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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Defection: We are discussing with APC govs, lawmakers – PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday confirmed  media reports indicating that five of the party’s governors have been holding discussions with some governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A statement by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan however said the discussions were geared towards poaching some targeted APC governors and federal lawmakers for the PDP.

    Read Also:PDP chieftain decries Buhari’s refusal to sign PIB

    According to Ologbondiyan, the PDP had already six APC governors and 27 APC federal legislators with the view to defecting to the PDP ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    He added that the affected governors and lawmakers were already consulting their various constituencies with the view to securing their mandates for their defection.

    The statement said, “The PDP verifies that discussions on control of party structures in the affected states and senatorial zones have also reached advanced stage and would be completed in a couple of weeks after which the governors and lawmakers will announce their defection to the PDP.

    “However, in line with decisions reached at the discussions, the members of the National Assembly decamping to the PDP will cross-carpet at the reconvening of session in the two chambers, which will increase the PDP majority in both chambers.

    “The party assures that all grey areas of the  agreement, including issues of waivers and accommodation for participation in primaries, are being smoothened out by the former Governor Liyel Imoke-led PDP Contact and Integration Committee, which has been galvanizing our alliances among stakeholders across other parties, including those from the APC.

    “The PDP also commends the spirit of tolerance, dialogue, accommodation and oneness of purpose that pervade the alliance among members”.

    The PDP expressed its determination to reclaim control of power at the centre, as well as states like Plateau, Niger, Adamawa, Kano, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Imo, Edo as well as southwest states of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos states.

    The party charged all members and supporters to remain steadfast and be wary of what it described as the gimmicks of the APC, which it said, has resorted to sponsoring spurious publications filled with deceptions, fabrications and lies against the PDP

    “The PDP also commends Nigerians across board for their overwhelming support and solidarity with the repositioned PDP as expressed in the unprecedented interest in our tickets for various elective positions, particularly the presidency, governorship and National Assembly positions, in addition to spirited public discourse at all levels of political engagements across our country.

    “These interests and movements from the APC to the PDP are indicators of the consensus by Nigerians to rally on the platform of the PDP to end the economic hardship, bloodletting, violence and infrastructural decay that have become the hallmark of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, and return our nation to the path of unity, national cohesion and economic prosperity, which the PDP is known for”, the statement added.

  • EFCC recovers N106.5b, others in eight months

    Magu: Anti-graft war not selective

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered N106.5billion between January and last month, its Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu said on Wednesday.

    It also recovered $1,635,925.81 (about N591,419,898.83), £629,193.65 (about N294,717,451.63) and €25,575 (about N10,743,798.05) within the period.

    Magu, who met with editors at the commission’s Ikoyi, Lagos office, denied that the anti-graft war is targeted at the opposition members.

    He said despite “distractions and irritations by the corrupt,” the commission has secured 158 convictions this year, including two former governors who were jailed for 14 years each.

    “At this rate, I am confident that we will surpass the record of 189 convictions achieved in 2017,” Magu said.

    The commission has been accused of going after only those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while ignoring corruption allegations against members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Group threatens to sue EFCC over alleged coverup of case

    But, Magu insisted that EFCC is apolitical and only goes after those who break the law.

    To him, those accusing the commission of political persecution were shedding crocodile tears.

    Magu said: “It will be naïve for anyone to expect the fight against corruption to be smooth; you should expect resistance, which is expressed in various guises.

    “With the general election fast approaching, the resistance has assumed even frightening dimensions with political motives imputed to most of our activities.”

    Magu said it had become fashionable for anyone being investigated for corruption to scream political persecution, with corrupt state officials pleading immunity not ascribed to them by the Constitution.

    According to him, some governors have extended the frontiers of their constitutional immunity by claiming that anti-corruption agencies cannot investigate them.

    “Sadly, some of our friends in the media help amplify these narratives and thereby divert attention from the real issues. The times we are in call for vigilance, especially by the media as the watchdog of society.

    “As I have stated in various fora, the EFCC is apolitical and will not knock on your door if you have not violated the law,” Magu said.

    He added that the media owes Nigerians a duty no to allow the corrupt to deploy their ill-gotten riches to corner the machinery of government.

    “The media should not lend their platforms to helping the cause of the corrupt that are shedding crocodile tears.

    “We must do what is right for our country, which is ensuring that those who steal our common patrimony are brought to justice,” Magu said.

    The corruption fighter said the commission would not rest on its oars despite successes recorded under his leadership in prosecution of persons for corruption and in asset recovery.

    “We believe there is still a lot to be done, which is the reason we are actively seeking the support of all stakeholders, including the media.

    “We do not pretend to have a monopoly of knowledge on how to win the war against corruption. The anti-corruption campaign requires a concerted effort.

    “I enjoin members of the public, including the media, to be part of this effort by reporting cases of corruption to the EFCC,” Magu said.

  • PDP chieftain decries Buhari’s refusal to sign PIB

    Mr Emmanuel Ogidi, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) South South, has decried refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    Ogidi told News men in Abuja on Wednesday that the PIB was dear to the Niger Deltans.

    According to him, the bill seeks to enhance transparency and accountability in the industry, enhance private sector investment and address issues affecting host communities.

    Ogidi said that the bill had been on for many years and that the National Assembly had done all that was necessary to make it see the light of the day.

    He also expressed worry over the president’s refusal to sign the Electoral Law Amendment Bill.

    The chieftain said that the reasons put forward by the presidency for declining assent to the bills were not `acceptable’.

    The presidential aide on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang had said that President Muhammadu Buhari withheld assent to PIGB for constitutional and legal reasons.

    He also said that the president declined assent to the draft law initiated to update the outdated Petroleum Act to replace its provisions with a more comprehensive and current legal framework that aligned with global standards.

    Ogidi said that the Electoral Law Amendment Bill was necessary to ensure a credible election in 2019 as it sought to give legal backing to the use of card readers.

    He noted that Buhari promised credible elections come 2019, while receiving his counterparts from Germany and Britain but alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police had been compromised.

    Read Also: 2019: Five PDP governors seeking deal with Buhari

    He called on all the heads of security agencies to learn from the misfortunes of the recently sacked Director General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and live up to expectations.

    The PDP stalwart said nobody is indispensable adding that there were capable Nigerians waiting for the opportunity to serve.

    He said that security issues must be taken very seriously adding that there was urgent need for government to put an end to killings across the country.

    “Nigerians must engage the government and keep talking to be taken seriously, we are not comedians and we must prevent a repeat of what happened in the Ekiti Elections.

    “I urge elder statesmen to keep speaking out and attract the attention of the international community; Nigeria being the giant of Africa cannot afford to be brought low,” he said.

    According to Ogidi, Nigerians, have gone out in their numbers to get registered ahead of 2019 general elections in a bid to sustain democracy

    He described reports alleging that some Nigerians were made to part with money to collect their Permanent Voter Card (PVCs) as `unfortunate’.

    The chieftain expressed confidence that the PDP would win the presidential election come 2019.

    Speaking on the defection of the former Governor of Delta, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress (APC), Ogidi said that it was of no consequence to the PDP.

    He described the move as a quest for relevance saying that before Uduaghan left office as governor, members of the PDP had already deserted him for lack of performance.

    Following the collapse of St. Paul Catholic Church in Adagbrasa-Ugolo community, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, Ogidi urged church leaders to always engage professionals.

    He advised that, rather than engaging church members in building projects, it was safer and better to engage experienced professionals.

    “It is unfortunate that we lose lives daily to killings across the country, we cannot afford to lose lives to collapsed building as well,” he said.

  • PDP moves to avert Shekarau’s defection

    The national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to expand the Kano State Caretaker Committee to accommodate all interests in line with its adherence to the principles of all-inclusiveness.

    The party had, on Friday, dissolved the executive committee of the Kano chapter and set up a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the chapter.

    Read Also:Crisis rocks PDP over ‘automatic tickets’ for lawmakers

    The action was perceived as tilting the balance in favour of immediate past governor of the state, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso who in July, dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP.

    Apparently piqued by the action of the party’s leadership, another former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau had threatened to defect from the PDP, as the party structure in the state was removed from his loyalists.

    However, in a deft move to avert Shekarau’s defection, the PDP Tuesday quickly reversed some of its decisions concerning the chapter.

    Shekarau and Kwankwaso are both presidential aspirants of the PDP.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said it’s open to opinions and suggestions from stakeholders in ensuring reconciliation and accommodation for all interests within its fold in the state, “so as to ensure good governance to the people of the state”.

    The statement said, “The National Working Committee (NWC) assures that no stone will be left unturned in the overall quest to bring good governance to Kano state, while putting in place machinery to hedge the infiltration of fifth columnists into the party’s fold in the state.

    “The party leadership further assures of its preparedness to engage with all stakeholders in Kano provided all matters in court against the party are withdrawn, as all members work together to build a united PDP that can confront and send out incompetent and insensitive people in governance in Kano state and Nigeria at large.

    “Furthermore, the NWC urges all stakeholders to always emulate our members in Benue state in the way and manner they united to resolve all issues concerning party structures of their state”.

  • Mark joins presidential race, vows to end killings

    Immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has joined the 2019 presidential race on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Mark, who Tuesday obtained his nomination papers at the Abuja secretariat of the PDP, said he’s adequately equipped to tackle the spate of insecurity in the country, with its attendant killings, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and other ills.

    Read Also:David Mark can’t be intimidated, says Moro

    “With political the political will and right the approach, the killings can be stopped. Given my military background, I have what it takes and the appropriate strategy to tackle the pervasive insecurity in the land”, Mark said.

    Mark, who is spending his fifth term in the Senate, lent his voice to the call on President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the amended Electoral Bill into law, saying it was the right thing to do.

    Joining the call for restructuring of the country, the aspirant promised to embark on the project in earnest, if given the opportunity.

    Mark said, “Irrespective of our political persuasions, it is incontrovertible that restructuring of the nation is an idea whose time has come.

    “I believe it will further strengthen our bond of brotherhood and unity more than ever before, because everyone would have a sense of belonging and live in harmony in any part of Nigeria without any fear of molestation and intimidation”.

    Canvassing leadership opportunity for the youth, the lawmaker said had already put in place a blueprint that would drastically reduce poverty and unemployment among the youth population.

    “Our blueprint, tagged 730 will address critical areas of our national life. Specifically, we will deal with poverty, unemployment and neglect which have forced some of our young people to undertake the very risky route of going through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in their quest for greener pastures in Europe”, he added.

    According to him, his 730 economic model is designed to turn the economy around within two years, adding that youth will be the drivers of the process.

    He added that, “We will concentrate on developing our infrastructure, delivering on affordable housing, roads, rails and power. We will focus on education and create a pool of highly trained citizens with excellent IT skills who will be employable as well as create jobs.

    “We will support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as a matter of priority by providing interest free cooperative loans to produce optimally with appropriate technology which will be the main driver of the economy with attendant huge employment opportunities”.

  • 2019 polls: I’m waiting to see my challenger –  Ishaku

    Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, has picked his nomination form in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), saying he is waiting to see the candidate other political parties  will throw up to challenge him in next year’s guber poll.

    Special Adviser on Political Matters, Abubakar Bawa, the San Turaki Gashaka, who spoke in a press conference in Jalingo for the governor, after picking the nomination form on his behalf, said “there is nothing to worry about.”

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

    He said: “The governor is ready for whoever the oppositions will nominate to challenge him at the election. In 2015, the election was a two-horse race between the PDP and the APC. In the end, PDP won with a landslide.

    “PDP won because it presented the right candidate (Darius Ishaku). The same scenario seems to be playing out. We are only waiting to see who that candidate would be this time around.”

    Bawa said, although, PDP is very democratic enough to welcome governorship aspirants who may want to contest on the PDP platform, members however, have unanimously agreed that Ishaku should fly the party’s banner.

    Taraba and Gombe states are the only PDP states in the north. Sources said, the APC is strategising to capture the two “stubborn states” in next year’s election.

    But the governor’s political adviser said: “I can advance many reasons why I am optimistic Ishaku will be reelected. None of the opposition parties, including APC which is the main opposition party in Taraba State, has a candidate that is better than Ishaku.

    “Who are they nominating in APC, Sen. Aisha Alhassan whom we defeated in 2015, or David Sabo Kente, Garba Umar, Kaigama Bobboi, or that professor?

    “These people cannot stand DDI. He will beat them flat. There is no party that can withstand the PDP in Taraba State. The PDP is an opposition in the country, but in Taraba it is the ruling party. And it has been the ruling party since 1999. So, we believe there is no other political party here apart from the PDP. Even if there are other parties, we don’t take them serious.

    “Besides political parties, Taraba people want someone who naturally cares for them. And Darius Ishaku is the answer; he is one leader who has deep love and rare passion for Taraba people; how they eat, dwell and make progress bother him. For now, he is just the right person.

    “Therefore, in sha Allah (with God on our side), I think we will triumph at the poll, because of the governor’s performance and goodwill. I have been in politics in Taraba State for long so I know what I am talking about.

    “Recently, I went round the State to do a silent opinion poll, and the goodwill has been overwhelming for the governor. Nevertheless, the PDP is working hard. The party chairman, Victor Bala, and all his party executives, are leaving no stone unturned; the governor is doing his part –by providing developments; and we are working very hard and still soliciting support from the electorate to make sure we return the governor for a second term.

    “The general consensus is that Ishaku should do a second term. Rev. Jolly Nyame did 10 years from northern zone, from 1992-1993 and 1999-2007. Late Pharm. Danbaba Suntai, from central zone, did eight years (2007-2015). So the fairest thing to do, as it has become our zoning formula, is to allow Ishaku, who is from the southern zone, to also do eight years, to complete the rotation.

    “And to the best of my knowledge, the PDP stakeholders from his area (southern Taraba) have no other candidate. They have all agreed that Ishaku has done well.  Bringing another person, even from the same southern zone, will affect our political arrangement.

    “The northern and central zones are also in full support of the arrangement to give Ishaku the party’s ticket and subsequently re-elect him for a second term.

    “In terms of performance, he has scored a distinction everyone can attest to. Ishaku has done well in education, agriculture, health, infrastructure and so many other areas. So, we are yet to see his challenger.”

  • Bafarawa: no president can succeed without ingenuity of Ndigbo

    Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, a People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) Presidential aspirant, has said that nobody can rule Nigeria without tapping the education and business ingenuity of Ndi Igbo.

    Bafarawa, a two time governor of Sokoto State, made this known when Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi hosted him in Enugu on Tuesday.

    He was in Enugu to consult and intimate the party in the state about his intention to vie for the country’s president.

    “Ndi Igbo are partners in Nigeria unity, cohesion and political stability; nobody can govern the country without Ndi Igbo,’’ he declared.

    He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the 2019 general elections were free, fair and credible.

    Read Also: I won’t quit PDP even if I lose ticket – Bafarawa

    Bafarawa said that Buhari had no alternative than to allow for credible poll in the forthcoming elections because “he is a beneficiary of free and fair poll in the country’’.

    He commended Gov Ugwuanyi and the state PDP for the wonderful reception accorded him and delegates and promised to carry everybody along if elected as the country’s president.

    “I will carry everybody along politically in building a virile, united and prosperous Nigeria. This is my bond to Nigeria and Nigerians,’’ Bafarawa declared.

    Earlier, Ugwuanyi, described Bafarawa as an ambassador of peace and good governance adding that the presidential aspirant was one of Nigeria’s politicians with grassroots followership.

    Ugwuanyi said that the people of Enugu respect Bafarawa’s role in unity of the country.

  • 2019: SDP promises free, fair primaries in Benue

    The Social Democratic Party ( SDP ) in Benue on Tuesday promised to organise free and fair primaries for all its aspirants, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The state chairman of the party, Engr. John Enemari, gave the assurance in an interview with News men in Makurdi.

    He said that the party was ready for the forthcoming general elections and would reclaim government in the state.

    The news recall that the SDP had earlier ruled Benue for 18 months between 1992 and 1993, by Late Rev Fr. Moses Adasu.

    Enemari said that the party was banking on its earlier achievements in the state ahead of the 2019 elections.

    He stated that the 18-month administration of SDP during the third republic remained the best ever, since the creation of the state.

    He described SDP as the “beautiful bride” of Benue politics, adding that it would record overwhelming victory in the 2019 polls.

    Read Also: Go for political offices, SDP urges youths

    “SDP had ruled Benue state between 1992 and 1993 before the regime was truncated on the 4th November 1993.

    “Within this period, Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu-led administration was able to carry out landmark projects.

    “Within 18 months, Adasu established Benue State University, Makurdi, and College of Education Oju, built JS Tarka Foundation and relocated College of Education Katsina-Ala to its permanent site among others.

    “So we are banking on these pervious achievements, coupled with our resolve to provide a level playing ground for all aspirants seeking nominations on our platform.

    “We are now the beautiful bride of Benue politics; everybody wants to identify with us. That are why you will see that we have the highest number of aspirants seeking nominations in the state.

    He noted that the party had received remarkable membership boost in the state following the ongoing internal crisis in People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • PDP to N/Assembly: Override Buhari’s veto on Electoral bill

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the National Assembly to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto of the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill without further delay.

    The bill automatically becomes law if two-thirds of members of the two legislative houses vote against the President’s veto if he failed to assent to it within a given period.

    Read Also:Saraki heads 85-member PDP’s Osun campaign council

    In a statement Monday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the President’s veto on the bill did not come as a surprise. It added that Buhari’s commitment to a free and fair 2019 election was mere lip service.

    The statement said, “It is now manifestly clear to Nigerians that all the reasons adduced by President Buhari for withholding his assent in the past were lame excuses.

    “The clerical and drafting arguments put forward by President Buhari could not in any way outweigh the importance of amendments meant to engender a free, fair, credible and transparent elections in 2019.

    “The PDP therefore charges the National Assembly to stand with Nigerians in the overall quest for credible elections by immediately overriding President Buhari on the bill”.

  • 2019: PDP will sweep polls in Kwara – Gov. Ahmed

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has expressed confidence that Peoples Democratic party (PDP) will sweep the polls in the state in 2019 with the calibre of members of the State Working Committee of the party.

    Ahmed said this at Government House, Ilorin, on Monday when he received members of the newly inaugurated committee in his office.

    Read Also:Saraki heads 85-member PDP’s Osun campaign council

    “With the timber and calibre of the people that make up the party executive, the victory of the party is guaranteed in 2019 elections.”

    Ahmed, who saluted the maturity displayed in handling the harmonisation process, tasked the new executive to work hard in ensuring the entrenchment of good governance in the state.

    He added that peaceful atmosphere that greeted the harmonisation process further confirmed the politics of all-inclusiveness the party structure was known for.

    The governor allayed the fears of all members over that no one would be marginalized.

    He also enjoined all members to close ranks and cooperate in ensuring that the PDP won the next election in the state.

    Earlier, in his remarks, the party Chairman, Chief Kola Shittu, told the governor that the purpose of the visit was to familiarize themselves with the governor as the party leader in the state.

    He explained that the new executive had continued to work assiduously in the harmonisation of members since its inauguration, saying that all groups were duly carried along.

    Shittu used the opportunity to urge other members yet to join the party to come forward, assuring them that no one would be marginalised.