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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Journalists barred as PDP Lawmakers hold ‘Secret’ sitting in Ekiti

    Fourteen People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members of Ekiti State House of Assembly on Thursday considered and approved the N10 billion supplementary budget request of Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The PDP lawmakers, led by Speaker Kola Oluwawole, arrived the Assembly complex at 12.05 pm and sat for about one hour inside the hallowed chambers before they passed the supplementary appropriation bill into law.

    Read Also:Kogi PDP in crisis over Melaye’s ‘automatic ticket’

    But the All Progressives Congress (APC) Assembly caucus has rejected the passage of the N10 billion supplementary budget with about a month to Fayose’s exit from power.

    The APC lawmakers led by the Minority Leader, Gboyega Aribisogan (Ikole 1), described the action as a “ploy by Fayose to legitimize fraud which will be resisted through legal and constitutional means.”

    Journalists were barred from covering the sitting which was held behind closed doors.

    The PDP lawmakers were joined by the Clerk, Mr. Tola Esan and two legislative officers in conducting the sitting.

    The PDP lawmakers who were part of the closed door session include Oluwawole (Moba 1), Sina Animasaun (Ekiti West 2), Samuel Omotoso (Oye 1), Samuel Jeje (Ido/Osi 2), Tope Fasanmi (Ado 2), Dayo Akinleye (Ijero) and Wale Onigiobi (Ekiti Southwest 1).

    The rest are Dare Pelemo (Ekiti East 2), Cecilia Dada (Ilejemeje), Musa Arogundade (Ado 1), Sanya Aladeyelu (Irepodun/Ifelodun 2), Olayode Omotoso (Ido/Osi 1), Dele Fajemilehin (Gbonyin) and Olanrewaju Olayanju (Emure).

    A source said: “Today’s secret sitting by the 14 lawmakers loyal to the governor is an illegal one because the bill passed through the first, second and third reading under one hour which negates legislative procedure and norms.

    “There is no way a bill just presented will pass through the first, second and third reading and passed in one day because after the second reading, it will go to the committee state before being returned to the committee of the whole before entering the third reading.

    “Some senior legislative officers were summoned to attend but they stayed away because they knew this kind of sitting is illegal and they know they don’t want to be part of illegality.”

    Reacting, Aribisogan said: “The APC lawmakers and some members are not in support of the bill because it has been discovered that the outgoing governor wanted to use the House to legitimise fraud.

    “The proposed Appropriation Bill is the handiwork of Governor Fayose and his cronies to cover up massive fraud in some Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

    “The Appropriation Bill is not meant to improve the lives of our people in the state but to cover up some unapproved spending of the Governor. It is a fraudulent Bill to cover fraudulent spending. That’s why the governor wanted the bill to be passed without proper scrutiny.

    “The Appropriation Committee did not sit on the Bill. The Bill was back dated to August 30 to give an impression that the Appropriation Committee had since been deliberating on the Bill.”

    The Speaker, Oluwawole was given the Bill last Friday when he was summoned to the Governor’s Lodge. As usual, he was given a marching order to call Hon Jeje Samuel, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, to make a public statement on the Revised Budget.

    “The Progressives in the House” we are now the majority. We have met. We have resolved to boycott sittings on the dubious budget. We learnt they want to reopen the Assembly for one hour to pass the budget. We are waiting and watching.

    “It is ridiculous to hear that a government that has less than 32 days wants to spend 10 billion Naira. The governor is yet to tell us how he had managed the finances of this state.

    “We have not been told the position of the state IGR, but the executive wanted us to pass a budget. We shall resist this latest attempt by Fayose to further plunge Ekiti state into financial mess.”

  • PDP cautions INEC over alleged plot to shift 2019 elections

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against alleged plots to shift the dates for the 2019 general elections.

    The opposition party also advised the chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu not to allow the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Buhari Presidency to use him to execute their plots to frustrate the conduct of credible elections in 2019.

    Read Also:2019 elections: PDP already conceding defeat, says APC

    Saying that the plot was meant to push for illegal tenure elongation for President Buhari and the APC, the PDP told the President and his party to perish the thoughts of staying in power a day beyond May 29, 2019.

    A statement Wednesday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said, the opposition party was already aware of suggestions by the INEC chairman to have the elections postponed.

    The PDP further stated that the alleged plot was a product of series of clandestine meetings between the INEC and the APC on ways to frustrate the 2019 elections. It added that the APC and the INEC have realised that there is no hope for President Buhari in the 2019 polls.

    The statement said, “Nigerians and the international community have also noted the various ploys by INEC to frustrate a credible elections, including its stiff opposition to the amendment of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly to check APC rigging plans in addition to its exposed collaborations with INEC to manipulate the voters register, enroll underage voters and secretly creating 30,000 illegal polling centers in certain remote areas from where it plans to allocate fictitious votes to the APC.

    “Nigerians may recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of the plot by the Buhari Presidency to enmesh the 2019 elections into a needless controversy by deliberately delaying the presentation of the election budget to the National Assembly until the time the parliament was proceeding on annual recess.

    “Ostensibly to ensure that the election does not escape controversy, President Buhari demanded that the fund be taken from already approved budget for lawmakers’ constituency votes, despite entreaties by well-meaning Nigerians for a fresh budget for the elections.

    “Seeing that Nigerians are standing shoulder to shoulder with the PDP to resist and dismantle their rigging machinery, the APC and Buhari Presidency are now trying to use INEC to frustrate the elections and cause crisis in our country.

    “The PDP therefore rejects this plot by APC and INEC. The 2019 election must hold as scheduled. Nigerians are ready for elections and cannot wait to vote out President Buhari and his dysfunctional APC.

    “In that wise, our party cautions the INEC Chairman to open up, expose the Buhari Presidency and immediately commence the application of its constitutional First Line Charge funding instruments instead entangling itself with the plot to destroy our nation”.

  • PDP alleges round-tripping in Buhari’s N45m nomination form

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Presidency of round-tripping the N45 million claimed to have been contributed by a group to buy the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination form for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to the opposition party, President Buhari’s inability to explain the registration status, membership and source of funding of the group has exposed the charade in the said endorsement stunt.

    Read Also:PDP governors disagree on consensus presidential candidate

    A statement by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the Buhari Presidency failed to realise that such stunts have become out-worn and cannot sway opinion in a country with citizens as enlightened as Nigerians.

    “Most Nigerians already know how some officials at the Buhari presidency, made up of corrupt individuals, racketeers and certificate forgers, hurriedly assembled the group and mobilised them with N45 million for the APC presidential nomination form, which was hiked to scare away other contestants.

    “How members of the group were settled for the stunt as well as the issues and disagreements that arose from the deal are also known to many Nigerians.

    “What Mr. President’s handlers are hiding from him is the fact that Nigerians do not believe the falsehood that a set of individuals, facing the challenges of abysmally low purchasing power, put together a wholesome N45m to buy him a form.

    “Nigerians are still waiting for him to make public the proof of registration, membership, list of individual contributors and amount contributed by these shadowy individual members.

    “We also challenge President Buhari to make public the official correspondences of the 12 million members of the Rice Farmers Association, members of the Fertilizer Producers Association and the members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association who, he claimed, offered to buy nomination form for him”.

    The opposition party described as unpresidential, the outbursts credited to President Buhari against those who left the ruling APC for other political parties, calling them as “weak and selfish”.

    The PDP said the verbal attack against the defectors was unwarranted for politicians who chose to abandon the ruling party.

    “Finally, the PDP counsels President Buhari to forget the idea of painting himself as a lover of youths and asking for funds from them, as his “lazy youth” comment and talking down on young persons not to contest against him in the 2019 election, amply conveyed his disdain for the Nigerian youths”, the statement added.

  • Why l defected with Shekarau to APC – Sen. Bello

    A one-time senator of Kano central senatorial district, Muhammad Bello on Tuesday said he followed his political leader, former Kano State governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau to All Progressives Congress (APC) to strengthen the capacity of party and ensure victory in the forthcoming elections for President Buhari and Governor Ganduje.

    Shekarau recently defected to APC from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the dissolution of the state structure by the national body of the party.

    However, some of the Shekarau’s loyalists, including Bello had decided to join him in APC, while others opted to remain in PDP.

    Speaking immediately after collecting his party membership card at his Fagge (A) ward in Fagge Local Government area, on Tuesday, Bello said he would not contest for any position in APC.

    According to Bello, he decided to join forces with APC in order to strengthen the party to win all electoral positions in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

    Bello, a former commissioner during Shekarau’s administration boasted that his strong support base was enough to consolidate on the successes of APC in the state.

    Read Also: Shekarau dumps PDP

    “I joined APC to add value to the party. Looking at this crowd, you will have the impression that our support base is capable of adding strength to APC’s capacity in Kano State.

    ” We have decided to move to APC due to the injustice mated on us in PDP. We hope the injustice will not be replicated in APC.

    “From all indications, APC would do justice as it is the party that adheres strictly to its manifesto of internal democracy.

    ” I will not contest for any position now,but I don’t know what future holds. I am just in APC to contribute my quota towards its success,”

    On his part, the ward’s APC chairman, Jamilu Isyaku, expressed delight for receiving senator Bello in the party.

    He expressed optimism that Bello would contribute a lot to the success of APC in the state come 2019.

  • Saraki appoints Okupe chair of campaign media team

    Senate President and presidential aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday announced the appointment Dr. Doyin Okupe as chairman of the Media Council for his campaign Organisation.

    Okupe, a medical doctor and politician, had served as the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the aborted Third Republic.

    Read Also:Offa robbery: Court summons IGP over Saraki’s absence

    Okupe also served as Director of Communications of the Presidential campaigns of two former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan and later served as senior special assistant on Media and Public Affairs to both Presidents.

    Director General, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Campaign Organisation, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, in the announcement, said that Okupe will work with other top professionals in the team to effectively communicate the campaign messages of Dr. Saraki to the people of Nigeria and the international community.

  • Aluko defeats Fayose’s candidate at PDP LG delegate election

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose on has suffered another electoral defeat at his home local government area.

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Delegate Election to choose representatives to the National Convention in Abuja was conducted in all the 16 local government areas on Tuesday.

    The governor’s candidate and former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, was defeated in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area by former state PDP Secretary, Dr. Tope Aluko.

    At the election conducted at the Irepodun/Ifelodun local government PDP secretariat, Dr. Aluko polled 80 votes to defeat Omotoba who polled 4 votes.

    It will be recalled that Fayose lost the local government area to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the last governorship election.

    According to the Returning Officer who is also the PDP Vice Chairman in Ekiti Central, Chief Tunji Kayode, 84 delegates were accredited to vote.

    Announcing the result, Kayode returned Dr. Aluko as elected having polled the hugest number of votes cast.

    The election was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), officers of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and journalists.

    Loyalists of Fayose did not show up at the poll and conduct was delayed for about two hours before voting started.

    Read Also: Fayose’s aide speaks on N75 million Lexus “parting gift”

    Before voting started at about 11.45 am, members described the congress as an opportunity to liberate the party from Fayose’s alleged stranglehold.

    Delegates who voted at the congress included House of Assembly member representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 1, Mr. Posi Omodara, ward executives including nine out of eleven ward chairmen and local government executives.

    Former PDP chairman in Irepodun/Irepodun council area, Mr. Jinadu Isiaka Olaoluwa, said alleged imposition of candidates by Fayose caused the party’s defeat at the July 14 local government election.

    Olaoluwa said the election of Aluko as the LG delegate to the National Convention has signalled an end to impunity, dictatorial tendency and personalization of the party by an individual.

    Speaking after his election as delegate to the National Convention, Dr. Aluko said 80 delegates formed quorum.

    He said: “I have been elected as the representative of this local government at the national convention in Abuja and I will give them responsive and responsible representation.

    “If some people decided not to show up, they are not up to 20 per cent. All the wards are represented here and I owe my victory to genuine party members.”

  • Kogi Senate aspirant task INEC chairman on vote buying

    An aspirant for Kogi Central Senatorial seat under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Abdulkarim Salihu, has charged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu to as a matter of urgency address the issue of vote buying during election.

    The former two term member of the House of Representatives called on the INEC boss to tackle the scourge before it damages the country’s hard earned democracy.

    Salihu who gave the charge on Monday while submitting his nomination form at the Kogi PDP secretariat in Lokoja, said the conduct of the governorship election in Ekiti State recently, served as wake up call to the electoral umpire to be awake to its responsibility of discouraging vote buying in order to protect democracy and give credence to the Nigeria’s electoral process.

    According to him: “What happened in Ekiti during the governorship election is enough signal that our democracy is nosediving and requires urgent measures to nip it in the bud so that such act will not take the centre stage in our country’s democracy.

    “If the major agenda of the federal government is to fight corruption, then buying votes should be seen as an act of corruption, which should be dealt with before it collapses the hard earned democracy.

    Read Also: ICPC to partner INEC to curb vote-buying

    “Vote buying is one of the major challenges that will affect the integrity of the 2019 elections, as it will not allow the electorate to support and vote for the candidates of their choice and if this is not discouraged, elections in Nigeria will lose credibility and where there is no credibility in an election, the desired dividends of democracy will not be enjoyed by Nigerians, as the politicians would gear their effort in recovering the money spent during the election.”

    He said the situation where the ruling party in the state prevented the opposition from organising activities in the state, noting that democracy cannot thrive in the absence of a strong and virile opposition, to checkmate the activities of the ruling party.

    “I have never seen in modern political civilization where the opposition parties are not allow to conduct their activities; the beauty of democracy is when the ruling party is being checkmated, in order to fulfil electioneering campaign.

    “All these are happening because of poverty of ideas and by the time the ruling party knows the enormity of their actions, they will allow the opposition parties to thrive in the state and the country at large,” he noted.

    On his mission and vision for his constituency if given the opportunity,  Hon. Salihu said he will introduce a need assessment committee where the people will have an input on the types of projects they needed, noting that the era of sharing motorcycles and sewing machine is over.

    While calling on the electorate to vote according to their conscience during elections,  the aspirant urged INEC to do the needful during elections.

  • Field candidates with electoral value, aspirant tells Oshiomhole

    An aspirant for the House of Representatives in Edo, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, has appealed to the leadership of the All Progressive Congress to field candidates with electoral value in the state.

    Mr. Idahosa said the APC would win land slide if quality and popular candidates are given the party’s ticket.

    Idahosa stated that people would vote for personality instead of political party in next year’s general election.

    Read Also:INEC to print 16.5m PVCs before 2019 general elections

    He however assured that the APC would win in Ovia Federal Constituency seat because of what he termed “Abysmal” failure of the present occupant of the seat.

    According to him, “It is not just about picking the ticket; it is winning the elections proper. The right candidate is the one who is at home with the people.

    “I am not unaware that the party has a role to play, but principally, a sellable candidate will make it easier for the party in securing electoral victory.

    “The 2019 poll is going to be one full of surprises, our party needs to be prepared, more importantly, more united if we are to have a successful outing.”

    “The present occupant of the seat who is from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have done nothing but to distant herself from the reality on ground in the Federal Constituency.

    “Without being a lawmaker or holding any political position, I have been able contribute meaningfully to the development of the people.

    “My aim is to make much difference in the lives of the people across the 23 wards that make up the Ovia federal constituency.

    “Victory is already ours because we are more united than we were in the 2015 elections,” he stated

  • 61 aspirants pick PDP nomination forms in Edo

    A total of 61 aspirants have purchased and submitted the nomination and expression of interest forms of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the Edo State House of Assembly and the National Assembly.

    It was learnt that 49 aspirants bought for the 24 Edo Assembly seat while 12 bought for the National Assembly seats.

    Read Also:Ex-Osun Assembly speaker resigns PDP membership

    The aspirants have been screened but none has been disqualified as at press time.

    Edo State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, who confirmed the figures, said the party would ensure level playing field for the aspirants.

    Nehikhare said the aspirants for the National Assembly seats have no opponents contesting against them for the party’s ticket.

  • Jang vows to tackle Boko Haram, herdsmen killings

    One of the presidential aspirants of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Jonah Jang, has vowed to effectively tackle the bloody attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents and herdsmen in the country.

    Jang, who was on Monday at the Abuja secretariat of the PDP where he submitted his nomination forms, said with the killings, Nigeria was gradually becoming a Banana Republic.

    He lamented a situation where stories of killings of innocent citizens in different parts of the country dominate media reports almost on a daily basis.

    Said he, “Our people have been suffering ‎in the Northeast unabatedly. We have been told that Book Haram have been defeated at one stage, the moment they make such announcement, you will get to know that Boko Haram has either even taken over a military unit or have ambushed our soldiers”.

    The former Plateau State governor was of the view that restructuring the country would go a long way in addressing the various social, economic and security challenges.

    “There is total imbalance in the federation and the federal system must be such that all the units of the federation must  be established in such a way that there will be proper power sharing.

    “The administrative machinery of the various local governments, states and the federal government work in such synergy that can ensure development of this country.

    Read Also: The continuous Boko Haram attack

    “I intend to get the former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s conference’s report and get the stakeholders again to look at it, so that whatever areas that need to be negotiated will be negotiated.

    “For that, we can now send a bill to the National Assembly for the amendment of the Constitution so that we can now bring in restructuring

    “And in this restructuring, the security will be looked at because  I believe that the military has to go back to its traditional role and be re-organised properly”, Jang added

    The aspirant decried the federal government’s borrowing spree, particularly from foreign countries, saying some of the loans obtained by the government were not necessary.

    Jang said, “We have both human and material resources to run this country so enough of this borrowing. We are just borrowing without seeing ‎what is being done with the money and we are going to leave our generations with a lot of problems.

    “I want to believe that some of these borrowings that we are doing like building the railways, even building the roads can be done by Public Private Partnership (PPP).

    “There are people who want to come and participate in the economy of Nigeria not that we have to borrow money to do it”.

    Senator Jang also harped on the need to practically fight corruption in the system, saying however that if elected President, he would adopt a different approach.

    “Fighting corruption will be our priority but not the way this administration is fighting it. The EFCC and the ICPC are not established to just follow a political opponent.

    “These organization’s must be properly organised so that they can work according to international standards”, he said.