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  • Don’t shift blame on economic crisis, Media group fires PDP Govs

    Don’t shift blame on economic crisis, Media group fires PDP Govs

    The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has faulted Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for absolving themselves from the responsibility of easing the burden of the hardship faced by Nigerians in the aftermath of the removal of fuel subsidy. 

    The group noted that the shifting of blame on the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government and denial of constitutional responsibility by the PDP Governors was irresponsible and dishonourable of their positions.

    A statement by the Chairman of the group, Jesutega Onokpass in Abuja said the Governors who are benefitting from improved allocations should not be seen to be reluctant to act decisively to ameliorate the hardship of people in their domain.

    “We find it insulting that people who are saddled with the constitutional responsibility of taking care of the welfare of the citizenry have the effrontery to make it look like it is the sole duty of the federal government to address challenges sparked by fuel subsidy removal.

    “These PDP governors, like their counterparts in other parties, have in the last 8 months been receiving far the more allocations from the federation account for states and council areas, yet they are opting to play the ostrich when it comes to bringing succour to Nigerians feeling the brunt of the action.

    “It is preposterous that governors who are members of the National Economic Council are comparing the Nigerian situation to Venezuela with its 190% inflation rate in a country where people use sackloads of cash to buy basic things. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s current inflation rate of 28 is at the same level as the August 2005 inflation number of 28.2%.

    “The Governors had the temerity to urge the Federal Government to, ‘as a matter of urgency’, introduce initiatives when it is clear that the President Bola Tinubu administration has been active with deploying emergency measures as well introducing long term efforts to tackle food security.

    “The President has twice ordered the release of hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes of grains. He has initiated efforts to inject Compressed Natural Gas powered vehicles into the transportation sector aside from the temporary measures he introduced during Christmas but no one knows what these Governors have been doing with the improved allocations to states and local governments.

    “We make bold to say that none of these governors have done anything serious to cushion the effect of the rising cost of food items in their states.

    Read Also: FG tongue lashes PDP Govs, demands impact of increased revenue

    ” So rather than heap the blame for the rising cost of living on the Tinubu administration, governors across party lines should see themselves as change agents and collaborate with the federal government to address the problem,” it said.

    The group also urged Nigerians to be alive to their responsibility of holding state governors and local government chairmen accountable.

  • By-election: PDP’s Tafida wins Taraba Reps seat

    By-election: PDP’s Tafida wins Taraba Reps seat

    Tafida Abbas, the son of the Emir of Jalingo and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emerged victorious in the by-election for the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency.

    Prof. Olarewaju Oladapo, the Returning Officer, announced that Abbas secured 19,681 votes, surpassing the other 10 contenders.

    Innocent Patrick of the SDP claimed second place with 16,379 votes, while former House of Representatives member Aminu Malle of the APC landed in third with 12,662 votes.

    Expressing gratitude, Abbas thanked Governor Agbu Kefas and expressed his commitment to collaborating with fellow candidates and the current administration to enhance the state’s well-being.

    Read Also: Ondo PDP chair for burial today

    He said: “I want to appreciate the other candidates. I visited most of them to thank them and invited them to help and guide me through my tenure so that we can work together for the betterment of our constituency.

    “At this time, since I have never been in government, I have to go on an assessment on what the government is doing and to see how I can complement their efforts, especially in the area of security, poverty alleviation, education (the government is doing a lot). We have to join hands together to see how we can fight this menace of poor education”.

    The Jalingo/Yorro/Zing federal constituency seat became vacant following the death of the then newly elected member, Ismail Yushau in June 2023.

    A by-election took place on February 3, 2024, but was declared inconclusive.

  • Intra-party crisis: Ekiti PDP ward, LGAs chairmen sue for peace

    Intra-party crisis: Ekiti PDP ward, LGAs chairmen sue for peace

    Following the protracted crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Ekiti state, the ward and local government areas chairmen have called for unity and peace among leaders and members of the party in the State.

    At an elaborate meeting of leaders and members of the party in Ado-Ekiti, the Chairmen under the leadership of Chairman of All Local Government Party Chairmen, Kole Abiodun, urged all the leaders in the party to close ranks and work together to ensure peace in the forthcoming ward congress in the State.

    Leaders at the meeting include: former Deputy Governor Professor Kolapo Olusola-Eleka; PDP BOT member representing Ekiti Ojo Oke; ex-Deputy Speaker Segun Adewunmi; former State Chairman, Chief Idowu Faleye; the former Commissioner for Work and Secretary Mrs. Ogun Funmilayo Theresa.

    Others were Youth Leader  Tope Amerijoye; Legal Adviser Barrister Olowolafe; former Deputy Governorship candidate, Hon Deji Ogunsakin; Pastor Anjorin former state secretary and Hon Dapo Olagunju amongst others.

    In a communique after the meeting by Kole Abiodun, the leaders said, ” That all local government chairmen should immediately organise a stakeholder meeting in their respective local governments to appeal to all leaders to close ranks and work together for the collective good of all and sundry. The same must be replicated at ward levels. 

    Read Also: Ekiti PDP stakeholders seek end to intra-party crisis

    “That a political solution must be pursued to reduce the tension and uncertainty surrounding the status of the leadership of the party in the state. A committee should be set up to immediately interface with the National Working Committee concerning the appeal filed against the State Working Committee. 

    ” That anyone caught involved in anti-party activities should be suspended forthwith.

    ” That each Local Government should nominate five notable leaders to a steering committee that will champion a reconciliatory move that will work towards ensuring a seamless congress.

    ” The meeting should be reconvened in two weeks.”

  • Late suspended Ondo PDP chairman for burial today

    Late suspended Ondo PDP chairman for burial today

    The late suspended Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Fatai Adams, will be buried today at his Irun Akoko community according to Islamic rites.

    Adams died Wednesday morning at a private hospital in Akure after a brief illness.

    Adams was suspended as Ondo PDP chairman for alleged anti-party activities as well as engaging in activities likely to bring the party to disrepute.

    The spokesman for the Ondo PDP, Kennedy Peretei, said the party was shocked and devastated over the news of Adams’ death.

    Peretei stated that Adams was elected to the Ondo Assembly between 2007 and 2011.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Ondo PDP chairman dies

    A former speaker of the Ondo Assembly, Victor Olabimtan described the late Adams as a gentleman, loyal and dedicated to duties while serving as a lawmaker.

    The state chairman of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Akoko Northwest local government, Basiru Aminu, described Adams as a Muslim who transferred Islamic norms to politics with humility and respect for elders

  • BREAKING: Ondo PDP chairman dies

    BREAKING: Ondo PDP chairman dies

    The Chairman of the Ondo Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Fatai Adams is dead.

    He reportedly died in the early hours of Wednesday.

    Ondo PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, who confirmed the incident, said the party would soon make official communication to the media on the matter.

    Read Also: Fed Govt knocks PDP governors for ‘failing as leaders’

    “Yes it is true but we will soon communicate to you properly on the incident,” Peretei said.

    Details shortly…

  • Fed Govt knocks PDP governors for ‘failing as leaders’

    Fed Govt knocks PDP governors for ‘failing as leaders’

    • ‘They’ve done nothing   to promote agriculture’

    The Federal Government yesterday knocked Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors for likening Nigeria’s economic situation to that of Venezuela.

    It said the governors, by their conduct, failed to live up to their leadership role in the land.

    In a communique issued on Monday after their meeting at the Oyo state Governors’ Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, the governors noted the dire economic and security challenges facing the country and expressed concern over the hardship being experienced by the citizens.

    Urging urgent action, they said: “What we are doing is giving positive criticism to the obnoxious policies of the federal government but at the outset of this administration, we supported the removal of subsidy, we believed that there were safeguards, we believed that if we took collective decisions, we should go by it; but certainly, we have all seen that it is a free fall for the naira, the cost of living is going high, we are almost on the road to Venezuela.”

     Minister of Information and Orientation Muhammed Idris, who said the government welcomed the PDP governors’ call for a bipartisan approach to solving the economic and security problems, berated the governors for failing in their conduct as leaders.

    According to him, the government has been doing everything within its powers to address the challenges.

    The Central Bank, he hinted was addressing the problem of volatility in the exchange rate.

    The minister said: “As critical stakeholders and leaders at the sub-national level, the PDP governors certainly have the right to state their position on national concerns as is expected.

    “However, as leaders in the country who are members of two important constitutional organs of government – the National Economic Council, which is the highest economic management organ of the country, and the National Council of State, we believe the PDP governors did not conduct themselves in a manner befitting their roles as leaders.

    “It is far-fetched when PDP governors, who are supposed to be major players in driving economic growth and prosperity for our citizens in their respective states, mischievously and falsely compare our current economic challenges to Venezuela.

    “We want to state categorically that though our country is going through some rough patches, which are being addressed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our situation is nowhere near what is happening in Venezuela.

    “The Nigerian economy is still very strong and is expected to record a three percent GDP growth this year. The economy is meeting financial obligations to lenders at home and abroad.

    “The Federal government is running effectively, and our government can pay all its bills while maintaining a healthy trade balance with trading partners worldwide.

     “While opposition politicians are expected to play politics, it should be done within the bounds of truth and fidelity to facts. It is unconscionable of PDP governors to manipulate facts and misinform Nigerians about our country’s true state of affairs.

    “Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, the revenue available to the three tiers of government has more than doubled.

    All 36 States, including the 774 local government areas, have been receiving significantly larger allocations on the back of the reforms being pursued by President Tinubu to reposition our national economy.

    Read Also: Tinubu moves to stop brain drain in health sector

    “Nigerians should ask PDP governors how far and how well they have utilised the increased revenue to better the lives of Nigerians in their respective states.

    “It is on record that most states controlled by PDP owe workers and pensioners months of unpaid salaries and pension arrears. The PDP governors have defaulted in paying gratuities to their retired workers. It is also a fact that many of the PDP governors have not paid N30, 000 minimum wage to their workers since it took effect more than four years ago. All of these anomalies in their states contribute significantly to the economic pressure their citizens face.”

    “If PDP governors are genuinely interested in the living conditions of Nigerians and are not just stirring up disaffection and ill-will towards the government, we urge them to meet their obligations to workers, pensioners, and local contractors and see the multiplier effect.

    “It is disappointing that PDP governors talk about rising costs of living and food when they have not done much to increase food production in their states. The land in Nigeria belongs to the states, not the federal government.

    “PDP governors, in their communique yesterday, did not tell Nigerians how they are supporting farmers in their states to boost food production – a responsibility that is strictly within their purview. Instead, they shift all the blame to the federal government, while shirking their own responsibilities to the people they govern.

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of President Tinubu is working assiduously to address the current challenges. The President is working with his security chiefs to eliminate all security threats wherever they exist within our borders, and we are getting results in the number of terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers that have either been killed or arrested in the past few weeks. The success of the efforts is also reflected in the over 700 abducted Nigerians who have been rescued from captivity.

    “The CBN is addressing the problem of volatility in the exchange rate, and we are beginning to see stability that will eventually lead to the naira gaining its actual value against the dollar and other convertible currencies.

    “We urge the PDP governors to join their colleagues in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), who are collaborating with President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to revamp our economy for Nigerians’ collective well-being.”

  • Edo PDP risks not having candidate over irregularities

    Edo PDP risks not having candidate over irregularities

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant for the upcoming Edo election, Chief Anselm Ojezua, has said the party risked not producing a candidate for the election over irregularities.

    Ojezua, a lawyer, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday, said this was based on the irregularities that marred the primary election of the ad-hoc delegates two weeks ago, where some of them were not allowed into the venue of the election.

    He said the development would be bad for the outgoing governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, given his past disputes within and outside the party.

    The former APC state chairman said it was at the meeting that he and other aggrieved aspirants convinced the PDP Appeal Committee on the illegalities perpetrated.

    “The committee met us and it was at that meeting that we were able to convince them that what happened was a sham.

    “The chairman of the committee confronted us with the result sheets, which we were seeing for the first time, which we should have seen before the exercise, but it never happened.

    “It never happened because the National Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Umar, had sent those materials directly to the Edo Government House,” he said.

    He also said the Chairman of the Election Committee, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah turned himself into an observer rather than the supervisor of the election.

    According to him, the process was ongoing before the chairman of the exercise came in the following day. “They had distributed these materials on the 3rd and the chairman appeared midday on the 4th and inspected two locations and expressed satisfaction.

    “I said that he misconceived his assignment, rather than being the one to conduct the election, he came to observe and after observing, he made a comment.

    “But he forgot that it was his responsibility to meet with us even before the process started. It was his responsibility to deploy the officers that were given to him to work with.

    “All these were done in his absence before he arrived.

    Read Also: Food inflation: FG to form commodity board to fight price volatility

    “Even when he arrived, he was made to sign result sheets as if he was the one who conducted those elections concurrently in 192 locations.

    “We pointed out those anomalies to the Appeal Committee and they were quite surprised.

    “Again they were also shocked that there was no stakeholders’ meeting before the commencement of the process.

    “That was why we said the process was compromised even before they started,“ he said.

    Ojezua added that all the results from the 192 wards were signed by the chairman and his secretary.

    “In view of that the PDP stands the risk of not producing a candidate based on the irregularities.

    “I can tell you with confidence that should they not allow common sense to prevail, PDP will end up not having a candidate in this election.

    “The governor knows the right thing to do. I am holding him accountable because he is the leader.

    “Let him take note that he has an opportunity to do so, but in the event that he doesn’t do so, let him take full responsibility for whatever happens,” he said.

  • Ekiti PDP stakeholders seek end to intra-party crisis

    Ekiti PDP stakeholders seek end to intra-party crisis

    Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have called on leaders of the party to close their ranks and form a strong force ahead of the governorship election in 2026.

    The stakeholders under the aegis of Ekiti Coalition of PDP Stakeholders urged the people involved in the lingering crisis besetting the state chapter to bury their hatchets and give peace a chance, in the interest of the party and Ekiti people in general.

    These were contained in a communique issued by the stakeholders at the end of a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti and signed by 50 members, including Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, Tunji Odeyemi, Gboyega Oguntuase, Kehinde Odebunmi,

    local government party chairmen, among others.

    Read Also: Food inflation: FG to form commodity board to fight price volatility

    In the communique, which was read by the PDP former state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, the stakeholders said it was time for the leaders to come together and dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power.

    They expressed confidence in the PDP State Working Committee under the chairmanship of Agboola Alaba.

  • Ex-PDP spokesperson remanded for alleged defamation

    Ex-PDP spokesperson remanded for alleged defamation

    A social media critic and member of the Interim Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter, Chika Nwoba, has been remanded in prison custody by an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court.

    Nwoba, a former spokesperson for the party, was arraigned by the police yesterday on a three-count charge following his arrest on Sunday.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Gani Adams writes southwest governors, Ooni, others

    His arrest followed a petition by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oguzor Offia-Nwali.

    Nwali had in a petition alleged that Nwoba in a series of posts he made on social media, defamed him, threatened his life and falsely accused him of fraud and diversion of state government funds meant for empowerment of hawkers.

  • FG tongue lashes PDP Govs, demands impact of increased revenue

    FG tongue lashes PDP Govs, demands impact of increased revenue

    The Federal Government on Tuesday tongue-lashed Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), saying their conduct fails to justify their leadership role in the country.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris was reacting to PDP’s position comparing Nigeria’s situation to Venezuela’s.

    The Minister, in a statement, said: “As critical stakeholders and leaders at the sub-national level, the PDP governors certainly have the right to state their position on national concerns as is expected.

    “However, as leaders in the country who are members of two important constitutional organs of government – the National Economic Council, which is the highest economic management organ of the country, and the National Council of States, we believe the PDP governors did not conduct themselves in a manner befitting their roles as leaders.

    “It is far-fetched when PDP Governors, who are supposed to be major players in driving economic growth and prosperity for our citizens in their respective states, mischievously and falsely compare our current economic challenges to Venezuela.

    “We want to state categorically that though our country is going through some rough patches, which are being addressed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our situation is nowhere near what is happening in Venezuela.

    “The Nigerian economy is still very strong and is expected to record a 3% GDP growth this year. The economy is meeting financial obligations to lenders at home and abroad.

    “The Nigerian government is running effectively, and our government can pay all its bills while maintaining a healthy trade balance with trading partners worldwide.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Gani Adams writes southwest governors, Ooni, others

    “While opposition politicians are expected to play politics, it should be done within the bounds of truth and fidelity to facts. It is unconscionable of PDP Governors to manipulate facts and misinform Nigerians about our country’s true state of affairs.”

    He added: “Nigerians should ask PDP Governors how far and how well they have utilised the increased revenue to better the lives of Nigerians in their respective states.

    “It is on record that most States controlled by PDP owe workers and pensioners months of unpaid salary and pension arrears. The PDP Governors have defaulted in paying gratuities to their retired workers. It is also a fact that many of the PDP Governors have not paid N30,000 minimum wage to their workers since it took effect more than 4 years ago. All of these anomalies in their states contribute significantly to the economic pressure their citizens face.

    “If PDP Governors are genuinely interested in the living conditions of Nigerians and are not just stirring up disaffection and ill-will towards the federal government, we urge them to meet their obligations to workers, pensioners, and local contractors and see the multiplier effect.

    “It is disappointing that PDP Governors talk about rising costs of living and food when they have not done much to increase food production in their States. The land in Nigeria belongs to the States, not the Federal Government.

    “PDP Governors, in their communique yesterday, did not tell Nigerians how they are supporting farmers in their States to boost food production – a responsibility that is strictly within their purview. Instead, they shift all the blame to the Federal Government, while shirking their own responsibilities to the people they govern.”