The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • By-election: Five aspirants face PDP screening in Edo

    By-election: Five aspirants face PDP screening in Edo

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun screening of five aspirants that picked nomination forms for the August 16 by-election to fill vacant seats in the National Assembly.

    Vacant seats in Edo are Edo Central seat vacated by Governor Monday Okpebholo and Ovia Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

    Aspirants that picked forms for the Edo Central seat are John Yakubu, Friday Itulah, Joseph Okojie and Festus Edogun.

    Only one aspirant, Johnny Aikpitanyi, picked the form for Ovia Federal Constituency.

    Edo PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, assured the aspirants that the process would be fair and credible.

    He urged PDP members and Edo people to disregard the gimmicks and theatrics by those posing as PDP Caretaker Committee members in Edo State.

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    Aziegbemi said: “The national headquarters of the PDP is the body statutorily mandated to conduct congresses and primaries for selecting candidates for the party. PDP national has sent a five-man team from Abuja to conduct the screening of aspirants for Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections.

    “We just had a meeting with them at the conference room of our party secretariat and we believe this goes to show to our party members and indeed Edo people that we are the duly recognised Caretaker Committee handling the affairs of the PDP in Edo State. Even the man that bought his form in Abuja is here with us for the screening.

    “This is why you are seeing the team sent by the PDP national in Abuja here and not anywhere else. This puts to rest the doubts anybody will have about the authentic Caretaker Committee in Edo State.”

    The aspirants, who spoke in turns, hoped the primary would be free and fair.

    Edogun said he remained the rallying point for Edo Central.

    Yakubu hailed the Screening Committee for conducting a fair and transparent process, even as Okojie expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious at the polls.

  • Lagos PDP fields candidates in only 20 councils

    Lagos PDP fields candidates in only 20 councils

    The Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday unveiled its candidates in the July 12 local government election.

    However, hand-written lists obtained by The Nation show that the opposition party will be fielding candidates in on;y 20 local governments.

    Party leaders, led by the former National Deputy Chairman, Chief Olabode George, presented party flags to 19 local government chairmanship candidates at an event held in his house.

    At the event, where the party Chairman, Phillip Aivoji, was absent, George, who admitted to fractION within the party, urged the candidates to engage in extensive campaigns.

    The party leader, who dismissed insinuations that the PDP was dead in state, said his party will give the ruling party a serious political contest in the poll.

    He said: “The essence of this gathering is to convince the Lagos electorate that Lagos PDP is still alive and bubbling.

    “This became necessary to counter the rumour in some quarters that the Lagos PDP is dead.

    “How can an Iroko tree die?” George queried.  He added: “That’s impossible!”.

    The leader, who faulted the Federal Government’s economic policies, urged candidates for the poll to be courageous and prepare impactful service to the people.

    “To you candidates, don’t be afraid to tell the electorate the truth. Be courageous because you’re serving the Almighty God whose service you’re doing.

    “Please, be strong enough and convince the electorates. I will join you to campaign as much as possible.”

    “Declare your intentions and programmes to the electorates, while pointing out the inadequacies of the ruling party,” George counselled.

    George told the candidates to put God before them, assured that the state chapter will resolve its crisis before the end of June.

    He urged the Lagos State Independent State Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to be fair, saying any manipulation would be resisted.

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    George added: “As you go out, put the Almighty God before you. He’ll lead you there. Even if they manipulate the results, let vibrations wake up Lagos.

    “There’s no organisation in the world where they’ll not have one crisis or the other.

    “But, your ability to manage those crises will help you to move further in life.

    “I want to tell our boys that before the end of this month, we will resolve the internal crisis in our party.”

    He commended the local government party chairmen for their commitment and dedication to the party, holding forth in the face of challenges.

    He called on the candidates and party members to shun tribalism and religion as they go about campaigning for votes.

    While calling on the electorate to vote PDP candidates, George said his party was ready to reinvigorate the wheel of governance if given the chance to govern.

     Vice Chairman, PDP Lagos, Chief Sunday Olaifa, presented party flags to Agege, Alimosho, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Amuwo-Odofin, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikeja, Kosofe, Mushin, Ikorodu, Oshodi-Isolo, Ojo, Somolu, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Surulere councils.

  • PDP chieftain: why Abians will back Otti

    PDP chieftain: why Abians will back Otti

    Member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former lawmaker for Ukwa East and West, Nkem Abonta, has hailed Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on his administration’s progress in two years.

    He said the governor will receive support across party lines if he seeks re-election due to his performance.

    “There is hope in Abia. People will vote for candidates, and not party. The Otti administration is a departure from the past.”

    Abonta, who noted PDP is still a credible opposition, said the party can get things right with credible leadership.

    The lawyer, in an interview with our correspondent in Umuahia on his assessment of Otti’s two-year administration, said the state has witnessed socio-economic and infrastructural developments in the three senatorial districts.

    He said Abia would have developed further had previous governors performed.

    Abonta said:  “Otti came with the ideology of good governance, reform, agricultural development, adding value to commerce and economy and raising the standard of living.

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    “He has added seriousness and vibrancy, introduced professionalism in civil service; people are now paid promptly.

    “It’s obvious Otti has made notable advancement; stability has stepped in from what used to be.

    “There is remarkable digitisation in revenue drive; there is no more touting. There is an ease of doing business…’’

    “Investors are coming to the state because they have confidence in the state government.

    “There is still work to be done, but he has shown strength and character.”

    Abonta said the state under Otti has invested wisely in health, security and education through judicious use of the federal allocation, with reputable contractors engaged for projects.

    The former lawmaker backed Otti’s decision not to use the controversial Government House.

  • 2026: PDP vows to reclaim Ekiti from APC

    2026: PDP vows to reclaim Ekiti from APC

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has expressed its determination to reclaim Oke Ayoba Government House next year from All Progressives Congress (APC), following the ratification of its ward congress.

    PDP National Working Committee (NWC), led by Amb. Ilya Damagun, had on Wednesday ratified the ward congress conducted across the 177 wards in the state on March 14.

    The congress elected executive members to run the affairs of the party at the ward level.

    Ekiti PDP Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Dare Adeleke, who made this known in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, said the party was ready to take on the challenges of the 2026 governorship election.

    He hailed the party hierarchy under the leadership of Damagun for the ratification of the ward congress, saying it would help reposition PDP in the state for success ahead of the election.

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    Adeleke lauded the efforts of party stakeholders and members in the state for their commitment and dedication towards the unity and progress of PDP.

    He assured Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his Osun counterpart, Governor Ademola Adeleke that PDP in Ekiti would bounce back and regain its leading position in the state’s political landscape.

    He said: “On behalf of Ekiti State PDP leaders and members, we extend heartfelt gratitude to the NWC led by Amb. Damagun for ratifying our ward congress on April 30.

    “This decision has given us hope and renewed our spirit. We’re gearing up for the local government congress on May 3.

    “We assure NWC, Governor Makinde and Governor Adeleke of our resilience and perseverance. Ekiti PDP is poised to reclaim Government House in 2026.”

  • Ambassador gifts Sokoto party leaders, members N10 million

    Ambassador gifts Sokoto party leaders, members N10 million

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) frontline stalwart in Sokoto state and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Jordan, Faruk Malami Yabo, has donated N10 million financial assistance to party leaders and members in the state.

    Ambassador Yabo, who presented the donation through Alhaji Kabiru Hali, a former state Chairman, Sokoto Traders Association, who handed out the donation, said the gesture was to cushion the effect of current economic hardship and enable them observe the Ramadan fast with ease.

    The donation is coming after a similar gesture of N20 million was doled out by the envoy for their welfare.

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    Accordingly, Yabo urged them to remain steadfast and be more  united towards strengthening the party in Sokoto state ahead of 2027.

    Responding shortly after been handed over the donation, the state party Treasurer, Yahaya Dalhatu who stood in for the Chairman, Bello Aliyu Goronyo, thanked Ambassador Yabo for the unequalled gesture and comment to development of the party.

    Dalhatu further assured that PDP in the state will not compromise it’s resilience, unity and strength ahead of 2027 general elections.

    However, the former Ambassador was a deputy gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 polls before defecting to PDP along others ahead of 2023 polls.

  • Prostrate and make peace with Tinubu—PDP Rep member Oke charges Aregbesola

    Prostrate and make peace with Tinubu—PDP Rep member Oke charges Aregbesola

    Oluwole Oke, a member of the House of Representatives for Ijesa North Federal Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, to reconcile with his political mentor, President Bola Tinubu.

    In a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, Oke described Aregbesola as a significant figure in Osun State’s political landscape and urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to facilitate reconciliation between Aregbesola and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to strengthen the party’s unity.

    According to his post “Egbon Rauf ‘Soji Aregbesola, a former Governor of Osun State and Minister for Interior is an enigma, a grassroot mobiliser, singer and a dancer. He is a factor and a bride in Osun politics truth be told. 

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    “If I am in his shoes, I will go and beg, prostrate and make peace with my Principal PBAT. Assuming am a member of APC in Osun State, I will make sure I reconcile Asiwaju, Gboyega Oyetola and Ogbeni . Ija o dola….”

    He admonished that “PDP needs to act fast and pay necessary dowry and take in this bride. Symbol as he is popularly called is not someone you allow to roam about. As our Governor then, I wasn’t in his Party AC, ACN and APC yet I won my elections the secret is just The Great People of Ijesa North. 

    “In Ife Ijesa Senatorial District, Ogbeni can still pull a minimum of 20,000 votes. in Ijesa North and Ijesa South , Ogbeni can put sand in any person’s Gari. Any politician who has the capacity to invite 10 to 20 persons(voters or politicians) to a meeting, feed them and give them a token after the meeting should not be ignored.“

  • Drama at Edo tribunal as PDP, Ighodalo’s witnesses flop

    Drama at Edo tribunal as PDP, Ighodalo’s witnesses flop

    The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led, three-member Edo governorship election petitions tribunal witnessed mild drama when the first two of the witnesses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate during the September 21, 2024 election Dr Asue Ighodalo flopped under cross examination.

    The first witness from Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo stunned the tribunal when he testified that he was neither an agent at any of the polling units or wards nor directly involved in the electoral process. 

    He claimed his role was limited to merely observing and examining the results in a situation room, thereby raising questions about the accuracy and credibility of the evidence he presented.

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    He confirmed signing two statements on oath dated October 11, 2024, and November 16, 2024, and clarified his involvement was limited to overseeing results at the situation room, which was not located at the collation centre. 

    Under cross-examination, the first witness also admitted that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) materials were not available for inspection in the situation room.

    The second witness from Akoko-Edo LGA claimed that he was not a polling unit or ward agent but managed to coordinate all the results from 241 polling units and ten wards in a single day, while admitting that he was not involved in the actual collation of results of the poll, but only supervised and compiled reports from agents.

    Seven of 18 political parties that participated in the election, which filed petitions at the tribunal, were the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Accord (A), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Action Alliance (AA), which wanted their candidates to be declared winner of the keenly-contested poll, instead of Okpebholo of APC.

  • PDP protests as councillors impeach another Edo LG Chairman, Vice

    PDP protests as councillors impeach another Edo LG Chairman, Vice

    The suspended Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council of Edo State, Dr. Tom Obaseki, and the suspended Vice Chairman, Patricia Ero, were this afternoon impeached by eight of the twelve councillors.

    Obaseki, Ero and the councillors were elected on September 2, 2023 for a three-year tenure, which ended abruptly, as was done in most of the 17 other local government councils of Edo.

    On December 17, 2024, the twenty four-member Edo House of Assembly suspended all the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils of the state for two months.

    The Edo lawmakers, who are members of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP), also directed the leaders of the legislative arms to take over the administration of the councils.

    The suspension of Edo council chiefs was in view of the state Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo’s petition of November 16, 2024 to the lawmakers, titled: “Insubordination and Gross Misconduct by the 18 Local Government Chairmen Over Their Refusal to Submit Financial Records for Scrutiny,” with the governor, who was inaugurated on November 12 last year, urging the legislators to address the issue.

    Meanwhile the Edo State Chairman of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, yesterday kicked against the impeachment by six of the twelve councillors of the suspended Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council of Edo, Dr. Tom Obaseki, and the suspended Vice Chairman, Patricia Ero, both of PDP.

    Obaseki, Ero and the councillors were elected on September 2, 2023 for a three-year tenure, which ended abruptly, as was done in most of the 17 other local government councils of Edo.

    On December 17, 2024, the twenty four-member Edo House of Assembly suspended all the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils of the state for two months.

    The Edo lawmakers, who are members of the governing APC, the PDP, and LP, also directed the leaders of the legislative arms to take over the administration of the councils.

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    The suspension of Edo council chiefs was in view of the state Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo’s petition of November 16, 2024 to the lawmakers, titled: “Insubordination and Gross Misconduct by the 18 Local Government Chairmen Over Their Refusal to Submit Financial Records for Scrutiny,” with the governor, who was inaugurated on November 12 last year, urging the legislators to address the issue.

    Aziegbemi, however, accused Okpebholo’s APC government of using impostors to impeach Obaseki and others council chairmen being intimidated and harassed across the 18 LGAs.

    Edo chairman of PDP, at a news conference, claimed that twelve impostors, who posed as councillors, invaded Oredo local government council secretariat, with a claim to have impeached the chairman and his deputy.

    He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the sad development, which he described as worrisome and unacceptable.

    Aziegbemi declared that Okpebholo’s administration must be called to order, so as to avoid anarchy, following the outright disregard for the rule of law.

    The impeached Oredo chairman insisted that he remained the duly-elected helmsman of the council.

    He said: “My attention has been drawn to a video circulating on various media platforms, purportedly showing my impeachment as the Executive Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council of Edo State.

    “I urge the general public to disregard the video in its entirety, as it is the product of a criminal act perpetrated by hoodlums and thugs who unlawfully invaded the legislative arm of Oredo Local Government Council.

    “The individuals impersonated the legitimately-elected legislators, who are currently in recess, in a failed attempt to undermine the democratic will of the people of Oredo LGA.”

    Obaseki also stated that the act represented the height of criminality and lawlessness, which he maintained would not be tolerated in a civilised society.

    He said: “I remain the duly-elected Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council of Edo State, having been given the mandate to serve by the good people of Oredo LGA on the 2nd of September, 2023.

    “If this level of impunity is allowed to stand, then tomorrow, anyone can wake up, invade a Government House, and declare himself governor or president. Such a scenario is unthinkable in a lawful society. We are not in a banana republic, where anarchy reigns.”

    The removed Oredo chairman urged the peace-loving people of the LGA to remain calm and law-abiding.

  • Stampedes: It is callous to politicise tragedies, APC blasts PDP

    Stampedes: It is callous to politicise tragedies, APC blasts PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for allegedly politicizing recent tragedies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Anambra, and Oyo states, which claimed about 70 lives.

    Describing the opposition’s actions as “callous,” the APC said it was inappropriate to politicize such a somber period of national mourning.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the APC’s national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, condemned the PDP for blaming the incidents on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The state reads: “At a time of national grief over stampedes in Oyo, Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory that resulted in the death of citizens, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seized the moment to engage in callous political chicanery. 

    “Rather than genuinely commiserate with the victims and their families, the PDP chose to politicize the grief of the victims by blaming the stampedes on the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    The ruling party further said, “It is grossly indecent, insensitive and despicable for the PDP to exploit these tragic incidents in a senseless attack against the administration that has devoted itself to fixing the ruins of nearly two decades of PDP administration. 

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    Recalling similar past incident, Morka noted, “Nigerians have not forgotten the tragic stampede at the ill-fated Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise in 2014 at the Abuja stadium, under the watch of the PDP administration, that left many desperate job seekers dead and scores injured. 

    “The PDP’s allegations only remind us of its sordid record of maladministration and utter incompetence.”

    Defending President Tinubu’s administration of being committed to the welfare of Nigerians, APC spokesman noted, “The PDP is either mischievous or totally out of touch with reality to suggest that President Bola Tinubu-led administration has not shown commitment to Nigerians’ welfare. 

    “For an administration that has invested hugely in alternative sources of energy and conversion of vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG); introduced the Credit Corps scheme and Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND); reviewed workers salaries and corps members’ allowances upward; sustained annual free and subsidized transportation fares for Nigerians during the yuletide; approved grants for farmers and small and medium entreprises (SMEs) and a slew of other humanitarian interventions, there is no doubt that this is the most people-centric administration in our history. 

    “Laughably, the PDP claimed that APC’s policies ruptured a ‘once thriving economy.”‘ For years, successive PDP administrations operated a phantom economy wired with complex distortions and suffocating  corruption while deluding Nigerians into thinking that the economy was healthy. 

    Changing course away from the lies and deception of the PDP, President Bola Tinubu embarked on the boldest and most courageous programme of reform to rebuild our country’s economy, and dismantling obstacles  to true prosperity and sustainability. The economy is rebounding steadily now as reforms continue to yield wholesome dividends.” 

    Commending President Tinubu for calling off his scheduled activities in response to, and in honour of the victims of, the incidents, the party commiserated with families that lost their loved ones and wish the injured speedy recovery.

  • BREAKING: Ekiti PDP recommends Fayose’s expulsion to party’s disciplinary panel

    BREAKING: Ekiti PDP recommends Fayose’s expulsion to party’s disciplinary panel

    The Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recommended the expulsion of former Governor Ayodele Fayose for allegedly acting against the party’s interests in the state.

    The state PDP Caretaker Chairman, Dare Adeleke, made this known during a press briefing on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.

    He explained that the recommendation for Fayose’s expulsion was part of the submissions made to the Tom Ikimi-led Disciplinary Panel and the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Reconciliation Committee.

    Adeleke stated that the call for Fayose’s expulsion was due to his alleged anti-party activities and misconduct, including his public endorsement of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This, he said, has brought embarrassment to the PDP and could mislead the public about the party’s true values.

    He urged the national leadership to expel Fayose and his allies, warning that keeping them in the PDP would be detrimental, as their loyalty no longer lies with the party.

    Adeleke also mentioned that Fayose has filed four separate cases against the PDP caretaker committee within two months of its formation, with the intent to weaken the party.

    He said: “It is with deep concern that I must address the anti-party activities of Ayo Fayose and his cohorts. His public declarations and serial endorsements of the opposition are a direct affront to the values and unity of our great party.

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    “I strongly condemn these actions and encourage him to take the bold and honest step of officially decamping rather than openly aligning himself with an opposing party and misleading others into his self-serving interests. His actions mislead the public, giving them a distorted and false image of what the PDP stands for. Our focus is on strengthening Ekiti PDP, and such behavior only serves to weaken our collective efforts.

    “We are pleased to say Fayose is no longer a member of PDP. So whatever he says he is saying it to massage the ego of his boss and paymaster, Governor Oyebanji. Because if a man could shout on top of the roof that BAO has come to his house 18 times in two years, what is he doing there?

    “Mr Fayose is a survivalist. He is a person that wants everything for himself. If a person could sponsor his child as a PDP candidate and in the middle of the game he withdrew his child from the race to support the APC based on material gain. Will you take such a person as seriously?

    “He needs to say something sweet to get money from Oyebanji. He has taken the caretaker committee to court four times within two months the assumed office solely to weaken PDP at the instance of his paymaster”, he added.