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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Edo poll: Ambode not in Edo state – Ayorinde

    Edo poll: Ambode not in Edo state – Ayorinde

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday dismissed allegations made by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu alleging that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir El Rufai were in Edo State for the election.

    In a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, the government described the allegations by the PDP candidate as reckless and disgraceful.

    Ayorinde while clarifying the position of the Government said Governor Ambode was presently overseas for an official assignment and in any case had no business being in Edo State on Election Day.

    “The Lagos State Governor served as the chairman Campaign Council constituted by the All Progressives Congress  and his duty ended 24 hours before the election because no campaign was supposed to hold 24 hours to the election and having completed his assignment which included appearing with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Grand Rally in Edo State earlier in the month, Governor Ambode has no reason to return to Edo State on election day and for this sort of lie to have been peddled by a candidate who is supposed to be a pastor, is reckless and disgraceful.

    Ayorinde said Governor Ambode had clearly enumerated his position on the election during the Grand Finale of the campaign when he said that like Lagos where continuity has moved perfectly well, Edo State also deserves continuity in governance.

    “That message has been passed and has been accepted by majority of Edo indigenes and therefore there would not be any need for the Governor to return to Edo on Election Day. The general public and security operatives are hereby advised to ignore the desperate lies of Pastor Ize-Iyamu,” Ayorinde said.

  • Lagos debunks rumour of Ambode in Edo

    Lagos debunks rumour of Ambode in Edo

    The Lagos State Government has dismissed allegations made by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu alleging that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai were in Edo State for the election.

    In a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde on Wednesday, the government described the allegations by the PDP candidate as reckless and disgraceful.

    Mr. Ayorinde while clarifying the position of the government said Governor Ambode was presently overseas for an official assignment and in any case had no business being in Edo State on Election Day.

    “The Lagos State Governor served as the chairman Campaign Council constituted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his duty ended 24 hours before the election because no campaign was supposed to hold 24 hours to the election and having completed his assignment which included appearing with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Grand Rally in Edo State earlier in the month, Governor Ambode has no reason to return to Edo State on election day and for this sort of lie to have been peddled by a candidate who is supposed to be a pastor, is reckless and disgraceful.

    Mr. Ayorinde said Governor Ambode had clearly enumerated his position on the election during the Grand Finale of the campaign when he said that like Lagos where continuity has moved perfectly well, Edo State also deserves continuity in governance.

    “That message has been passed and has been accepted by the majority of Edo indigenes and therefore there would not be any need for the Governor to return to Edo on Election Day. The general public and security operatives are hereby advised to ignore the desperate lies of Pastor Ize-Iyamu,” Mr. Ayorinde said.

  • #EdoDecide: PDP caucus alleges APC, INEC of conspiracy to rig

    #EdoDecide: PDP caucus alleges APC, INEC of conspiracy to rig

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and some personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are conspiring to rig Wednesday’s governorship polls in Edo state, the caucus of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives has alleged.

    Compromising INEC staff, issuance of sensitive materials including result sheets before elections and alteration of card readers, among others  are the means to be employed to carry out the rigging, the leader of caucus, Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta) said at a briefing Tuesday.

    “INEC surreptitiously and in conjunction with APC compiled names and list of INEC staff and persons sympathetic with APC to superintend over election to skew same in favour of APC.

    “Thus, INEC staff earlier listed for the elections was all replaced majorly with people from a particular section of the country, claiming that most people from the South-south are pathetic to the PDP.

    “There was an arrangement to issue sensitive materials such as results sheets and incident forms to the APC before the election to enable them originate fake results and submit same with the assistance of security men.

    “Some top APC members were arranging with ICT experts and some INEC officials to alter the card readers to be used for the election to give an inaccurate figure, which was not generated from the legitimate accreditation in the field.

    “Additionally, INEC unlawfully agreed with some security agencies to move collation centres to police station, saying the action was to give the APC, who are ill-prepared and indeed not capable of winning any free and fair election in Edo State, the covering to bring in compromised results for the Returning Officers to announce,” he said.

    Ogor, who was accompanied by several members of the caucus, said the APC in the State, in conjunction with some security agencies have consistently harassed PDP members in the various local governments of the state ahead of the election.

    The security report which was used as excuse to postpone the election would also be deployed as grounds to militarise Edo to ward off any anti APC voter, Ogor alleged.

    The caucus however appealed to the electoral umpire to live above board, saying, “We urge INEC as an independent and unbiased umpire to forestall these evil arrangements and uphold its integrity. The issues raised herein should be taken seriously and acted upon by civil society, the Nigerian public and the press to give credibility to the electoral process”.

  • PDP: Fayose, Ikpeazu differ on peace move

    PDP: Fayose, Ikpeazu differ on peace move

    Two governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday disagreed on the peace move that was announced by the two feuding factions of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

    The two factions of the party had on Tuesday announced their decision to bury the hatchet and work together in order to enable the party perform its role as a viable opposition platform.

    Both factions disclosed their intention to embark on extensive consultations with their respective loyalists to fashion out a way to cement the new unity after about four months of bitter rivalry.

    Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, who spoke separately on the issue with State House correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, differed on the necessity of the reconciliation move.

    While Fayose rejected it and stressed that it is only the Court of Appeal that can resolve the party’s leadership crisis, Ikpeazu described it as a step in the right direction.

    According to Fayose, the PDP state governors have not been briefed on the reconciliation move while the cases in court have not been withdrawn.

    He said: “That move, you see, I’m not against anything called resolution within the party but everybody must wait for Court of Appeal to resolve this matter.

    “Matters are in court, nobody has withdrawn any matter and they are resolving. What are you resolving?

    “When matters are in court you, allow court to lay them to rest. The moment this thing doesn’t go with one side, they will tell you were are still in court.

    “But allow the court to take a stand and reconciliation would be made easy. I’m not against anybody reconciling with each other, but when you see that meeting, ask the coverners if the governors were briefed.

    “I was not briefed. I am not the only person in the party, but I think I have a stake.”

    On whether the cases in court cannot be withdrawn during reconciliation, he replied: “Let’s wait till then. But my opinion is the Court of Appeal must resolve this matter.

    “When you resolve the matter, you know that I am wrong and I you are right and reconciliation will be made easy.” He said.

    Abia governor said that the new reconciliation move will be a victory for the party and Nigeria at the end of the day.

    Noting that the long period of the crisis had taken a toll on the party, he said that it had also provided it with new opportunities to become stronger.

    Ikpeazu said: “In every crisis there are downsides because nobody will wish and pray for the crisis. I think also that moment of crisis are also opportunities for strength, renewed vigor and to reinvent our vision.

    “So, ultimately, I think the PDP has the resilience and what it takes to bounce back as a party.”

    On how to secure the support of its founding fathers and others who may have left the party, he said the party will work to bring everybody back on board.

    He went on: “There is no doubt that party politics everywhere involves everybody, whether you are a founding father or a new member. A political party is built around people and everybody has a equal stake.

    “Our interest is Nigeria. Therefore, all strata of people, an opinion I think will be put into consideration because they are equally important.

    “The important thing is Nigeria and the important thing is democracy. Whether you are a BoT member or a party person, it doesn’t really matter. PDP Governors Forum is not a political party,” he added.

  • Breaking News: Dariye defects to APC

    Breaking News: Dariye defects to APC

    The Senator representing Plateau Central, Joshua Dariye, on Thursday announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki read the letter of the Senator’s defection on the floor of the Senate.
    Dariye who moved from the PDP to the Labour Party and back to PDP and now APC said that his decision to leave the PDP was informed by the protracted division at the national level of PDP.
    His words: “After due consultation with my constituency, I write to notify you of my intention to cross over from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    “My decision is informed by the protracted division at the national level of the PDP that led to the massive movement of my supporters to APC. Arising from this, I therefore write to formerly inform you of my decision to go along with my supporters. I thank you for your understanding”
    With the defection of Dariye, APC now has 59 senators, PDP has 43 senators while Labour Party has one.
    Elated Saraki commended Dariye for his action to leave the PDP.
  •  APC, PDP trades blame over Okpella crisis

     APC, PDP trades blame over Okpella crisis

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are trading blame over the Okpella crisis.

    The crisis, which almost engulf the entire community before the postponement of the Edo gubernatorial election continued after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced a postponement of the election to September 28th, 2016.

    While APC is sure of claiming 99 % in the Okpella, PDP said the ruling party was trying to intimidate the people as it was becoming obvious that the opposition party was enjoying large support from the community. The supporters of both political parties have engaged in a free for all fight.

    According to the Publicity Secretary of APC Youth Forum in Okpella, Prince Omoh Batureh, trouble began when APC convened a stakeholders meeting immediately the election was postponed to offer explanation on the rational for the postponement of the September 10, election.

    He stated that no sooner had the meeting started that, a PDP mobile campaign rally marched towards the place.

    Batureh claimed that all attempt by the leaders of the APC stakeholder meeting to dissuade the PDP campaign team from being confrontational, fell on deaf ears.

    He further explained that with the Okpella Police overwhelmed by the aggression of the PDP members, the situation degenerated and in the ensuing melee, participants at the APC meeting were attacked, with many severely injured and properties destroyed.

    The following day, the APC members who escaped into hiding with various degrees of injuries the previous day, were on their way to lay complaints at the Divisional HQs of the Nigerian Poilce, Okugbe.

    Okpella, he said was again, attacked by the same elements, suspected to be PDP thugs; who were on a mission to attack the police station to enforce the forceful release of their members arrested by the police during the previous crisis.

    He claimed that the suspected PDP thugs were the aggressor all through.

    Batureh, “the PDP people started it. The APC were coming from their meeting, with the chairman of the council, Suleiman Fegba and other APC youths were discussing on their way from the meeting, when Abu Abdulganiyu, Chairman, Etsako East PDP used his Smartphone to take pictures and in the presence of the mobile police sent to the town to ensure peace he claimed that these (Sulieman Fegba and others) were the people that gave the youth guns and then ran back to bring the thugs.

    That APC was going to lose the election in Okpella, he said was unthinkable because the community belongs to APC.

    He said, Okpella is for APC, I am telling you categorically that APC will win Okpella 99%, “The PDP’s unprovoked attacks on defenseless APC members were pre-emptive action to create general atmosphere of fear, so as to scare-away the peaceful and law abiding citizens of Okpella from exercising the franchise in the forthcoming election.

    “The PDP knew, it was heading for a humiliating defeat in the September 28, election and wants to intimidate everyone. We know our supporters, they refused to be deterred; instead, the unwarranted attacks have reinforced our resolved to vote-in another APC government that has revived the state in the last eight years,” he said.

    But Mr. Abu Abdulganiyu said there was no truth in the allegation, explaining that it was the elements suspected to be APC supporters that attacked his members.

    According to him, he said it was hired hoodlums from APC that “attacked the residence of one of our Leader, Hon Godwin Eshieshi. This attack was unprovoked as it was meant to intimidate and harrass PDP into submission having sensed their imminent defeat. Below are pictorial evidence of the attack.

    “It is worthy of note that, APC members always come out with the intention of causing trouble whenever PDP organises campaign programmes, whereas, PDP calls it supporters off the streets whenever APC is campaigning. The reason being that they have boasted that they are in power and that they are in control of the security forces. Whenever any disagreement occurs even when APC is at fault, PDP is hounded, harassed and detained. The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice has obtained notoriety for changing charge sheets to murder and charging suspect to magistrate courts. The intention is to ensure the magistrate Judge declines jurisdiction and remind PDP members so as to keep them out of circulation till after election.

    “This attempt to subvert the course of justice with the active connivance of State is not only criminal but recipe for anarchy. Once the people lose confidence in the institutions that are meant to protect all, you create outlaws. This is dangerous and I call on security Agencies and the good people of Okpella to call the Leadership of APC in Okpella to order before the community is turned into a theatre of war. It took the intervention of well-meaning youths of Okpella to mount a successful resistance to this marauding APC hoodlums’ otherswise the story could have been worse.”

  • PDP to Buhari: Resign now

    The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign and allow competent hands to steer the country away from the present economic recession.

    In a statement Wednesday by the spokesman of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party said the crass ineptitude and lukewarm-attitude of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration could no longer be tolerated.

    “Therefore, we are calling on President Buhari and his team to return Nigeria to its state of booming economy before they assumed office in May, 2015, and then quit immediately to allow other capable leaders recover our ailing economy”, the statement added.

    The party further expressed worry over the state of affairs in the country, particularly  a recent statement attributed to the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to the effect that “recession is just a word”, a statement the minister had since denied.

    “Is this statement as a result of ignorance, lack of patriotism or in-line with President Buhari’s comment that his ministers are noise makers?”, the party queried.

    The statement continued, “For the record, recession is characterized as a period of negative economic growth for two consecutive quarters, given rise to high rate of unemployment, fall in output, increase in government borrowing, etc. Following this understanding, Nigeria’s economy is already near depression.

    “For instance, recall that about three airlines, local and international like some banks, have suspended operations and sent their staff on indefinite leave due to poor state of the Nigeria’s economy.

    “Nigerians are aware that the PDP government invested heavily in most of our airports in the country that resulted in obvious facelift and improved operations through remodeling, construction of new airports, refurbishing and equipping of the local and international airports to meet best practices in the aviation industry.

    “But the APC administration has frittered away all the good policies and programmes which the PDP put in place, thereby crumbling the aviation sector in the country amongst other catastrophes it has caused.

    “What Nigerians want from this administration are results, simple! And not resorting to throwing tantrums on the PDP at every given opportunity. Our call for the President to return the counrty to how he met it in 2015 is justified on the following grounds: a bag of rice was N7,000 and now is above N20,000; a mudu of beans was N150 and now is N500; one US Dollar was trading for N197 but now over N400; a liter of fuel was N87 but now N145; cost of transportation and other services have skyrocketed.

    “Given our observation since the inception of this government, they have nothing to offer and as such, quitting will be a solution because nobody can give what he/she does not have. APC has failed”.

    The PDP called on Nigerians to recall President Buhari’s purported body language at the beginning of his administration, saying governance is a serious business and not about someone’s body language and “de-marketing strategies” of Mr. President while globetrotting.

    “When this government came to power in May 2015 riding on the achievements of previous PDP administration, President Buhari’s handlers and his party, the APC claimed it was his body language that brought some positive changes the country was witnessing at that time; so we want to know what are the results of the so called ‘body language’?”.

    The opposition party concluded that the earlier the President and his team quit, the better for the country, adding, “there is no better time than now to make this call for the President to return the country to how he met it and quit, or right away quit for a more experienced team to take over”.

    It called on its members, teeming supporters and other well-meaning Nigerians to keep praying for God’s intervention for the recovery of the country’s ailing economy.

  • Make party interest supreme at polls – Adewale 

    Make party interest supreme at polls – Adewale 

    As the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for some states and local council elections nationwide, Otunba Segun Adewale (OSA) has said the party would have significant victory if all interests within the party across the country bury their grievances and work together as party faithfuls.
    The Lagos State Chairman of the PDP said in a statement made available to the press that the party remains the alternative to delivering the suffering masses of this country from the excruciating hardship and pains the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unfortunately inflicted on them through its policies somersault and fake campaign promises.
    The PDP Chieftain said “it is time we learn from our past mistakes and forge a common front to ensure total victory for the party in all the coming polls starting from the Edo State gubernatorial elections on Saturday, September 10. This will indeed start to rebuild the confidence of Nigerians towards forming a new PDP led national government in 2019.”
    Otunba Adewale also known as Aeroland in business and political quarters urged all with cases in courts to look beyond personal gains with a view to amicably resolve them and forge ahead as a united indivisible party. Adewale  advised that the sufferings of Nigerians in the hands of this accidental government should be paramount in the minds of all party faithful “as there is absolutely no need to transfer our internal disagreements to the helpless masses.
    “We would all agree that Together We Achieve More. In this vain, I advise that we must ensure both Senators Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Markafi support whoever INEC tentatively recognizes as our candidates and at the appropriate time resolve all grievances‎ including who is the authentic flagbearer at the law courts after our great party must have won both Edo and Ondo States” Otunba Adewal e stated
  • Obaseki shines at Edo guber debate

    Obaseki shines at Edo guber debate

    The flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 10 Edo governorship elections, Godwin Obaseki, emerged as the clear winner from the gubernatorial debate organized by Channels Television between the candidates in the governorship race – ahead of Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the factional candidate of the major opposition, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

    According to those present in the audience, Obaseki was the most outstanding of the four runners in the 90-minute televised debate from Best Western Hotel, Benin City.

    He exuded confidence as he expertly responded to a series of questions ranging from how he would tackle the problem of insecurity in the state; plans to diversify and significantly boost the economy of Edo; and steps to tackle unemployment and create 200,000 jobs in 4 years.

    The consensus among young people who watched the debate was summed up by 21-year old Joy Iredia, a student of the University of Benin: “Up until now I did not take much interest in politics. But listening to all the candidates speak, I was drawn in by the candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and how kept his focus on the issues and articulated his plans to take Edo State forward, particularly the use of technology as a tool for effective governance and job creation.”

    On his part, Mr. Osahon Bello, a civil servant, said, “The civil service forms the major workforce in Edo State. I align with Obaseki’s plan to restructure the civil service in order to be more efficient and productive through robust training strategies to meet the challenges of fostering strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth.”

    Obaseki, a renowned investment banker and wealth management expert of over 30 years repute, posited that the economic challenges confronting us as a people today are so complex that it takes someone with a full grasp of all the issues, and practical experience in solving complex economic problems to lead the state on the path to prosperity.

    Referring to the ‘simple agenda’ of PDP’s Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki pointed out that this is the time for us to be circumspect and think things through very carefully, not simplistically. “Simple solutions cannot solve our complex political problems; they cannot solve our complex economic problems; and can definitely not solve our complex security problems. It is mental indolence to think there are simple solutions to our problems.”

    The APC flagbearer noted, “The world is set for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We have identified the cycles and markers and we are prepared to play our part in this forward shift in the gears, ideologically opposed to being left behind. Our vision is a modern and progressive Edo State where every citizen is empowered with opportunity to live life in its fullness.”

    In his closing remark, Obaseki assured of better days ahead for Edo people, promising that his will be a people-oriented and inclusive government. He appealed to the electorate to support his bid by voting massively for the APC come September 10.

     

  • Gunmen kill Okiitipupa PDP Chairman

    Gunmen kill Okiitipupa PDP Chairman

    The Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, Mr Niyi Pirisola was Friday assasinated by suspected hired killers.

    Pirisola who was also the former Chairman, Caretaker Commitee  in the Local Government was reportedly killed in his house in Ilutitun via Okitipupa in the early hours of the day by unknown
    gunmen.

    Details of his killings were still sketchy as at press time.

    The state chapter of the PDP has called on the Police and other security agencies in the state to investigate the killing of Pirisola.

    The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Banji Okunomo said the killing of the PDP leader called for serious investigation as the state is approaching an election period.

    Okunomo who expressed shock at the inhuman act, also called on all security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.

    According to him “this is necessary because of the sensitivity of the times that we are in Ondo State considering that the state is preparing for its governorship election, which holds in November 26, 2016.”

    “The PDP cautions against anything that could heat up the polity and impede the transition process that is being prepared for in our dear Sunshine State.”

    Okunomo stressed that the state has been widely acclaimed as one of the most peaceful States in the country, saying;”we must not allow hoodlums to tamper with this track record or dent our image in any way.”

    A relative of the deceased politician said the deceased politician was killed at the gate of his house by suspected assasins.

    His words; “the deceased went to church for vigil on Thursday evening and returned in the wee hours of the day and he was shot at his gate when he was about to enter his compound.”

    “The late Pirisola was murdered by gunmen who followed him from the church to his house in Ilutitun”

    He said the deceased had no premonition of his death, as he had no personal issue with any individual before his untimely death.

    He said the matter had been reported to the Police for proper investigation, while the family will meet on funeral arrangements.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state Police Command, Femi Joseph confirmed the incident.

    He said his men have commenced investigation into the matter.

    Joseph added that no suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of Pirisola, adding that efforts are on top gear to bring the perpetrators of the devilish act to book.

    The PPRO noted that the Police are on top of the situation and urged admirers of the late politician to remain calm till the Police conclude their investigations.

    He urged members of the public with useful information on the killing of Pirisola to inform the Police.