The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Atiku loses polling unit to Buhari

    The Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has lost his polling unit to his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari.

    Atiku polled 167 votes against Buhari’s 186 at the 012 polling unit of Ajiya Ward in Jimeta, Yola, a few metres from one of Atiku’s houses.

    Read Also: EFCC detains Atiku’s man over $4m cash haul

    Atiku had voted at the unit several hours earlier, about a quarter after 10 am, along with one of his wives and a number of children.

    Expectations were high that Atiku would win at the unit, considering the army of supporters that milled around him when he voted, but it became celebration time for Buhari’s own supporters when the ballots were countered and figures announced by the unit presiding officer, Abdulrashid Sarai, just before 5pm.

  • Agbaje faults INEC on card reader

    … says Atiku will win

     

    Lagos State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje who voted at his unit 004, Ward A, Hindra Road, Liverpool, GRA, Apapa has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not lived up to expectation on its card reader.

    He said the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar will win the election.

    The politician who arrived his polling unit at 11 am; said INEC was yet to get it right, noting that the card reader could not recognise his finger print, that of his wife Oluyemisi and two other people ahead of him during accreditation.

    He added that INEC had no excuse on why it cannot present voters with seamless election, noting that the commission prepared for the exercise in the last four years.

    “We have one or two issues at some polling units. In ward 009, Eti Osa council, where 500 ballot papers are being expected only 400 ballot papers were delivered.

    “In my polling unit, I am concerned that the card readers are not working. This further supports the fact that elections are being tainted. It means my voting now depends on what the INEC official wants, whether to allow me to vote or not.

    “Again, there is no provision for the agents to know whether the man who the card reader could not identity is the actual person that was now allowed to vote by the INEC officials having failed card reader’s scrutiny.”

    Agbaje said he was sure of victory, noting his party would win the election and its chances brighter than it was before the postponement last week.

    “The security situation is better, the police and other agents deployed for the election are doing great job. I am more confident than before that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will win the election.

    Read Also: Jimi Agbaje and his politics

    “There are more votes on our side, there are more number on our side. Everybody should stay behind after casting vote because the law allows it.

    “I must say INEC cannot justify the postponement because it had four years to prepare for the election. Logistic reasons given by INEC are not tenable. It is never good to postponement.”

    Speaking, President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Odumakin, who led an observer group, said the election was going on smoothly, but faulted INEC on faulty card readers.

    She added that voters turned out in good number for the election. She commended security personnel for living up to expectation.

    “Some of the areas we visited, we observed the malfunctioning of card readers. The security situation is alright given the agencies are on top on the game in Lagos and other areas.

    “We were worried that voters apathy would be high due to the postponement, but lots of people turned out for the election to performed their civic responsibility.”

    The Nation noted that the aged who came to vote, were allowed to vote as they came to the venue. Some of them over 70 years were enthusiastic that the votes will reflect the wishes of the people.

  • Atiku promises to accept poll result if…

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar promised on Saturday to accept results of the presidential elections provided the polls are credible.

    He spoke after voting in his Ajiya ward polling unit in Jimeta, Yola.

    Atiku said as a democrat, he has no problem with accepting poll results.

    “I am a true democrat unlike others. So far so good,” he said.

    Read Also: Atiku, wife vote in Yola

    Atiku, who had a brief chat with reporters after casting his vote at the Unit 012 in Ajiya Ward near one of his houses at Old GRA, Jimeta, reiterated that although he was sure he would win, he would accept defeat if the conduct of the poll turned out to be transparently free and fair.

    He expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters to exercise their right during the polls hoped all those election officials would do their jobs in all honesty.

    “I am impressed with the turnout of the voters. I hope the electoral officers would be able to cope with the crowd,” Atiku said.

    Alhaji Auwal Tukur, a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also said he was satisfied with the turnout of the electorate to vote.

    He said last Saturday’s postponement appears not to have had impact on voter turnout this time.

    “I am certain with all that I have seen so far that everything will be well. Where challenges are noticed I am sure it would be resolved,” he said.

     

  • Atiku, wife vote in Yola

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has cast his vote.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku voted at Ajiya Polling Unit, Gwadabawa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa at 10:8 a.m.

    He was accompanied by his wife, Titi.

    NAN

  • Obi raises alarm over harassment

    The vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Mr Peter Obi, has raised the alarm over alleged harassment and intimidation by security operatives in the state  on Friday night.

    He said not only himself was visited by security operatives, but also other PDP chieftains he failed to mention.

    Read Also: Obi campaigns in Anambra markets

    However, he said he would not talk about arrest of any of them, adding, “I don’t know of arrests, but visiting and harassment capital ‘YES’ including myself”

    He spoke with reporters at Umudiamakasi square in Amatutu ward 11, Agulu, Anambra state at exactly 8.55am

  • Secondus alleges violation of Peace Accord

     Says FG, APC have declared war on PDP leaders

     

    The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Uche Secondus has declared the peace accord signed by the two frontline presidential candidates, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP has been violated.

    In a statement on Friday night, Secondus said all the terms of the agreement for peace have been broken by the ruling APC by deploying the military and police operatives to arrest and detain PDP leaders across the country.

    The party chairman said he expected the Peace Committee and the international community to note the declaration of war on PDP leaders across the country by overzealous security operatives, specially raised for this purpose as they operate in violation of the peace accord.

    He accused the APC and President Buhari of not being disposed to the peace accord, as they have allegedly flagrantly violated the terms of the agreement.

    Read Also: PDP will put food on Nigerians’ tables, says Secondus

    Secondus said reports reaching him from Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Kano Kaduna and other states showed that PDP leaders are being harassed with arrest and detention by security operatives on flimsy reasons.

    He noted while APC is using military and police personnel to chase PDP leaders across the country while giving protection to APC leaders as they ferry money and election materials to various locations.

    “Private jets belonging to APC leader in Lagos have been stationed at the airports protected by government operatives as money is being moved from the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, to states,” Secondus said.

    The party chair called on the General Abdulsalmi Abubakar led Peace Committee to take copious notice of all the happenings and note that APC and President Buhari are not disposed to any peace accord.

    He insisted that Prince all the ingredients of peace have been disregarded by the APC operatives who have decided to even run afoul of the Electoral Act in their desperation to cling on to power even when it’s obvious that Nigerians have turned their back on them.

  • PDP demands release of detained Senator Ibrahim

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Senator Rufai Ibrahim (Kwara South) and other members of the party said to have been framed-up, arrested and detained by the Police in Kwara state.

    A statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said the continued detention of Senator Ibrahim on the eve of a crucial election, in which he is a lead contender, is completely provocative.

    The party also cautioned the police to stop harassing, arresting and detaining its members on flimsy charges, as such will directly pitch security agents against the people in a manner that might spark off violent resistance with regrettable consequences.

    It said: “This resort to police brutality by the APC is a script by a losing team which seeks to introduce violence and use the police to execute their rigging plots.

    “However, PDP, in clear terms cautions the APC and their compromised security agents that nobody has the monopoly of show of strength.

    “Our members in Kwara or any other state, for that matter, are law-abiding but will never allow themselves to be subjugated by anybody, particularly in this critical electoral process.

    Read Also: Edo PDP vows to secure votes

    “In this regard, our members should immediately activate their individual and collective defence mechanisms by using every legitimate means available, to resist the aggression of the APC and their compromised security agents as well as dismantle their rigging machineries.

    “We know the plan of the APC is to stop our members from accessing their polling centers. Our members should deploy all legitimate means, including lawful self-preservation strategies and tactical maneuvers to beat the aggressions, arrive at their respective polling centers and exercise their voting rights accordingly.

    “The PDP therefore calls on the Inspector General of Police to immediately call CP Kayode Egbetokun to order.

    “We also call on lovers of democracy all over the world to rise in condemnation of this wicked harassment and arrest of our members ahead of a crucial election”

  • PDP accuses INEC of hoarding result sheets

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of withholding sensitive election materials, including collation (form EC8D) and result (form EC8E) sheets in states considered to be PDP strongholds.

    The party said intelligences at its disposal showed that certain compromised INEC officials are working with agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hold back the material so as to pave way for the allocation of fictitious results for President Muhammadu Buhari and APC National Assembly candidates in the affected states.

    A statement last night by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said, “For instance, in Abia state, no collation forms and result sheets have been received for the Senatorial elections, while no result sheets for all the elections have been received in Delta and various other states.

    “Also in Kano state only 105 Senate result sheets have been received in Garko Local Government Area instead of 144. Rogo LGA has received 106 Senate result sheets instead of 141; Danbatta has received 28 cartons of House of Representatives ballot papers instead of 29, while Tofa LGA has received 18 cartons instead of 19. This scenario is playing out in many other states.

    Read Also: ‘We have confidence in INEC to conduct polls’

    “The PDP charges the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to immediately release the materials to their respective designated points and cautions that it will never allow anybody to use any means to rig it out in this election.

    “Prof. Yakubu must note that this serious infraction is already heightening tension and would eventually lead to serious crisis in affected states ahead of the election, if nothing was done to stem the trend.

    “The PDP recalls that it had earlier alerted that the INEC Chairman is again succumbing to back-channel intimidation by the APC and the Buhari Presidency to accede to their rigging plot, which includes hoarding and in some cases, delay in the distribution of sensitive materials meant for PDP stronghold as well as using APC agents as electoral officers.

    “The PDP cautions the INEC Chairman not to allow the APC to use him to derail the electoral process, particularly after the disgraceful postponement of the February 16 elections.

    “Nigerians are alert. They are noting the trend and will spare no thoughts in standing against any attempt by INEC and the APC to rig this election”

  • One stabbed to death as PDP supporters fight over money

    A supporter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was on Friday’s evening stabbed to death at Umuokorobi Umuobom in the Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo state, following disagreement over the sharing of money released for the rescheduled polls tomorrow.

    According to an eyewitness, the politician simply identified as Chief Uzoma, died on the spot, which prompted other party members to set the house of the assailant ablaze.

    The eyewitnesses informed that crisis broke out over the sharing formula for the money brought for mobilization for the Presidential and National Assembly polls.

    According to sources, the PDP members who had gathered at an unnamed politician’s house waiting for money for mobilisation for the polls started accusing each other.

    Read Also: PDP to voters: don’t be scared by Buhari’s order

    “The politicians had gathered for mobilisation money but some others accused few persons of diverting the mobilisation money.

    “Voices were raised which led one of the disagreeing PDP members to stab one Chief Uzoma to death.

    “The death of the politician angered members of the community which made them to burn down his house.”

    A detachment from the Police Headquarters in Dikenafai has however restored normalcy.

    Efforts to reach the police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu proved abortive.

     

  • APC, PDP in verbal war over chair’s defection

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State are locked in a verbal war after the PDP chairman in Yobe State, Alhaji Sani Inuwa Nguru, who defected to the ruling party on the eve of the presidential and national assembly elections.

    The PDP fired the first salvo, saying the APC is celebrating a bad product it does not know.

    Speaking to reporters in Damaturu, the state capital, the PDP governorship candidate Alhaji Umar Ilya Damagum said Nguru was more of a liability than an asset to the party.

    He said the former party chairman’s defection would not affect PDP fortunes but rather enhance its chances in this year’s elections.

    His words: “It is a season if cross carpeting. Everyone is changing places that suit them and it didn’t come to me as a surprise because he came through the same process on the eve of last election because he has that antecedent.

    “Of course human behavior is situational. It all depends on what he feels at that particular time.

    “The decision he took at that time was out of certain circumstances Only God knows the offers that he has gotten or what has gone into his mind.

    “I don’t think his defection could affect the fortunes of our party looking at what we have done so far.

    “As I am talking to you, I am going to receive some defectors from Zone C where he comes from, who have been coming en mass.

    “Some of them told me that they left the party because of him and now that he has gone they’re coming back.

    Read Also: APC to Nigerians: reject treasury looters

    “There are people that have been disenchanted in the party because of his presence.

    “Now they have activated their mode to work with the party with his exist less than 24 hours.

    “So if you look at it from that angle his departure has no harm to the fortune of the party  but will only increase our success.

    “We are going to have election God willing tomorrow, we will assess ourselves. When someone does this kind of act at this particular time, then two questions are in place: the question of credibility and the question of sincerity.

    “I am sure those that are receiving him know him more  than us who had received him four years ago. For us, he is a bad product that shouldn’t be celebrated.”

    But the APC governorship candidate in the state, Alhaji  Mai Mala Buni attributed Nguru’s defection to the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari .

    He said the Buhari’s integrity has been attracting more politicians of note to the APC.

    He said: “The defection of Inuwa Nguru and his supporters is a major political fortune for the party, they will work assiduously for the re-election of President Buhari and the victory of the party at all levels.

    “Alhaji Sani Inuwa Nguru has practically and personally seen the achievements of the President Muhammad Buhari led administration and remains the best option for Nigeria’s democracy.

    “The former chairman was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the re-election of president Buhari and APC was the best option for Nigeria and this informed his last minute decision to abandon PDP for APC.

    “In spite of all persuasions by the opposition party, the former chairman took an independent and honest decision in the interest of the nation and in accordance to the dictates of his conscience.

    “Yobe state has enjoyed major intervention programs including completion of the 330kVA power transmission line, Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari federal highway, Education and healthcare delivery.

    “We are proud to say that at the state level, the APC administration has more than ever provided democracy dividends in road network, healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and economic empowerment to the citizenry.

    “It is on record that while most states could not pay salaries, the APC administration in the state has consistently paid salaries, pension and gratuities to retired civil servants making it as a leading workers friendly state in the country.”

    In another development, the son of the defected PDP Chairman   Lawan Sani Inuwa, popularly known as Mr. LAS who is contesting for the State House of Assembly Election on the platform of PDP said he will not jettison his ambition or follow his father to the APC.

    Inuwa said by phone that he had not spoken with his father since his defection became public.

    He vowed to pursue his ambition to actualize his dreams of becoming a lawmaker in the state.