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  • Tension mounts in Anambra as PDP factions hold parallel primaries today

    Tension mounts in Anambra as PDP factions hold parallel primaries today

    Tension is thick in the air in Anambra State ahead of the parallel governorship primaries by the two factions of the PDP in the state today.

    The police command has already deployed over 4,000 of its men to ensure security of life and property during and after the primaries.

    One of the primaries, organised by the Ejike Oguegbego faction, is scheduled for Emmaus House while the other organised by the Kenneth Emeakayi faction is slated for Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, both in Awka.

    The national secretariat of the PDP recognises Prince Kenneth Emeakayi while Mr. Ejike Oguegbego is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Oguegbego’s chairmanship was upheld recently by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

    However, of the 15 aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for the November 16 election, only one–Senator Andy Uba–is identifying with Oguegbeogu.

    The remaining aspirants– Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Dr. Tony Nwoye, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Sen. Emma Anosike, Barr. Obinna Uzor, Walter Okeke, Amb. Jerry Ugokwe, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Chief Charles Odunukwe, Ugochukwu Okeke and Sylvester Okonkwo–are in the other faction.

    Factional chairman, Chief Emeakayi, told The Nation in Awka yesterday that 1,500 delegates would vote at his own primary election.

    The delegates are from the 326 wards in the 21 local government areas of the state.

    Although the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, Emeka Chukwuemeka, declined to put a figure to the number of policemen that would be on duty today, a source said more than 4,000 would be available.

    The State Security Service (SSS) has equally mobilised its men to keep the peace.

    The state director of SSS, Mr. Alex Okeiyi, said yesterday that the service was not interested in the PDP contest but to protect lives and property in the state.

    Sources familiar with the confusion created by the factionalisation of the party in the state said there are more aspirants identifying with the Emeakayi faction because of its recognition by the national leadership of the party and the suggestion by supporters of Nwankwo, who was until now Secretary of SURE-P, that he has the backing of the Presidentcy.

    Even Senator Uba is said to have one leg in each of the factions to ensure that he does not lose out whatever happens.

    Two aspirants in the Emeakayi faction are said to be his men who could withdraw for him if and when necessary.

    But one of them,Alex Obiogbolu, denied the speculation, saying: “It is not my hope that I will not get the PDP ticket. Rather, it is my prayer that PDP will observe the guidelines that guide the primaries.

    “Critical to it is secret voting, which is that secret instrument that makes democracy thrive.Anything short of it will cast aspersion on the total process and obviously provide a platform for the failure of the party.”

    INEC’s non-recognition of Emeakayi stemmed from what the commission called its non-monitoring of the process that brought him to power.

    In an August 11,2013 letter to the National Chairman of the PDP,Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, INEC said that having considered all the cases on the Anambra PDP crises, it was not bound by the judgment of the FCT High Court, which nullified the congress at which Ogbuebego was elected, adding: “The commission has resolved that it will not withdraw its letter with ref. No. INEC/EPM/PDP/24/1/153 of July 26 2013 by which it recognised Ejike Ogbuebego as chairman of PDP in Anambra State and shall be bound by the recent order of FHC, Port Harcourt.”

    It alleged deliberate concealment by the PDP “of the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on July 5, 2012 in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/2631/2012 in the Emma Mbamalu vs PDP, by which the court declared the ward, local government and state congresses held in March 2012 in Anambra State at which Ejike Ogbuebego emerged as state chairman of PDP, null and void and ordered the PDP to conduct other congresses in Anambra State, though the commission was not a party in the suit.

  • Brief PDP NEC meeting shows unity among members, says Yuguda

    The Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda has  maintained that the short period of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting in Abuja showed that there was unity and all was well with the party.

    While many had expected a stormy NEC meeting  on Thursday, the meeting which was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan at the National secretariat of the party lasted less than one hour.

    The meeting ratified three items on the agenda.
    Speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with President Jonathan, the Bauchi State governor said that the meeting was conducted peacefully.
    He said: “It went on very well, very short and straight to the point. It was just for the ratification of the date for the convention. That was all.

    On what to expect from the convention, he said “A lot of goodies. People were disturbed that it lasted for only 15 minutes. It shows that the family is together and that everybody is working  together.

    According to him, it was a sign of good things to come.

    “Oh, yes, we are now happy with one another. The family is together and if there was a problem, we would have stayed longer to solve it.” He stated

  • PDP holds repeat congress

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday held a repeat congress in Anambra State, following the confusion that trailed last week’s exercise .

    Some of the governorship aspirants have hailed the exercise, saying it was better than the last one.

    The congress committee is headed by Austine Akobundu.

    Congresses have been held in 101 wards and are still on going.

    At some local government areas – Ihiala, Anambra East, Onitsha North and South Awka, North and South, people were still voting.

    One of the aspirants said: “My brother, this is the way things are supposed to be in this state.

    “If it had been like this, nobody would have called for a repeat.

    “We are happy that at last, PDP has got it right and we are going to wait for the names to be forwarded to our national secretariat.”

  • I won’t resign as PDP chair, says Tukur

    I won’t resign as PDP chair, says Tukur

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chair Bamanga Tukur has said he is not under any pressure to resign his job.

    In a statement he personally signed yesterday, the party chair said his relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan and other key party stakeholders remained cordial.

    He attributed media reports indicating pressure on him to resign as the handiwork of those he described as “black legs” within and outside the ruling party.

    Besides, he knocked the media for peddling inaccurate reports concerning him.

    The chairman said: “I am aware of the antics of some black legs in and out of the PDP who have been funding negative media reports on activities of the party both at the state and national levels. Such antics will amount to naught because no sponsor of such reports would go far.”

    According to him, national interest and cohesion are better promoted when the media report the truth at all times.

    He expressed dismay that since he assumed office over a year ago, the media had made numerous failed predictions of his ouster, based on projections of those he referred to as enemies of the party.

    Tukur is worried that a section of the media would persist in reporting falsehood about the situation in the ruling party. This, he said, has exposed the inadequacies or lack of depth and professionalism of such media organisations.

    The chairman said: “I had hardly settled down in office when some newspapers predicted that I would not last three months. Later, some newspapers wrote that I would resign in December.

    “Another one said two days ago that I had been asked to resign. Well, I have spent more than one year in office and they still continue to write the same thing all over.

    “I really do not understand whether Bamanga Tukur is really the media problem or the problem of faceless individuals who were manufacturing the miserable reports.

    “It was more ludicrous that some people funded a report that I had resigned when, indeed, I was on my way to Canada for an official engagement, and yet our so called media bought the untruth without shuddering. Then I ask myself, where is the sense of fairness and professionalism by our media in this regard?

    “The problem is so bad that when members of our party meet and discuss behind closed doors, the media would say Bamanga Tukur is the issue. The media do not seem to know that we have better things to discuss in our party than issue of crises.

    “Let me reiterate that I am not resigning and I have no intention of doing so as an elected national chairman of PDP. I accepted to become chairman based on my conviction that I can use my wealth of experience to help my party and my country.

    “I am not looking for anything at my age other than putting it on record that God has helped me, and then, I am using the opportunities he gave me to serve the rest of Nigeria to the best of my abilities.

    But Tukur agreed that the PDP has challenges.

     

    He urged “all our members to come together to face the challenges confronting us as a party”.

    “If we must remain the strongest party that we are in Africa, it is high time we buried the hatchets and then begin to close ranks,” he said, adding:

    “It is in our party’s interest and, indeed, in the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan to have us get back on the track while regaining the grooves that have been making us tick, unbeatable and widely accepted.

    “To do otherwise is to yield the grounds to the propagandists who have been masquerading as our opponents even with the nebulous interest of getting power in 2015.”

  • I am not under pressure to resign – Tukur

    I am not under pressure to resign – Tukur

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has stated that he’s not under any pressure to resign his position as chairman of the party.

    In a statement he personally signed on Monday, Tukur said his relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan and other key party stakeholders remained cordial.

    He attributed media reports indicating pressure on him to resign as the handiwork of those he described as “black legs” within and outside the ruling party.

    The chairman said: “I am aware of the antics of some black legs in and out of the PDP who have been funding negative media reports on activities of the party both at the state and national levels. Such antics will amount to naught because no sponsor of such reports would go far.”

    Alhaji Tukur expressed a firm belief that the Nigerian media have come of age in observing the tenets of the journalism profession anchored on fairness, thorough investigation and balancing of reports before publication.

    According to him, national interest and cohesion are better promoted when the media report the truth at all times.

    He expressed dismay that since he assumed office over a year ago, the media had made numerous failed predictions of his ouster, based on projections of those he referred to as enemies of the party.

     

     

  • Jonathan, PDP fret as opposition consolidates

    Jonathan, PDP fret as opposition consolidates

    •Rainbow coalition imminent as PDM may collaborate with APC
    •Atiku under PDP watch

    There is disquiet in the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following what some associates of the President term “consolidation by the opposition” towards 2015 poll.

    To the associates, the newly registered Peoples Democratic Movement may collaborate with the main opposition coalition, All Progressives Congress, to unseat President Goodluck Jonathan. The development is said to be causing unease for the President.

    Our correspondent learnt that the permutations of Jonathan’s strategists on 2015 poll are no longer adding up due to the birth of APC, emergence of PDM, recalcitrance of five PDP governors, the likely split of PDP as a result of internal stress and the crisis in Rivers State where about 2.3 million votes are at stake.

    A reliable source, who does not want his name in print, said: “We are aware that the opposition is consolidating in different forms. Initially, APC is being tackled but it seems the mega party, as the promoters call it, is just an eye opener of what the opposition is up to.

    “The emergence of PDM is a new challenge, it is no doubt adding to the political headache posed by the APC. It is apparent that the opposition is firing from different flanks in readiness for a coalition. One will not be surprised if another strong party from the opposition emerges tomorrow.

    “The presidency and the PDP have started weighing options; trust that we will devise means of curtailing the opposition”

    Another source said: “The President has done everything to secure at least five out of the six states in the South-South and four out of the five states in the South-East to neutralise the huge votes the opposition is likely to get in the North-West.

    “If there will be any setback, it will be in Rivers. The battle in Rivers State is crucial to the Presidency because about 2.3million votes are at stake. Loss of Rivers State to the opposition could wipe away the votes from other five states in the South-South.

    “Even the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had always had its victory determined by the old Rivers State.”

    Although the President is banking on votes from the six states in North-Central, he is unsure of support from Niger, Kwara, and Nasarawa States. While he can take the situation for granted in Plateau and Kogi, it is slippery in Benue State with strong opposition coming from APC. Many believed that the Action Congress of Nigeria, one of the parties in APC, was robbed in 2011 in the state and with other opposition parties now in APC, Benue will be a battleground state.

    A PDP chieftain said yesterday: “The President knows that the threat from the opposition is real. And the consolidation of the opposition through the PDM is causing tension in the PDP.”

    He said the PDP is particularly worried by the political development because forces behind the PDM had played a crucial role in the formation of PDP.

    He said PDP leaders believe that ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had a hand in the formation of PDM, despite his denial of being the brain behind it.

    To checkmate PDM, some stalwarts of PDP and forces in the Presidency, it was learnt, are pushing for deregistration of Atiku from the ruling party. The PDP, it was further learnt, will do everything possible to find out if Atiku is the financier of PDM.At an appraisal meeting at the weekend, some PDP leaders were said to have declared that there is no difference between Atiku and his associates who formed the PDM.

    It was alleged that Atiku merely came up with Plan B through his associates to avoid being humiliated in PDP as was the case in 2011 when he was stranded after he was defeated by President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential primary.

    It was learnt that some PDP chieftains and forces in the Presidency rated the formation of PDM as an attempt to divide PDP by Atiku and his associates.

    Some party leaders felt it would be dangerous to continue to have Atiku in PDP when his heart is in PDM.

    A renowned member who spoke in confidence said: “There is no doubt that PDM came as a result of a plot to divide PDP. Some aggrieved members of the party are behind the new party.

    “PDP leaders are unhappy that some leaders will be pretending to be in the party and at the same time, they will undermine it. The emergence of PDM has thrown a challenge to PDP to look for these dissidents or rebels in its midst because if they continue like this, they will be spying the ruling party for PDM.

    “So, the involvement of some PDP members in the formation of PDP is being looked into. Such members or leaders might face disciplinary action if necessary.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “I think some of our leaders are of strong opinion that Atiku allegedly had a hand in PDM. They alleged that Atiku had done a similar thing in 2007 when he found solace in Action Congress (AC) to contest the presidential poll.

    “The ex-VP had denied the allegation but the PDP is investigating a few things on how PDM emerged. But there is no way PDP will harbour members of another party in its midst. This will be tactically dangerous. We are looking into many options to keep the PDP intact from intruders.”

    But the PDM yesterday unfolded its mission and vowed to tackle the security crisis facing the nation.

    It also said it has placed priority on national unity, economic reforms, the rule of law, public accountability, human rights, democracy and the legitimacy of dissent.

    The PDM has unveiled its mission statement in a release in Abuja by its National Secretariat.

    The party it in its Mission Statement said: “In the last decade, Nigeria has witnessed an unprecedented decline in its social, economic and political fortunes.

    “The recent lingering political and security crisis has magnified the cleavages in the nation’s multi-ethnic society and pushed our national psyche into a state of confusion, uncertainty and helplessness.

    “ The nation is now faced with a rapidly deteriorating situation of human deprivation and economic stagnation which is threatening the nation with an ultimate structural collapse.

    “This needs not be the plight of Nigeria and the Nigerian people because our nation is endowed with a large, quality population, abundant natural resources and a unique geo-economic location.”

    It promised to reposition the country and restore its lost glory.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • We’ve been vindicated on Daniel, says Ogun PDP

    The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it has been vindicated with the appointment of the former state governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as the “life patron” of the Labour Party (LP) in the state.

    The party said the confirmation of Daniel’s membership of the LP by the State Chairman, Olabode Simeon and its Secretary, Sunday Oginni, has “put paid to all the denials, intrigues and subterfuge of the OGD Group. ”

    In a statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Waliu Oladipupo, the party said, “With Daniel’s exit from our great party, a big political albatross and liability has been taken off the PDP. Now, our people can now take our word for it that we are building a new PDP in Ogun State; a PDP that is devoid of violence, brigandage, bloodbath and other ignoble acts.”

    The party appealed to its national leadership to withdraw all the goodwill and patronage that had hitherto accrued to Daniel courtesy of the PDP-led Federal Government, adding that it was aware that some slots were given to him as a result of the dummy the former governor allegedly sold to the top hierarchy of the PDP that he was still a member of the party.

    It urged the leaders of the party such as President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, to wade into the matter.

    It described Daniel as “an inconsistent politician who is always looking for a platform to feather his own nest. “

  • My vision for Ekiti, by PDP aspirant

    Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Ambassador Dare Bejide has unfolded his vision for the state. He

    said he will provide an effective leadership, in accordance with the expectation of the people.

    He said: “The basic motivation is service to the people. I have been around for a while in Ekiti state. Apart from the three years that I spent outside Nigeria as High Commissioner, I have been living with the people, I understand their problems, I know there is pervading poverty in Ekiti State. And I know that, unless we have a governor, who understands the feelings and the sufferings of the people, it will be difficult to make a change. That is one of the basic reasons why I am in the race. And I know I can make the difference”.

    Bejide spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    He promised to provide a conducive atmosphere for industrialisation to boost youth employment and create weath.

    The aspirant added: “ The economic situation in Ekiti is terrible and unacceptable. There are no commercial activities going on in the state. If you rely entirely on government allocations from Abuja, it becomes very difficult to provide infrastructure and, if you don’t provide infrastructure, then, the enabling environment needed for economic development is absent.

    “So, that is the prevailing situation in Ekiti State as today.You impose tax on income and profit. You don’t tax the capital of a businessman. When the level of economic activity is very low, it is very difficult to tax the people.

    “What we intend to do is to make payment of taxes very attractive to those who are paying. In other words, when we increase the level of economic activities, it is very easy to encourage people to pay their taxes.

    “We are going to make sure that economic activities are promoted and increased in the state so that everybody is engaged in one economic activity or the other. We will create new departments in the technical schools that will re-train our local mechanics, vulcanizers, tillers,bricklayers, even if it is for three months.”

  • PDP reconciliation Committee

    PDP reconciliation Committee

    R-L: Bayelsa State Governor and Chairman PDP reconciliation Committee, Hon. Seriake Dickson, Secretary of the Committee, Ambassador Umar Damagun and a member of the Committee, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, during the reconciliation committee's meeting with Chairmen, Secretaries and other executives of Non - PDP States in Abuja.

  • PDP crises: Governors clash at Abuja peace meeting

    PDP crises: Governors clash at Abuja peace meeting

    -Amaechi, Akpabio in shouting match

    -Talks rescheduled

     

    For about two hours Monday night, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) traded blames before ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on the crises threatening to cripple the ruling party.

    The ex-President had asked the governors to speak on their grievances. Each had three minutes.

    President Goodluck Jonathan was not at the meeting, which was tagged “exploratory”.

    The open complaint approach, however, created tension, with governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) engaging in a shouting match.

    After taking complaints from all, Obasanjo said the meeting would continue last night.

    It was learnt that there were eight issues tabled at the tension-soaked meeting at the Presidential Villa.

    They are: division within PDP leadership; disagreement between some governors and the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; the implosion in the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF); crises in some states; Anambra governorship poll; Rivers crisis; reconciliation within the party; and the alarm raised by five Northern governors on how to keep the party intact and win the 2015 poll.

    It was learnt that most of the governors spoke on the eight issues.

    Obasanjo chose only to be a listener and a moderator.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Obasanjo made sure he met alone with the governors. Contrary to the expectations of some of the governors, President Goodluck Jonathan was not at the session.

    “Apparently acting on representations made by various governors to him, Obasanjo set the tone of the meeting, which he said had to do with the challenges being faced by PDP.

    “He told us that the meeting would be ‘exploratory’ and each of the 23 governors of the party will be allowed to talk for only three minutes on why the party is in crises and the polarisation of PDP governors.

    “Shortly after the introductory remarks, the governors started speaking on their grievances and how to resolve the crises rocking the party.

    “Virtually all the governors agreed that things were upside down in the party.”

    A governor reportedly told Obasanjo: “We know you can address the challenges facing PDP. If we go into election in this state, our party will lose in 2015. Please, don’t be tired to resolve these problems.”

    Another source spoke of how a governor said there was no point discussing the points being raised by five Northern governors because, in his view, they had made up their mind to go to another party.

    “But Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso interjected by saying: ‘No one is defecting to another party; we are not going to any new or merger party. We will remain in PDP and restore order. That is not the intention of the five governors when we decided to intervene.”

    A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of us tried to draw Obasanjo’s attention to the fact that the disagreement over the election of the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, was an integral part of the crises affecting PDP.

    “Some anti-Amaechi governors shouted no, no, no. They insisted that the NGF crisis had nothing to do with PDP problems. They said the NGF problem was unconnected with the stress in PDP.”

    On the reported shouting match between Amaechi and Akpabio, a governor who pleaded not to be named, said Amaechi attributed the crisis to the attitude of some PDP governors, “who will always go behind their colleagues to tell the President a different thing to curry favour”.

    Amaechi was quoted as saying: “Each time we all took a collective decision, some of our colleagues will go and tell the President a different story to show that they were not part of it.”

    But the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Akpabio, disagreed with Amaechi saying “that is not correct; it is not true.”

    Akpabio said the ongoing reconciliation within the PDP is giving chieftains of the opposition party sleepless night.

    Responding to a question, the source, a governor, said: “After exhausting ourselves and trading blames, Obasanjo merely adjourned the meeting to Tuesday night.

    “The former President did not blame anyone and refused to pass verdict on comments or submissions of the governors.”

    It could not be immediately ascertained if President Goodluck Jonathan would be part of the second round meeting, which was in progress last night.