Tag: PDP

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday reaffirmed their confidence in the judiciary despite judgments that have gone against their colleagues.

After a meeting of the PDP Governors Forum, they urged the Federal Government to prioritise the implementation of a new revenue allocation formula.

Two governors elected on the PDP platform – Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) – had their victories invalidated by the Court of Appeal, but both appealed to the Supreme Court.

A communique issued after the meeting reads in part: “The meeting reviewed the recent judgments of the Court of Appeal concerning governors of various states and noted the mixed outcomes. 

“As a Forum, we once again re-state our overall confidence in the judiciary to do justice.

Read Also: Attack on Judiciary: APC berates PDP, Atiku

“We believe that the Supreme Court will do justice in the cases where we recorded temporary setbacks like Zamfara and Plateau states.

“The meeting also reviewed the off-season elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states. 

“We support the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the allegation of the existence of pre-filled result sheets even before elections started in some places to ensure the confidence of the people in the electoral process.

“On the national economy, the meeting urgently requested the Federal Government to prioritise the introduction of a new revenue allocation formula that gives more money to states and local governments to enable them to meet their increased responsibilities.”

At the meeting were Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ifeanyi Ossai (Enugu Deputy Governor), Kola Adewusi (Osun Deputy Governor), Mutfwang and Mani Mummuni (Zamfara Deputy Governor).

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River says it will contest Wednesday’s Appeal Court judgment that affirmed Gov. Bassey Otu as winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.

The party’s decision to challenge Otu’s electoral victory is contained in a statement issued by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr Mike Ojisi, and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Thursday.

While urging PDP supporters to remain calm, Ojisi noted that verdict of the appellate court did not reflect the full conviction of the party’s position on the processes leading to the election.

“While we are saddened by this temporary setback, we are, however, glad that there is still room at the supreme court and this is the beauty of our judicial system and democracy.

“We kindly appeal to our teeming supporters and party faithful to remain calm, as we are still committed to seeking legal opinions and exhausting all legal means toward reclaiming our mandate,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appeal court sitting in Lagos had, on Wednesday, affirmed the tribunal judgment which upheld Otu’s victory after dismissing the PDP candidate, Prof. Sandy Onor’s petition for lack of merit.

Meanwhile, the governor, who had earlier called for an end to further litigation on the matter, however, said that he remained unshaken by the petition against his electoral victory in the March 18 governorship poll.

Speaking on the appeal court judgment, Otu said that he believed that the people of the state overwhelmingly gave him their mandate.

He said it was time for all, irrespective of political party affiliations, to join hands with him to move the state forward.

The governor said that the affirmation of his victory by the court had given him an added impetus to serve the state and move it forward with his ‘People First’ agenda.

“The ruling of the court of appeal is a welcome development and it affirms that we were overwhelmingly voted in by the people on March 18, 2023.

“This judgment should bring an end to litigation on the outcome of the governorship election.

“For those in the opposition, especially my brother, Prof. Sandy Onor, I once again offer you a hand of friendship.

“Come and join my administration so that together, we can move our state forward and bring about dividends of democracy.

Read Also: BREAKING: Appeal Court reverses sack of Nasarawa Gov Sule

“My administration is fully re-energised to deliver on the ‘People First’ mandate, which is on track to reposition our state for effective and responsive governance,” he said.

Otu solicited for the support and patience of the people of the state, as his administration had continued to navigate the challenging times toward achieving the Cross River of his dream.

“Let me reassure all our citizens that we are working round the clock to ensure that we deliver the best governance to our people.

“It is important also to note that reparations are in top gear for a robust and successful Calabar festival, while we continue to address other socio-economic and developmental issues,” he said.

(NAN) 

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member in the Yobe House of Assembly, Hon Lawan Musa Majakura, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He was received at a ceremony which took place at the official residence of Gov. Mai Mala Buni at the Government House.

Yobe Speaker Chiroma Buba Mashio, his Deputy Hon. Yau Daachia and other members of the State House of Assembly accompanied their colleague to the ceremony.

Buni was particularly impressed by the youthfulness of Majakura and his political sagacity.

He praised the  dedication of the member  to serving his constituency, emphasising the importance of politics as a means of providing effective service to the people.

The Governor expressed satisfaction with Majakura’s commitment and the notable politicians who accompanied him, indicating widespread acceptance within credible political circles.

Read Also: Senate throws out Bill seeking to legalise constituency projects

Majakura explained that his decision to leave the PDP for the APC was motivated by the commendable efforts of Buni’s administration in bringing transformative infrastructure to his constituency.

He specifically highlighted the construction of roads, housing estates and medical facilities that have positively impacted local communities.

The 28-year-old Majakura, a former volunteer primary school teacher, defeated former Speaker Mohammed Mirwa in the March 18 Governorship and House of Assembly election to represent Nguru II Constituency on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).

With the defection of Majakura to the APC, only Sadiq Yahaya representing Bade Central State Constituency is left in the opposition PDP out of the 23 members in the Assembly.

Senators on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have zoned the vacant position of Minority Leader to the North Central, it has been learnt.

This was after a crucial closed door meeting of party caucus at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The agenda of the meeting in the office of Senator representing Kebbi South, Garba Musa Maidoki, was to seek replacement for the position of principal officers of the Senate like the Minority Leader and Minority Whip.

Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Simon Mwadkwon, was sacked by the Appeal Court in October.

The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, within 90 days, conduct a fresh election in the Plateau North Senatorial District that Mwadkwon represented on the platform of PDP.

In a similar vein, a Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, sacked Senate Minority Whip, Senator Darlington Nwokocha.

Nwokocha, who represented Abia Central under the platform of the Labour Party (LP), was on Wednesday replaced by Augustine Akobundu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in line with the ruling of the court.

At a closed door session on Wednesday, the PDP lawmakers resolved to zone the office of Minority Leader to the North Central geo- political zone.

The lawmakers who agreed to convey their position to other lawmakers in the other opposition parties in the Red Chamber are of the opinion that the region has been shut out in the power distribution in the country.

Read Also: BREAKING: LP, PDP vs Sanwo-Olu: Our decision is unanimous, says Appeal Court

In attendance at the meeting were Senators Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdul Ningi, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Abba Morro, Aminu Dankwambo, Francis Fadahunsi, Osita Ngwu, Ned Nwoko and Adamu Aliero, among  others.

Speaking with journalists after the closed door meeting, Maidoki explained why the PDP senators settled for North Central.

He said: “Everyone has agreed that the North Central should have that position for equity.

“Whether you are in PDP or APC, the Senate President is from the South South, the Deputy Senate President is from North West, the Senate Leader is from South West, the Chief Whip is from North East. So, the only zone where you do not have leadership position is North Central, after the ouster of the last Minority Leader. 

“We have all agreed that the North Central should have it for equity. Even though the highest number of PDP senators are from North West, we are on the same page, we are unanimous, we have agreed and those who want the same position we have persuaded.

“This was just driven by equity for every zone. In any case, it is only a position of trust, he has only one vote when it comes to voting, the Senate President has only one vote.”

Maidoki, who disclosed that there would be no micro-zoning to any individual, said the President of the Senate was aware of the meeting of the PDP lawmakers.

“We don’t want to make the same mistake we made the last time, we refused  to take a position on time and some people took the decision for us.

“Hence we had to hold this emergency meeting when we realised that a vacuum exist in the minority leadership, and in the past weeks, nothing had been done, so we had to move quickly.

“The Senate President was here this morning and we assured him that it was a PDP affair and we want  to make sure we chose our leader who can contribute robustly to debates in the Senate.

“It’s not about change or overturning anyone, its about the leadership vacuum in the minority and we don’t want anyone to chose for us,” he said.