The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • PDP to FG: Stop tagging opposition as IPOB sponsors

    PDP to FG: Stop tagging opposition as IPOB sponsors

    The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Federal Government to stop tagging members of the opposition as sponsors of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had accused those he described as treasury looters of sponsoring IPOB’s secessionist agitations in the South East.

    In a statement Tuesday signed by the spokesman of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party told the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government to look inwards in the search for sponsors of IPOB.

    The party accused the Information Minister and the APC of having formed the habit of blaming a “superficial opposition” for the continuous gaffes of the Federal Government.

    The statement said, “We had advised not a few times, that the APC should look inward and seek solutions to its self-induced challenges in government caused by its unpreparedness for governance; but since the Party seem set for self-destruction, we shall not relent in helping to expose their ineptitude to the Nigerian populace.

    “We noticed that the Minister who is much known for his unbridled capacity for constant polarization of the polity rather than ardency in the proper dissemination of government policies and information to the populace, tried once again on Sunday, to shift blames of the poor handling of the agitations of IPOB by the current Government to an opposition that exists only in his imagination.

    “It is disheartening that rather than accept blame for its ineptitude, the APC Government has continued to blame enemies, real or imaginary for its woes.

    “How on earth will a serious minded government blame opposition parties which they have conveniently labelled ‘looters’ for the activities of IPOB? But we take solace in the fact that the APC might actually know the looters, as the party has clearly demonstrated its penchant for giving covers to people considered as corrupt”.

    The PDP recalled the release of 48 houses allegedly confiscated as proceeds of crime back to an unnamed member of the APC said to be standing trial for allegations of corruption.

    “Much as we will continue to harp on the one sided corruption fight of this administration, we wish to urge the APC to look inwards in locating the looters using their ill-gotten wealth to sponsor separatist agitation against the government of the day.

    “It is instructive to note that we are aware of the internal crisis rocking the amalgam of interests that formed the APC and the struggle for power within the government, as the noise of discontent keeps rising on a daily basis from the party.

    “We wish to put on record that agitation for actualisation of the State of Biafra was a total silent voice while the PDP was in power because of the government of inclusiveness we provided for Nigerians who were made to experience what a genuine national government meant.

    “The APC should therefore, learn to mould itself into a real national party, provide good leadership for the people and let the generality of Nigerians feel safe.

    “Finally as a party, we had condemned and we are still condemning separatist movements tailored towards balkanising the nation. We therefore make bold to further state, that the APC policies have been the catalyst for IPOB problem, and as such, the party should do soul searching and correct the anomaly. No external enemy so to say, is working against this government. The government is its own worst enemy”.

  • I’ll succeed Ajimobi in 2019 – Shittu

    I’ll succeed Ajimobi in 2019 – Shittu

    Mr Adebayo Shittu, the Minister of Communications, has expressed confidence that he would succeed Gov. Abiola Ajimobi as governor of Oyo State in 2019.

    Shittu made the declaration when he spoke with newsmen in Ibadan after a meeting with members of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) from Egbeda Local Government and Ajorosun Local Council Development Area.

    The minister, who is a governorship aspirant, said he would take over from Ajimobi to improve on the good work already started.

    According to him, he is the most experienced of all the aspirants, having held several public offices and learnt politics from late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    “I was a member of the State House of Assembly in 1979 and two-time Commissioner in the State. I have also contested the governorship seat in the state twice before I became a minister.

    “These are experiences you cannot buy. Oyo is advanced and sophisticated to be handled by inexperienced administrators,’’ he said.

    Shittu dismissed the ongoing re-alignment in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the party was a non-starter at the state and federal level.

    He stated that no fewer than 38 road contractors had abandoned work across the country two years before President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office.

    The minister stated that the development had contributed largely to unemployment as several workers, including labourers, bricklayers and iron benders were laid-off.

    He alleged that the PDP administration’s negligence and incompetence in handling the Boko Haram at inception was responsible for the magnitude of the present security challenges the country was confronted with.

    “Boko Haram would have overrun the country if not for Buhari’s emergence.

    “The Buhari administration on assumption of office had evolved several efficient and effective strategies at reducing the threat drastically,’’ he said.

    Speaking on the call for restructuring, he stated that the APC was presently collating views of Nigerians so as to ensure the people chart a new course for the future.

    He said that the outcome would subsequently be presented to the National Assembly.

    The minister said that the National Assembly was the only constitutionally recognised institution vested with the powers to amend the Constitution.

    NAN reports that the minister donated an 18-seater bus and cash to the party in the local government.

  • Attack on IPOB members ethnic cleansing – Fayose

    Attack on IPOB members ethnic cleansing – Fayose

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has described the crackdown on members of the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast as “ethnic cleansing.”

    Fayose accused President Muhammadu Buhari of bringing the full weight of military might on the Biafra agitators while suspected Fulani herdsmen unleashing terror in some parts of the country are left unchecked.

    Describing the Nigerian military as “army of occupation,” Fayose called on the Federal Government to stop what he called “reckless abuse of human rights” in the Southeast.

    The Ekiti governor spoke on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while hosting the state People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Elders’ Caucus led by former Deputy Governor, Chief Paul Alabi, who came to express their support for the adoption of the deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as the “sole candidate” for the 2018 governorship poll.

    Fayose said: “I have said it earlier that this is beyond (Nnamdi) Kanu. That region entirely is embattled and challenged. But you know politics, time will tell.

    “The wind blowing away your wife will blow you away one day. The wind blowing away your enemy today may blow you say one day. It is unfortunate that the Ibo people are suffering this kind of fate.

    “The herdsmen wreaking havoc all over, and killing, what has the military done to deal with them. Has anyone of the herdsmen been prosecuted let alone giving them this kind of treatment.

    “You went to court to revoke Kanu’s bail but you can’t even wait for the court to take decision before occupying his house. Nigeria is in trouble except the Lord helps us. When the wicked are in authority, the people suffers, when the righteous are there, the people rejoice.

    “We are in a major dilemma. Buhari coming back to power as I have said before is like returning to the dark days of the 1984 in no time, because they want to gag Nigerians they came up with law against hate speech.”

    He added: “I have said it before now that it is only God that can help the Igbo people. What I see going on the is ethnic cleansing, when you see the video clips of that occupation the behaviour of the soldiers it leaves much to be desired.

    “But they cannot act like that without a whistle blower, somebody is behind them telling them go and cleanse the people. That is recklessness; human rights violation in Nigeria today is second to
    none. And I hope the international community would not be quiet on this. It is unfortunate.”

  • PDP condemns humiliation of IPOB members

    PDP condemns humiliation of IPOB members

    The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the alleged humiliation of suspected members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) by soldiers in Umuahia, Abia State on Wednesday.

    Reacting to the video clip of the alleged inhuman treatment that has gone viral, the party, in a statement on Thursday described the action as the depth of callousness and descent into the gutter by the soldiers.

    “The PDP believes that human life is sacrosanct and must be treated as such by all and sundry; the right to life and liberty as enshrined in our Constitution and other international conventions must therefore not only be respected and protected, but must be seen to be so”, the statement said.

    While welcoming the decision of the Army authorities to investigate the matter, the party called for an independent panel of experts on human rights to ascertain the veracity of the allegation.

    “Where they are proven to be true, the PDP demands that all perpetrators as well as all those connected, however remotely, be immediately brought to justice.

    “This would go a long way to not only serve as a deterrent, but also reassure the international community that Nigeria is not a jungle but a decent society where human rights are being promoted.

    “Finally, the PDP frowns at and condemns violence in all its ramifications and calls on all Nigerians, wherever they are, to eschew it and live peacefully with one another”, the statement added.

  • Impeachment: Bayelsa Assembly passes confidence vote in Dickson

    Impeachment: Bayelsa Assembly passes confidence vote in Dickson

    Lawmakers in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, reconvened for a plenary, Tuesday, after their vacation, with a motion to pass a vote of confidence in Governor Seriake Dickson topping their deliberations.

    The lawmakers, who were worried by reported underground moves to impeach the governor, unanimously and expressly reinstated their support for the governor.

    Following the motion moved by Mr.Tonye Isenah, member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency I, the lawmakers took turns to highlight the giant strides of Dickson in education, health, security and infrastructure.

    Some of the lawmakers said Dickson was the best governor to have ruled the state adding that they would have supported him for a third term if the constitution had approved it.

    Isenah said the governor had transformed the educational sector of the state insisting that Dickson deserved a reward for good behaviour.

    After the passage of the confidence vote, Benson went down memory lane to recall the rot in the state before Dickson took over and how his administration had rewritten the story of Bayelsa.

    Specifically, he said Bayelsa was known for militancy, kidnapping and other forms of criminalities, but that Dickson’s steady focus on education and political will to tackle crimes had brought peace to the state.

    “If the state had been promoted the way Dickson has done, Bayelsa wouldn’t have been known for militancy and other criminalities. In this stage before, people were killing others. We couldn’t go to our places.

    “A man that has the political will to stop all of that, how can people be calling for his impeachment? I don’t know why all of this should come.

    “But I believe in what you lawmakers have said. This government has provided governance and leadership with a clear departure from those days of corruption. Ijaw means truth, so why can’t we say the truth”, he said.

    The speaker cautioned persons in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) calling for division and asked them to peacefully join other political parties or become independent candidates if they felt unsafe.

    Benson, however, said nobody including the governor was tied to the PDP adding that there is nothing sacred anywhere including the PDP.

    He advised the PDP to be wise in holding he state together instead of promoting division insisting that the governor could also have his way in other political platforms.

    He said: “No one can destabilise the state. Bayelsa as a state was 100 per cent PDP all these while. Before now, all members here were PDP, even those in opposition now. Our members were the one that made APC strong.

    “Our party should be wise. I am not speaking for the Governor. But I know that anyone not happy with PDP is free to go elsewhere now that we have over forty political parties. Nothing special anywhere”.

    He added: “The governor deserves commendation for all he has done since 2012, transforming the state. Education, Infrastructure. The state is now relatively peaceful. The governor has performed beyond imagination.

    “There is no plot for impeachment. You people have given me the trust to lead and that is what I am doing. Please, don’t divide the house. On my own, I will not deny member his or her benefits.

    “It is not my plan to look for avenue to run anyone down. My style is for us to live together. Thank you for your support. I pledge my continual loyalty to members to carry out the tasks before us”.

  • PDP has not learnt from past mistakes – Oduah

    PDP has not learnt from past mistakes – Oduah

    A member of the National Assembly, Sen. Stella Oduah, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had not learnt from its past mistakes, contrary to recent public “undertakings’’ by its leadership.

    She said at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja that the party had resumed the denigration of internal democracy characterized by impunity and imposition of candidates on members and other misdeeds.

    Oduah recalled that impunity, imposition, disregard for members and other acts of irregularities in the party’s activities led to its losses in the 2015 general elections.

    She said that some of those traits, especially imposition of candidate on members in utter disobedience to internal democracy tenets, were recorded in the party’s recent governorship primary election in Anambra.

    According to the lawmaker, who was an aspirant in the governorship race but withdrew hours before the primary election, the party did not employ due process in conducting the exercise.

    She said that those in charge of the primary imposed a candidate on the members and disenfranchised other aspirants and delegates.

    Oduah, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District at the Senate, said that she had petitioned the party’s leadership on the issue but was yet to receive a response.

    “I am still waiting for the party to address the concerns and the issues that I raised.

    “The issues essentially boil down to the fact that the party’s Constitution clearly states how primary elections should be conducted.

    “It stated the stages the exercise should go through and for each stage, it spelt out a check, and that check is to address the grievances that may come as a result of the process.

    “Mine was very clear; I raised alert on the defects I noted. I wrote, complaining and insisted that failure to address those concerns, I wasn’t going to be part of that process,” Oduah said.

    She said that it would have been illegal and unjust for her to be part of the process to the end.

    According to Oduah, it is like knowing that a hole is somewhere then you are blindly walking into it.

    “Anything unjust is totally unacceptable for me, and that is where we are now, waiting for the party to address those concerns,” she said.

    She said that imposition and disenfranchisement were part of the problems of the party in the past, adding that there was always a penalty for wrongdoings against party members.

    The legislator restated that if the party failed to address the concerns raised by her and other contestants in the Anambra primary poll, “then the party has not learnt from past mistakes”.

    “If you have done something that made it impossible for people to exercise their rights, you disenfranchise them in the process and had a resultant effect, and you repeat it, obviously you haven’t learnt your lessons.

    “I wish the party will revisit and address all the concerns.

    “This is necessary because when people are aggrieved and you are not concerned about those grievances, you are saying two things: `go to hell’ and “there is nothing you can do about it,” she said.

    On PDP’s chances in 2019, she said that as a party faithful, “we will win, but the party has to quickly address the current trend”. (NAN)

  • PDP: Makarfi warns against dragging party to court

    PDP: Makarfi warns against dragging party to court

    Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has warned PDP members against dragging the party to court.

    Makarfi, who gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja, while inaugurating caretaker committees for Adamawa and Osun States chapters of the party, declared that members with grievances must exhaust internal mechanisms.

    “It is unfortunate that some people still think that going to court is the best way out, even after the Supreme Court’s judgement on the party’s leadership tussle.

    “The party will take a very hard stand on any member who is in a hurry to go to court without exhausting the avenues available in the party for grievances to be heard and be addressed accordingly.

    “We cannot deny people their fundamental human rights, but the party constitution says that members must exhaust the internal mechanism before seeking external solutions.

    “If you are quick in seeking external solutions, the party will not take it kindly,” Makarfi warned.

    He commended PDP members, especially where caretaker committees were inaugurated, for their “give and take” posture and sacrifice, and assured party faithfuls that their interests would be accommodated at various levels.

    Makarfi advised the newly inaugurated caretaker committees members to carry everybody along, pointing out that PDP was one family.

    “At this stage, it is not one side versus the other side.

    “The only side that is against us is anybody that takes us to court; it is that person or group that is clearly against us,” he said.

    Makarfi, in an interview with newsmen after the inauguration ceremony, decried the politicisation of reports that Nigeria was out of recession.

    “The issue should not be politicised; getting out of recession is when people feel secured and can feed and find jobs.

    “We can only say we are out of recession when there is adequate infrastructure and students do not find it difficult to pay tuition fees.

    “The reality is that, all these complaints are still there. Life is still tough for the poor man. So why should we be  clapping and claiming that we are out of recession?

    “It is not time to clap. We have nothing to clap for. We have a lot to do. That is what PDP intends to correct when we come to power.

    “What we are doing now is to partner with those in power to make sure that the conditions of every Nigerian, especially the ordinary person, is better. We won’t politicise that.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) second quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report as indicating that the country was out of recession.

    On the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Makarfi called on both parties to make peace and specifically advised the Federal Government to do the needful.

    Similarly, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, in a statement, said that the figures of growth rate released by NBS, when compared with inflation rate and population growth, showed that there was nothing to celebrate.

    “The report indicated that while the inflation rate was 16.05 per cent, the annual population growth rate was approximately 2.67 per cent per year.

    “With such statistics, it is impossible to escape the conclusion that the recovery of the Nigerian economy is weak, feeble and insufficient to herald the sort of celebration we want to indulge in,” he said.

    Adeyeye reiterated that the nation was at risk of falling into a more protracted recession if strong and bold monetary and fiscal policies were not activated immediately, to sustain the exit from recession.

    He added that there was nothing to celebrate until such economic growth improves the harsh living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

  • Maku, others say peace, tolerance are panacea to Nigeria’s development

    Maku, others say peace, tolerance are panacea to Nigeria’s development

    Former Minister of Information Labaran Maku and other stakeholders in Nasarawa State, have called on Nigerians to leave in peace and tolerate one another to ensure unity peace and development of the country.
    They made the call their separate Sallah messages in Lafia on Saturday.
    They said that peace was the only ingredient that would bring about unity and development in any society.
    Maku, who is now the National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said the diversity among Nigerians should be a source of unity and not disunity.
    He said that the almighty God knows the reason why He created human beings with differences of tribe, religion and race.
    “God also knows why He chose to make all Nigerians despite our diversity to be citizens of the same country.
    “If God wanted all Nigerians to be the same tribe and religion, He could have created us as such.
    “So why will anyone hate the other person simply because he is of a different tribe or religion,” he asked.
    Maku, therefore, urged all Nigerians to continue to live in peace with one another and work hard toward ensuring one indivisible country.
    Similarly, Yusuf Agabi, gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 in Nasarawa State, called on all Muslim Ummah and indeed all Nigerians to love one another.
    He said that the Nigerians should always manifest the lesson of Eid-el-Kabir, which implied sacrifice and love for others at all times, and not just during the period.
    He also called on Nigerians to continue to pray to God to grant President Muhammadu Buhari good health to enable him bring the country out of the current security and economic challenges.
    On his parts, Mohammed Okpede, Member representing Doma North at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, urged herdsmen and farmers to imbibe the spirit of the season and embrace peace.
    He said that both farmers and herdsmen needed each other for life to thrive smoothly hence the need for farmers to ensure that cattle routes were not blocked and herdsmen not to deliberately destroy farm produce.
    He, therefore, urged Fulani and other community leaders to preach peace among their subjects in order to give peace a chance the way it was in the past.

  • Uba debunks PDP defection

    Uba debunks PDP defection

    Sen. Andy Uba says he has not defected from  the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the outcome of the Anambra governorship primaries.

    Uba, who is from Anambra South made this known to newsmen at his country home, on Tuesday.

    He debunked  reports making the rounds that he planned to dump the APC for a new party.

    In a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Joseph Itazi, the senator said that he was still a supporter of the APC, irrespective of the outcome of the party’s primaries.

    “Let us put the record straight, I have no intention of leaving our great party -APC – for another party.

    “I have always supported the party, so please people should stop spreading false news that I am planning to defect to another party.

    “I am still a member of the APC,’’ he  said.

    Uba  emerged second with 931 votes at the just-concluded APC primary election, losing to Mr Tony Nwoye.

    Uba and Nwoye were members of the PDP before defecting to APC.

  • Anambra 2017: Obaze thanks PDP faithful

    Anambra 2017: Obaze thanks PDP faithful

    Mr Oseloka Obaze, gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thanked the members of the party for nominating him as the party’s torch bearer for the Nov. 18 election in Anambra.

    Obaze in a statement after he clinched victory at the PDP primary in Awka on Monday, enjoined all to join hands with him to work for the party’s victory at the poll.

    Obaze who described the victory as that of the party said he would remain focused, noting that he could now have a good night rest after a period of serious campaign.

    “I thank God for this day and the outcome of our party primaries. I am humbled by this show of confidence reposed on me by the representative electorate of our great party, PDP.

    “I thank our party leadership, the executive governors who oversaw the electoral process, the PDP southeast zonal leaders, and  the Anambra state PDP caretaker committee, under the able leadership of Prof. ABC Nwosu.

    “I congratulate and thank my fellow aspirants for their graciousness and extend a hand of fellowship to them and invite them to join me in the campaign to win the government house for our party.

    “I thank my family, friends, admirers and supporters immensely.  To Ndi Anambra, I promise in humility to remain focussed on the campaign to turn Anambra around and deliver good governance to our people because Anambra deserves better.

    “I will get a good night sleep and then, begin to strategize on the campaign that lies ahead. Thank you and good evening,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obaze polled 672 votes to defeat Chief Alex Obiogbolu, who secured 190 votes to come second and Dr Ifeanyi Uba with 94 votes, for third place.