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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Ondo PDP crisis: Judge declines to hear Jimoh Ibrahim’s suit

    Ondo PDP crisis: Judge declines to hear Jimoh Ibrahim’s suit

    A governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Jimoh Ibrahim has suffered a set-back in his bid to have the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accept him as the actual candidate of the party for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

    Ibrahim was reported to have emerged as the winner of the Ondo governorship primary conducted on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State, by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP.

    Thursday, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja declined to hear Ibrahim’s motion for an interlocutory injunction, to among others, restrain the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party from presenting candidate for the election pending the determination of his substantive suit.

    Ibrahim is, by the substantive suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/591/2019, seeking to among others, restrain the Makarfi faction of the PDP from organizing primary and presenting a candidate for the party in the governorship election slated for November.

    Ibrahim instituted the suit in his name and PDP, with Mkarfi, Ben Obi, Odion Ugbesia, Abdul Ningi, Karibu Usman, Dayo Adeyeye, Alhaja Aisha Aliyu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

    He hinged his prayer on a purported subsisting order of the court made in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/439/16, by Chief Benson Akingboye and Hon. Ehizuwa Agbonayina, directing INEC to deal with the Sheriff faction in relation to candidates for the Ondo and Edo governorship elections.

    When the case was called Thursday, Ibrahim’s lawyer, Oladele Oyelami informed the court that his client has effected service of processes (court documents) and notice of hearing on the respondents through substituted means, by publishing them in two national dailies, as earlier directed by the court.

    Oyelami however, failed to exhibit copies of the newspaper publications in court yesterday.

    Ruling, Justice Abang, who currently sits as the court’s vacation judge, noted that, because he has up to September 9 to act as the vacation judge, it was practically impossible for him to hear and render his opinion on the suit, including the motion for interlocutory injunction.

    “Therefore, the only option left for the court is to return the case file to the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment after the court’s 2016 long vacation,” Justice Abang said.

    Meanwhile, the PDP in Ondo State has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), questioning Justice Abang’s handling of the case filed by Akingboye and Agbonayinma

    Ondo PDP’s Secretary, Chief Oyedele M. Ibimi, who endorsed the petition dated July 21, 2016, urged the NJC, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, to investigate Justice Abang’s conduct in his handling of the case and set aside orders earlier made by him in the case by  Akingboye and Agbonayinma.

    The CJN has since acknowledged the receipt of the petition. Justice Mohammed, in an acknowledgment letter dated July 27, 2016, with reference No: NJC/F.3/FHC. 44/III/504A, informed the petitioner that “action is being taken, please.”

    However, the Ward Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Igbotako II Ward 04 in Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo State, Alhaji Usman Lawal has applied to be joined as defendant in the suit filed by Ibrahim.

    Lawal, who claimed to be Ibrahim’s cousin and the Ward Chairman of the party in Igbotako II Ward 04 in Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo State, questioned his right to sue as a member of the PDP and in the party’s name when he is not a member of the PDP.

    The Chairman, who exhibited the register of the party’s members in his Ward, said Ibrahim’s name is not contained in the register. He said Ibrahim belonged to a party called Accord and has not obtained any “waiver” to contest the forthcoming governorship election under the banner of the PDP.

    Lawal stated, in a supporting affidavit to his application to be joined in the suit, that “I know as a fact that the 1st plaintiff (Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim) is a member of Accord and has severally visited our Igbotako community with vehicle branded in Accord logo and symbol, and has canvassed for membership of Accord assuring community members that he will contest the 2016 governorship election of Ondo State under Accord.

    “The plaintiff has boasted severally to me that he will use the courts to stop PDP from sponsoring a governorship candidate in the 2016 governorship election in Ondo State. Further to the foregoing, the 1st plaintiff, who is not a member of the PDP is among certain individuals, who have set up a sham parallel state congress under one Biyi Poroye, who never contested as the Chairman of the PDP.

    “The said sham parallel state congress set up by Biyi Poroye is planning a sham PDP 2016 governorship primary for the 23rd August 2016 in Akure. The 1st plaintiff is reported to have obtained a sham PDP nomination form from the said Biyi Poroye.

    “The said proposed sham governorship primary is subject of litigation in suit No: AK/133/2016; PDP and 3 others v. Biyi Poroye and INEC in which the 1st plaintiff was cited as one of the individuals, who without authority, collected purported governorship nomination form from Biyi Poroye.

    “The 1st plaintiff and other unknown persons, acting together to subvert the PDP nomination by the duly elected state party congress headed by Engr. Clement Faboyede have been restrained by the order of the High Court of Ondo State.

    “I know that the 1st plaintiff in this case is not a member of the 2nd plaintiff (PDP) let alone, a contestant in the forthcoming gubernatorial primary election in Ondo State. The 1st plaintiff, not being a member of the PDP can only aspire for any elective post, by the provision of the constitution of the PDP, if he is granted a waiver,” Lawal said.

    Lawal has also filed a notice of preliminary objection to the suit and urged the court to not hear it for lack of jurisdiction. He also queried Ibrahim’s locus standi (right to sue in relation to an issue) to institute the case.

    Hearing in the case will resume after the court’s vacation in mid-September, when the case is re-assigned and a hearing date communicated to parties.

     

  • Makarfi committee can’t organise convention – Sheriff

    Makarfi committee can’t organise convention – Sheriff

    Estranged National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff has insisted that the Ahmed Makari led Caretaker Committee cannot organise the party’s national convention, saying the committee is an illegal body.

    Sheriff, in a statement on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, faulted the recognition given the caretaker committee by the Board of Trustees (BoT).

    According to him, there is no provision in the party’s constitution for a caretaker committee at the national, adding that a competent court has pronounced the committee illegal, while affirming Sheriff as the chairman.

    The statement said, “References should not even be made to the caretaker committee in the search for solutions to the PDP crisis.

    “It was the imposition of the caretaker committee in the first place, even as a contraption that precipitated the crisis, and any attempt to legitimise its function could spell further crisis for the PDP.

    “The BOT members should stop playing the ostrich and come to terms with the reality of Sheriff’s chairmanship, until a proper convention is organized.”

    The Sheriff camp said the Chairman of the BOT, Senator Walid Jibrin has forfeited the confidence of greater majority of party members because of his inconsistency and crave for money, and should give way to a credible person whose honour and integrity are not in dispute to steer the affairs of the PDP BOT.

    Sheriff further stated that, the BOT chairman has in his actions and utterances portrayed the BOT as being teleguided, saying he has brought credibility problem to the august body by clearly taking sides and championing the cause of particular interests in the crisis, at the expense of his leadership roles as mediator.

    “The chairman (Sheriff) was of the view that, even though the BOT lacks the powers to give orders, it has acted in breach of its sacred duty as a father and so called conscience of the party by recognising the Caretaker Committee, even when members know that it was the wrong thing to do.

    “As much as he respects the BOT members, they should not allow themselves to be dragged into fighting a war for the benefits of a few power brokers.

    “To this end, the National Chairman wishes to state categorically that, the BOT which earlier derailed peace initiatives by taking sides, coupled with the obvious roles of some of its members in the crisis, and against the background of the fact that it is merely an advisory body, lacks the moral and legitimate rights to dictate the pace of negotiations.

    “Already, the reconciliation committee, under Governor Seriake Dickson is still carrying out its assignment of reaching out to all parties, and until the committee makes its recommendations, which the national Working Committee will look at and convene a NEC meeting for necessary deliberations, the BOT’s actions are of no consequence,” the statement concluded.

  • Igbos in Edo denies endorsing Ize-Iyamu

    Igbos in Edo denies endorsing Ize-Iyamu

    Several Igbo unions in Edo state have dismissed claims by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, that the Igbos in the state have endorsed its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    The unions said they believe the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) will cut taxes and make life meaningful for them.

    Spokesman of the group, Ambrose Aniele, made the statement in a chat with newsmen.

    Ambrose said Igbos in the state have no business with the PDP and have never endorsed Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

    He said the PDP did nothing when they were in power in the state.

    He said. “As I speak to you we are campaigning for APGA. Instead of supporting PDP we will support APC because whether you like it or not Benin is beautiful today because of Oshiomhole and APC.

    “I am aware that some of our people have met with APC candidate Godwin Obaseki and Oshiomhole but I can tell you that majority of us will vote for APGA because it is the party for the Igbos. The only problem APC has is the taxation problem.

    “Oshiomhole has worked to be honest. You cannot compare PDP with APC, the PDP people have big men who share the money, they don’t care about we Igbos so why will we vote for them?

    “We are calling all our people to come our next week Saturday and vote for Osaro Onaiwu who is the APGA governorship candidate. He will help us cut taxation and make life better for everybody living in Edo state,” Aniele stated.

  •  APC will not manipulate Ondo guber primary – chairman

     APC will not manipulate Ondo guber primary – chairman

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Ondo State, Chief Isaac Kekemeke, says the party will not manipulate the process of the Aug. 27 governorship primary in the state.

    Kekemeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure on Tuesday that the electoral process would be “free and fair.”

    NAN reports that 23 governorship aspirants will participate in the primary with over 3000 delegates.

    “As far as the forthcoming governorship primary in Ondo State is concerned, there is no basis for manipulation and there will be no imposition of candidate.

    “It is the delegates (voters) that will speak and whoever the delegates pick becomes the candidate of the party.

    “As the chairman of the party in Ondo State, I have no specific role to play in the conduct of the primary,’’ he said.

    The chairman said the primary would be conducted by the leadership of the party at the national level without bias.

    “I know that the leadership of our great party at the national level has put in place mechanism to ensure free and fair conduct of the governorship primary on Saturday, Aug. 27,’’ Kekemeke said.

    He described the current disaffection within the state chapter of the party as “family affair’’ that would be resolved within the family.

    He said that the party had commenced the process of reconciling aggrieved members to form a formidable party aimed at defeating the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state at the Nov. 26 Governorship Election.

    “We have started working as a team toward routing PDP out of power in Ondo State comes Nov. 26.

    “Although, we are not ruling out having moles amongst us, but APC as a party, has what it takes to deal with such situation,’’ the chairman said.

    Kekemeke assured the people of Ondo State that APC government in the state would complement the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to deliver on the dividends of democracy to the people.

  • APC will not manipulate Ondo guber primary – Chairman

    APC will not manipulate Ondo guber primary – Chairman

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Ondo State, Chief Isaac Kekemeke, says the party will not manipulate the process of the Aug. 27 governorship primary in the state.

    Kekemeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure on Tuesday that the electoral process would be “free and fair.’’

    NAN reports that 23 governorship aspirants will participate in the primary with over 3000 delegates.

    “As far as the forthcoming governorship primary in Ondo State is concerned, there is no basis for manipulation and there will be no imposition of candidate.

    “It is the delegates (voters) that will speak and whoever the delegates pick becomes the candidate of the party.

    “As the chairman of the party in Ondo State, I have no specific role to play in the conduct of the primary,’’ he said.

    The chairman said the primary would be conducted by the leadership of the party at the national level without bias.

    “I know that the leadership of our great party at the national level has put in place mechanism to ensure free and fair conduct of the governorship primary on Saturday, Aug. 27,’’ Kekemeke said.

    He described the current disaffection within the state chapter of the party as “family affair’’ that would be resolved within the family.

    He said that the party had commenced the process of reconciling aggrieved members to form a formidable party aimed at defeating the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state at the Nov. 26 Governorship Election.

    “We have started working as a team toward routing PDP out of power in Ondo State comes Nov. 26.

    “Although, we are not ruling out having moles amongst us, but APC as a party, has what it takes to deal with such situation,’’ the chairman said.

    Kekemeke assured the people of Ondo State that APC government in the state would complement the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to deliver on the dividends of democracy to the people.

  • Abia: A/Court judgment excites PDP

    Abia: A/Court judgment excites PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is excited by the Appeal Court ruling that affirmed the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s of Abia state who contested the election on the platform of the PDP.

    The appellate court on Friday had set aside a judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Okon Abang ordering Ikpeazu’s removal and his replacement with Dr. Uche Ogah, also of the PDP.

    In a statement on Friday by the spokesman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the PDP described the ruling of the appellate court as triumph of the rule of law and victory for democracy.

    The statement said, “What transpired at the Court of Appeal on Thursday, August 18, 2016  has once again rekindled our trust in the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

    “You will recall that the lead Judge of the five-man panel of Judges of the Appeal Court, Justice Morenike Ogunwumiju on Thursday, August 18, 2016 delivered ruling on an appeal brought before it by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Executive Governor of Abia state in respect of his Tax Clearance Certificate.

    “Finally, the Peoples Democratic Party call on all well meaning Nigerians and the National Judicial Council (NJC) in particular, to continue rising up to its responsibility of maintaining an unbiased judiciary that will be neutral on all issues brought before it”.

  • PDP Convention: Why we sealed Shark Stadium – Police

    PDP Convention: Why we sealed Shark Stadium – Police

    The police Wednesday said they shut down the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, venue of the national convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

    Speaking on the development, the Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah said the action was a proactive move aimed at safeguarding lives and property of the crowd at the venue.

    Awunah spoke on Wednesday during a live radio programme, Political Platform on Raypower FM.

    According to him, “It is not about sealing. We did not just seal. You must understand that the police is a critical stakeholder in democracy within the framework of the Nigerian law and other extant laws.

    “There were two conflicting court orders but the primary motive of the police is that there is peace and protection of lives and property. It is not the issue of A and B. It is not an issue of whether you are obeying A or B but you must be proactive in law enforcement because at the end of the day, the question you will be asked is; what did you do?”

    “It is just like a simple scenario of conflict resolution where there are two contending issues, what do you do? You refer back to the status quo so that you can move forward and the status quo here is that we are maintaining security. That is our primary motive and we are not taking sides. We cannot take sides in this issue. We are like referees.

    Awunah who admitted to be in possession of the two court restraining orders, added, “You know law enforcement and court decision are collaborative.

    “We have the Attorney General; the court system and we have the police. Don’t forget, we are the lead agency in internal security and when it comes to democratic set up, the police is number one.

    “So, when you have such scenario, you need to consult and you don’t consult by a button, you don’t consult by just tapping a button and having an answer”.

    When asked what the outcome of the consultation was, Awunah said the police were still consulting with the view to ensuring peace in Port Harcourt, stressing that democracy has become a bit volatile in the state.

    On why the venue was sealed off without informing the party leaders, the Force spokesman said it was informed by the suddenness of the court order.

    “Even the court orders caught Nigerians unawares. You don’t plan anything. So, we are just being proactive. If we sense a situation that can create anarchy and disorder or disrupt social production, what do you do? You have to be proactive. It is not about catching people unawares.

    “You evaluate situations. It can burst like a bubble and you don’t have to wait for people to start throwing stones. That is all about proactive policing. You have to move from the traditional concept of reacting to situations to being proactive so that you will be able to dominate, control and facilitate democracy, which is what we are doing.

    “In security matters, there is no crystal ball to see into the future, you predict and project likelihoods and you plan and do proactive policing. And this is within the confines of the law.

    “It is about law enforcement and it has shifted traditional reactive concept to more proactive concept because democracy in Nigeria today, you cannot predict what can happen in the next minute.

    “People could be in their homes and hideouts planning violence. So, you have to be able to control and dominate the area. Now, Sharks Stadium is the epicenter of democratic process in Port Harcourt or the PDP, so to speak and of course, you must appreciate that there were two warring factions. So, they need to resolve.

    Awunah said the police did not act on “orders from above”, but acted within the framework of the law.

    He said; “We work according to laws. You see, you need to work according to your function as spelt out in the laws of this country. We are the lead agency as long as internal security is concerned and when it comes to evolving democracy like we have today, we are the lead agency. We are part of the democratic processes.

    On whether the police implemented Justice Okon Abang’s order, the Force spokesman retorted, “Whoever you talked to is politicking and we don’t politick. In as much as we are critical stakeholders in political process, we are insulated from partisan politics.

    “What we are doing is doing our professional job to ensure that these two factions resolve. It is about conflict resolution.”

  • Edo 2016: APC certain of victory

    Edo 2016: APC certain of victory

    The Publicity committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate has advised former members of the party who found themselves in the People’s Democratic Party  (PDP) to see the handwriting on the wall, retrace their steps and return to the winning party APC in their own interest as the party is certain to win the September polls.

    A member of the committee Elder Sam Eboigbe in a statement said all people who are conversant with Edo politics should appreciate the recent prediction of the leader of the Otu-Edoseghe group , Chief David Edebiri  about the September governorship polls.

    He said for a group that cuts across the seven local government areas of the state and whose leader is known statewide as the oracle, the veracity of his predictions which are well known, cannot be doubted.

    Faulting claims that the people of Edo Central were not in support of the APC candidate, Eboigbe said that it is obvious from the statement credited to a foremost Esan traditional and Onojie of Opoji that such claims is not true.

    “In Edo central the Onojie of Opoji congratulated the Comrade governor for the peaceful primary of the APC that produced a very viable, competent, intelligent and a broad minded person in Godwin Obaseki who has been chairman of his economic team”.

    He said, “the Onojie particularly commended the Comrade governor and the people of the state for not allowing sentiments to override the interest of the people”.

    “At the palace of the Onojie of Irrua it was another unprecedented warm reception for the governor and the candidate and his deputy and the governor told the monarch that Obaseki is not new to governance as he has been with him from day one”.

    Eboigbe who echoed the prayers of the Onojie of Ubiaja who presented an Igbulu traditional dress usually reserved for personalities with dignity and love said it is obvious that APC will sweep the entire votes in Edo Central or Esanland.

  • Buhari, APC not behind PDP crisis – Opara

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Mega Party of Nigeria, Chief Perry Opara said Wednesday that the insinuations that the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari were behind the current ordeal of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were mere assertions of drowning men.

    Okpara said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the party was only suffering from self-inflicted injuries, pointing out that the PDP as presently constituted was not in a position to win any election in the country in the near future.

    He said majority of political association currently seeking registration as political party with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were actually formed by aggrieved members of the PDP who are seeking alternative political platform outside the PDP.

    He said: “the insinuation that APC is behind the ordeal of PDP saying it is an assertion of drowning men. President Buhari has no hand in such trivial matters.

    “About 90 percent of political associations seeking registration as political party at INEC are PDP members who are either confused or disenchanted about PDP. A house divided against itself cannot stand. PDP is a failed project and Nigerians should look elsewhere.

    Okpara said that PDP died the day the Mega movement of Nigeria pulled out of the party, saying “the time Senator Ken Nnamani, Sen Dalhatu and others left the PDP, the conscience of the Party evaporated.

    “The fight in PDP will not abate. It will linger till 2018. The fight is not between Sheriff and Sen Markarfi. It is a fight between the Governors and the ordinary people. Sheriff shall fight till the end and the Governor will always want to show that they are the emperors. Impunity is the biggest undoing of the PDP. Everybody in the party is an expert and too big to be corrected.

    “The North will not allow a Southerner to lead PDP anymore because a Southerner ate into the North East tenure for more than seven (7) months. It was a slap on the North East and they will never give up the Chairmanship.

    “Only short-sighted politicians will still remain in a doomed house. I urge well-meaning PDP members to join the Mega movement as the only alternative Party in Nigeria.

    “We want to welcome the Yorubas into the Mega fold. We want the middle belt to join the Mega movement. Igbos have already jettisoned APGA to join the Mega movement since the soul of APGA, Dim Ojukwu has joined his ancestors and then financer, Mr Peter Obi has left to join the torn umbrella. Politicians should come to join hands so that we can build a new Mega platform for Nigerians political future.

    “The alternative political platform is the Peoples Mega Party of Nigeria. The movement of the People. A party devoid of the apron strings of the emperors- the Governors who have nothing to offer other than misappropriate public funds and impunity
    “Nigerians need a party where the not too rich, the professionals, the artisans and women are recognised. A party that can create jobs for the youths and make them self-reliant.

    “The Peoples Mega Party of Nigeria is the political amalgamation for the future in Nigeria. It is a project in the hand of GOD. It is the movement of the masses.

    “A project whose time has come. We believe all the recent predictions by Prophets of God. We respect them and we believe in God’s project.”

  • PDP must be kept alive, says Agbaje

    PDP must be kept alive, says Agbaje

    Mr Jimi Agbaje, governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos for the 2015 election, said on Wednesday that the party would remain alive in spite of internal problems.

    Agbaje, a candidate for the party`s national chairman position, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that members would keep the party alive, being the main platform for the opposition in the country.

    He said the decision of delegates to extend the tenure of the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee was a good option aimed at keeping the party stronger.

    “ It is obvious that from the situation we found ourselves, we must keep the PDP alive. It is the still the veritable platform for the opposition.

    “ So, the best option is what we have taken, which is to extend the life of the caretaker committee, to expand it as we have decided and to give room for whatever litigation,” he said.

    According to him, members believe that at the end of the day, the truth will prevail because the majority will have their way.

    “ The PDP is definitely not going to die. The PDP is going to fight for its staying alive,” he said.
    Agbaje also said that he was optimistic that before the end of the year, the party would bounce back stronger and more united.

    “I’m sure that within the year, we will be very much stronger,” he said.