Tag: PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned thugs to stay away from the venue of its governorship election primary.

It said the primary would be held on Thursday, April 25, at the International Culture and Event Centre (the Dome).

A spokesman for the Ondo PDP, Kennedy Peretei, said the primary would be conducted by a seven-man primary election committee, headed by Bayelsa state deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Read Also: Ihedioha quits PDP, writes party leaders

Peretei stated that a total of 627 delegates from the 18 local government areas of the state were expected to elect the party’s governorship candidate.

He said accreditation of delegates would commence at 10:00 am.

“All those who are not Delegates or have no business at the venue are advised to keep a reasonable distance from the arena,” he said.

A leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ofunama Ward, Ovia Southwest Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Pere Ejune, has stated that the emergence of a PDP chieftain, Mathew Iduoriyekemwe, as the Director-General of the party’s governorship campaign organisation is a sign that the party will win the election on September 21. 

He described Iduoriyekemwe as the best choice, while stressing that over the years, he had stamped his political prowess in his Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, and Edo South Senatorial District. 

Read Also: PDP mocks APC over conduct of party primary in Ondo

Ejune said: “It is with abundant joy that I received the news of the appointment of Hon. Mathew Iduoriyekemwe as the Director-General of Edo PDP governorship campaign team for the forthcoming poll.

“He is a round peg in a round hole. We are assuring PDP of block vote during the governorship election, in appreciation of the achievements of Governor Godwin Obaseki in our area, coupled with the wisdom in the choice of Hon. Iduoriyekemwe as the party’s campaign DG.”

A Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, is the standard bearer of PDP in Edo, while the Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, is his running mate, as they will slug it out with candidates of 16 other political parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP).

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has knocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the conduct of last Saturday primary election.

It said the APC’s conduct of the primary was a charade and a mockery of  democracy in every sense of the word.

The PDP noted that the national headquarters of the APC raked in N830m from aspirants for an exercise that ‘would be an anticlimax and their aspirations to occupy the number one seat in the state completely eclipsed and all the efforts headed for the dustbin.’

A statement by spokesman of the party, Kennedy Peretei, said Kogi state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, wreaked more havoc in the conduct of the primary than his boss, Yahaya Bello, did four years during the re-election primary of late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Peretei noted that journalists were shocked ‘that in almost all the centres that elections were supposed to hold, there were no election materials, neither were there officials to conduct the exercise.’

Read Also: PDP: How Atiku, Wike tug-of-war reshapes party’s 2027 dynamics

“Instead, there were reported cases of violence in Akure South and Okitipupa Local Government Areas, where political thugs had a field day. In one of the videos that was seen online to create impression that the exercise held, the returning officer counted to 400 and jumped to 560. Some of the aspirants have since called for the cancellation of the exercise.

“If the APC cannot conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible primary election for 171,922 of their members, they should perish the idea of presiding over the affairs of Ondo State beyond the eight years in which they have practically stagnated the State.

“It is a shame that the APC cannot bring only one of their sixteen aspirants to square up with other political parties in the general election through a process that is above board. That alone, is an affirmation that, the party should be consigned to dustbin of history, where it rightfully belongs.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo state chapter will once again demonstrate its superior organizational sagacity and democratic credentials this week, through a Governorship Primary Election that will be covered live by media houses and non-governmental Organizations in the full glare of the world.

“As at the early hours of today, Journalists were still waiting for the outcome of the charade that Usman Ododo and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege called a primary election in Ondo state.”

The 98th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ended on Thursday, April 18, with a strong resolve to unite various contending camps and rebrand the party towards returning to power in 2027.

Although some tension was still in the air when the meeting commenced, FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igwe and officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) cordoned off the PDP headquarters in Abuja and barred contending groups of hired protesters from hampering the peaceful anti-climax that manifested by the end of the meeting.

While part of the 15-point communique read by the PDP national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba predictably took a swipe at the APC-controlled federal government, it emphasized the PDP leaders’ new resolve to ensure early preparations for the 2027 general elections while some highly divisive issues, including the leadership position of acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum were either subtly modified or indefinitely postponed.

“NEC commends all the Organs of the Party for their collective resilience, steadfastness and commitment towards the unity, stability and sustenance of our great Party despite daunting challenges.

“NEC also commends members of the PDP, with particular reference to the youths and women for their courage in resisting the antics of the divisive and anti-people All Progressives Congress (APC), especially, its desperation to emasculate the opposition and foist a one-Party State on our nation.

“NEC charges all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholders and indeed all members of the PDP to close ranks, put aside every personal or group interests and work together in the overall effort to reposition and return the PDP to power at the centre in the interest of the Nigerian people.

“Consequently, NEC received and approved the Timetable for Party Congresses across the country.

“NEC also approved the Reconstitution of the Party Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees to further ensure the stability of the Party.

Read Also: PDP groups hold Damagun-must-go protest ahead NEC meeting

“Similarly, NEC approved the extension of the life of the Party Constitution Amendment Committee to allow it to receive new amendment proposals for inclusion in its deliberation and final report for consideration by NEC.

“NEC commended the efforts of the National Working Committee in its effort towards rebranding the Party including the new look PDP Logo which is widely accepted by Party members and Nigerians in general.

“NEC charges all Party members to continue to work together for the success of the PDP for the benefit of Nigerians and sustenance of Democracy in our country,” Ologunagba stated

Adolphus Wabara, the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has emphasized the necessity for the party to undergo repositioning itself to take over power in 2027, despite the persistent challenges it faces.

Wabara made the appeal in his opening address at the PDP BoT meeting held on Thursday, April 18.

He said: “Together, we have the power to surmount any obstacle, overcome any challenge, and realize our collective vision of a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive party ready to take over power at the centre in 2027.”

The 77th meeting of the the PDP BOT is in preparation for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party which comes up later in the day.

Attendees at the meeting at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja include the PDP BOT’s Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum, the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, Minority Leader in the House of Representatives,  Hon Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, along with many former and current governors.

Read Also: PDP has no leadership change plan, governors insist

According to Senator Wabara who expressed gratitude for his recent election as BOT chairman, today’s meeting was designed to provide a platform for the BoT as the conscience of the party to reflect on the state of the party to guide the party, leaders and members.

He said: “Nigerians are currently passing through a perilous time and their earnest expectation is for us as a Party to put our house in order and effectively lead the charge to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).

“We must therefore go into this meeting with the determination and resolve to urgently come up with practical solutions to the challenges facing our Party at this time.

“I must address a matter that weighs heavily on our collective conscience, the leadership of the party as it stands.

“Recalling the events that led to the ousting of the former Chairman of the Party in person of H.E. Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the current Acting Chairman has spent over a year in office whereas as the usual practice of the party, the region from whence the national officer hails from should have produced a viable candidate to complete the tenure of the former national officer.

“Furthermore, the contentious issue surrounding the office of the National Secretary has regrettably sown seeds of discord within our party. The ambiguity surrounding this position has led to confusion and internal strife, hindering our collective efforts to pursue our noble objectives. The solutions to these two challenges are clearly imbibed in our party’s constitution but deliberate litigations have made the application of these constitutional solutions impossible.

“It is incumbent upon us to resolve this matter with utmost urgency, guided by transparency, fairness, and the best interests of our party and its members.”

Speaking further, Senator Wabara emphasized that ongoing changes offer the party new and genuine hope for repositioning and revitalising itself towards a brighter future.

He added: “As we stand on the cusp of a new era, marked by the impending expiration of the Ward and LGA executive structures of our party across several states, we are presented with a pivotal opportunity to reinvigorate and reposition our party for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“The forthcoming congresses at various levels serve as a beacon of hope, offering us a platform to reaffirm our commitment to democratic ideals, grassroots participation, and inclusive governance; let us seize this moment to embrace change, foster unity, and chart a course towards a brighter and more prosperous future for our party and our nation.

“In conclusion, let us approach the deliberations of this meeting with a spirit of fellowship, mutual respect, and unwavering dedication to the ideals and principles that bind us together as members of the great People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

There is no plan to appoint a new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting today, governors on the platform of the party said yesterday.

According to the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, any plan to hijack the platform by any individual or group would also be resisted.

The governors, who held a pre-NEC meeting at the Akwa Ibom State Lodge in Abuja, said while they never discussed the change of leadership as being speculated by the public, they resolved to tackle the lingering party challenges in accordance with the PDP constitution.

During the meeting, news filtered that Ayu had withdrawn his case against the PDP while the party has also withdrawn an appeal filed against the suspended chairman.

The governors’ parley preceded the meeting of National Caucus, which held last night.

Today, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) and NEC will meet at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

Apart from Governor Mohammed, who read the communique, other PDP governors’ at yesterday’s meeting were the Forum’s Vice chairman, Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State),  Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta).

Also at theeeting we’re Deputy Governors Omobayo Godwins (Edo) and Ifeanyi Ossai (Enugu).

Consistent with the Forum’s position, the National Working Committee (NWC) also passed a vote of confidence in Ambassador Umar Damagum, who has been acting as national chairman, following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s suspension.

Forum: No plan for new leadership

Mohammed emphasised that the change of party leadership was not on the agenda, stressing that the party cannot violate its constitution.

Read Also: Clark calls for dissolution of PDP’s NWC

He said:”We are looking forward to doing everything within the constitutional provision of the party. So, we are not here to discuss about change of leadership.

“We are talking about resolving all the issues and going forward, so that at the end of the day, the timeliness allowed in the constitution for Congresses and what have you, would have been done.

“But certainly, the public are free to permutate, to discuss and of course, PDP NEC will decide on some of these issues.”

Mohammed: “There are no contendig forces. What is NEC? NEC is the PDP Governors Forum and other stakeholders. So, we are just a portion of NEC; we cannot talk on behalf of NEC until we get there.

“NEC will take decisions on such issues, not the governors. I know the governors normally take leadership position, but we have an acting person in leadership capacity leading the party and NEC will decide whether it is  to fill the vacancy,  looking at the legal implications of doing that and knowing that they are so many lingering litigations in court. “Of course, we don’t want to disparage ourselves, because we know that they are some mauraders hiding somewhere trying to factionalise our party and take one faction to go and do coalition.”

Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark on Wednesday, April 17, April called for the dissolution of the National Working Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This follows the seeming crisis that had divided the party.

The party’s NWC earlier in the day passed a vote of confidence on the acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum.

The party National Executive Council is expected to meet on Thursday, April 18, at the party national headquarters in Abuja.

Clark, an active member of the PDP before announcing his retirement from active politics in 2015, also urged the party to set up a disciplinary Committee to investigate those causing disaffection in the party.

 Clark made the call in his letter to the party titled, “As the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meets: A poser- PDP: To be or not to be?

Read Also: Oshiomhole, Clark, Dickson, others pay tributes to Cairo Ojougboh

He stated: “My sincere advice to the members of the party’s NWC which is composed of notable politicians, is that they should be courageous enough to Set up a Disciplinary Committee to investigate the anti-party activities, particularly the roles played by some members which led to the failure of the PDP in the 2023 elections;

“To dissolve the existing NEC of the party for their anti-party activities;

“To appoint an Acting National Chairman in accordance with the Constitution of the party. This was what happened during the tenure of Uche Secondus, who was still in court when the party appointed another Acting National Chairman

“The party should immediately revisit the online registration of its members as it was initiated by the then National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, to save the party from depending on individuals, because as they say, he who pays the piper, dictates the tune.”

As intrigues within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) approach a climax, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on Wednesday, April 17, passed a vote of confidence on the acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum.

Several intra-party camps have been holding secret meetings ahead of various critical meetings of the PDP’s National leadership but according to the party’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the vote of confidence emanated from a formal meeting of the NWC.

Ologunagba said in a press statement: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has passed a vote of confidence on the party’s acting national chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum.

“The decision of the NWC which came at the end of its 584th meeting at the Party’s National Secretariat on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, is in commendation of the efforts and commitment of the Acting National Chairman to stabilize and reposition the PDP as the main opposition Party in Nigeria.

“The deputy national chairman (south) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja presided over the motion for a vote of confidence on the acting national chairman which was moved by the National Vice Chairman (South East) Chief Ali Odefa and seconded by the National Treasurer, Hon. Yayari Mohammed.

“The NWC assures of its commitment to ensuring the continued stability, growth and success of our great Party at all times.”

With the PDP NWC vote of confidence, it is a one-up for the pro-Nyesom Wike camp which has been rooting for Damagum’s continued stay in office but the most critical consideration of the Damagun issue and other significant Party matters are to be done in other formal meetings.

Read Also: PDP NEC meeting: Damagum-led NWC to lock out unconstitutional members

According to the party’s national director of publicity, Pastor Chinwe I. Nnorom, three formal national meetings of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are scheduled to include the National Caucus meeting at Bauchi State government Lodge, Asokoro by 8 pm on Wednesday, 17 April 2024.

The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting is scheduled to begin by 10 am at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza on Thursday, 18 April, 2024.

Also, by 10 am on Thursday, the National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting is to take place at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

Currently, members of the PDP governors’ forum are preparing to have their meeting at the Bauchi state governors’ lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, with expectations that they will take a position on issues of critical significance within the PDP.