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Tag: PDP

  • Adeleke, Southwest PDP rally support for Ajayi

    Adeleke, Southwest PDP rally support for Ajayi

    Osun State’s Governor Ademola Adeleke and the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party in the Southwest Zone have intensified campaigns for the election of the party candidate in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, in next week’s governorship poll in the state.

    PDP Southwest Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, said that “Osun State Governor Adeleke and PDP in the zone are strengthening Agboola Ajayi’s campaigns at the markets, palaces and different communities to win more supporters who would vote for the party candidate”.

    Atofarati said in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, “Part of the places that we have joined the Ondo PDP governorship campaign are Bolorunduro, Ondo and Owo. We were at the palace of Osemawe, we were also inside the markets trying to canvass votes for the candidate, Agboola Ajayi.

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    Atofarati said: “We were at the Labour House in Akure where we met with the retired permanent secretaries and directors in the state. The feedback has been awesome, the people of the state are resolute and they are prepared. They are determined to vote for the PDP candidate in the election.

    “The PDP stands a chance because its government in the past did projects that are physical and stand the test of time. Ondo State people are not happy with the way the APC governments have mismanaged the state in the last eight years. Nothing significant has been done by the sitting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    “It is not about political party, it is about people’s welfare. The state has been run aground. There is no way the people in Ondo State will continue like this, they are groaning in pain, hence their resolve for change in government and need for PDP.

    “From our interactions and the feedback at the campaigns, visits to communities, palaces, markets, and groups, it is apparent that Ondo State people have been able to see that the standing projects in the state were put in place by the PDP government. If you remove what the PDP government did in Ondo State, you will discover that nothing is left.”

  • Edo election and PDP’s TV histrionics

    Edo election and PDP’s TV histrionics

    Sir: Arise –TV’s regular morning show on November 2 featured one Martins Obono, Executive Director, Tap Initiative for Citizens Development. Obono claims to be one of the many civil society activists in Nigeria and indeed, there are a legion of them. We do know for a fact that dangerous and unscrupulous elements operate as spies and agents and in all manner guises in the name of operatives of civil society organizations.

    In the extant case, Obono could barely conceal the fact that he was a PDP agent, commissioned to discredit the results of the Edo State gubernatorial election held on September 21 as he went straight for the jugular of INEC from start. By deliberate act of skulduggery, he referenced the results in the fake PDP-IREV portal as if it was truly INEC-IREV. A bit of balanced review of his claims portrayed INEC as dumb and obtuse. That is far from the truth!

    Martins Obono’s egregious claims cannot stand the heat of legal interrogation except to serve the purpose of unconscionably besmirching the image of INEC thereby keeping the forlorn hope of the vanquished falsely high.

    While Obono was justifying his engagement by the PDP, the petition filed by the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo, before the State Election Tribunal contesting the outcome of the election clearly circumvented the dead end of making electoral malpractices and corrupt practices such as forgery of results being belaboured at Arise-TV media trial as grounds for his petition. Rather, the two main grounds that will be hotly contested in the State Election Tribunal as filed by the PDP are:

    (1) Non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    (2) That the 2nd respondent (Governor-elect) did not win with the majority of lawful votes cast at the election.

    There is no deposition or documents supporting allegations of “forgery” before the election tribunal. In the petition, the PDP is building her case around allegations of over-voting, votes’ suppression, etc. The Arise TV histrionics is a superfluous and unwarranted media trial that might distract their focus on proving the allegations in their petition.

    It is important to call on the general public to discountenance the wild claims by the PDP and her paid agents. The APC repeatedly raised alarm before and after the election that PDP installed digital technology equipment including a fake IREV Centre at a location near the Government House to falsify the votes scored by the respective parties at the election.

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    Further post-election investigation not only confirmed the APC’s alarm but phantom and fictitious figures emanating from their illegal IREV portal are in the public space. They lied that requisite INEC Electoral forms were not filled in 320 polling units across the states, when in fact these forms were actually filled and endorsed.

    They lied about over voting in 58 polling units, this they did by mischievously adding “spoilt ballot papers” into their computation of valid votes cast for determining over voting. They did not plead the number of accredited voters as captured by the BVAS machine, they did not plead the BVAS report on accreditation of voters, yet they imagine they can prove over voting.

    Similarly, they repeated their crazy allegation of over voting and non- filling of the INEC Electoral forms in 75 polling units. They then prayed that APC’s valid votes in these polling units be cancelled on the basis of these false and speculative pleadings.

    The APC teeming members and the public should be wary of the misleading information regularly churned out by the PDP and their agents. It will intensify in the course of the trial. The true status of the PDP petition and pleadings before the State Election Tribunal should give no one any cause for worry. In the light of its vacuousness and hollowness, it cannot stand the test of legal scrutiny and fireworks. The counsels are not magicians and it is not within their calling to conjure evidence to prove cases! When it is dismissed by the tribunal (as we hope and expect), we should expect that opposition rogue mainstream and online media outlets will go haywire scandalizing and demonizing the courts/ judiciary for dismissing the empty petition. It is in their character to be desperate, irresponsible and unpatriotic!

    •Washington Osa Osifo, PhD,Benin- City

  • More PDP chieftains join APC in Ondo

    More PDP chieftains join APC in Ondo

    Notable chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Akoko North East local government area of Ondo State have defected to the All Progressives Congress(APC) ahead of next week’s governorship election.

    Those that decamped were a former House of Representatives member for Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency, Hon. Stephen Olemija; a former Chairman of Akoko North East and candidate of the PDP in the last House of Representatives by-election in the constituency, Lekan Bada and Momoh Mufu, also known as Apongan.

    They were received into the APC by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who led the party on a campaign tour.

    Aiyedatiwa, whose campaign team visited Iboropa, Akunnu and Ikare Akoko, said the crowd from the communities was a testament to the positive impact his administration has made.

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    At Ikare Akoko, headquarters of the local government, Governor Aiyedatiwa received royal blessings from the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh and the Owa-Ale of Iyometa Ikare, Oba Adeleke Adegbite.

    He assured the monarchs that their requests would be incorporated into the 2025 budget.

    According to him, “I am truly humbled by the incredible show of support from the people of Ikare. Your commitment to our vision for a better Ondo State fills me with immense pride. Ikare has always been a beacon of progress, and your loyalty reassures us that our efforts are being recognised and valued.”

    He said his administration has made improvements in infrastructure, agriculture, and education.

    “We have achieved so much together, from upgrading our roads to enhancing agriculture and investing in our schools, but our work is far from over. With your continued support on November 16, we can deliver even more transformation and development,” he stressed.

  • Kaduna PDP vows to challenge validity of LG polls in court 

    Kaduna PDP vows to challenge validity of LG polls in court 

     The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has vowed to challenge the validity of Oct. 19, Local Government elections across the state in the court of law.

    The party condemned what it described as clandestine swearing-in of the 23 local government council Chairmen in the state by Gov. Uba Sani, saying the exercise was a shame and an attack on the nation’s democracy.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM), had declared candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) winners of all the 23 chairmanship and 255 councilorship seats in the state.

    Hajara Mohammed, KADSIECOM’s Chairman, disclosed this on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Kaduna.

    Mohammed said: “The Electoral and Returning Officers have filed their reports; APC won all the 23 chairmanship and 255 Ccouncillorship seats.”

    However, PDP, made its position known on Friday in a statement signed by Maria Dogo, its Publicity Secretary, made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

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    The statement said: “PDP is not surprised by this secretive move, as it is clear that these individuals were never elected by the people but imposed by the dictator in Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

    “We reiterate that no local government council election was held in Kaduna State on Oct. 19.

    ‘Any exercise, including the issuance of certificates of return, swearing-in, or assumption of office by these impostors, is therefore, futile and will not stand the test of time and the law.

    “The PDP assures the good people of Kaduna State that we are already in court challenging the validity of the election law passed and hurriedly smuggled into the electoral process.”

    The statement added that the supposed law provided the faulty basis for the corrupt, insane, and poorly executed political brigandage by “Gov Uba Sani, the APC, and their shameless KADSIECOM Chairperson, Haj. Hajara Mohammed.

    “KADSIECOM shamelessly declared APC the winner of the 23 chairmanship and 255 councillorship seats in an election that never took place.

    “We promise to pursue this case up to the Supreme Court to ensure justice and protect democracy in Kaduna State.”

    It advised those it described as “conscripted council chairmen whose stay in office would be short-lived”, that they would be held accountable for any mismanagement of local government funds.

    The statement reminded the chairmen that they were appointed by the governor “to serve as conduit for siphoning the monthly federal allocation.”

    It further added that the APC’s actions were a call to anarchy and self-help, adding, “we urge the good people of Kaduna State to remain calm and join us in our bid to have these individuals removed from office through the courts and fresh elections organised.

    “Under the leadership of Chief Edward Percy Masha, democracy will prevail in Kaduna State, and the people will have the final say. This I can assure.”

    (NAN)

  • APC, PDP clash over planned increase of AAU tuition

    APC, PDP clash over planned increase of AAU tuition

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has warned residents of Ondo State not to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in next month’s governorship election.

    A press statement by its Ondo State spokesman, Kennedy Peretei said Governor Aiyedatiwa plans to increase tuition fees for students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba. He said the increment is being delayed so as not to affect the party’s fortunes in the forthcoming election.

    Peretei said Governor Aiyedatiwa and the APC had realised that the election would not be a walkover as predicted. He said the reality dawned on Aiyedatiwa during the party’s electioneering campaigns.

    The statement reads: “After spending 10 months in the saddle, his programmes and projects should have done the campaigns for Governor Aiyedatiwa. Instead, he is recruiting propagandists to lie to Ondo State people.

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    “The last joker that Aiyedatiwa has proposed to shatter the people is the increment of tuition fees at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko by 100 per cent.

    “The minor delay, according to official sources, is due to the anticipated backlash that can spell doom for his re-election bid. If the people make the mistake of voting for him, they will gnash their teeth, because he will give the final approval for the increment and more students will drop out of school.

    “Those who think Ondo State is lucky with this kind of administration should pinch themselves to ensure they are not dreaming.”

    In its response, Ondo APC Media Director, Steve Otaloro said the PDP would not win the election by denigrating the people or criticising Aiyedatiwa’s administration. He said the people deserved to know what the PDP intended to do differently, ‘not just empty rhetoric and false promises.’

  • PDP begins campaign

    PDP begins campaign

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government of Ogun State has launched its campaign ahead of November 16  chairmanship election.

    The candidate, Tunji Bankole, promised rapid infrastructural development across the area during the launch at the party’s office in Ota.

    He emphasised PDP’s human-oriented approach, citing people-centred policies to improve lives. Bankola urged citizens to vote en masse to eradicate hardship and poor administration, starting from the grassroots.

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    The state Chairman, Nureni Tella, attributed the current suffering to past electoral choices.

    He enjoined voters to elect PDP candidates who prioritised residents’ welfare, noting that there would be no room for rigging.

  • PDP vows to resist alleged ploy to draft Amotekun for Ondo polls

    PDP vows to resist alleged ploy to draft Amotekun for Ondo polls

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has vowed to resist any attempt to drag the Amotekun Corps into next month’s governorship election.

    It alleged the reappointment of Akogun Adetunji Adeleye was a ploy to make the Amotekun Corps play roguish roles like hooliganism and thuggery activities ahead of the elections.

    Special Adviser, Media and Publicity of the PDP campaign council, Ayo Fadaka, in a press statement issued in Akure, described the plan as an abuse of power and privileges that would be counter-productive with very deep consequences.

    Fadaka said a chieftain of the party,  Folarin Oyenusi, was shot at while travelling with his family at Ile-Oluji community.

    He alleged that “barracks” have been opened for thugs across the state and promised to furnish security agencies  addresses of hotels and facilities being used for the purposes.

    Fadaka stated that the APC planned to  cause security scare in many local government areas with a view to arrest  chieftains of the PDP.

    “We once again call upon the security agencies to take their briefs seriously and nip all sinister and criminal plots of the APC in the bud in the interest of peace in the State.”

    But Ondo APC Director of Media, Steve Otaloro, said there were no Security Committee in the Aiyedatiwa Campaign Council and no plan to involve Amotekun Corps

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    Otaloro stated that the Amotekun Corps remained a professional body dedicated to protecting the people and not engaging in politics.

    “‘The PDP’s allegations of violence, thuggery, and plans to cause security scares are also baseless. In fact, it’s the PDP that’s been crying wolf, trying to distract from their own lack of preparation for the election. We urge the security agencies to investigate these claims and bring perpetrators to justice.

    “Our campaign is focused on issues, not misinformation. We’re committed to working for the people, not spreading false allegations. The PDP should join us in promoting a peaceful and issue-based campaign.”

  • Apoi monarchs pray for PDP candidate

    Apoi monarchs pray for PDP candidate

    Traditional rulers in Apoi land in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, have offered prayers for their son and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, in next month’s governorship election.

    The traditional rulers offered prayers at the Kalasuwe palace of the paramount ruler of Apoi land, Oba Sunday Amuseghan, when the PDP campaign team visited Ese-Odo. Oba Amuseghan led other monarchs to pray for the success of Ajayi, the Asiwaju Oluomo of Apoi land.

    A community leader, Peter Soriwei, said, “Ese-Odo is for Agboola Ajayi; there is no other way. We are here to pray for him alongside our traditional rulers, and I am very sure our people will give him maximum support in this coming election. If anybody is saying something else, they are just deceiving themselves. Block votes are for Agbo and Fessy here.”

    Oba Godwin Aboyewa, the traditional ruler of Ajapa, appealed to Ajayi to assist in reclaiming the Ayetoro community from sea incursion if elected governor. He said his kingdom would go into extinction if Ayetoro was not saved from being swallowed by the sea.

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    The Ajapa monarch reminded Ajayi to provide portable water and build standard schools in his community. He prayed for the success of the PDP candidate at the polls.

    Ajayi assured the monarchs that he would never disappoint them and that all developmental needs in Ese-Odo would be addressed if he became governor in February next year.

    He said Ayetoro community would be saved from extinction if he was elected governor of Ondo State.

    His words: “I want to appreciate the brotherly love you have displayed here today that you want us to save the Ayetoro community from total extinction and that is the high level of patriotism you have shown us. I can assure you, sir, that if we get to the office by next year February, we will chase the sea away from the Ayetoro community by at least two kilometres.

    “It is not going to be by magic but is something we are prepared to do.”

  • Lagos PDP founding members move to revive party, align with Jandor, others

    Lagos PDP founding members move to revive party, align with Jandor, others

    The PRIMROSE Movement, comprising founding members of PDP in Lagos State, has aligned with 2023 party’s governorship candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran’s (Jandor) camp ,to revive party.

    The movement, led by Chief Dapo Sarumi, a former Information Minister, also aligned with the loyalists of the PDP Deputy National Secretary, Mr Setonji Koshoedo, to bring the party to its feet in the state.

    Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, the Spokesperson for the 2023 Lagos PDP governorship candidate ,disclosed this in a statement on in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the main opposition party has been beset by leadership crises both at the national level  and across most states of the federation, including Lagos

    Ogunleye said that the movement in the alliance set up Lagos PDP’s Elders Council to give direction to the  party in the state.

    He said, “The members of the movement on Oct. 26 along with other prominent elders of the party established the Lagos PDP Elders Council ,with the primary responsibility of giving direction to the party.”

    Ogunleye said that the council appointed Chief Taiwo Kuye and Mr Shamsudeen Arobieke as Coordinator and Administrative Secretary respectively.

    According to him, Chief Okanlawon Oshoba, Alhaji Arilesere, Pa Shakiru Oladunjoye, Alhaji Kareem Mohammed, among other party elders ,will serve as trustees.

    He said that the members of the newly established Lagos PDP Elders Council expressed their reservation over the current situation of the party.

    Ogunleye added  that they pledged to revive the vision of the founding fathers of the party in Lagos state.

    He said that Sarumi and Chief Stephen Bakare expressed commitment to chart winning ways for the party in future elections.

    Ogunleye said that Kuye decried the incessant inability of the party to efficiently offer itself as the leading opposition party and the credible alternative to the ruling party.

    He assured that the elders of the party across the state, as represented in the newly established council, would rallied other well-meaning members of the party “to synergise in serving as the conscience of the party.”

    He said that Alhaji Olayinka Arilesere, a prominent leader of the Primrose movement also reminisced on the history of the party and the aspirations of the founding members.

    According to him, the party elder enjoined all members to embrace the politics of ideology rather than stomach infrastructure and pecuniary interest “which are the motives of some politicians today.”

    (NAN)

  • Count me out of PDP crisis – Atiku

    Count me out of PDP crisis – Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said he has no hand in the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

    His Special Assistant on Public Communication Phrank Shuaibu told The Nation that Atiku is not in any way part of the crisis in the party. 

     The PDP was hit with suspensions and counter-suspensions necessitating the intervention of the PDP Governors’ Forum,  Board of Trustees and PDP National Reconciliation Committee last week. 

    Analysts believe the crisis has to do with the long-drawn differences between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Atiku.

    Neither Atiku nor Wike was invited to the Tursday’s meeting which Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed described as ‘a meeting of all of PDP’ stakeholders.

    There are fears the internal frictions may blow open once more at the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 28.

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    However, when asked if the Atiku camp is involved in plans by some PDP members to recruit lawyers and approach the courts towards vacating Justice Peter Lifu’s order that stops party organs from removing embattled acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, Shuaibu said any suggestion that Atiku may be involved in any crisis within PDP was bizzare.

    “Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar believes in due process and he has been focused on how to build the PDP into a more formidable Party and he completely has no hand in any crisis that would rather draw the party backwards.

    “It is extremely farfetched and unfair to insinuate that Atiku has any involvement with any individual or group’s plans to brief lawyers and go to court towards vacating Justice Peter Lifu’s judgement,” Shuaibu stressed.