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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Jonathan pillar of democracy, says PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a pillar of contemporary Nigeria democracy.

    The party, in tributes to the ex-President on the occasion of his 61st birthday, said his patriotism and personal sacrifices ensured the unity, stability and corporate existence of the nation, particularly given the circumstances of the 2015 general elections.

    Jonathan and his PDP had lost to President Muhammadu Buhari who contested under on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 elections.

    A statement Tuesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Dr. Jonathan remained a true Nigerian leader, whose administration was known, not only for good governance and landmark development projects across the nation, but also for the entrenchment of democratic values, rule of law, equity and justice, respect for separation of powers and constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens as well as engendering harmonious coexistence of all interests in the country.

    “In all, President Jonathan amply demonstrated that the true essence of leadership and statesmanship is the application of the virtues, opportunities and authority therein for the good of others rather than self, and for that our party and indeed Nigerians celebrate him.

    “The PDP therefore joins family members, associates and well-wishers at large in celebrating Dr. Jonathan as he attains this milestone and prays that God will continue to keep him in good health and sound mind as he gives himself to the service of our dear fatherland,” the statement added.

  • PDP knocks Buhari over alleged plagiarism of ‘Next Level’ logo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has knocked President Muhammadu Buhari over what it described as “plagiarism” of the logo of the President’s presidential campaign document, “Next Level”.

    The Buhari presidential campaign has come under severe attacks in the social media over similarities in the “Next Level” logo, which originally belonged to the Rex Institute in the United States.

    Joining the fray, the PDP, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the Buhari Presidency has again disgraced the nation by stealing the Rex Institute’s logo and mantra as the President’s 2019 campaign mantra and presenting it to Nigerians as their idea and creation.

    The party said the revelation has further confirmed that the Buhari Presidency lacked integrity as a “fraud syndicate” that thrives on deception, lies, false performance claims, certificate forgery, corruption while always trying to take credit for the achievements of others.

    The statement said, “This shameful plagiarism by the Buhari Presidency has further sunk him into self-inflicted public opprobrium, from which he has not recovered since the demonstration by Nigerians, that he does not have his acclaimed WAEC certificate and had to procure an attestation, which Nigerians also discovered to be a forged document.

    “The PDP is however not surprised that President Buhari, in his desperation, can go as low as patronising plagiarism and false credit claims, since it is clear that he lacks the competence to initiate and articulate an original blue print for leadership; the reason our nation has been in dire strait in the last three and half years.

    “A perusal of President Buhari’s 2019 campaign document reveals that apart from the stolen logo and mantra, the document is replete with false claims, spurious projections and unsubstantiated figures in the bid to again beguile Nigerians ahead of the elections”

    The main opposition party also said that President Buhari has over time shown that he cannot be trusted, adding that he leads the most corrupt administration in the history of the nation.

    The PDP charged the President to immediately show remorse, apologise to Nigerians and prepare to accept defeat as the people are not ready to vote for any leader that has demonstrated a proclivity for falsehood, forgery and incompetence in governance”.

  • PDP introduced vote-buying – Sen. Ndume

     

    The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has accused the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of introducing vote-buying into the Nigeria’s electoral system.

    Ndume, who said this in Abuja was reacting to the allegation that the President Muhammadu Buhjari-led administration was using its Special Investment Programmes, including TradeMoni, to buy the electorate over.

    The lawmaker alleged that the party’s current presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, emerged through vote-buying.

    “First of all, during the presentation of “Next Level’’ on Monday, this allegation was categorically denied, and we said if there is such evidence, whoever is involved should be reported to the appropriate authority.

    “Having said that, let me note that it is the PDP, and you can quote me on this, that introduced voted buying.

    “Even now, they are concentrating on buying votes, not on campaigning to genuinely win election. So, I don’t know where this accusation is coming from.

    “The PDP presidential candidate emerged by buying the votes, in dollars not even in naira.

    “It is on record and everybody knows that even the presidential candidacy of PDP is purchased.’’

    Read Also: Oyo PDP candidate ‘sure of victory’

    Ndume said the same could not be said of the emergence of Buhari as the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 presidential election.

    He said that the President did not even ask anyone to step down for him during the recent primaries of the party, let alone buy delegates over.

    “I hereby challenge any Nigerian to come out and say that Buhari even asked anyone to step down for him. He only offered himself to contest, and everybody queued behind him.

    “So, when they allege that APC is buying votes, I just laugh.

    “Do you know why PDP is contesting? It is because they think they can buy Nigerians, and Nigerians are not for sale.

    “Nobody can say that President Muhammadu Buhari, either directly or indirectly, is condoning vote buying.’’

    The senator, however, noted that the influence of money could not be ruled out of Nigerian politics as was the case even in advanced democracies such as the United States and others.

    He said one of the reasons former U.S. President Barack Obama defeated Hilary Clinton in the Democratic Party’s primaries in 2008 was because he had more money.

    Ndume stressed that money also played a major role in Obama’s victory in the general elections.

    NAN

  • Eid-el Maulud: PDP urges national prayers, re-awakening

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to use this year’s Eid-el Maulud celebration to pray for the nation and rekindle a sense of national unity, fear of God and love for one another as compatriots while shunning all divisive and disruptive tendencies.

    The party also urged the people to pray for a new direction and God’s guidance, particularly as the nation gears up for the 2019 general elections to select new sets of leaders at various levels across the country.

    “Eid-el Maulud, the celebration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (S A W), presents to us as a nation with ample lessons in the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, truth over falsehood, peace over strife, love over hatred, piety over depravity, mutual respect over intimidation and harassment, justice over impunity and discrimination and faith over despair.

    Read Also: PDP chieftains hail Ayade’s industrialisation drive

    “The PDP urges Nigerians to use the opportunity of Eid-el Maulud to reach out and support the needy, the sick, and the deprived, particularly victims of escalated violence and daily bloodletting in various parts of our country in the last three and half years.

    “The party also calls on Nigerians not to despair but continue to rekindle their faith in the nation, as the 2019 general election will usher in a new beginning with a new God-fearing and people-oriented leadership that is set to return our nation to the path of social stability, national cohesion and economic prosperity.

    “The PDP wishes the Muslim faithful and indeed all Nigerians a glorious Eid-el Maulud”, a statement yesterday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said.

  • A’Ibom Assembly splits as factional speaker emerges

    The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has split into two factions following the sack of five All Progressive Congress (APC) lawmakers in controversial circumstances Monday.

    The Speaker of the AKHA, Onofiok Luke had declared the seats of the lawmakers vacant for defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

    As a result of the development, some members of the Assembly Monday elected the member representing Essien Udim state constituency, Mr. Nse Ntuen as their new Speaker.

    The factional speaker is among those whose seats were declared vacant by Speaker Luke earlier in the day.

    Speaking with journalists in Uyo Monday night, Ntuen said that, their decision to change the Speaker followed members’ lack of confidence on the ability of Mr. Luke to lead the Assembly.

    He described the process that led to their purported sack as illegal, null and void as there were subsisting court orders even as the House rules and procedures were not duly and legally followed.

    “In the first place no such action as declaring our seat vacant took place because there was no mace, the former Speaker did not follow due legislative procedure of being announced into the chamber by the Sergeant at Arms rather he came in through the back door.

    “What happened in the House today was a normal legislative thing. We were supposed to sit on Tuesday, but on Sunday we got notices that the sitting had been rescheduled for today because of the public holiday on Tuesday and nobody objected to that. Unfortunately this
    morning when I came to the house, the gate was barricaded and we were not allowed to go into the premises.

    “Moreover, the purported action was not in the order paper for today’s plenary. The two items in the order paper were the consideration of the appropriation bill sent to the House by Governor Udom Emmanuel and a commemorative sitting for former Governor Victor Attah.

    “So in the light of these anomalies, members sat and elected me as the new Speaker. We will reconvene on Wednesday when other positions will be filled.

    “This will not be the first time a minority member will be elected a head of a legislature. The Senate President of the Nigerian Senate is a minority member.” He explained.

    Ntuen wondered why Mr. Luke would unilaterally declare their seat vacant when that of a member who defected to the PDP from APC last year was not given the same treatment.

    “So we elected a new Speaker because Luke is not good enough to be Speaker. He is incompetent and is been teleguided by the Executive against our quest to be independent and not to be labeled a rubber stamp Assembly.”

    He called on the people of the state not to see their action as confrontational but that which would make the legislature stronger in the discharged of its responsibility to the people of Akwa Ibom state.

     

  • My plans for Nigeria, by Atiku

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has promised that if elected, he will be pro-active in attracting investments and supporting the 50 million small and medium-scale enterprises across Nigeria for the purpose of doubling the size of the nation’s GDP to 900 billion dollars by 2025.
    Atiku, in extracts from his campaign document circulated in Abuja on Monday, stated among others targeted investments that would create a minimum of 2. 5 million jobs annually and lift at least 50 million people from poverty in the first 2 years.
    Atiku said, “My team and I will also help create jobs by innovating flagship programmes such as the national open apprenticeship programme through which we shall enhance the capacity of master-craftsmen and women to train one-million new apprentices every year.
    “Our national innovation fund and SME venture capital fund initiatives will provide stable and sustainable long-term support to aspiring entrepreneurs.
    “My plan to restructure Nigeria will lead to a vast increase in the internally generated revenue, both for the federal government and the states via the matching grants that we will provide to state governments that increase their own revenue.
    “Let me be clear, no state will receive less funding than they get today – in fact all will receive more and the harder a state works the more they will get.
    “And I am not just presenting these policies to you, I want you to own them. Take a look at them. You can view them at atiku.org, and you will have an opportunity to provide your feedback”.
    The PDP candidate said he would also give the opportunity for anyone in Nigeria to have their say on national television, adding that, “These are not just Atiku Abubakar’s plans, these will be our plans. Yours and mine”.

    Read Also: Atiku again

    Continuing, Atiku said, “I started out as an orphan selling firewood on the streets of Jada in Adamawa, but God, through the Nigerian state, invested in me and here I am today.
    “If Nigeria worked for me, I owe it as my duty to make sure that Nigeria also works for you, your family and your friends.
    “It is time to get Nigeria working again, and these are the plans and policies I have for achieving that. I appeal to you to join me on this journey towards a better life for all Nigerians”.
    Atiku lamented that millions of Nigerians are not working and are living in poverty and insecurity, stressing that the very fabric of the society is breaking down.
    Stating that Nigerians have never been as divided like ever before, Atiku asked rhetorically, “Are you better off than you were four years ago? Are you richer or poorer”, adding that “That is why our primary focus is to get Nigeria working again”.
    He continued, “I am strongly of the view that I am just one Nigerian and one Nigerian cannot be as wise as all Nigerians. That is why I will offer an inclusive leadership. Atiku Abubakar is 100% for 100% of Nigerians, 100% of the time.
    “Too often, Nigerians have been promised better governance by those seeking their votes. Such individuals have preyed on the legitimate desires of our people for their conditions to be improved, that they make all sorts of promises.
    “But it is one thing to promise and another thing to deliver. I am not one for making grandiose promises. Rather than promises, I believe in policies
    “A promise is an indication to do a future action. A policy is a plan to achieve future goals. I believe in setting goals and coming up with realistic plans and policies to achieving those goals. .
    “To me, leadership is having the discipline to commit to one’s goals until they are a reality. I have succeeded in running my private enterprises which now employ 50,000 Nigerians because I believe in policies and I have the discipline to stay with them until they become reality.
    “It is my desire to run for the office of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, not because I have a bag full of promises, but because I am prepared to lead”.

  • I am still the authentic APGA chairman – Ehiemere

    Rev.  Augustine Ehiemere has said despite the recent falsehood and malicious propaganda going on against the leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, and against Dr. Alex Otti, its governorship candidate, he remains the authentic congress state chairman of APGA.

    Speaking in Aba, Ehiemere recalled that in 2014, when the national leadership of the party suspended Prince Nnanna Ukaegbu as the state chairman of the party over party issues, that Ukaegbu went to court to challenge the action but later abandoned the case.

    According to him, Ukaegbu went to court that time, he did not succeed and that matter was left for about three years until the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) planted some agents to come and destabilize APGA in the state.

    Ehiemere said the matter that was left for three years was brought back in 2018 and judgment hurriedly given by a vacation judge in the state in favour of Ukaegbu.

    Ehiemere said they have gone to file a stay of execution and an appeal at the Court of Appeal and urged all Abians to disregard the propaganda making the round that he is no more the state chairman of APGA.

    “We’ve gone to file an appeal against that ruling and stay of execution pending the determination of this matter at the court of appeal.

    “That is the true position, but they have gone out to tell Abians all sorts of lies, so let the people disregard all these falsehood and propaganda that I am no more the chairman of the party in the state.

    Read Also: APGA will accommodate all, says Araraume

    “The national chairman of the party, Dr. Ike Oye was contacted and he said Ehiemere is the state chairman of APGA in Abia state. If I’m not the state chairman, why was I elected as IPAC state chairman irrespective of their opposition?

    “If I’m not the state chairman, they secured their ruling in on September 25, 2018 and by October 2, all national officers who came to Abia to conduct primaries, all reported to me and I signed all the documents and on October 7, all state chairmen of the party were invited to Abuja for non elective convention where we unveiled our presidential candidate”.

    Ehiemere said all these have showed that his opponents are merely peddling false news, stressing that he still remains the authentic state chairman of the party and expressed optimism his party will win the election in 2019.

    Reacting, Ukaegbu said the court has made pronouncement on who the state chairman of APGA is and that it is when that order is vacated that somebody else could claim chairmanship of the party in the state.

    He said that Ehiemere has filed a motion asking the court to resend its decision which is yet to be heard and as such should not make any contrary claim.

  • Thugs invade A’Ibom Assembly as five APC lawmakers lose seat

    There was pandemonium on Monday at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly as armed thugs invaded the premises of the assembly complex to stop the sitting of the House.

    The hoodlums numbering over a hundred arrived the assembly complex situated at Udo Udoma road, Uyo in the early hours of yesterday and blocked the main entrance to the complex.

    The thugs, our correspondent gathered, were mobilized by the five lawmakers who had recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It was also learnt that the invasion of the Assembly Monday by the hoodlums was aimed at preventing the House from sitting to declare the seats of the five APC lawmakers vacant.

    The thugs blocked the main entrance of assembly complex and also disrupted vehicular and human traffic in and out of the complex. They made bonfires and shot sporadically into the air.

    But for the intervention of the security operatives, the thugs would have gained entrance to the Hallowed Chamber of the House. However, the hoodlums succeeded in smashing some doors and windows of the assembly complex.

    Amid the tension, the assembly, however, went ahead to hold its plenary during which it declared the seats of the five APC lawmakers vacant.

    Read Also: Over 100 cultists surrender arms in A’Ibom

    The affected legislators include Idongesit Ituen (Itu), Gabriel Tobby (Etim Ekpo/Ika), Victor Udofia (Ikono), Otobong Ndem (Mkpat Enin), and Nse Ntuen (Essien Udim).

    The Speaker of the state house of assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke said the House took the decision in line with section 109 sub. 1G of the 1999 constitution as amended.

    The House also passed a motion urging Governor Udom Emmanuel to name either the Akwa Ibom state University or the Ibom International Airport after a former Governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah in commemoration of his 80th birthday today.

  • Atiku’s policy document embodies yearnings of Nigerians – PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the policy document articulated by its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has received resounding public endorsements.

    This, according to the opposition party, was is a confirmation that the document embodied the collective mindset, yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians in their quest for a new leadership and a better life in our country.

    Read Also:Buhari’s ‘Next Level’ big on promises, vague on policy, says Atiku

    The party noted that President Muhammadu Buhari failed to articulate any solutions or operable policy direction in his own campaign document, “Next Level”.

    A statement Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, added that the Atiku’s policy document offered solutions and practical direction for delivery in all sectors of national life.

    The statement said, “The negative reactions of Nigerians to the Next Level mantra have shown that the document is dead on arrival as Nigeria cannot afford the reinforcement of failure, especially as the electorates have already seen through the deception and cheap attempt to beguile them again ahead of the 2019 elections.

    “The Atiku Abubakar policy document is a product of very wide, painstaking and productive consultations with Nigerians from all walks of life, critical stakeholders and development partners in key sectors, in the overall determination to chart a new course for our nation.

    “The policy document foretells a new dawn as it articulates practical solutions and answers to the myriad of economic, social and political challenges facing our nation and sets out all-inclusive templates for national rejuvenation, cohesion, protection of human rights and democratic tenets, wealth creation, transparency and elimination of corruption in governance.

    “In line with PDP’s people-based manifesto, the Atiku Abubakar policy document places utmost priority on the people by focusing chiefly on their yearnings for job creation, infrastructural development, poverty eradication, human capital development, inclusiveness and national unity”.

    The party spokesman stated further that Nigerians are particularly happy with the Atiku Abubakar policy document as it sought to implement pro-poor policies that grant all citizens, irrespective of financial and social status, unhindered opportunity to participate in economic activities to achieve self-reliance and become active contributors to national development.

    “Unlike President Buhari, who is adjudged by Nigerians to be aloof, detached and unconcerned, Atiku Abubakar has always maintained a strong bond with the people; hence his ability to understand their challenges, collective aspirations and to proffer solutions with underlining political will.

    “The PDP therefore urges Nigerians to continue to take ownership of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential campaign, which embodies their collective aspiration as a people to make our dear nation work again.

    “Finally, the PDP counsels President Buhari to note that he has come to the end of the road. Nigerians will never follow a leader on a journey to Next Level of failure, lies, poverty, hunger, disease, bloodletting, extra-judicial killings, humongous corruption, nepotism, disdain for citizens and institutions of democracy, decayed infrastructure, national divisiveness and embarrassment in the international arena”, the statement added.

  • Ohanaeze’s endorsement of Atiku, no substance – Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the split within the Ohanaeze Igbo socio-cultural group over its reported endorsement of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), did not surprise him.

    He made the remark while speaking at a meeting with a select group of South-east leaders on Friday, at the State House, Abuja.

    Read Also:Buhari assures of credible elections

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari said that the moment the so-called resolution was announced; he got calls from well-meaning leaders from the region asking him to disregard it as it was without any substance.

    He said “From that moment, I knew that the resolution would not stand, and alas, there it was.”

    President Buhari said that his party, the All Progressives Congress, got it right from the very beginning that the major problems facing the country were mainly on security, corruption and the economy.

    He said “We have done so much. Given the chance, we will do more.  Given every chance, we will tell Nigerians where we were in 2015 and what we have achieved up to now.

    “We will not get tired of speaking about the golden opportunity Nigeria lost during 16 years of the PDP.  We earned money, which we didn’t use,” he said.

    “The state of infrastructure we inherited was terrible – no roads, the railway was killed and power.  They lacked conscience because anybody with conscience will not do what they did.  We will report them to Nigerians.  Let anybody lead this country but not the PDP.  They were so reckless with the resources of the country,” the President said.

    “If you ruin the economy, send your children abroad to get education, won’t they come back?” he asked, adding: “I said it 30 years ago that this is the only country we have.  We must stay here and salvage it together.”

    The leaders of the delegation, Engineer Emeka Ekwuosa and the National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, informed President Buhari that the Igbos and South-easterners generally understand the good things he is doing for Nigeria which they said, had unfortunately been misunderstood.

    They promised to mobilise support for him in the south-east, saying that his re-election will be a national consensus.