The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Breaking: Ben Bruce withdraws from senatorial race

    The commonsense Senator, Ben Murray Bruce, has withdrawn his ambition to return to the Senate for a second term in 2019.

    The Senator abandoned his ambition to represent the Bayelsa East Senatorial District following widespread rejection of his candidacy by the stakeholders of the district.

    In a letter written on the eve of the senatorial primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Bruce thanked his district for giving him the opportunity to serve.

    Read Also:Ben Bruce welcomes Saraki back to PDP

    The letter said: “I thank God and the good people of Brass, Bayelsa East Senatorial District who offered me the golden opportunity four years ago to represent them and the state in the Senate, Nigeria’s highest lawmaking chamber.

    “It is without doubt that I have tried to discharge my duties as a legislator and representative of my people creditably to the best of my ability so far.

    “My voice has been very loud on the issues that matter to our people and our country at all time.

    “My support to our party, my people and state government is unquestionable. I am humbled that the national leadership of my party supported by the State chapter in appreciation of my efforts offered to support my reelection to the senate to continue my service.

    “I have also intensified consultations in the last couple of week in the course of which I have come to realize an existing local rotational arrangement of over 20 years beginning with the late Great Chief Melford Okilo, by which arrangement the Senatorial seat rotates per local government area among the three councils for four years in the Senatorial District.

    “Even with the support of my party at the National and state levels with the full backing of my state government and leadership, as a man of honour interested in the well-being of my people, I hereby announce my withdrawal from the Senatorial race.

    “I do not want whatever reason to appear to have used my privileged position and influence to do anything other than the well-being and the stability and the good of the people.

    “I am in all of these for the people, not for myself.

    “Once again, I thank the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebelo Jonathan, the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, my colleagues in the Senate and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson for their support and encouragement.

    “I also thank the leadership of my Senatorial District and state, for being there for me.

    “I thank specially the people of my constituency for their trust and confidence in me to serve and represent them in the Senate.

    “By trusting me with this mandate, I have come to know them and our people even better, an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life.

    “I am indeed grateful to my darling wife, my children, and other members of my family for their support and prayers. I appreciate the efforts of my hardworking campaign staff for their support and dedication.

    “Again, I thank the leadership of the party for their continuing support. I also assured the party of my availability and readiness to serve at any capacity when the opportunity comes”.

  • Buhari’s Independence Day address full of false claims, says PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the Independence Day Anniversary Speech delivered by President Muhammadu Buhari was a litany of false claims, empty assertions and bogus promises.

    In a statement Monday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP described as fiction, the President’s claim that the economy had made progress under his administration.

    The main opposition party also faulted claims by President Buhari that the administration has provided enabling environment for local and foreign investments.

    The PDP said, on the contrary, hard economic realities have shown that not only has the nation become more economically disadvantaged under Buhari, but is presently ranked as one of the world’s poorest.

    The statement said, “Perhaps Mr. President needs to be reminded that his new minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed had last month alerted that the nation was facing serious revenue challenges under him, while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) expressed fears that our country is sliding further into recession due to his poor implementation of 2018 budget.

    “In his false economic assertions, President Buhari deliberately failed to mention that his administration has returned our beloved country to a debtor nation by accumulating over N22.4 trillion debt through which he had mortgaged the future of our country.

    “Mr. President also failed to respond to the fact that his harsh economic policies and demarketing tendencies, have caused a dearth in local and foreign direct investments, leading to over 30 million job losses as detailed by independent surveys including those by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    “Similarly, Mr. President failed to state that due to his incompetence, the naira has fallen from the N165/1USD he met in 2015 to N360 to 1USD. He had no words for the increase in the price of fuel from N87 in 2015 to N145 as well as the hike in the prices of staple foods and essential commodities in Nigeria under his misrule.

    “Furthermore, President Buhari claimed that under his administration, corruption, including brazen theft of billions of naira and shady oil deals have become a thing of the past.

    “Perhaps, Mr. President forgot that the latest corruption perception index released by Transparency International (TI), which saw our nation moving 12 places down the red line, shows that corruption has increased under him.

    “What the Buhari Presidency should note is that Nigerians are no longer swayed by the false performance claims of his administration. They have the facts and nobody can beguile them as was the case in 2015”.

  • Ogun PDP holds parallel governorship primaries

    Two factions of the Ogun Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held parallel governorship primaries in Abeokuta on Sunday to elect governorship flag bearers for the party ahead of the 2019 polls.

    The group recognised by the National body of the PDP held its primaries at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) where Hon. Ladi Adebutu emerged as the candidate.

    Adebutu, who is representing the Remo/North Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives was the sole aspirant of the group.

    He emerged after all the 2,369 delegates from the three Senatorial District of the state voted overwhelmingly for him.

    The exercise was supervised by a 5-man Electoral Committee from the National Headquarters headed by Rtd.Capt. Mike Hart.

    In his opening remarks, Hart described the PDP as “a rebranded party in Ogun’’ adding further the party had learnt from its past mistakes.

    He encouraged all PDP members to brace up for the task ahead of ensuring the party won the governorship seat.

    On his part, Adebutu expressed satisfaction on the transparent manner the exercise was conducted, adding that he was elated with his selection as the party flag bearer.

    Similarly, Mr Adeleke Shittu had emerged as the Governorship Candidate of the party in a parallel exercise organised by Sen. Buruji Kasamu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Kasamu is currently been expelled by the National body of PDP following issues surrounding misconduct and anti-party activities.

    Mr Bayo Dayo, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Kasamu-led faction, said the exercise conducted by the group was the authentic.

    “The law is on our side until the judgment we had in 2016 is set aside.

    “We have a judgment that compels the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept only candidates that emerge from primaries conducted by our group.

    “The other faction had tried twice to set the judgment aside but the Court of Appeal had dismissed their appeal.

    “We do know that the National body does not recongise our group but I am sure that eventually, the rule of law will prevail because Nigeria’s constitution supersedes the party’s constitution,” he said.

    Shittu, however, said the exercise that led to his emergence was a major step in the party’s preparation for the 2019 polls.

    He said PDP was determined to take over Ogun, adding that he would help the party to actualise that set goal.

  • Plateau PDP assures of credible convention

    As the Plateau state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stage its state party convention on Sunday the state party officials have assured its followers of a transparent, peaceful and credible processes.

    The party gave the assurance in a statement signed by its state publicity secretary John Akans on Saturday in Jos said, “This is to inform all aspirants and members of our party that the PDP in Plateau is set and absolutely determined to conduct free, fair, credible and satisfactory primaries for flag bearers into various elective state and national offices beginning Sunday, September 30, 2018.

    “We reiterate our resolve and commitment to providing a level-playing field for all our distinguished and charitable aspirants.

    “The party’s leadership in the state under Hon. D.T Sango is indeed very ready and determined to conduct all activities in tandem with the party’s constitution, and to ensure a transparent process across the state.

    “We congratulate all the party’s aspirants for their positive and inspiring journey so far in moving from one level to another in their quests to serve humanity. We call on all of them and members of our great party to disregard the rumours that certain aspirants have already been formally endorsed either by some persons or by the party itself.

    Read Also: Convention venue: PDP bows to Wike

    “We assure our members, supporters and indeed Nigerians that the PDP in Plateau has no preferred, anointed or favourite person amongst all our lovely aspirants. There will be no imposition whatsoever.

    “We therefore appeal to the entire PDP membership and leadership to display the highest level of sportsmanship at the end of the exercise to show party discipline,  decency and  tolerance as members of one family working together to achieve common goals.

    “Let us work as a team to support the state executive of our party to collectively deliver memorable, credible and satisfactory primaries. This will also  indicate our preparedness for a sound, convincing and comprehensive victory in the very much expected 2019 general election”

     

     

  • APC’s victory in Osun shows democracy at work – Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu says the party’s victory in the Osun governorship election shows that democracy is at work in the country.

    Tinubu said this after he received Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun and the newly elected state Governor,  Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola at his Resident in Ikoyi, Lagos on Friday.

    Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the end of Thursday’s re-run election in seven wards.

    He polled a total of 255,505 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke, who polled 255,023 votes.

    Tinubu said that the people of Osun exercised their rights and chose the best candidate to drive development in the state.

    ”The people of Osun, the state of ‘Omoluabi’ demonstrated their strong determination, they have good judgment, they exercised their rights to choose the best candidate necessary for developmental programmes in the state.

    ”When you look at those who were running, you have the best, the most brilliant, the most qualified, competent, calm and great candidate.

    Read Also: Oyetola‘ll deliver on healthcare, says Tinubu

    ”That is what they have done to show that democracy is at work.

    “Democracy is about the people, and the people have equally exercised their right to be tolerant, patient, persevere and do what is necessary to develop the economy of the state.

    ”And you need the most competent person that will perform.

    ”In leadership, you need a thinker and a doer that must be present in the mind, body and soul; that person who will carry the responsibility of the state and I feel that Mr. Oyetola fits perfectly,” he said.

    Tinubu urged the people of Osun to encourage and give maximum support to Oyetola.

    ”The rest is for the people of Osun state to rally round and give him the necessary support and encourage him to do well following the legacy already built.

    ”He already has a blueprint for development agenda,” he said.

    On the APC presidential primary, the Party National leader said the huge support from party faithful in Lagos State was a signal that the party would emerge victorious in 2019.

    “Democracy is at work and we have managed the party till now.

    ”Here in Lagos, about 2.3 million people including myself, as I am standing before you supported and participated in voting for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    ”And I want to tell you that this has sent a tone or signal to what will come in February 2019,” Tinubu said.

    Meanwhile, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and Mr Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence were also on ground during the visit.

    NAN

  • PDP to hold convention in P/Harcourt as Wike apologises

    3619 delegates to elect presidential candidate

    The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has finally decided to hold its national convention in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    This was one of the key decisions taken at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Friday at the Abuja secretariat of the PDP.

    The agreement to hold the convention in Port Harcourt was reached after the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was said to have tendered an apology to the leadership of the party and other stakeholders at the meeting.

    An inside source said some party chieftains also apologized on behalf of the Rivers Governor, adding that he was sober and contrite while tendering his apology.

    Governor Wike had on Wednesday, gone on air, threatening to, among others, “teach the PDP a lesson” if the party failed to hold the convention in Port Harcourt.

    The governor’s threat was in response to a statement by the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin.

    Jibrin had, at a stakeholders meeting on Monday, dismissed reports that the PDP convention would hold in Port Harcourt, saying that the party had yet to take a decision on venue.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, confirmed that the issue of venue was amicably resolved by all stakeholders.

    Saraki said, “We all agreed to hold it in Port Harcourt. Some of the issues that we are having before, which were reported in the newspapers were discussed.

    Read Also: Why PDP is crying foul, by APC

    “Everybody decided that we should stay with the party. Where tempers were flared, people apologized and everybody felt that yes, there was a commitment to assure everybody that there will be free and fair primaries. So today has been a very good day”.

    All the aspirants were said to have collectively assured the meeting that their initial fears over the Port Harcourt venue for the convention had been allayed by the leadership of the party.

    They were also said to have reposed confidence in the ability of the leadership of the party and the convention committee to conduct a seamless exercise.

    However, the convention, where the party’s presidential candidate will be elected has been shifted from October 5-6 to October 6-7.

    No fewer than 3619 delegates across the country are expected to vote to elect the party’s presidential flag bearer at the convention.

    Other resolutions arrived at included a written commitment of all the 12 presidential aspirants to a bond accepting the outcome of the primary election and to join forces with the eventual winner to form a united front.

    The party on its part, pledged to ensure a transparent, free, fair and acceptable primaries that will be acceptable to all the aspirants and their supporters.

    The PDP also expressed the readiness to engage democratic stakeholders all over the world towards achieving a credible free and fair general election in February 2019.

    The meeting, which was presided over by the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus was attended by all the presidential aspirants, the party’s governors, members of the National Assembly among other stakeholders.

  • Kogi: ‘My clearance offer quality representation’

    A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant for the Kogi East Senatorial district, Victor Adoji, has described his clearance by the National Working Committee as positive.

    He stated this in a chat with newsmen shortly after receiving the certificate of clearance, adding that is was the beginning of a journey to offer quality representation.

    Read Also: Kogi flood victims to get relief materials

    “This is an impetus to offer a representation that is unusual,” he said.

    He commended the PDP for its due diligence, assuring that under his representation, the Igala Bassa nation that has long been relegated would once again bounce back.

     

  • Osun governor-elect to prioritize grassroots empowerment

    The Osun State governor-elect, Mr. Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, has promised to prioritize socio-economic empowerment of people at the grassroots.

    Oyetola, a candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the governorship election of 22 and the supplementary election of 27 September 2018, polled a total of 255,505 to defeat Ademola Adeleke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 255,023 votes.

    In an interview on a private television live broadcast, Oyetola explained that his administration would sustain agricultural rejuvenation programmes of the current administration which he said seeks to discourage rural-urban migration.

    According to the governor-elect, the state now enjoys certain infrastructural facilities upon which the incoming government could leverage for further improvement in agricultural programmes.

    He expressed gratitude for the supports of voters across the state, noting his administration would focus on the economic empowerment of the masses, especially small level marketers who he said would be provided with little cash supports for their businesses.

    Read Also: Osun Guber election: Buhari congratulates APC, Oyetola

    Oyetola, who clarified it was possible to grow the state’s internally generated revenue without increasing taxes, added his administration would go into public-private partnership arrangement with interested investors in the areas of agro-allied industry and mineral exploration, as such always involve huge capital outlay.

    Adding that agriculture and tourism were two areas which was being under explored by the state, Oyetola noted the two areas could yield huge incomes for the state, which he noted could support the state in monthly settlement of salaries and allowances.

    He expressed worries regarding the problem of rural-urban drift which he maintained could be resolved by improving rural infrastructure, saying his administration would commit significant attention to the care and welfare of women and children.

    The governor-elect equally clarified his administration would convene an economic summit to discuss and possibly arrive at a workable template upon which to anchor and drive the state’s economy, saying available  infrastructure in the state was enough encouragement for willing investors.

    The governor-elect pledged to run inclusive governance, based on the values of transparency, probity and accountability, and genuine concern for the masses.

  • Adeleke vows to fight legally

    The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to use legal means to retrieve his “stolen mandate.”
    Addressing reporters at a press conference in Ede, he encourage the people to unite against electoral oppression.
    Adeleke, who was flanked by his running mate, Hon. Albert Adeogun, and the state chairman of the PDP, Hon. Soji Adagunodo, said: “Your mandate was stolen, we will unite against oppression. Electoral robbers will face justice. So, I urge you to gear up, dont be low spirited. We just had a temporary set back.
    “I sent my condolence to families of our members who were killed during the supplementary poll. This is a dark moment. I sympathize with our members who were macheted and injured. We were under siege.

    Read Also: Defeated Adeleke rejects result

    “I appreciate the international community, domestic and international observers for your impartial coverage. Your reports validated our position that Osun election was violently rigged.
    “I must personally convey my sincere gratitude to journalists, both local and international, for the risk taking, courage and passion you demonstrated in support of democracy. Our party and members are grateful for your passionate backing. We still need you as we launch the rigorous move to reclaim the stolen of our people.”

  • Why I shunned PDP’s offer for APC’s, by Omisore

    The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Osun State governorship election, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, has given an insight into why he rejected the offer by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to cooperate with it in today’s rerun election.

    Omisore and SDP leaders revealed in a number of communique that PDP leaders and the party’s candidate, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, are ‘not trustworthy, reliable and dependable in their past dealings’ with them.

    They added that judging by many standards; Gboyega Oyetola is a far better candidate than Adeleke who will likely do well for Osun State.

    The communiques were issued after meetings of leaders in each zone of the state including Iwo, Ijesa land, Ikirun and Ile-Ife.

    The SDP leaders recalled how Sen. Adeleke, with the collaboration of the National Chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secondus, “masterminded the conduct of another congress which rubbished the earlier congress already approved by the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) which favoured Otunba Omisore.”

    According to them, Adeleke has confirmed at different times as somebody that cannot be trusted judging by his previous alleged betrayals.

    The incidents, they claimed, include his initial agreement not to throw his hat into the governorship ring when he approached Omisore for his senatorial ambition; an agreement to have at least one legislative assistant ‘selected through each of the aspirants that stood down for him on which he reneged till date and alleged failure to respect the agreement to compensate Dr Akin Ogunbiyi with the deputy governorship slot, even when the election was at sight.”

    Now that the election would be over, the SDP leaders wondered how such a man can honour any agreement made.

    The SDP leaders also expressed the fear that the PDP governorship candidate would most likely be prosecuted for ‘aiding and abetting’ before he is sworn in or even be impeached for frivolous reasons by the House of Assembly shortly after his swearing-in.

    Additionally, the leaders viewed the control of the Federal Government by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an advantage, stressing that the PDP is the ‘architect of the present predicament.’ They posited that joining forces with the party can spell doom for the SDP.

    They also stated that numerous leaders within the PDP will not allow the party to function well because “too many cooks spoil the dish (broth).’

    They added: “Because of the fact that we want the best for our people in Osun State, we see Oyetola as a more capable and qualified candidate.”

    They also posited that they would enjoy more possible positions and privileges in the APC government than in a PDP government.

    “The APC is a more reliable party than the PDP. For instance, the APC promised Isiaka Adeleke the senatorial ticket of Osun West and it was honoured unlike the promise made by the PDP to Dr Ogunbiyi which it reneged on.”

    Based on the above, the leaders concluded that the APC would be more beneficial to the state and SDP members.

    The communiques were signed by virtually all the leaders in the zones.