The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Tight security as Sheriff resumes at PDP secretariat

    Tight security as Sheriff resumes at PDP secretariat

    There was tight security Tuesday at the national secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff resumed duties.

    Police and the Nigerian Civil and Security Defence Corps (NCSDC) personnel had already taken position within and outside the secretariat building, while some took positions in adjoining streets.

    An operation truck belonging to the NCSDC was used to block the road leading to the main gate of the secretariat, forcing motorists to divert to only one of the dual carriage way in front of the building.

    One of the police officers told our correspondent that they were mobilised to provide security at the secretariat since Monday and that they were there to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

    Sheriff, who arrived the secretariat about mid-day, was accompanied by his appointed Deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; National Auditor, Adewole Adeyanju; Imo Senator, Hope Uzodinma; and a retinue of aides.

    He was on hand to receive a group of party women from Imo State who came to pay a solidarity visit.

    The women, adorned in attire with Uzodinma’s portrait, chanted praises of Sheriff and Uzodinma throughout their meeting with the party chairman.

    Sheriff assured the visiting women of a more organised PDP under his leadership, saying that his mission was to return the party to the grassroots, particularly the women and the youths.

    Workers at the secretariat however stayed away, apparently in solidarity with the rival Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee.

  • Why my husband became President – Aisha

    Why my husband became President – Aisha

    Wife of Nigerian President, Mrs Aisha Buhari on Tuesday urged Nigerians to emulate her husband’s doggedness by never giving up on their cherished aspirations.

    Mrs Buhari said after several failed attempts, her husband became the nation’s president following his persistence and compassion for the masses.

    The First Lady spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, during the launch of a book titled, “Buhari vs Yar’Adua: Facing the future,” written by Mr Opeyemi Soyombo, a Special Assistant on Media to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.

    Mrs Buhari who was represented by Amosun’s wife, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, lauded the author for documenting the legal struggles of Muhammadu Buhari regarding his election petition challenging the victory of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007.

    She said record keeping or documentation is vital to the life a people or nation, adding that without it history stands the risk being be distorted.

    The President’s wife noted that there are lots of lessons to learn from the life of her husband who contested presidential election for four consecutive times before he eventually won in 2015.

    Aisha said, “there are lots of lessons to learn from the life of President Muhammadu Buhari, most especially his doggedness and compassion for the masses. President Buhari contested presidential election consecutively four times before he eventually won in 2015.

    “His victory has paid off considering his passion to helping the masses and most importantly, the successes recorded in the anti-corruption war of his government.

    “I commend the efforts of the writer for documenting the  Presidential Election suit between the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and President Umaru Yar’Adua of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007.

    “This shows that the author has been following with keen interest elections held in the country and the petitions arising from them. In most recent shared views and writings on human and societal development, the investment made on other people gives tremendous yields; thus the facts and authenticity of the book are invaluable.”

    Also speaking at the book launch,  a retired judge of the state high court, Justice Ademola Bakre, expressed worry over Nigeria’s future.

    Bakre lamented the rot in the Nigerian judiciary and warned against interference and undue pressure in the affairs of judges in the country.

    He said the citizens should work out a better Nigeria of their dream, stressing that they must change and desist from demanding a bribe.

    Also, the author who spoke with reporters later said he was motivated to write the 179-page book to cast light on the issues of election rigging with a view to pricking the nation’s conscience to forestall rigging in the future.

    According to Soyombo, Buhari was short-changed in the 2007 presidential election and that the book canvassed measures “ensure that we have credible, free and fair elections and to ensure that the judiciary, either by design or default, would endorse electoral robbery.”

    The book was earlier reviewed by Mr Kayode Oyede of the Department of Public Private Law, Faculty of Law, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos.

  • Cross River PDP backs Sherriff

    Cross River PDP backs Sherriff

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has given its support to Senator Ali Modu Sherriff as the national chairman of the party.

    A statement signed signed by the chairman of the party, Ntufam Edim Inok made available to The Nation yesterday evening countered an earlier statement by the state publicity secretary of the party which declared support for the Ahmed Markarfi faction.

    It reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Cross River State Chapter supports Senator Ali Modu Sherriff led executive.

    “This is in line with the Appeal Court’s judgment delivered in Port Harcourt in favour of Senator Sherriff as national chairman of PDP.

    “This statement also refutes the earlier report credited to the state publicity secretary of the party. As law abiding citizens, we are committed to the rule of law and also respect court decisions at all stages.

    “The Cross River State executive of the party calls all to join hands in moving the party forward while urging all to continue to support the PDP.”

  • Appeal Court: ‘Solidarity of key organs of PDP for Makarfi commendable’

    Appeal Court: ‘Solidarity of key organs of PDP for Makarfi commendable’

    Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has commended key organs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for supporting the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the party.

    He gave the commendation at the PDP National Stakeholders meeting at Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, on Monday.

    In a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu said the solidarity given to the committee amid the party’s leadership tussle showed that “it is not the hood that makes the monk’’.

    He said that he was particularly impressed with the commitment of members and organs of the party to the Makarfi committee’s leadership in spite of Friday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt.

    On Monday’s sealing of International Conference Centre, Abuja, earlier announced for the stakeholders’ meeting by security operatives, Ekweremadu said that the act was not only dangerous but “bad news for the nation’s democracy”.

    “We are not surprised at what we are seeing today, that is sealing of meeting venue. What remains is for us to remain resolute,’’ he said, adding the development signalled a rise in political persecution in the country.

    “If you look around this room, you will see a lot of people who are being harassed, persecuted and taken to court.’’

    Ekweremadu urged party members to remain resolute and protect the soul of the PDP and the nation’s hard-won democracy.

    He said, “the party leaders were made by the party faithful and could never be imposed from the outside.

    “We have heard there was a judgment in Port Harcourt. Now, those who benefitted from the judgment, where are they?

    “Are they with our former ministers? Are they with our National Assembly members? Are they with our governors?

    “Which organs of the party are they with or is with them? The truth is that it is not the hood that makes the monk.

    “I believe that with determination and sticking together, we will triumph and Nigeria will be better for it.”

  • Appeal Court judgement, temporary setback – Makarfi

    Appeal Court judgement, temporary setback – Makarfi

    The Caretaker committee Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Muhammad Makarfi has described Friday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal which gave judgement in favour of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as a temporary set-back.

    Addressing newsmen at  his Kaduna residence in reaction to the ruling ,the PDP chieftain reiterated that his party would overcome this set back politically and legally and would come out of it stronger‎ and bigger.

    He said further, ‘”We have utmost respect for the judiciary. So we are not going to take the laws into our hands. We might not agree with the judgement but there is a process and procedure if you did not agree with something.

    To this end, he said, “as an individual, I cannot decide for the party until the party stakeholders meet and take a definite decision.

    “The party will meet on Monday to take a decision of the Court of Appeal Judgement. Every person concerned had been notified. The governors, members of the National Assembly, members of the Board of trustees and Party officials.”

    He therefore called on party members to remain calm, urging them to remember that PDP is in opposition. “We have to accept this temporary set-back,” he reiterated.

    He maintained that since he took over the party, the party had done a lot of things to remain afloat, pointing out, “We will not allow opposition to be killed. We must strive to ensure that we survive for the sake of democracy and the country.

    Asked if on Monday, the Ali Modu sheriff faction might occupied the party secretariat based on the judgement, he said he is not in position to tell the world what Sheriff will do.

    However, he would be surprised if the security will allow him (Sheriff) access to the party secretariat.

    “When a court ruled in our favour sometimes ago, we were not allowed to occupy the secretariat. So, we are going to see what happens this time around,” he emphasised.

  • Court Verdict on PDP: No cause for alarm, Says Ekweremadu

    Court Verdict on PDP: No cause for alarm, Says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Friday asked People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters not to worry over the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, on the lingering party leadership tussle.

    Ekweremadu stated this while reacting to the Court judgment which declared Ali Modu Shariff authentic chairman of the PDP.

    This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser (media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu.

    Ekweremadu said, “There is no cause for alarm. The party leadership will meet as soon as possible to take a decision on the best way forward.

    “I enjoin party faithful to remain steadfast as we will surely emerge stronger from the present challenges. Those dreaming about the death of the opposition in Nigeria will have to sleep much longer, and still wake up to meet us much stronger because a vibrant opposition is the beauty of democracy”.

     

  • PDP members Protest over political appointment in Rivers

    PDP members Protest over political appointment in Rivers

    Stakeholders and youths of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/Nkoro Local government Area of Rivers State Friday protested over what they described as marginalization of political appointment in the area.

    The protesters who barricaded major road in Opobo/Nkoro Local government area, said the protest was necessary as to alert the governor of Rivers State , Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on the need for equity and fairness.

    One of the protesters, Senibo Epelle who expressed displeasure over the way and manner the stakeholders of the party in the area were being denied of political appointment, said the recent Caretaker Committee members were appointed without due consultation.

    Epelle said the choice of the Caretaker Committee members fell short of the expectation, adding that the party bigwigs must have a rethink and cannot be appointing their drivers, family members and friends into political positions that are meant for the PDP members in the area.

    He said:  “I personally thought that our former Chairman,

    Hon. Adonye Diri will be different from other CTC chairmen. But he has also proven me wrong. One thing is certain; the governor must surely address this marginalization which we have   suffered since his administration came on board.

    “We are calling on the governor to look into this matter objectively and make sure this kind of thing doesn’t occur again. We want them to know that elections have not ended; we still have 2019 by the corner.”

    One of the PDP chieftains in the area, Hon. Senibo Boma Brown who called for peace among the stakeholders assured the protesters that the grievances expressed by the party members will be addressed.

    Boma, described the current CTC appointed in the area as the worst, alleging that it was made up of people who did not fight for PDP.

     

     

  • Stop weeping for PDP, APC tells Ekwueme

    Stop weeping for PDP, APC tells Ekwueme

    Enugu State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme to stop weeping for the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ekwueme who was Vice President in the Second Republic while receiving members of the party’s Strategy Committee at his house in Enugu, said anytime he remembered the story of the party, he felt like weeping.

    Reacting to Dr Ekwueme’s statement that he felt like weeping for PDP, Enugu APC through its Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Kate Ofor said Ekwueme should instead of weeping for PDP, weep for Nigerians, who were depraved, bankrupted and deeply wounded by the unbridled corruption which was the trademark of the 16 years PDP’s rule.

    According to Offor, Ekwueme should weep for millions of Nigerian youths whose future were punctured by the looting of our commonwealth, hence decayed infrastructure, poor quality education and gross unemployment.

    “Or do we talk of thousands of mothers whose children go to bed hungry in the midst of plenty?

    “Our empathy goes to His Excellency, on his regrets that, ‘In 1999, we ended up with 21 out of 36 governors; South East and South South were all PDP. It was a strong showing, we also had control of the National Assembly; with that showing, all we needed to do was to manage the party properly as envisaged by the founding fathers, making it a mass movement and expanding its power base’.

    “The scenario envisaged by the founding fathers of the PDP floundered when billions of dollars were pocked and doled out by the high placed government officials, as exemplified by the former Managing Director of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu. We cannot forget as well how the $23 billion meant for three Greenfield Refineries grew wings, leading to the present stress on the national currency, due to daily importation of refined petroleum products,” Mrs Offor said.

    The Enugu APC spokesperson appealed to Ekwueme to weep for Nigerians, not for PDP, which squandered our golden opportunity and nearly led Nigeria into a failed state.

  • Group alleges plot to frustrate Buhari’s Government

    Group alleges plot to frustrate Buhari’s Government

  • Makarfi calls for strong institutional reforms

    Makarfi calls for strong institutional reforms

    Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, the Chairman of National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Nigeria needs institutional reforms to serve the interest of the public.

    According to him, this would empower public officers resist undue interference from “selfish politicians”.

    He said that the fight against corruption would succeed when anti-graft institutions are strong, adding that extraneous influences are incapacitating the institutions saddled with the statutory responsibility to prosecute corrupt public officers.

     “I think the bane of our problem in Nigeria is that public institutions generally are serving public leaders; whether you call it the police, the army, the State Security Service (SSS), Customs or Immigration, whatever you may call it.

    “It is not just under this democracy. You can go back to the first republic.

    “Except we reform; the real change we need is to make public institutions serve the people and the country.  What we need really is to protect them and their families.

    “Of course, they owe a larger duty to protect every citizen. Aside from that, they are not to be at the beck and call of the leaders; ‘investigate that person, arrest that person, release that person, do this, do that’. No!

    “If they are independent bodies anything they need to do, they will do it without a call to public officers”.

    On the issue of budgeting, Makarfi said lack of budget implementation continue to affect development in all sectors of the economy.

    He said that it also affected laudable programmes and policies designed by government for the benefit of the ordinary Nigerians.

    Makarfi, who was a former Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, said ‘’budget by itself is nothing if not implemented. You do not just make a bogus budget.

    “It is not the size of the budget that is important, but making a realistic budget and implementing it.”

    He debunked the allegations that corruption perpetrated by the 16 years rule of the PDP was responsible for the current economic crisis in Nigeria.

    “Look at the North, all the northern governors except about three of them; all the rest are from PDP. Go to the national Assembly, more than half of APC members were from PDP and some of the ministers are (of) PDP extraction.

    “It is the same set of people that are in power now. It is only when you are out of power that people can really know whether you are corrupt of not.

    “I assure you, let them also leave power; it will not take a month, you will be shocked about what will be emanating to indicate the level of corruption at states and national level.’’

    Makarfi advised President Muhammadu Buhari to make changes that would reflect his strong character and anti-corruption stance that made people voted him to power.