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Tag: People’s Democratic Movement (PDM)

  • PDM’s chairman, secretary, candidate disagree over petition against Buhari’s election

    The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) Frank Igwebuike, the National Secretary,  Abubakar Gwada, its candidate in the last presidential election, Aminchi Habu and some other senior members of the party have disagreed on whether or not to prosecute the petition they filed against President Buhari and two others.

    While Igwebuike and some party leaders want the petition withdrawn on the grounds that it has a slim chance of succeeding, Aminchi, Gwada and some other members of the party’s the National Working Committee (NWC) are insisting on going on with the case.

    In the petition filed in the name of PDM and Habu, the petitioners want the tribunal to void the February 23, 2019 presidential election on the grounds that they were wrongful excluded from the poll by INEC.

    Listed as respondents are INEC, Buhari and the All Progressives Congress.

    In furtherance of his position, Igwebuike filed a motion, which he argued among others, that his party has re-evaluated the probability of the petition succeeding and decided to withdraw from it.

    Igbebuike said the motion was informed by a March 5, 2019 letter allegedly written by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), acknowledging the list of candidates’ the party submitted for the 2019 general elections but informing the party that “the period of submission of candidates has passed”.

    In a supporting affidavit, Igwebuike, stated that the party’s decision to seek to be excluded from further prosecution of the petition was informed by the best overall interest of the party and the country.

    He said: “The 2nd petitioner/applicant in its wisdom re-evaluated the probability of the petition succeeding and decided to withdraw from the motion in view of the correspondent of INEC to the 2nd petitioner dated March 5, 2019 and the said correspondent is hereby shown to me and marked Exhibit B.

    “The 2nd petitioner has resolved and decided to forgo whatever cause of action that necessitated the filing of the petition. In view of the decision of the 2nd petitioner/applicant there is no need to agitate the present petition.”

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    He added that his party “did not reach any agreement, political gains or otherwise compromise with any of the respondents (INEC, Buhari and APC) to this petition or any other person or party for the withdrawal of the 2nd petitioner/applicant in this petition.”

    According to him, “no undertaking or agreement has been entered into with any of the respondents, person or party acting for or at their instance for the withdrawal of the 2nd petitioner in this petition”.

    Igwebuike his party’s decision to withdraw “is voluntary and without any duress of influence and in the best interest of the party and the nation.”

    In a counter-affidavit, Gwada faulted Igwebuike’s position and insisted that the PDM was still interested in prosecuting the petition.

    He argued that a decision to exclude PDM from this petition could only be taken by either the party’s National Executive Committee or the National Working Committee.

    Gwada, who urged the tribunal to dismiss the motion by Igwebuike, claimed that he (Igwebuike) was acting alone and did not possess the party’s authority to filed the motion and depose to the supporting affidavit.

    He claimed to have the authority of, not the party, but its presidential candidate, Habu, who he said, was the party’s National Financial Secretary.

    Gwada said his position on the issue was also sanctioned by the party’s National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee.

    The party’s National Secretary added that neither of the party’s NEC and the NWC has met or deliberated on any issue relating to the withdrawal of the party from the petition since it was filed.

    “As the National Secretary of the 2nd petitioner (PDM), I oversee the party secretariat and have the responsibility of convening the meetings of the national organs of the party mentioned above and to keep the minutes of such meetings and decisions reached thereat.

    “The deponent of the affidavit in support of the instant application is acting alone without the authority of the national decision-making organs of the 2nd petitioner (PDM) which are the National Executive Committee of the party or the National Working Committee.”

    On the March 5, 2019 letter relied on by Igwebuike, Gwada said the letter “purporting to have emanated from the 1st respondent (INEC) to the 2nd petitioner (PDM), could not have been a basis for withdrawing the 2nd petitioner from the extant petition, as the letter purportedly written on March 5, 2019”

    When the petition was mentioned on Wednesday two lawyers announced appearances for the petitioners.

    While Aliyu Lemu said he was representing both petitioners, Morrison Onunun, who filed the motion, in respect of which supporting affidavit Igwebuike deposed to,said he appeared for the party.

    Also, while Habu stood up to said he was appearing as representative of both petitioners, Igwebuike said he was the party’s representative.

    Upon a request by Onunun for time to respond to the counter- affidavit filed against his motion, Chairman of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), Justice Garba adjourned till July 18 for the hearing of the motion and the continuation of the pre-hearing session in respect of the petition.

    Lawyers to the respondents – Yunus Usman (SAN), for INEC, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), for Buhari, and Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for the APC, said they do not intend to respond to the motion because it was on PDM’s internal affair.

    On Wednesday, the tribunal elected to reserve ruling on an application by the Hope Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Albert Owuru, in which they seek permission to amend their petition, a request the respondents have objected to.

    The tribunal also adjourned till July 18, further pre-hearing session in the petition.

  • 2019: Yar’ Adua’s PDM adopts Atiku

    The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) has adopted the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the group’s preferred candidate for the February 16 presidential election.

    The PDP, a political movement founded by the late General Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua, announced the decision in a communique issued after a meeting in Abuja by its surviving members.

    The communique, endorsed by members of the group from the six geopolitical zones, said it was gratifying to note that Atiku, who was one of the founding members of the PDM, emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP.

    Chairman of the PDM, Chief Bode Ajewole, who signed the communique, called on all stakeholders in the electoral process to play by the rules, pleasing that everything possible must be done to make the elections free, fair, credible and peaceful.

    Ajewole said, “The tension that has been generated by the 2019 elections is getting to a disturbing proportion and we call on all actors in the electoral process to ensure that peace ensues before, during and after the elections.

    “We call on the security operatives to be impartial and to focus on their main mandate of preserving and protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian and foreigners alike. Politicians should refrain from making insidious statements and anyone caught going against this should be duly prosecuted.

    “We demand of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to comply strictly with the provisions of the relevant laws in its conduct of the upcoming series of elections”.

    The group also called on election monitors, observers and voters to conduct themselves peacefully and in a manner that conforms to decent behaviour.

    Read Also: Atiku no match for Buhari – APC diaspora

    Stating the Atiku has contributed immensely to the growth of democracy in the country, the group continued, “It is noteworthy to point out that even though membership in this political family cuts across all the major political parties in the country.

    “It has always been our prayers that one of our own be given the opportunity to showcase our outstanding leadership qualities irrespective of the political parties that throws up such a candidate for as long as he/she is a member of the political family.

    “To this end, and with the 2019 presidential election exactly a week away, it has become incumbent on us, as founding members of the Yar’ Adua political family, PDM, to lend our voice to the conversations around the epochal electoral contest.

    “We are conscious of our position as proud members of the oldest political organisation in contemporary Nigeria and it is noteworthy to say that this particular election cycle presents itself as a test to the virility of democratic governance in our country”.

    Speaking to journalists earlier, a former Information Minister, Chief Dapo Sarumi, called on Nigerians to shun ex-military leaders seeking the office of the President.

    He accused successive military leaders of having disrupted the country’s democratic order over the years, adding that such leaders should be barred from political participation for a period of 50 years.

    Sarumi said, “The military distorted up to 80 percent of our political leadership. The civilians only had 20 percent. Nigerians must not reinforce failure by appointing a village head.

    “We must not reinforce failure by electing someone who believes he can work with only a group of people he can trust. How can we trust you to give us justice?

    “We should be able to trust our own, Atiku Abubakar. Let us trust one of our own who is not in khaki”.

    Chief Chief Ejiofor Onyia who convened the meeting, said the PDM family chose to come together after drifting apart for many years, adding however that if Atiku gets elected, the dream and vision of the late Yar’ Adua will be fulfilled.

  • IBB advocate for younger generation to be in power

    Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida ( IBB ) has advocated for the younger generation to be given the opportunity to steer the reins of leadership of the nation.

    According to him, the old generation has overstayed in the corridor of power as the nation need new ideas which only the younger generation can proffer.

    Speaking on Sunday when he received  members of a new political movement, the New Nigeria led by its leader, Moses Siloko Siasia who visited him at his Hilltop Residence in Minna.

    Babangida asked the current crop of leadership to hand over the country’s leadership to younger people who have the passion and zeal to propel it on the path of development and growth but the older generation was recalcitrant then.

    He said history has shown that a nation’s development fulcrum progresses better in the hands of younger generation, which he said, is more adventurous and full of fresh ideas.

    “Some of us assumed leadership at a very young age. The older generation must give way for the new one. We have become analogue but this is a digital age; so the young people should be supported to use their digital knowledge to move the country forward.”

    The former military President urged for the realization for the Not Too Young To Rule Bill stating that the youths need to put their energy towards ensuring that the Bill comes to reality.

    The leader of the delegation and Peoples Democratic Movement ( PDM ) candidate in the last governorship election in Bayelsa State said the group was in Minna as part of its bid to meet former leaders and get their blessings. 

    He expressed the intention of the group to pay same visit to former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former head of state General Abdulsalam.

    Siasia stated that the youths in the nation have decided to take their destinies in their hands because the old generation has failed the country adding that the group would be fielding candidates for various positions including that of the President in the 2019 elections.

  • Group to Dickson: Appoint Moses Siasia into trust fund board 

    Group to Dickson: Appoint Moses Siasia into trust fund board 

    The Patriotic Citizens of Nigeria (PACON), Monday, urged the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, to appoint a former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Moses Siasia, into the Education Development Trust Fund Board (EDTFD).

    The establishment of the EDTFD in the state following the signing of the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund Bill into law by Dickson has been generating various reactions in the state.

    PACON in a statement signed by Mr. Aluzu Augustine and Mr. Debekeme Powedei, said appointing Siasia, who contested against Dickson in the last election, would ensure better implementation of the law.

    According to the group, the idea of establishing education trust fund featured prominently in the manifestoes of Siasia.

    PACON said: “It has become imperative for the Bayelsa State governor to appoint Mr. Moses Siasia who was also a contender for the office of the Governor in 2015 into the Board.

    “It is the only way for the government to fully realize the purpose of the law without causing undue hardship to her citizens”.

    The group said Siasia on many occasions during his campaigns for the governorship office expounded his ideas of creating such trust fund.

    PACON claimed that it was never the intention of Siasia to task civil servants to fund the board adding that the former governorship candidate wanted to raise funds through a partnership between government and private sector.

    The group also applauded Dickson for the Bayelsa Higher Education Loan Law saying it would go a long way to ameliorate the plights of students in the state.

     

  • ‘PDM ‘ll not participate in Adamawa guber by-election’

    ‘PDM ‘ll not participate in Adamawa guber by-election’

    The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) says the party will not participate in the Oct. 11 Adamawa by-election.

    Alhaji Ahmed Abubakar, the National Publicity Secretary of PDM, made this known in Abuja on Friday.

    Abubakar attributed the development to lack of substantive leadership in the party, adding that PDM was yet to conduct its congresses.

    According to him, it is more important for the party to have successful congresses than to partake in an election when the party’s substantive leadership structure is not in place.

    “Our party’s congress at wards, local governments and states had already been fixed for Aug. 30 to Sept. 3 across the country.

    “Our party considers congresses and convention as critical task that must be properly done so that we can have solid structures at all levels.

    “They are coming up on different dates so that we can ensure emergence of committed executive members at all levels.

    “The congresses are going to be in three batches; first batch will be held in 28 states and FCT between Aug.30 and Sept.3.

    “The second batch of the congresses as well as the zonal congresses will come up in eight states at a date to be announced later,” he said.

    Meanwhile, a statement from the national secretariat of the party said that the first batch would take place across the six geo-political zones of the country and FCT.

    The eight states where the exercise would take place later are: Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Adamawa and Ekiti.