the land, especially in the North East where a state of emergency had to be imposed, could suggest that the security agencies be left without leadership, with the disengagement of the former heads of the army, air force and navy.

    However, the APC leaders have explained that the directive is that members of the National Assembly should block the bills should President Jonathan fail to take decisive action on the crisis in Rivers State. The party said it could not understand the President’s abdication of responsibility in that state, as lives are lost and property are being destroyed. Resolutions by both Houses of the National Assembly, following investigations by relevant committees, have been disregarded and Commissioner of Police Joseph Mbu is presented as an agent of the ruling party.

    We do not see anything wrong in the APC directive. As a leading opposition party, the APC chose the means to draw the attention of Nigerians to the reign of impunity in Rivers State. The people are left unprotected, activities of opposition groups are being checked by the police while groups loyal to the PDP are aided and protected by the police force. Besides, the APC has called attention many times to the relationship between Governor Rotimi Amaechi of the state and CP Mbu.

    We commend the APC for taking up the task of bringing the situation to the front burner. Filibustering is a standard legislative practice. The contest for power between the executive and legislative arms of government sometimes leads to delays in considering bills. Political activism is not strange to democracy; it is a mode of getting the public sensitised to issues of public importance.

    The contention that the APC lacks the majority standing to effectively block bills is immaterial. The issue has been raised. The attention of the President has been drawn to the risk the country runs if the crisis in Rivers State is left unattended to. And, the fact cannot be lost on all that the measure has achieved modest success as the Save Rivers Movement was allowed to hold its rally last week without the noxious police permit.

    All hands must be on deck to grow and deepen democracy in the country. What is unacceptable is a resort to extra-legal means of seeking redress or fighting alleged injustice. The National Assembly is put in place to assess and pass or reject bills. The constitution foresees the possibility of contentions in the Houses and would accept delay in the course of resolving disagreements. What Nigerians should do now is put pressure on President Jonathan to use the huge powers granted him under the constitution to rise above partisanship in addressing matters that could imperil national health.

    It is unfortunate that critics of the APC directive have forgotten the primary reason for delay in consideration of the budget. Why did it take the President so long to present the Appropriation Bill? Why is the National Assembly just starting debates on the Bill if the federal executive had been alive to its responsibility? In any case, what performance percentage was recorded last year? Was the delay last year also precipitated by an APC directive? How has the government responded to concerns of Nigerians on the structure and management of the economy? What new measures have been put in place to check leakages?

    These are germane questions to ask the Federal Government and the ruling party. It must be restated that the constitution does not foresee a situation whereby the Commissioner of Police would not be subordinate to the governor. The supreme law of the country mandates a Commissioner of Police to take “lawful instructions” from a governor.

    In the interest of peace, again, we call on President Jonathan to do the needful by directing the Inspector-General of Police to redeploy the super cop from Rivers State. Nigeria can ill-afford conflagration in the Niger Delta, the region that funds the nation’s import bill. Fuelling instability is not one of the tasks handed the President when he was elected in 2011. He should speak out now and allay speculations that he is deliberately provoking and promoting the crisis to reap political capital.

  • ‘PDP has failed beyond endurance’

    ‘PDP has failed beyond endurance’

    The Interim Chairman of Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Targema Takuma, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be chased out of governance because it has failed.

    Takuma spoke yesterday in Makurdi when he addressed a meeting of chairmen of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the APC secretariat.

    He said Nigerians needed a positive change, which the APC would provide.

    The party chieftain urged APC members to brace up for the challenge ahead.

    Takuma decried the growing threats to life and property under the ruling PDP.

    He noted that it was pathetic that Fulani herdsmen killed people in the heart of Makurdi without getting caught.

    The interim chairman said it was more worrisome that the government had not found any solution to such attacks.

    “In northern Nigeria today, Boko Haram is in charge of security and decides where and when there should be peace, because the PDP has institutionalised hooliganism and criminality despite the billions of naira spent as security vote,” Takuma said.

    He urged the former party chairmen, who he called grassroots mobilisers, to forget their differences and work for the interest of APC.

  • Cracks emerge in Delta PDP over power shift

    Cracks emerge in Delta PDP over power shift

     The Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is finding it difficult to maintain cordiality within its fold over issues relating to which area produces the next governor of the state, writes Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

    The battle for who succeeds Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in the 2015 gubernatorial elections has taken an insidious turn following a rift between two prominent members of the ruling PDP threatened to spiral out of control.

    The Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovouzourie Macaulay, in Asaba last week denied the existence of a power shift pact ceding the governorship position to the Igbo-speaking Anioma people in Delta North Senatorial District.

    Macaulay’s comments sparked off stern reactions from many, including the Delta PDP chair, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who branded him a “political neophyte”.

    Nwaoboshi accused the scribe of overheating the polity with an admonition urging him to focus on the job given to him by Gov Uduaghan.

    “Tell Macaulay to keep quiet and not dabble into issues he does not know anything about. He should stop heating up the polity. Where was he when PDP was being formed in the State? People are consulting and not campaigning yet as the electoral act is clear on this matter.

    “Perhaps he does not know the difference between consulting and campaigning .If he says Governor Uduaghan lost four local governments in Delta North during his re-election bid, did Macaulay not lose his local government area in the last election in 2011.He should face the job Gov Uduaghan gave to him. He may be an insider in government, but he is not an insider in PDP. He has never held any elective position, not even the position of chairman of a local government area. What does he know about party administration?

    An alarmed Uduaghan at a function in Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area promptly waded into the crises, warning politicians against overheating the polity and also clamping a media muzzle on all political appointees.

    His words: “As far as I am concerned, no political appointee in Delta State should grant political interviews so that we do not overheat the system .You can grant interviews on what your ministry is doing. We should not say things that will heat up the polity. Our utterances should be guided. It is God that gives positions.”

    The Delta State 2015 gubernatorial election may turn out to be largely defined by the Anioma question – will a governor of Anioma extraction emerge in 2015? It is the only zone that has not produced governor since the inception of democracy in 1999.

    Delta Central has produced two governors-Olorogun Felix Ibru and Chief James Ibori for three and eight years respectively; while Delta South produced Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan whose eight year spell terminates in 2015.

    But are the rumblings within the party the sign of things to come? Will the Anioma question not cause an implosion within the PDP, thus truncating its ambition to continue to hold on to power? Will unbridled ambition by aggrieved PDP members who fail party primaries not lead to defections and ultimately harm the fortunes of the party in the State?

    Several PDP members from Delta Central and Delta South districts are already jostling for vantage positions. Going by the PDP rotation policy of public offices, these two districts should, ordinarily, not be mentioned in the running for governor, but these candidates are intensifying with gusto their consultative visits to stakeholders across senatorial districts.

    Macaulay, a member of the G-3 pressure group made up of minority groups in Delta South, said that before now he had backed the emergence of a candidate from Igbo-speaking part of Delta State which makes up Anioma, but was beginning to become sceptical.

    According to him, he prefers candidates from Delta North with a pan-Delta agenda rather than one with an ethnocentric bias. He noted that because Delta North had not occupied the governorship position, they deserve the support of other senatorial districts, but faulted the Anioma campaign slogan which he claimed was negative.

    He said the negative campaigns emanating from the Anioma people smacks of an intention to engage in vendetta against the people of South and Central districts should an Anioma person become governor.

    His words: “I was initially very enthusiastic about an Anioma governor as Delta North is the only district that is yet to produce the governorship of the State but I am afraid that they may not get the support of other districts if they do not change their style. There is no need for this strident cry of marginalization. It is a pointer that the Anioma are out for a revenge mission against the other parts of the State should they win in 2015.I think the proper thing for them to do is to campaign and sell their agenda for transforming the State. With the way they are going about it, I am afraid that people like us will not support an Anioma person for the governorship as we are scared.”

    But is there more to Macaulay’s comments than meets the eye?

    A member of a pressure group, Anioma Congress, who preferred anonymity, queried the rationale behind the SSG’s outburst, according to him it smacked of a conspiracy to deprive the Anioma people the governorship ticket.

    His words: “Macaulay is a member of the kitchen cabinet in the Uduaghan administration and he and his principal may be testing the waters by flying this kite. I think it is to deliberately test the resolve of the Anioma people”.

    But a PDP chieftain in Delta Central, who in deference to Gov Uduaghan’s appeal for cease-fire but prefers anonymity, maintained there never was a power shift pact ceding the governorship position to Delta North.

    According to him, there is only an understanding that Delta North having not tasted power should get it. But he stressed the need for Anioma people to compete keenly for the governorship position and not rely on the tenuous claim that it is their (Anioma) turn.

    He said there never was a time in the history of elections in the State when a governorship aspirant had an easy ride, alluding to the fact that both ex-Gov James Ibori and Gov Uduaghan contested for governorship with people from Delta North.

    He backed Macaulay’s fears regarding an alleged Anioma vendetta, adding that it is incumbent on the Anioma people to assuage the fears of other groups in the State rather than cast aspersions on the scribe.

    His words: “Chief Nwaoboshi’s position that there was no written agreement is correct. There was no power shift pact. There is only a feeling that since Delta North has not taste power, then should get it .The Urhobos are going to fight for the governorship of the State in 2015 because when Ibori was campaigning in 2003 persons from other all the three senatorial district participated, even Gov Uduaghan’s campaign was not the exclusive preserve of candidates from Delta South in 2007 and 2011.

    “Macaulay is an individual and his feelings cannot be discounted. It is the duty of the people to assuage his feelings and not to cast aspersion on him. It is their duty appeal to him and not castigates him. You must struggle for what you want, even if you are entitled and do nothing believing it must come to you, you may lose it.”

    Our source said the Urhobos are shopping for a candidate of their own to contest for the governorship position as they have been out in the political wilderness for too long.

    From the emergent scenario in the state, if Delta North senatorial district desires the governorship, it will not only have to contest with formidable rivals, but must also build bridges across ethnic faults.

     

     

  • PDP plots security ambush for 11 defecting senators

    PDP plots security ambush for 11 defecting senators

    SHAKEN by the gale of defections from its camp to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is plotting to declare the seats of defecting senators vacant.

    Eleven senators left the PDP for the APC yesterday, raising the number of APC senators to 43. PDP senators are now 63.

    The PDP was said to be mounting pressure on Senate President David Mark to declare the defecting senators’ seats vacant and leave their fate to the court to determine.

    The plot, it was learnt, is to declare the senators’ seats vacant after which security agencies will be mandated to prevent the senators from entering the National Assembly, until a court makes a pronouncement on their fate.

    But, it was gathered that Mark, who is seen by many as “a defender of democracy” since 2010, declined to join the plot.

    The PDP Caucus in the Senate was meeting at Mark’s Abuja residence last night on how to handle what a source described as “the APC menace”.

    The PDP wants a similar pattern for defectors in the House of Representatives, but the “uncompromising stance” of Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has made it difficult.

    APC senators vowed last night to resist the plot.

    Some PDP leaders and governors, who have been meeting since Monday, a source said, felt the defections must be stopped with a stern measure.

    It was learnt that one of the options agreed upon was to declare the seats of defecting senators vacant – in line with Section 68(1) (g) and (h) of the 1999 Constitution.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The PDP believes that the Senate leadership should brave the odds and declare the seats of defecting senators vacant – in line with the spirit and letters of the constitution.

    “The party is of the opinion that the court should determine the fate of the defecting senators.

    “As part of the plot, once the seats of the affected senators are declared vacant, the police and security agencies will disallow them from entering the hallowed chamber of the Senate, until there is a ruling by any court.

    “And since the wheel of justice is very slow, it is technically assumed that the affected senators have completed their tenure.”

    Another source said: “The PDP is going for the kill because of the threats which defectors might pose to its majority grip on the Senate.

    “The only challenge the party is having is the senate president who, as a democrat, does not believe in recourse to draconian action.”

    A former governor, who is one of the defecting senators, said: “We are aware of the plot to declare our seats vacant and bar us from the Senate, but they cannot succeed.

    “It is just unfortunate that some people could become desperate. I am quite sure that the leadership will not succumb to moves to create a constitutional crisis.”

    A PDP senator, who spoke with our correspondent, simply said: “We are trying to keep our house united and devise means to curtail the affront of APC.

    “If a party is threatening to shut down our government, we cannot stand aloof and watch our tenure destroyed.”

    The senator said the caucus does not rule out the application of Section 68(1) (g) and (h) of the 1999 Constitution.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, said before the senate resumed from its recess that defecting Senators’ must vacate their seats. But the senate leadership disowned him, saying he was speaking for himself.

    He said: “Justice Elvis Chukwu of an Abuja High Court had ruled on October 18, 2013 that there was no division in PDP. If the intending defectors opt to violate the constitution by their proposed move, they should be prepared to face the music.

    “The defecting members of the National Assembly elected on the PDP platform have to vacate their seats. Doing so is mandatory, if the relevant sections of the constitution are anything to go by.”

    An APC senator said: “Our caucus will do everything to resist plans to subvert the nation’s democratic process. It would amount to lawlessness for PDP to embark on such a wild goose chase.

    “Already, there is a subsisting matter in court on defection of some members of the National Assembly. The Senate has a tradition to defer to the court process until the final determination of all issues.”

    Section 68(1) (g) and (h) reads in part: “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if… “Being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected;

    “Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored; or

    “The President of the Senate or as the case may be, the Speaker of the House of Representatives receives a certificate under the hand of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission stating that the provisions of Section 69 of this constitution have been complied with in respect of the recall of that member.”

  • Mu’azu to governors: Bring back your aggrieved colleagues

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu has renewed the call for the various stakeholders in the party to work towards wooing back the G-5 Governors that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last November.
    The governors left the PDP owing to irreconcilable differences with the party leadership, acting in tandem with the Presidency.
    The emergent crisis of confidence had led to a protracted war of attrition between the estranged governors on the one hand, and the Presidency backed party leadership under Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
    The defected Governors are – Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).
    Addressing the PDP Governors who paid him a courtesy call at the party’s secretariat on Wednesday, Mu’azu harped on forgiveness and reconciliation, urging them to speak with the G-5 Governors and convince them to return to the party.
    He said, “Please, speak with your five colleagues and convince them on the need for them to return to the party. There will always be conflicts but our ability to resolve our conflicts is what stands the PDP out.”
    During his visit to the party secretariat last week, Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, bemoaned what he described as unfair treatment meted to the defected governors by the party leadership under Tukur.
    Lamido had said: “Many of our members were unjustly insulted, humiliated and abandoned by the immediate past leadership of the party. The G-7 Governors were made to feel unwanted, pained and traumatised.
    “The PDP failed under the last leadership. If Governors and National Assembly members were leaving and you said you were not worried, then you should know that something is wrong with you.”