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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • PDP: Obasanjo’s letter vindicates our position on Buhari, APC

    PDP: Obasanjo’s letter vindicates our position on Buhari, APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has said that the scathing open letter by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, detailing the poor performance of President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed its poor rating of the President and the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    Obasanjo had, in the letter, advised Buhari to perish the thought about seeking re-election in 2019 even as he described the administration as incompetent and nepotistic in its pattern of key federal appointments.

    A statement on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Obasanjo’s intervention was courageous, timeous and patriotic, adding that such has vindicated its position on President Buhari and the APC.

    The opposition party however rejected the call by Chief Obasanjo for a third force, saying that such would amount to repeating the same blunder that brought in the “ideologically vacuous APC and the Buhari Presidency” which it said has wrecked havoc on the nation in its almost three years of governance.

    The PDP further sated that it’s obvious that President Buhari and the APC have irredeemably failed the nation, adding that Nigerians have already taken an irrevocable position against them ahead of the 2019 elections.

    According to the PDP, Chief Obasanjo’s counsel has rekindled the fate of the people in the democratic process, stressing however that the solution does not lie in creating another political quicksand in a third force but consolidating on a rescue mission with the repositioned PDP which it said Nigerians have already embraced.

    The party recalled that in the heat of the 2015 elections, many citizens who claimed to have become tired of the PDP and its government, opted for a coalition of strange bedfellows that had little or no experience in governance as a vehicle for electoral victory.

    “Expectedly, in their confusion, they have plunged us into this regrettable situation that has brought our nation to its knees”, the statement added.

    Continuing, the PDP said, “Repeating the old mistake of congregating political strangers cannot help our nation at this time, more so, when the few concerns raised by the former President about the PDP no longer obtain under the refocused and rebranded PDP.

    “The PDP is now standing on a truly democratic ground that perfectly represents and reflects the hopes and aspirations of all Nigerians irrespective of their class, creed or tribe.

    “That is why our great party has now, more than ever before, become a centre of the new patriotic and broad-based engagements by well-meaning Nigerians and coalitions across board, including past leaders, in rekindling our democratic process that places priority on returning power to the people.

    “The fact is that Nigerians overrated President Buhari in 2015, but they have now seen that he never possessed the capacity and the required aptitude to effectively govern our great nation and pilot a healthy economy.

    “This accounts for the reason former President Obasanjo, just like most Nigerians today, are concerned about the quality of presidential candidates to be presented by various parties for the 2019 election.

    “The fact is that while the APC is already caught up with President Buhari, the PDP is open for a new engagement that will throw up the President, which our nation truly deserves at this crucial moment”

    The party called on Nigerians, including leaders across board, to come together to rebuild the nation on PDP’s consolidated base rather than traversing on another learning curve”.

  • Life harder under APC – Gov Emmanuel

    Life harder under APC – Gov Emmanuel

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state has lamented the worsening economic condition of Nigerians under the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking yesterday in Uyo at the New Year Get-together ceremony of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), the Governor said  Nigerians fared better under the PDP than the APC government.

    In fact, Emmanuel slammed those blaming the PDP for the country’s current predicament, adding that the high cost of food items, petrol, automobiles and the soaring exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar are indicators that all is not well with Nigerians under the APC government.

    “Everywhere you go people keep saying the PDP spoiled the country. When PDP governed Nigeria how much was a bag of rice? When PDP was in power how much was Toyota Corrolla? When PDP handed over power how much was a litre of petrol? When PDP handed over government how much was the exchange rate? Was it not between 186 to 188?

    “I am standing here firm and sure that Nigerians now know the difference and they are eagerly waiting for PDP in 2019.

    “Nigerians did not know or value what they had until they lost it ( PDP ). Nigerians now appreciate us much now. We can zero in on that and make a lot of impact. We shouldn’t play the defeatist approach”, Governor Emmanuel said.

    He said that one of the ways to dislodge the APC in 2019 both at the state and federal levels was for party members to obtain the permanent voters card.

    To this end, he directed party stakeholders occupying government positions to sensitize and mobilize party members in their wards to register and obtain their PVCs which which they can remove the APC government.

    The Governor also hinted that political and traditional positions in the state would strictly be determined by the principle of zoning, adding that zoning makes election cheaper and eases tension.

    “My intention is to make election cheap for us through zoning. I am happy that all of us have adhered to the principle of zoning.

    “These days I get calls from communities when they want to select their village heads and they tell me they are adopting zoning. It makes life very easy”, he argued.

  • Why Wike still hates Buhari, Amaechi – Rivers APC

    Why Wike still hates Buhari, Amaechi – Rivers APC

    *President was never under pressure to declare state of emergency in Rivers, insists APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has revealed that Governor Nyesom Wike still hates President Muhammadu Buhari and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, for masterminding the ouster from office in 2015 of the then President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ).

    It also insisted that President Buhari was never under pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, as alleged by Wike.

    Rivers APC, through Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Senior Special Assistant on Media/Public Affairs Consultant to Rivers State Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, stated these yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    Rivers governor, while receiving Anglican Bishops of Niger Delta Province at the Government House, Port Harcourt over the weekend, alleged that President Buhari was under intense pressure from leaders of the APC to declare a state of emergency in Rivers.

    The main opposition party in Rivers ( APC ) said: “Wike’s hatred for President Buhari and Amaechi is legendary, since the two APC leaders masterminded the ouster from office of his ATM, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, under whose watch our common patrimony was looted with impunity.

    Because of this, he is ever ready to use any forum to castigate, insult and malign these two great leaders, not minding the dire consequences.

    “President Buhari never complained to Wike of any pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. We are shocked that Wike could bring the exalted office of the governor to odium, in such a reckless manner, to ascribe to President Buhari something he never said.

    “To the best of our knowledge, the three issues that Wike discussed with President Buhari were Ogoni clean-up, the Nkpogu Junction (Port Harcourt) incident with Amaechi, where attempt was made on the life of the Transportation Minister and the detention of Wike’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) for one week.

    “Nobody is interested in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, not minding the abysmal failure of Wike to ensure protection of the lives and property of the people of Rivers State.

    “We urge Wike not only to call himself to order, but to formally apologise to President Buhari for ascribing words he never uttered to him, to score cheap publicity, always associated with him.”

    Rivers APC also stated that the Neighborhood Watch about being established by Wike’s government would be used to cause more mayhem in Rivers state, to boast his chances during the 2019 governorship election, declaring that the Rivers governor stood no chance in any election, without violence.

    The main opposition party reassured the peace-loving people of Rivers state and other Nigerians that not minding the abysmal failure of Wike in governance, the Federal Government would always protect lives and property in the Niger Delta state.

  • Metuh hospitalised in Nnewi, may be referred to UNTH Enugu – Lawyer

    Metuh hospitalised in Nnewi, may be referred to UNTH Enugu – Lawyer

    The trial of former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Olisa Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited on charges of money laundering was stalled yesterday owning to Metuh’s absence in court.

    Metuh and Destra are being tried before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly receiving N400m unlawfully from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in 2014. They are said to have also engaged in money laundering to the tune of $2m.

    At the scheduled resumption of the trial yesterday, Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), told the court that his client was absent because he was on admission at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, Anambra State.

    Ikpeazu noted that the hospital has written a letter dated January 21, 2018 indicating that his client had been on admission since January 20, 2017.

    He read some portions of the letter from the hospital, where it stated that “we are managing him” and that it “may refer him to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital ( UNTH ), Enugu” for further treatment.

    Ikpeazu said he knew that the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi hospital “is not as equipped as UNTH Enugu.”

    In reaction to the reference to a recent Supreme Court judgment on the case by the prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, Ikpeazu said the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang has always given the case prompt hearing.

    He said the claim about Metuh’s ill health was not orchestrated by the defence to frustrate the trial.

    Ikpeazu applied for an adjournment to a later date to enable the defence report to the court on his client’s health situation.

    In further reaction to Tahir’ observation that the Supreme Court had, in its January 12, 2018 judgment in the appeal by Destra, order accelerated hearing, the company’s lawyer, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN), said the Supreme Court’s directive for a speedy trial would not have a remarkable impact on the trial.

    Onwugbufor said, “Everybody who has participated in this case knows that your lordship has never tolerated any delay.

    “From my experience, the court has been very expeditious in the handling of this case and matters before it. Even the motion that went to the Supreme Court was determined by your lordship and it never constituted any delay to the hearing of this case.”

    Responding, Tahir said Metuh’s absence would hamper further progress in the trial. He said he would not oppose the defence’s request for adjournment because it was based on health ground.

    Tahir noted that the development would defeat the intention of the Supreme Court in its January 12 judgment. He said, “The apex court was clear and very emphatic on the need to bring the case to a conclusion.

    “The Supreme Court made an order directing this court to treat this case with dispatch. And here we are confronted with the situation that will seemingly defeat the order made by the Supreme Court,” Tahir said.

    In his ruling, Justice Abang observed that the trial was scheduled to resume yesterday for the prosecution to cross-examination Metuh’s 9th witness, Adebayo Bodurin.

    The judge agreed to adjourn to the next day (today) since the prosecution did not oppose the defence’s request for adjournment to enable it brief the court on Metuh’s health status.

  • Edo LG polls: PDP may boycott polls

    Edo LG polls: PDP may boycott polls

    There are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) in Edo State might boycott the local elections in the state scheduled to hold on March 3rd.

    This is because the party is yet to begin sale of nomination forms to aspirants or fix a date for its party primaries.

    The PDP has also expressed its resolved to seek injunction from the court to stop the Edo State Electoral Independent Commission ( EDSIEC ) from further conduct of the polls.

    It called on members of EDSIEC headed by Prof. Stanley Orobator to disqualify themselves from conducting the polls.

    Speaking to newsmen after an enlarged meeting of the party in a Benin City, State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, said the party has resolved to critical issues of law regarding the proposed local government elections. 

    Chief Orbih urged its members seeking to contest the election either as a chairman of councillor to remain calm pending judicial proclamation on the party’s suit.

    Orbih said the party wants the court to determine whether the Edo State House of Asssembly can validly amend the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law to abridge the length of notice of polls stated in section 30(1) of the Electoral Act as amended having regard for paragraphs 11 and 12 of part II of the second schedule of the Nigeria Constitution.

    He said, “We also want the court to decide whether it is valid for the local government election to be conducted in Edo State without giving the PDP and other stakeholders the mandatory 90 days notice of polls stated in section 30(1) of the electoral act as amended.

    “Whether the amendment to the local government electoral act was done in violation of the mandatory of the rules of the Edo State House of Assembly on law making process in the House.

    “These issues are very critical. We have a responsibility to protect and save democracy. We must put to and end the impunity of the APC in Edo and at the federal level.”

    “We reject the composition of EDSIEC under the chairmanship of Prof. Stanley Orobator. They should disqualify themselves. Many of them are card carrying members of political parties. Our aspirants should remain calm while we are waiting for the decision of the judiciary.”

  • PDP condemns Benue attack, urges presidency to intervene

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has condemned Tuesday’s attack by gunmen on Benue farmers, calling on the presidency to arrest and bring the culprits to book.

    The PDP Publicity Secretary in Benue, Mr Bemgba Iortyom made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Makurdi.

    “Once again, heavily armed gunmen on January 2, unleashed violence and mayhem on some rural communities in Benue.

    “This time in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs), killing a yet to be determined number of peasant farmers, women, children and the aged inclusive.

    “The assailants also visited arson on property of the locals on a massive scale which is also yet to be estimated in terms of monetary value.

    “The Benue Chapter of the PDP totally condemns this barbaric act which qualifies by every standard as terrorism employed in the pursuit of an agenda which is genocide in character,’’ it stated.

    The party said it was in alignment with the position of Gov. Samuel Ortom that the Federal Government must move quickly to provide security to the people of the state as well as bring the perpetrators of the acts of criminality to book.

    According to the PDP, gunmen violence against farmers should be graded on same level with menace of Boko Haram insurgency and treated with an equally commensurate degree of security attention.

    Read also: Police arrest eight herdsmen over Benue killings

    “Evidence abound that the gunmen killing of Benue farmers, burning down their homes and destroying their farms, crops, farm produce and properties, do not differ from Boko Haram insurgents in mode and method of operation, as well as extent of impact and devastation on their victims.

    “We also use this opportunity to reaffirm our support for the law prohibiting open grazing of livestock in Benue State as the surest antidote, both in the short and long terms, to the menace of gunmen attack in the state.

    “We urge Gov. Ortom to explore broad-based and bi-partisan approaches involving all segments of the Benue community towards bolstering internal cooperation measures for the effectiveness and sustainability of the law,’’ the statement added.

    About 20 persons were killed after some gunmen attacked communities in Guma and Logo LGAs on Tuesday.

    NAN

  • PDP congratulates Liberian President-elect, Weah

    PDP congratulates Liberian President-elect, Weah

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday congratulated the Liberian President-elect, George Weah on his victory in what it described as “keenly contested Presidential election.’’

    A statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja, also congratulated all Liberians for a peaceful and successful transition.

    The peaceful transition according to the party is a testimony that democracy has taken firm roots not only in Liberia but also on the African continent.

    “Equally commendable is the commitment of the Liberian National Electoral Commission for its internal reforms that paved the way for a credible election in consonant with the wishes and aspirations of the people.’’

    Ologbondiyan said that Nigeria as a leader in the West African Sub-region, especially during the PDP rule, played key role in ensuring the political stability in Liberia.

    He said that Nigeria must continue to show direction by ensuring the consolidation of democratic practices and culture both at home and in other countries in the sub-region.

    The PDP urged the Chairman of the Independent National
    Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to ensure credible elections in 2019, by insulating the commission from external interference.

    Ologbondiyan also urged the commission to ensure that it “weeds out all
    compromised officials’’, who could be used by undemocratic forces to try to subvert the will of the people.

    “Finally, we urge Nigerians to join in strengthening our democratic practice through active participation in political education and mobilisation to ensure an enduring electoral process’.

    Also read : Buhari congratulates George Weah

  • Fayose has become a pharaoh in Ekiti, says Adeyeye

    Fayose has become a pharaoh in Ekiti, says Adeyeye

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State,Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has accused Governor Ayo Fayose of harassing party members and preventing them from accepting Christmas/New Year largesse from party leaders who do not belong to his camp.

    Also read :  PDP’s failure to learn from past blunders

     Adeyeye, the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the party called for the intervention of the national leadership to Fayose’s alleged dictatorial tendencies which could force members to join the opposition.

    He said Fayose “has become a Pharaoh in Ekiti” by allegedly blocking party members from enjoying milk of kindness from aspirants and leaders willing to make them enjoy the Yuletide.

    The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi, who denied the allegations against Fayose described the governor as a “compassionate human being loved by the people of the state.”

    He described Adeyeye’s allegation as “an attention-seeking gimmick that should not be taken seriously by members of the public.”

    Ogunsuyi said Fayose is busy implementing policies that will make life better for the people of the state and would never be distracted by the ranting of failed politicians.

     

     

  • 1,500 PDP members defect to APC

    1,500 PDP members defect to APC

    No fewer than 1500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State on Friday defected to the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    The defectors were received by Mr Olusola Sokunle, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly and the APC Chairman in the LGA, Alhaji Olamide Kasali.

    Sokunle, who was elected into the Assembly on the platform of PDP, had in February, alongside six other lawmakers, defected to the ruling party on the floor of the House.

    The lawmakers had cited the performance of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and the leadership style of the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, as reasons for their defection.

    The new defectors were led by a PDP chieftain in the council, Mr Fola Mosaku, and four councillorship candidates of the party in the July 22 council polls in the state.

    Sokunle, receiving them, said: “APC is a party to belong to, where our political aspirations can be achieved. So, endeavour to frequently attend political meetings in your wards.

    ” Let us thank Governor Ambode for giving Oshodi a facelift. More projects are still on the way.

    ” The door is still open for other interested PDP members to join us.”

    Read also: PDP  to sanction promoters of ‘Fresh PDP’, says spokesman

    He said that the APC-led government had performed beyond expectations, with various development projects executed in different parts of the state.

    Also welcoming the defectors, Kasali assured them that APC would ensure their interests were protected.

    The party chairman said that the party would soon begin its membership registration in the wards.

    He urged all new and old members to go to their various wards for registration immediately the exercise commences.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mosaku said: “We dumped the PDP for APC because of the performance of our Honourable Sokunle.

    “We are also motivated by the performance of APC government in Lagos; we will not make any u-turn back to the PDP.

    “Four councillorship candidates in the last local government election and I are leading other members of PDP to APC today.

    “We are joining APC permanently,” Mosaku said.

    Mr Ayodeji Ogungbayibi, one of the defectors, who was a councillorship candidate in the July council poll in Mafoluku Ward, said the PDP was not functioning in the state again.

    NAN

  • Edo PDP threatens legal action over defection of Rep

    Edo PDP threatens legal action over defection of Rep

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State Thursday threatened to institute legal action against Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima over his defection to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Hon Agbonnayima who is representing Ikpoba-Okha/Egor in the House of Representatives announced his defection to the APC and resignation from the PDP during plenary.

    The PDP however described Agbonnayima action as unlawful even if he is free to associate with any political association of his choosing.

    A statement signed by state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said the PDP frowned at Agbonnayima’s decision not to resign his membership of the House of Representatives before moving to his new political abode.

    Nehikhare noted that Agbonnayima was elected under the platform of PDP and as such the mandate belonged to the PDP.

    According to the statement, “His conduct is in breach of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and it is only right, proper and mandatory that his seat is declared vacant.

    “You will agree with me that PDP has no division or faction. Consequently, Hon EJ Agbonayima’s seat should be declared vacant. Edo PDP will approach the courts to so declare.”