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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Dino Melaye is a noise maker, says Yahaya Bello

    …Dino can’t distract me – Yahaya Bello

     

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on Thursday reacted to a video of Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West, saying he has been roundly defeated and cannot do anything.

    Dino Melaye. in the recently released video on Instagram was seen singing, dancing and mocking the governor.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on the sidelines of the expended National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Bello claimed that he had not seen the video as he was too busy to listen to a noise maker.

    Bello said, “I don’t know there is any such video from anybody, I am not aware. Maybe, you may tell me what the video is all about, I am not aware if there is any such video.

    “You see Kogi state is a very complex state and I took it over when things were really bad and I am doing my best to ensure that we give quality service to the good people of Kogi state.

    “So any noise maker out there is just disturbing himself. So I just focused on the job as the executive governor of Kogi state, and I am doing my best and the people of Kogi state really appreciate my services to them.” he stated

    On the recent attack in Kogi, he said, “It was a very pathetic situation where about 12 people were killed and I visited that place. It is a place that was neglected by their own people and it was unfortunate that that incident happened and we have constituted Judicial Panel of Inquiry to look into the immediate and remote cause of that attack because this is not the first time that an attack is happening in that particular area.

    “In 2014 it happened where lives and property were destroyed but thank God with the support of the military, police and other security agencies were able to quickly move into action and then that particular incident had been stopped.

    “As we speak arrests are being made and investigations are on and by the time the Judicial Panel of Inquiry comes up with its own findings and recommendations, l am sure there will be a lasting solution to that crisis.

    On People’s Democratic Party (PDP) allegation that the rescued Dapchi girls is an arrangement, Bello said, “I think Nigerians are happy with Mr.President for the good job that he is doing for being proactive and for the quick response by the military and other security agencies in rescuing our Dapchi girls, I think it is a good job that they have done and I really congratulate Mr. President, I congratulate the APC, I congratulate the government and good people of Yobe State, I congratulate the girls and their parents and I congratulate Nigerians.

    “By the grace of God such effort is being made to ensure that the remaining Chibok girls are brought back. You will recall that when Mr. President came, probably the APC might have arranged the kidnap of Chibok girls then. So I think those that are accusing APC or our government of arranging such a kidnap are insensitive to the parents, to the children and to Nigerians. We shouldn’t push politics to certain level. So we should congratulate ourselves and I am sure such incident will not repeat itself in the country.”

    Read Also: ‘Assassination attempt’: Court orders prosecutor to appear with Melaye’s case file

  • PDP kicks over plans sales of state owned media 

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  in Edo State has urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to halt planned sales of the state-owned Media outfit, the Bendel Newspapers Ltd, and the Edo Broadcasting Service.

    It implored Governor Obaseki to rather put in place a well-motivated management team and invest only 50% out of the N600m being collected as security votes monthly.

    The PDP said the state government would achieve a world class Media Company if the money is well utilised.

    Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said the report of a committee of media executives was aimed to justify the sale, or concession of the media outfits.

    Nehikhare alleged that the panel produced a report to suit the prearranged position of Governor Obaseki and his alleged business interest.

    According to Nehikhare, “Presently, the governor has privately selected a preferred “investor” who happened to be the consultant to his campaign organisation.

    “The said investor is Dr. Henry Nzekwu. He manages a small radio station in Delta state.

    “However, the plan is to quietly divest Edo state interest from both companies, hand them over to Dr Nzekwu, who is allegedly acting as a front, as a tradeoff, for the role Dr Nzekwu played during the campaign.

    “We call on the state government to stop the illegal sale and acquisitions of government assets and properties.”

    Reacting, Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, described the PDP’s allegations as false.

    Osagie said no portion of the committee report stated that the media outfit should be sold to private enterprise.

    Read Also: Obaseki to PDP: I’m paying your debts

  • ‘Edo prudent with debts, proceeds utilised to drive devt’

    The Edo State Government has flayed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for making unfounded claims of the state’s debt status, noting that the party was being mischievous with facts.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the state government has been prudent with external borrowings incurred since the All Progressives Congress (APC) came on board and has utilised all the credits judiciously to fund developmental projects.

    Osagie said a significant portion of the debts the state is currently paying off was incurred by the PDP government in the state at the height of its dubious foray into borrowing, for which it got so notorious in squandering, that several multilateral organisations blacklisted the state from their financing facilities.

    According to him, “As at today, Edo state is still paying a N30 billion debt taken from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the development of water infrastructure. There is also a Union Bank loan taken and put in the balance sheet of Edo Line. These are besides several other such borrowings, which officials of the PDP government took privately and converted to state liability. The State Government is still paying all these debts.”

    Osagie said that it was disheartening that an entity that exhibited the most primitive understanding of public finance would then come out to make unfounded claims about the prudent management of the state’s finances by a globally renowned investment banker.

    He said, “The PDP is still raising evil guts to talk about these debts, when in fact, they are the ones who threw the state into the debts. The PDP were so irresponsible in debts and loans that the World Bank placed a ban on Edo State government. These loans were of single digit interest and the moratorium ran into 10 years.”

    He noted that it was not until the APC came into government and reformed the state’s finance, that they were able to access these financing facilities from multilateral organisations.

    Osagie added, “It was during the reign of the PDP that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) pulled out of the state because of the irresponsibility of the government at the time. The PDP lacks the credibility and moral standing to make any comment.

    “They are made up of people who lack the capacity to frugally allocate resources for positive outcomes. Debts at low interest rates are actually good for development and shows the state as viable. It is even better when the debts are used to fund developmental projects.”

    Read Also: Okomu expansion project to create 40,000 jobs in Edo

  • 2019: PDP announces ‘generation next’ plan

    National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Mr Uche Secondus, on Wednesday said the party was coming up with “Generation Next” programme for repositioning youths to take over leadership in 2019.

    Secondus made the disclosure at the opening of PDP Youth Leaders meeting in Abuja.

    He said that the programme was designed to prepare the youth to take over political leadership in the country.

    According to him, with the programme, age barrier will be removed and a 25-year old that is popular and intelligent can be voted into power as governor.

    Secondus urged the youths to mobilise young people in their communities irrespective of party affiliation to rescue the country in 2019.

    He also charged the youths to rise and defend marginal unity and democracy in the country.

    According to him, any nation whose youths are not participating in the development process is heading for doom.

    The chairman recalled that at 32, Gen. Yakubu Gowon became Head of State and that with youthful energy, presided and piloted over the affairs of Nigeria.

    He said that Gowon succeeded in keeping Nigeria as a united entity along with other military governors who were also youths.

    “Unless you come out and volunteer to make that sacrifice, you will not be noticed and the country will be missing you.

    “Today is the day to go into memory lane, make firm declaration and stand by it; the country needs the youth and the party is ready to allow you participate,” he said.

    Secondus said that Nigeria had never been polarized as being witnessed currently, adding that unless the youth rose to rescue the nation, there would be nothing left for the next generation.

    He said that the rebranded PDP was practicing internal democracy and assured that henceforth, they would be no imposition of candidates in the party.

    He revealed that there was a new reward system in PDP and that only those who delivered their polling units for the party at elections would get appointment.

    Earlier, the National Youth Leader of the party, Mr Sunday Ude-Okoye, had said that the meeting was to avail youths the opportunity to deliberate on strategies to take over power in 2019.

    He said that youths in the country were angry as majority of them had no jobs, yet they were being displaced and losing their lives and property to violence.

    Ude-Okoye said the youths wished to return home to a healthy living, stating that democracy must be allowed to run smoothly.

    NAN

  • FG bereft of ideas, says Lamido 

    FG bereft of ideas, says Lamido 

    Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has said the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government is bereft of ideas on how to move the country forward.

    Lamido who was in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, to solicit for support as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag bearer in next year’s election said it was for this reason he was offering himself for service to salvage the country from collapse.

    Lamido who visited Governor Ben Ayade described the PDP as the party owned by Nigerians with genuine concern for the welfare of all Nigerians irrespective of their tribe or religion as in the case by the ruling party.

    “Today we witness the collapsed of governance because they were not prepared in the first place. They only came together to grab power at the centre without proper planning, that is why today we have hunger-haram in the country,” he said.

    Read Also: I am not desperate for Nigerian Presidency, says Lamido

  • Senate urges President Buhari to rescind decision

    Senate urges President Buhari to rescind decision

    The Senate on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to review his position in withholding assent on the bill to establish Peace Corps of Nigeria.

    This followed the adoption of a Point of Order raised by Sen. Dino Melaye during plenary.

    Relying on the Senate rules, Melaye urged the Senate to revisit the bill with a view to veto the president if he failed to rescind his rejection of the bill.

    President Buhari had cited duplication of duty and funding challenges in declining assent to the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2017 recently passed by the National Assembly.

    However, Melaye said that the bill should be given priority by Buhari.

    “The same thing happened when the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) was to be established; there was also the same complaint that there was no money and all of that.

    “But today we can see the advantages of the civil defence and how they have helped in safeguarding the government infrastructure.

    “About 5.5 billion dollars was borrowed from euro bond; what part of it will the youths of this country benefit from.

    Read Also: Buhari believes Magu is right man for EFCC job, Osinbajo insists

    “About one billion dollars is to be spent on security and how does this affect the youth of this country.

    “Without fear or favour, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), in 16 years, borrowed N6 trillion and this government in three years, has borrowed N11 trillion but there is no specific programme that will empower the youth.

    “Also, N500 billion was earmarked for the social investment programme of the Federal Government but we have not seen any impact.

    “If the Peace Corps is given an opportunity to exist, thousands will be employed and this will help to fight unemployment in this country.

    “We may need to write Mr president to review his position if not we have the power on behalf of the Nigerian youths who voted us to veto him so that people will become the ultimate beneficiaries of this bill.

    “The youth of this country must be given priority and they must be respected,’’ Melaye said.

    NAN

  • Buhari’s planned visit to Benue, Taraba, others an afterthought – PDP

    Buhari’s planned visit to Benue, Taraba, others an afterthought – PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Mohammadu Buhari’s plan to visit Benue, Taraba and other states where Nigerians were killed by insurgents and Fulani herdsmen as an afterthought.

    A statement on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan also said the planned visit was a fresh device to further hoodwink the people ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The statement said, “It is alarming that Mr. President will consider visiting some of these states months after marauders, insurgents and bandits committed their havocs.

    “Mr. President has been in the country and never thought it necessary to pay a condolence visit to any of these states until Nigerians raised the alarm alleging a manifest indifference on his part.

    “It is even more pathetic that in Benue state, President Buhari summoned the leaders of the bereaved people to the Presidential villa, Abuja, rather than complying with the age-long tradition of Africans by visiting the bereaved.

    “No wonder many Nigerians have dismissed the planned visit of President Buhari to these states as cosmetic afterthought. Nigerians have already formed their opinion of him, and rightly so, as a President that has never shown them concern in their time of need”.

    Read Also:Buhari to visit Taraba, Benue, Yobe, two others

  • PDP rejoices with former President Obasanjo at 81

    PDP rejoices with former President Obasanjo at 81

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as he turns 81 on March 5.

    The party, in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan,  said it remains proud of the former president.

    It said Obasanjo had excelled as an international figure and made outstanding contributions toward global peace and development, particularly, in the African sub-region.

    The party described Obasanjo as an outstanding nationalist; a courageous and a dedicated leader, who has made immeasurable sacrifices towards the development, stability and growth of the nation.

    “Indeed, the PDP intensely celebrates former President Obasanjo who stands tall as one of the best performed Nigerian Presidents, chiefly
    because his administration founded and anchored its policies and programmes on PDP’s people-based manifesto and ideology.

    “The PDP also commends Chief Obasanjo for his continued engagement on national issues, particularly his disposition against poor governance, corruption, bloodletting and confusion that now pervade the nation in
    the last three years.

    “While we value Chief Obasanjo for his concerns for the political future of our nation, we note that our repositioned and rebranded PDP remains the only credible political platform for the much desired broad-based
    engagements among Nigerians and coalitions across board,” the party said.

    The PDP said it was more than prepared to salvage the nation in the all-important task of returning her to the path of good governance, national unity and prosperity for all, come 2019.

    The party prayed God to grant Obansanjo good health, wisdom and strength as he continues to be of service to the nation. (NAN)

  • Enough of senseless killings – Atiku

    Enough of senseless killings – Atiku

    Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has condemned Tuesday’s sectarian crisis in Adamawa, which claimed 14 lives, including that of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Spokesman in the state, Mr Sam Zadock.

    Abubakar, in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja on Wednesday, also condemned similar crisis in Kaduna and other places that led to avoidable loss of lives.

    He expressed “deep embarrassed and utter shock’’ of the continuing cycle of violence, revenge and counter-revenge by ethnic warriors and militias in the country that had led to needless waste of precious human lives.

    He noted that the reckless disregard for the sanctity of life was not only disturbing, but showed the failure of local leaders to manage differences and grievances.

    The former vice president said that bloodshed could never be the solution to grievances.

    “Our common humanity is greater than our ethnic and religious differences”.

    He added that the frequent resort to violence was inconsistent with the teachings of citizens’ religions about the sanctity of life.

    Abubakar stressed that no society could achieve peace and happiness when love was replaced with violent, destructive hate and bigotry.

    He called for a “cool headed” approach to conflict resolutions instead of incitements to violence by ethnic and religious leaders.

    He also called for increased vigilance and prompt response to early signs of developing violence or conflicts in order to nip such crises in the bud.

    While praising the efforts of security personnel and their sacrifices, Abubakar called for improved strategies and the use of human intelligence to foil mass murderers before they strike.

    He condoled with the Zadock family, families of the other deceased and the PDP in Adamawa over the loss of their loved ones.

    NAN

  • Diezani cash: EFCC rejects ex-minister’s settlement offer

    Diezani cash: EFCC rejects ex-minister’s settlement offer

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday rejected an offer for an out-of-court settlement by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, who was accused of money laundering.

    Akinjide was charged along with former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is said to be at large, a former Senator Ayo Adeseun and a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Chief Olarenwaju Otiti.

    They were accused of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

    Justice Muslim had adjourned to enable parties conclude the settlement talks after Akinjide’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) reported that the N650million had been returned.

    Thursday, EFCC’s lawyer Nnaemeka Omenwa, who stood in for Rotimi Oyedepo, said he was instructed to turn down the proposal.

    “I have instruction to reject the proposal as it’s not in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Based on that, we’re ready to go on with the trial, subject to your Lordship’s overriding convenience,” he said.

    But defence counsel Ayorinde and Michael Lana (for second defendant) accused Oyedepo of a breach of agreement.

    Ayorinde said the defendants made a proposal to the prosecution in line with Section 14 of the EFCC Act.

    “For the purposes of your Lordship’s record and because of the public interest that this case seems to unnecessarily attract, our proposal was made in accordance with established laws and there is no fixation on Section 270 of the ACJA.

    “We’re very confident that this case is a sham and we’ll defend it vigorously. It’s political and we’ll show that it’s unnecessary and a waste of time and resources of the court,” Ayorinde said.

    Lana accused EFCC breaching an agreement reached by parties with regards to the settlement, saying it amounted to a “betrayal”.

    He said the defendants agreed to withdraw a civil suit against EFCC and Oyedepo after the prosecuting counsel indicated that the commission was open to an out of court settlement.

    “Their refusal to consider the terms of settlement is to say the least a betrayal of trust by a lawyer. A representation was made to us that we should withdraw a civil suit we filed. Oyedepo is the first defendant in the suit.

    “He made a proposal to us which we believed. On the day of the first arraignment in Ibadan, Oyedepo and Chief Ayorinde informed the court that they had agreed to settle. But the judge decided that the defendants should be arraigned while the talks continued.

    “We withdrew the suit and the money they requested was paid. That’s why we were surprised when we received a hearing notice. A lawyer’s words should be sacrosanct. That’s an abuse of office. Oyedepo was the initiator of the settlement. That’s like 419. We’re highly disappointed with Oyedepo,” Lana said.

    But, Omenwa denied that the case was politically motivated, adding that there was no proof to support the claims against Oyedepo.

    “The EFCC is not a political party. We’re an independent organisation and are not out to witch-hunt anybody.

    “There is no documentary evidence that they had any such agreement with Oyedepo that they should withdraw their suit. There’s no evidence before my Lord,” he said.

    In short ruling, Justice Hassan said since settlement talks had “broken down,” EFCC was at liberty to call its witness.

    Trial began immediately with Omenwa calling the first witness, a banker Mrs Kehinde Adeniyi, who said she is the Head of Customer Relations at her bank’s Dugbe, Ibadan branch. She said she knew Akinjide and Adeseun.

    Asked to narrate her connection with them, she said: “On March 26, 2015, I received a call from our Head of Operations Mr Martins Izuegbe that we should pay the sum of N650million to Akinjide, Adeseun and Hon Taiwo Yinka once they produce two means of identification and sign a receipt of payment.

    “They came, signed and the payment was made. The payment was in naira. They came with their Hillux van to pick up the cash in a box.”

    The receipt of payment was tendered in evidence.

    The witness said under cross examination by Chief Ayorinde that she made three statements at the EFCC, which were also tendered in evidence.

    Adeniyi said she merely carried out instructions, and that she did not know the source of the funds.

    She added that she knew Mrs. Alison-Madueke, and that she did not know how the money was used.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until March 8 and 9 for continuation of trial.

    Read Also: Diezani cash: EFCC re-arrests ex-INEC chief for ‘diverting’ N450m