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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • PDP crisis comes to a head

    PDP crisis comes to a head

    By now, after another foiled plot to unseat Acting Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be sick and tired of its fratricidal war. Ambassador Damagum is former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike’s ally, in fact his point man in the party, his main battering ram. Mr Wike himself must be having nightmares over the party’s relentless battles and plots mostly targeted at him and his allies. He may already be keenly aware that his perspective in the party has become jaded and untenable. Nevertheless, he obviously wants the ambassador to remain as national chairman until the end of next year in order to help checkmate the presidential ambition of former vice president Atiku Abubakar. He also wants to be acknowledged as one of the party’s main influencers, while hoping that most of the PDP governors would appreciate and probably be sympathetic to his point of view.

    Both Alhaji Atiku and Mr Wike are at the centre of the PDP crisis. Others, including PDP governors, Board of Trustees (BoT) members, and party leaders and executives, are a supporting cast. Given how the political dynamics in the party is playing out, the former vice president may seem to party elders to be the lesser of the two evils. He may exhibit poor judgement and his calculations remain almost permanently off-key, but party stakeholders probably consider him dangerous only when presidential politics come into view. Way before election, he is mostly absent or detached, while he is also never too keen on the contentious process of building or rebuilding structures, preferring to reap where he did not sow. He will not be too fussy about what the governors do or say, and will seldom take umbrage when they taunt his position or when they go at each other’s throats. More, he is not averse to alliances, and will as soon sell the party down the river as pulverise dissenting party leaders not awed by his wealth or smitten by his controversial reputation. Once presidential election politics begin, however, he will end his hibernation, shake the party up, demolish and dilute alliances and platforms, and hope that approximately one year of active and frenzied campaign can yield him the great prize. Indeed, his unwillingness to breathe down the necks of the governors makes him more tolerable than his fearsome rival.

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    Mr Wike is a tectonic force in the party. The party needed him years ago at its lowest point, and he stepped in, manned the ramparts, nursed the orphan back to health, showered her with love and attention as she grew in stature and comeliness, and finally thought of having her all to himself. It was, therefore, galling to him that someone else sauntered in before the presidential poll, plied her and her uncles and nephews with money and gifts, and tried to elope with her. The party was for a time naturally divided between Mr Wike’s politics of entitlement and Alhaji Atiku’s fecklessness and betrayal. For more than a year, the party was in a quandary, wondering how to respond to the former vice president’s amoral politics and the former Rivers governor’s sense of entitlement. They were indebted to Mr Wike, and had no illusion about Alhaji Atiku’s realpolitik, but they were also torn between repaying the kindness and constancy of the former and standing up to the exploitation, self-centredness and short-termism of the latter.

    What has worsened their dilemma is the increasing untenability of Mr Wike’s position. He is a federal minister under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, he was also instrumental to President Bola Tinubu’s electoral victory, but he has intensified his fight to retain the Rivers State PDP structure. The party naturally wonders what he needs the structure for: to deny Alhaji Atiku the Rivers vote again should the former vice president clinch the presidential primary, or lend it once again to the APC? Either would be counterproductive to the PDP, party elders reasoned. So, reluctantly, they have also begun to fight Mr Wike and his proxies, and have uncharacteristically started to support Rivers governor Siminalayi Fubara notwithstanding his appalling and amateurish politics. It is unclear too whether Mr Wike is not baffled by his own politics, by the choices he has made, and by the cruel and unforgiving options facing him from which he must chose sooner rather than later. He has been a revelation as minister, and is probably the best performer in the Tinubu cabinet. A practical man rather than an ideologue, he has won the president’s confidence by his unshakeable loyalty, far better than most APC ideologues, and has shown his dependability as a fighter and armour bearer. His politics in Rivers, not to say his judgement regarding the selection of his successor, might have been gross and outlandish, but he remains charismatic and a force to reckon with. Yet, there is a limit to how even a genius can manage politics riddled with contradictions.

    In many ways, the crisis in the PDP has come to a head. Mr Wike and his group, including the party’s acting chairman, now know where they stand. The PDP governors are also beginning to show their hands, indicating that they may be closer than ever to taking the bull by the horns, especially seeing that some of them harbour presidential ambitions. Alhaji Atiku is also beginning to be frantic, and has come out clearly to side with Mr Fubara, regardless of the abysmal politics of the governor. In fact, he has not forgiven Mr Wike for costing him the presidency, a blow he is adamant on avenging with his characteristic brutishness. Somnolent PDP elders who waited to see which way the cat jumps now appear sure, and are thus more eager than anyone to damn the consequences. They are tired of being beholden to Mr Wike and they want Amabassador Damagum out. They want their party back, though they may not be clear how to fund and sustain it. In short, all parties to the PDP crisis are readying themselves for a final showdown from which they may either emerge stronger or weaker. Given their current mood, they don’t seem to mind any outcome whatsoever. For them, it is anything but the inertia and indecision that had plagued them for years.

  • Ondo APC, PDP: Gazing at 2020

    Ahead of next year’s governorship election in Ondo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have returned to the drawing board. Correspondent DAMISI OJO examines the permutations by the ruling and opposition parties.

    The governorship election will hold in Ondo State next year.

    Although  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not released the time table, the political parties are warming up for the poll.

    Already, gladiators are preparing  for the contest. No fewer than 20 parties are expected to participate in the exercise, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the parties to watch.

    While the PDP is banking on its victoryduring the last presidential and National Assembly elections, which was due to the disunity in the APC, the ruling party is working hard to retain the Alagbaka House.

    Indeed, there is still a stumbling block on the way for the APC, judging  by the disharmony in the party. APC leaders are still at loggerheads.

    Since 2016 election, the heat has been on. The progressives party has been divided since that disputed primary. During the election, the party split.  The different groups worked at  cross-purpose. They did not support Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The aggrieved members were fighting the ‘Team Aketi’, which worked for Akeredolu to become the helmsman in 2016. Now, the group is working to ensure that the Owo-born lawyer gets the second term ticket and retains the seat till 2024.

    Akeredolu, who was initially relunctant to unite the factional groups, shortly after emerging as the governor, is seeking reconciliation ahead of next year polls. But, he still has many hurdles to surmount to achieve the goal.

    Recently, the APC Southwest Caucus, led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was in Akure, the Ondo State capital, seeking for unity and to guard against destroying the party.

    At the meeting, it was learnt that   next year’s election and second term ticket werenot  on the agenda. The meeting was basically for reconciliation to fortify the ruling party.

    Besides, sources hinted that there was an agreement to dissolve the APC’s State Executive, led by Ade Adetimehin, to be replaced with a Care-taker Committee. Its membership is expected to be all-encompassing.

    However, after almost three-months, the same exco is still running the party, to the displeasure of the aggrieved parties .

    The concerned groups ,led by former Deputy Governor Alli Olanusi, who is also a member of theAPC Board of Trusteees (BOT), have  reminded Abuja forces to support the resolution.

    They are feeling uncomfortable with  loyalists of ‘Team Aketi,’ who are running the party. They are frowning at the inability of the NWC to dissolve the state exco as agreed upon during the July 10 peace meeting.

    For now, the estranged members have not been accomodated by Akeredolu to strengten the party to become a winning platform ahead of next year’s poll.

    The crack is bold on the wall. However, some aspirants are warming up.  They are not intimidated by the power of incumbency weilded by the governor. Therefore, Akeredolu may not be the only aspirant at the primary.

    The contenders include the Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC),  Ife Oyedele, former governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) the Pioneer Chairman of APC Isaac Kekemeke and former Information Commissioner Banji Ayiloge.

    Observers are of the view that the senator representing Ondo North District, Prof Ajayi Boroffice, may be interested in the coveted seat. But,  feelers from his camp have not been definite.

    Three aspirants-Oyedele, Oke and Kekemeke-are from the South District,which is agitating for power shift.

    They said the Central had produced  Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the North has produced Akeredolu, adding that   the South has not tasted it in post- Olusegun Agagagu period.To the South, the state has an unwritten zoning arrangement.

    The PDP is also thirsty for power,  having been booted out of office on February 24, 2016 by the ruling APC.

    PDP lost power to the APC due to  internal wrangling and litigations.

    The crisis led to the failure of its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), to succeeed Mimiko.

    Observers believe the party, which must have learnt its lesson, is ready to correct its past mistakes.

    The party’s success March general elections gave it a ray of hope.  The party produced two senators, Nicholas Tofowomo (South) and Ayo Akinyelure  (Central).

    Already, the party in readiness to send Akeredolu and his party, APC packing in Alagbaka House, is parading no fewer than 16 aspirants.

    Majority of them are from the North where governor Akeredolu hails from. Some are from the South and few from the Central.

    PDP aspirants are Eddy Olafeso (P.hD), who is the National Vice Chairman (Southwest ) and former Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Mobilisation under Agagu.

    Jegede, a former Commissioner for Justice under Mimiko, was the 2016 PDP governorship candidate.

    He came second after losing to  Akeredolu.

    Already, Jegede has begun consultations without minding some side talks that Ondo Central should rest for now after the exit of Mimiko.

    He said he had consulted God Almighty on whether he  should go forward on the project and the answer was in affirmative.

    Also on the list is Ebiseni, a lawyer and a three- time commissioner, and  the former Chairman of Ilaje Local Government and immediate past Publicity Secretary of the party, Banji Okunomo, and Otunba Bamidele Akingboye.

    In PDP, there will be no zoning. The congress will elect the strongest candidate.

    Stakeholders in the two parties are posting that their parties will win.

  • Buhari, Atiku: What next after judgement?

    Senior Correspondent ERIC IKHILAE examines the significance of the judgemnt of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and its implications for democratic consolidation

    The ambience looked peaceful, less noisy and with less human traffic. A visit to the premises of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, last Thursday presented a sharp contrast to the atmosphere that pervaded the court the previous day.

    Shortly after the information became public, last Tuesday afternoon, that the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) had scheduled the delivery of its much-awaited judgment for the next day, the usual tranquil mood around the court became disturbed.

    Everyone had waited anxiously for the judgment in the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the last presidential election.

    From 4pm till late Tuesday night, court officials and media men were busy putting things in place. With the permission of the court’s authorities, three television stations were authorized to relay the delivery of the judgment live.

    Thus, officials of the television stations were required to set up their equipment the day before, which they did up to around 9pm.

    September 11: A day like no other

    As against the case on a normal work day, the court’s main car park was half full by 6am on the d-day, (September 11), with people hanging around the forecourt, awaiting court officials to open the door to the inner foyer and eventually the courtroom.

    That did not happen until 7am. With a hoard of security personnel, drawn from the Nigeria Police Force (NPC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and others, access was initially restricted to the court’s inner foyer by officials, who claimed to be acting on instruction.

    The door to the courtroom was only opened around 7.30am. A large crowd had formed around the entrance to the courtroom. It took great effort, with some struggle and pushing for people to eventually access the courtroom.

    In no time, the large courtroom became packed with lawyers, reporters politicians and their supporters, many of whom, the security personnel later restricted to the foyer.

    Obi, Ikimi, other PDP regulars absent

    But, unlike the previous court sessions, majority of prominent politicians, who witnessed the proceedings, were member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Majority of the usual faces, prominent among whom are the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, and a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi, stayed away yesterday.

    APC big wigs dominate attendance

    By 8.30am, an unusual personality came in. It was President Mohammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari’s second visit to the court. He testified as one of the president’s witnesses. Dressed in his signature white agbada and red cap, Kyari, who strolled into the courtroom quietly, was accompanied by the Minister of State for Niger-Delta Affairs, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who was also dressed in white native dress, but without a cap.

    They exchanged pleasantries with many as they were led by some court officials to a row of chairs reserved for the court’s audience. As if on cue, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, strolled in a moment later, greeted some lawyers who approached him sat on a chair close to Kyari.

    Other ministers, including Babtunde Fashola (Work and Housing) and Chris Ngige (Labour) were also in attendance. There was also the APC Chairman, Adam Oshiomhole, the governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, former PDP Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar.

    Prominent faces on the side of the petitioners were the PDP Chairman, Uche Secondus, and businessman, Raymond Dokpesi.

    Politicians and spirit of camaraderie

    Oshiomhole, who arrived earlier than Secondus, went straight to the latter on sighting him and shook hands with him. They also hugged, laughed healthily and conversed for some minutes before retiring to the seats kept for them.

    All the politicians in attendance (from both camps) sat in the same corner of the court, with Dokpesi sitting directly behind Kyari for the entire length of the proceedings. None exhibited any sign of animosity. They conversed, laughed and held hands.

    Not all a bad day for petitioners

    Although the judgment went against them, it was not an entirely a bad day for the petitioners as they recorded some pluses.

    The court refused to be drawn into the controversy over whether or not the first petitioner (Atiku) was a Nigerian by birth and whether he was qualified to have contested the election, as raised by the APC, in its reply to the petition.

    The court’s head, Justice Mohammed Garba, in the lead judgment, held among others, that the questions relating to the qualification of the first petitioners and whether he is a Nigerian by birth were outside the scope of the court’s enquiry.

    Justice Garba noted that by the Electoral Act, the Court of Appeal was to service as the court of first instance in determining whether or not a person was validly returned as winner of an election to the office of the president.

    He said the court is not to determine whether or not a petitioner or a candidate who lost an election was qualified to have contested the election.

    Relying on a Supreme Court authority, the judge held that, at most, the third respondent (APC) should have filed a cross-petition on that issue.

    The court also resolved the issue of whether or not the petition should be dismissed for the exclusion of Vice President Osinbajo (SAN) as a party, in the petitioners’ favour. The court, in rejecting a motion filed by INEC to that effect, held that Osinbajo could only be classified as interested party, but not a necessary and unavoidable party.

    It added that, since Buhari and APC were parties in the petition and represented by lawyers, it was unnecessary to add Osinbajo as a party.

    Were the petitioners duped?

    Did the so-called expert and star witnesses invited by the petition collect money for a job not done? That was the question everyone was left with when the Justices handed down their decision. They evaluated the evidence given by said witnesses and concluded that it was worthless and added nothing to the petitioners’ case.

    In their effort to establish their claim of the existence of a server, into which INEC allegedly transmitted election results electronically, the petitioners called, as their 59th witness, David Njorga, who described himself as a Kenyan Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert.

    The court noted that Njorga, in his testimony, said his expert report was based on a website, whose, owner he did not know. He gave the name of the website as www.factsdontlieng.com.

    He said the website was created about two weeks after the results of the election were made public. He said the owner of the website was an ex-INEC staff, whose name he did not name, but chose to call the person a whistle-blower.

    Justice Garba, after reviewing Njorga’s evidence, said the witness’s report is unreliable, coming from an expert.

    The judge noted: “ The information he relied, was found on a website, whose owner he did not know. As can be seen from the evidence of PW59 (Njorga), it cannot, by any stretch of imagination, be considered as an expert evidence, because it did not contain any information, he got personally from INEC website, but from a third-party source, an unreliable source, who is anonymous, cannot be believed. It is the said whistle-blower that ought to give the evidence in this case.”

    The court also faulted that evidence of another expert witness, Joseph Gbenga, who described himself as a Statistician, and through whom the petitioners tendered what they described as report of analysis of election results in some states they claimed were their focal states.

    The court also described as hearsay and worthless, the evidence by the petitioners’’ star witness, former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, who said he acted as PDP’s National Collation Officer.

    Justice Garba, who noted that the evidence given by all the 62 witnesses called by the petitioners was not enough to prove the monumental allegations of malpractices, irregularities, non-compliance and related claims contained in the petition, was particular about the quality of Chidoka’s evidence.

    He noted that by his testimony, the PW62, the petitioners’ star witness (Chidoka) admitted under cross-examination, that was in the petitioners’ situation room in Abuja throughout the election period.

    “He did not personally witness what happened on the field and at the various polling units. He also admitted, under cross examination, that the collation of results was done manually. He also said he did not see INEC server, but that INEC kept assuring them of electronic transmission of election,” the judge said.

    He concluded that Chidoka’s evidence amounted to hearsay, because he merely related all that he was told by those on the field, and concluded: “I agree with the learned counsel that the petitioners have not proved that the 2nd respondent (Buhari) was not validly elected by majority of lawful votes.”

    Buba Galadima as a hearsay witness

    After analyzing the evidence given by the petitioners’ first witness, Buba Galadima, the court refused to accord it any probative value and held that it was mere hearsay. The court noted that, while the petitioners made allegations bothering on harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention of its members during the election, they failed to call anyone, who experienced such treatment.

    “They (the petitioners) did not call as witness any of those allegedly arrested and detained, except PW1, Buba Galadima, who said he was harassed and intimidated after the election. His evidence is of no value here in proving the allegation of criminal conduct and non-compliance,” Justice Garba said.

    He added: “Whatever evidence led is tantamount to hearsay evidence, as they were never eye-witness. The security agents against whom the allegations were made, were never made parties to this petition.

    When lawyers and members of the audience became disinterested in proceedings.

    Many suddenly became disinterested in proceedings when, at the conclusion of the lead judgment, followed by a few words from Justice Abdul Aboki, the third member of the court’s panel, Justice Joseph Ikyegh began reading another lengthy supporting decision, which was seen as a repetition of what Justice Garba had said.

  • PDP BoT to Wike: Prove allegation of corruption against our members

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike or any other member with proof of corruption against members of a committee set up by the Board to investigate issues surrounding the emergence Mr Godwin Ndudi Elumelu as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

    Elumelu had emerged Minority Leader against the choice of the leadership of the PDP, which favoured another Rep member, Mr Kingsley Chinda.

    Governor Wike, who was also opposed to Elumelu’s emergence, has accused the committee members of having succumbed to corrupt influences with the view to slanting their report to favour Elumelu.

    The BoT committee, which was set up on July 9, had a Third Republic President of the Senate, Dr Iyorchia Ayu as chairman.

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    Other members are Senator David Mark, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Ibrahim Mantu. A former Deputy Reps Speaker, Austin Opara served as secretary.

    All the committee members are members of the BoT.

    But reacting to Wike’s accusations, the chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jubril, said the mere submission of a report by the committee did not imply issuing a clean bill of health to Elumelu and other Rep members who turned against the party’s choice.

    He also challenged any member of the party with proof of allegations against any member of the committee to speak out instead of casting aspersions on the members.

    The BoT chairman said the Board will meet on Thursday next week to deliberate on the committee’s report and take a decision

    Senator Jubril said, “I will not condemn any member of the committee without any proof of evidence of corruption. I challenge anybody anywhere to provide proof of the allegations of corruption.

    “He who alleges must show evidence of corruption. It is not enough to accuse anyone of any wrong doing. I call on anyone; both party members and non-party members to come forward with evidence of corruption and you will see what the BoT will do”.

    The BoT chair enjoined aggrieved party members to take advantage of the existing internal conflict resolution mechanism to table their grievances, instead of spreading unfounded allegations.

    Also reacting to the governor’s allegations, a member of the committee, Wabara said it would be premature to join issues with Wike, as the BoT had yet to discuss or taken a decision on the report.

    “But permit me to make it abundantly clear to our performing Governor of Rivers State that Wabara is not corrupt and that I do not think that all the other distinguished members of this committee are.

    “We are experienced and tested authorities on legislative matters and the unity of our great party without concealed interest in 2023 was paramount.

    “I will not unwittingly discuss the content of the report on the pages of newspapers until the BoT takes a decision on the recommendations of the Ayu committee report”.

    Contacted for reaction, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said its internal affairs of the party and that the matter was being resolved.

    Wike had, on Wednesday, said, “The committee set up by the PDP on the illegal emergence of Ndudi Elumelu is the most corrupt committee ever set up by the party.

    “We thank our worthy son, Rt Hon Austin Opara, for withdrawing from that committee, so that he is not entangled in the illegal activities of the tainted committee”.

    The governor’s reaction was sequel to the withdrawal of Opara as secretary of the committee.

  • Anambra PDP, APC are dreamers, says Obi

    Sir Norbert Obi is the Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State. In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, he gives reasons why the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may not be able to displace APGA during the 2021 governorship election.

    How prepared is APGA for future elections in Anambra State?

    Things are gradually working out towards 2021 and there is an adage that says “ empty vessels make the most noise.” In APGA, we admit that we have some short falls during the last primaries, but we have taken care of that. We are gradually coming back to our normal self.

    We have just held our congresses and new executives were elected at all levels, ward,  local government, state and national, and we have been to work.

    Some days back,  we had a retreat for all the state officers and all the local government politicians, chairmen and secretaries.

    We also had a seminar at Royale Garden Hotel in Nibo. These things are geared  towards 2021. In those functions, we had  all  our elected House of Assembly members, 24 of them, and the House of Representatives 5 of them in attendance. We have invited scholars and politicians to deliver papers to them again . That’s much I can tell you about our operations towards 2021. We are working very hard.

    But, the PDP and APC are saying that your administration has failed?

    Definitely, we shall retain power. Since   2006 till date in Anambra,  we have performed very well. Watch all the states. We do not owe anybody. Salaries are paid promptly, pensions are paid promptly and not minding the tight financial schedule that we have in the country. Thing are gradually moving on fine. Don’t mind them. I said initially that ”empty vessels make the loudest wise”.

    Our governments had performed, but we are now looking for somebody who will further come in and galvanise the party more. My party has no candidate in mind. I have continued to say that this time around, we will not bring in someone from outside. He must be a home grown politician that knows the territory very well. That’s what people like us are looking out for, who will come in here galvanize the party, make things work out, know where it pinches people, then make amends. That’s the candidate we are looking for.

    If you go to other states controlled by the PDP or APC, things are not working the way they are talking. Go to Kogi, salaries are not paid. In Bayelsa, it’s the same story.  Don’t mind the propaganda on ground that  things are not working in this place, Anambra is where the action is.

    Other states, including Abia, things are not working. So, we are proud of our leader Akpokuedike (Obiano). He’s trying his best, but as I said earlier, we are looking for somebody who is a home grown politician, who will come in and help us to galvanise the party, consolidate on what the present administration has done and move it forward.

    Your party is looking towards the South Senatorial Zone?

    It is the turn of the South Senatorial Zone. After, it will to come back to central and after central, it will go back to North again. We don’t want acrimony and 8years, central and north again and south, the bit goes on and on.

    But, the PDP chairman said there is nothing like zoning. That any candidate of any political party can come from anywhere. That they cannot follow APGA. Rather, APGA is supposed to follow them as a small party.

    Don’t mind them. They can pick from anywhere. If they want to pick outside the state, they are free to do it. But the consequences will be hash on them They are free to pick from Imo anywhere. But, we are APGA, we know that we are zoning the governorship to Anambra South Senatorial Zone for equity and fair play. So it’s better for them, if they feel, let them go to any place and pick, they will face the consequences.

    How do you react to the statement of the Vice President that APC will take Anambra to the Next level in 2021?

    They are day dreamers. Somebody from South west coming to tell us what will happen in Anambra State. It is not possible. We the Anambra know ourselves and they know who they are following.

    Vice president is a highly placed man and we will don’t have issues with him. But, our people know where the power lies and we know what to do to tighten up things. It is not for public consumption.

    But, what about the PDP’s threat as former Governor Peter Obi on the prowl?

    PDP is nothing without  rigging. Look at 2003 when the Uba brothers were in control, they rigged all through in 2003 after APGA won all the Federal seats and everything, but they were all rigged out and the governorship came also.

    Peter Obi won and eventually after 2 years, he regained his mandate. So Anambra State, Imo and Enugu belong to APGA, but PDP rigging has not allowed us to stand our feet. These three states that I mentioned, they are real APGA states and they won their election in 2003 and subsequent elections neatly, but because of external influences, we lost. Forget about Anambrans  being PDP State without rigging. They are no where. It is just mago mago, Peter Obi knows it. Forget that he is hungry for power and left APGA, he wants a higher platform which has been elusive. But, look at what is happening now after his vow to take out APGA. He’s an ambitious human being and just left APGA for PDP because he believes that moving to PDP, he would grab power. Lets sit and watch.

    Obi  has become like an oracle in Anambra politics like Ngige was before now. Do you still think your party has what it takes to dislodge  them?

    We will beat him, beat the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige, in their own domains when the time comes. My party is not in the same class with APC and PDP in Anambra State. Just watch out. We don’t believe in noise making.

    APGA is a “one room party.” You can’t compare APGA to PDP or APC. If they are strong, why haven’t they gone to other Southeast states?

    Both PDP and APC are relying on rigging, they are using such tool  and using the influence of power at Abuja there. The Obasanjo and so on style. Just of rigging, apart from that APGA would have won about five states in the South east states before now, if things were to be normal for two tenures. We would have cleared all the seats in Anambra and everybody knows it. APGA won in Enugu state, won in Imo and even Abia not to talk of Anambra. But, the powers that be muscled everybody with the influence of their fellow brothers. They wrote results, did everything. That was how APGA lost eventually until they recovered Anambra from the tribunal in 2006. So, forget about that arm chair theoreticians. APGA is real Southeastern party for the Southeasterners before Obasanjo and all the past presidents spoiled the whole thing. That was what killed APGA until we regained APGA in 2006. Now, 16 years down the line, nothing will happen to APGA.

    How have you resolved the crisis in your party?

    We are gradually coming to it. We are gradually achieving results. We are dealing with powers that be. People that made the difference  are gradually getting back. We need the confidence of the people and before  the end of this year, we will get to  a new position in this country, God willing.

  • Tribunal decides Atiku’s petition against Buhari today

    THE dispute over the last presidential election, won by President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on March 18, will come to a close today(Wednesday) before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

    The main opposition party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election,  Atiku Abubakar had filed the petition, in which they among others, queried Buhari’s qualification, victory at the election and sought to be declared winners. In the alternative, they prayed the court to void the election.

    The PEPC, sitting at the Court of Appeal,  Abuja, on August 21, and adjourned for judgment after entertaining final submissions from lawyers to parties.

    The Presiding Justice of the PEPC, Justice Mohammed Garba, announced, while adjourning proceedings on August 21, that parties would be notified when the court decides of a date for judgment.

    Parties to the petition have, since then, waited with bated breath for the judgment, with the petitioners reportedly writing the court last week in relation to the pending judgment.

    At about 12noon on Tuesday, information filtered in from the court that the much awaited judgment has been scheduled for today.

    The spokesperson for the Court of Appeal, Mrs. Sa’adatu Kachalla confirmed the development in a brief message on Tuesday.

    Mrs. Kachalla said: “Please be informed that notice has been given for judgment to be delivered tomorrow, September 11, 2019 at 9am in the presidential election petition.

    Four petitions were originally filed against the election, including the one by Atiku and the PDP, marked: CA/PEPC/002/2019, filed on Marc 18, 2019.

    Read Also: Presidency tackles ex-Vice President Atiku over Obasanjo

    There was the one filed by Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and Ambrose Owuru, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate. The petition, marked: CA/PEPC/001/2019 was filed on March 7 this year, before that of the PDP and Atiku, marked: CA/PEPC/002/2019.

    The third, marked: CA/PEPC/003/2019 was filed by the Coalition for Change (C4C) and Geff Ojinika, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate.

    The fourth petition, marked: CA/PEPC/004/2019, was filed on March 19 this year by the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pastor Aminchi Habu, listed as the party’s presidential candidate.

    Two petitioners, te C4C and PDM, at a point, withdrew their petitions, following which the court dismissed them.

    The court, in a judgment on August 22, 2019 dismissed the petition by the HDP on the grounds that it was without merit, the petitioners having been unable to establish their claims.

    While making their final submissions on August 21 this year in the petition by Atiku and the PDP,  Buhari, the APC and the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC) – who are respondents to the petition,  argued that the petitioners failed to disprove the claim that Atiku is not a Nigerian by birth and as such was not qualified to contest the election.

    Buhari, APC and INEC described the petition by Atiku and the PDP, challenging the outcome of the election as worthless and time wasting. They noted that the petitioner, in prosecution the petition, starved it of necessary evidence and urged the court to dismiss the it with substantial cost.

    They noted that while the petitioners made head wild allegations in their petition, they provided no single evidence in support of their claims and therefore, failed to meet the required standard of proof in relation to all the allegations.

    At the August 21 proceedings, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) led  Alex Izinyon (SAN) and other lawyers for Buhari;  Yunus Usman (SAN) led INEC’s team; Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) led the team of the APC, while Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) led the petitioners’ team, which included Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

  • ‘N650m fraud’: PDP chieftain is flight risk, EFCC tells court

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday heard that a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs. Olanrewaju Otiti, is a flight risk.

    Mrs Otiti is standing trial alongside a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide, and another PDP chieftain, Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun, for alleged N650 million fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which filed the charge, told Justice Nicholas Oweibo that Mrs Otiti could abscond, if permitted to go abroad for medical treatment.

    The accused, who is on bail, filed an application seeking the release of her international passport for a foreign medical trip.

    Her counsel Akinola Oladeji told Justice Oweibo that her health was failing.

    “We have attached her medical report, dated July 11, 2018, from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, as well as her medical history from 2009 up till 2019 to prove the urgency of the matter,” Oladeji said.

    But opposing the application, the anti-graft agency said it would be difficult to extradite Mrs Otiti to Nigeria, if she jumped bail.

    In a counter-affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, John Michael Idoko, the EFCC noted that the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction “does not extend beyond the shores of Nigeria”.

    Read Also: EFCC arrests 48 yahoo boys

    It also noted that there was no referral note from any hospital recommending Mrs Otiti’s travel on medical ground.

    “The applicant (Otiti) has not placed any evidence before the court to show that she cannot be treated of her ailment in Nigeria.

    “There is no fact within the content of this application and the supporting documents filed by the applicant did not state reasonable ground for this honourable court to grant her application but only to cast doubt in the mind of the court due to its variation.

    “Should the honourable court be inclined to granting the application, conditions that will ensure the applicant’s return to face her trial must be attached,” the deponent averred.

    Justice Oweibo reserved ruling on the application till tomorrow.

    The defendants are facing an amended 24-count charge of alleged N650 million fraud.

    The money was said to be part of the $115 million allegedly shared by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 general election.

  • Ondo 2020: Former commissioner joins race

    Former Ondo State Commissioner for Environment and delegate to the 2014 National Conference, Chief Sola Ebiseni, has joined the governorship race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He urged party to unite so that the party can return to power after the 2020 governorship poll.

    Ebiseni told PDP leaders and supporters at Igbotako, the headquarters of the Ilaje Local Government Area, that the abysmal performance of the APC government in the state will make it easy for the main opposition party to return to power.

    The lawyer and former  hairman of the old Ilaje/Ese Odo Local Council ssid he joined the race to serve the people.

    Ebiseni said APC lacked a clear-cut programme for developing the state and the country, adding that  the general insecurity had made life miserable to Nigerians.

    He accused Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of destroying the positive impacts of the social welfare programmes of the previous PDP administration.

    The former commissioner, however advised the PDP, at all levels, not to take the people of the state for granted in the selection of its candidate for the 2020 election.

    He said the party should be  “united and fair to all aspirants.”

    Reacting to the demand of the people of the area for zoning and power shift, Ebiseni said from his experience, no party had ever officially zoned the slot.

    However, he said if the shadow poll is free and fair to the three senatorial districts and the component groups, all will be well.

    The aspirant said equity and justice  remain essential features of emerging political cultures.

    This, according to him, was the reason no party had been able to hold power in the state perpetually.

    Ebeseni urged the people to put forward their best candidate who could win both the primary and the election proper, adding: “Having the ticket of the party and winning the governorship election go beyond social media agitations, some of which may even be annoying and offensive. It is the constitutional right of every person or part of the state to aspire to the office of the governor.

    “To get it, we must work hard, engage other local governments, tribes and groups in a friendly manner with mutually beneficial assurance and put forward our best candidate, in whom other people have confidence, based on robust relationship.

    “This game is not an Olympic event which essence is participation. It is a political World Cup, where only the champion can win both the qualifiers and the ultimate trophy for any nation.”

    He called for the support of the people, assuring them  of his capacity to win the party’s ticket and the 2020 election.

    All the leaders, who spoke at the event lauded his sterling leadership qualities as well as his capacity to win the election for the party.

  • Results of Kogi PDP primary totally unacceptable – Dino Melaye

    Senator Dino Melaye has registered his displeasure with results of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Kogi.

    He described the results of the contest in which he participated as “totally unacceptable.”

    The Kogi West Senator took to his Twitter page to express dissatisfaction with the conduct and the outcome of the exercise.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Musa Wada emerges PDP gov candidate in Kogi

    He said: “It is ridiculous to declare a final result of PDP Governorship primary election in Kogi State when my votes sorted out yesterday in 8 out of 10 ballot boxes are missing.

    “Only to declare votes in 2 out of 10 ballot boxes as my votes. Totally unacceptable.”

    Senator Dino Melaye lost the Governorship election ticket to Engr. Musa Wada, who emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer for the November 16 governorship election.

    Musa Wada, a younger brother of the immediate past Governor Idris Wada, who also contested for the ticket, scored 748 votes to clinch the party ticket.

    Senator Dino Melaye polled 70 votes to emerge fourth.

  • Ortom: I’m on course

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said that his administration was on course.

    He urged the people to cooperate with him to deliver democratic dividends to them.

    Shortly after Ortom was re-elected for a second term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he dissolved his cabinet ahead of  the May 29 inuaguration.

    Ortom set up a transition committee headed by former Senate President Iyorchia Ayu to produce a policy   document on how to govern the Food Basket of the Nation in  the next four years.

    He tagged the policy document: ‘ Our collective vision for a new Benue.’

    The committee comprise prominent Benue sons and daughters.

    He said his success and failure in office would depend largely on the implementation of the Ayu-led transition committee report.

    The committee has submitted its reports, and based on its recommendation, the governor has constituted his cabinet .

    Ortom said he was no longer under the  yoke of a godfather, adding that only men of integrity will be appointed as commissioners. He lamented that his previous appointees  were foisted on him .

    There are 15 commissioners. Only four former commissioners were retained-David Olofu, (Finance),  Professor Dennis Ityavyar (Education),  Mike Gusa (Justice) and Bernard Unenge (Lands and Surveys).

    On the day of his  inauguration,  the governor announced the reappointment of his Chief of Staff, Terwase Orbunde, and Secretary to Government (SSG), Professor Tony Ijoho (SAN).

    The  re-appointment  of the SSG was a huge disappointment to the people of Benue South, as they hoped the governor would appoint someone from the zone.

    Within the 100 days of the administration, Ortom said it will no longer be business as usual.

    He said he was ready to make life better for Benue, adding that the people will feel the impact of his administration.

    Ortom also said he will not  sit down and wait for aides to tell him stories about developmentsin the state.

    He visited more than 10 ministries and some agencies.

    During his visit to the Water Board and Benue Sanitation and Environmental Agency, he sacked the two General Managers (GM) for poor performance.

    Since then, Ortom’s visit to any government agency has been the beginning of wisdom.

    The governor is also giving attention to infrastructural development, including like roads, electricity, education and health. He is expected to inaugurate some projects to mark his first hundred days.

    But, the low point of his administration is payment of salary arrears.

    While salaries are now paid promptly, the issue of arrears lingers. Pensioners, civil servants and local government employees are appealing to the governor to pay them.

    The anxiety over the governorship election is not over. The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Emmanuel Jime, is challenging the victory of the governor at the tribunal

    However, the people are thirsty for more dividends of democracy. They want Ortom to develop agriculture in the largely agrarian state.

    A farmer, Tyowua Ugo, said attention should be given to the procurement of fertilisers and modern farm implements .

    Insecurity in some parts of Benue, especially cultism and banditry, are also worrisome to the governor, and he has vowed to tackle them.