The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • ‘Southeast leaders betrayed our trust’

    Houses of Assembly candidates in the Southeast, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have accused party leaders in the zone of betraying them.

    They also accused the governors of negotiating with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors against APC candidates, alluding to the fact that rather than campaign for them, the APC leaders mobilised votes for the opposition. They described the action as anti-party.

    In a communiqué at the end of their meeting in Abuja, the candidates, on the platform of Conference of 2019 Southeast APC House of Assembly Candidates, hinged the party’s failure to the negative activities of the party leaders.

    They accused the leaders of anti-party activities, alleging that most of them campaigned for the opposition and also negotiated with governors to give 25 per cent votes to the President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The communiqué, signed by Tochukwu Onyedibe and Confidence Chukwuedozie, Coordinator and Secretary, also noted with dissatisfaction, the outcome of the National Assembly leadership election, raising concerns over the imbalance on the composition of the leadership of the National Assembly.

    Read Also: Political exclusion of southeast

    The communiqué reads: “The Conference noted with dismay the negative activities of some party leaders in the zone, which contributed to the unimpressive performance of the party in the Southeast. Most of them are guilty of anti-party activities. They neglected their party’s candidates and campaigned for the opposition, and even went into unholy alliances with the governors to give our presidential candidate 25 per cent votes, forgetting that we have all it takes to win the election.

    “We noted with dissatisfaction the outcome of the National Assembly leadership election, and raised concern about the imbalance on the composition of the new leadership. The conference hopes on the growth and improved performance of the party in the zone, and urge all party organs on the need for proactive programmes and early preparation towards the next elections.

    “For equity, fairness and growth, the conference is appealing to President Buhari and APC national leadership to address concerns of the Southeast on inclusive governance to promote national cohesion.

    “We laud the party for setting up a committee on the review of anti-party activities, and urge the leadership to fully implement the committee’s report, especially as it concerns the Southeast.”

     

  • I’ve no plans to protest over INEC server, says Atiku

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has debunked media reports indicating he planned to lead a protest should the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal rule against his bid to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grant him access to information on the Commission’s central server.

    Atiku and the PDP are challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Tribunal where they have prayed the tribunal to compel INEC to grant them access to information relating to the presidential election on the Commission’s central server.

    In a statement Sunday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the PDP candidate described statements in circulation to that effect as the handiwork of mischief makers.

    According to Atiku, the said statement was meant to mar Atiku Abubakar’s “spotless pro-democratic record”, with the view to laying the groundwork on false charges against him.

    The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement circulating in a section of the media, to the effect that Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of PDP in the 2019 presidential election and Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007, plans to lead a street protest in the event that the election petition tribunal rules against him and his party on the issue of a server for the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Read Also: Atiku seeks tribunal’s permission to inspect INEC’s server

    “I wish to emphatically state that such a statement did not emanate from Atiku Abubakar or his privies.

    “It is the work of mischief makers who want to mar his spotless pro-democratic record and lay the ground work for their threatened actions against him on false charges of being a threat to national security.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku Abubakar believes in the Rule of Law and in the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In his almost four decades in politics, he has never taken action or spoken words against democracy and will not start now.

    “Atiku Abubakar and his team have confidence in God and thus call on those bent on mischief to have the fear of God and retrace their steps.

    “Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. The culture of fear being created now cannot rein in our democracy. Nigeria and Nigerians have a consistent history of outlasting tyranny and will continue to do so by the grace of God”.

     

  • Osun gov dispute: Supreme Court hears Adeleke’s appeal, Monday

    The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for Monday in the appeal filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ademola Adeleke in the September 2018 governorship election in Osun State.

    Adeleke is, by the appeal, seeking the reversal of the May 9, 2019 majority judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which upheld the election of Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Osun State.

    Information about the hearing date is contained in notices sent to parties last week by the Registry of the Supreme Court, a copy of which The Nation sighted in Abuja.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Oyetola of the APC the winner at conclusion of the September 27, 2018, supplementary election, held after the inconclusive September 22, 2018 main election.

    Adeleke and the PDP challenged the outcome of the election at the election tribunal, which sat in Abuja owing to fear of insecurity in Osun State.

    On March 22, 2019 the three-man election tribunal gave a split decision of two-to-one in favour of the petitioners – Adeleke and the PDP.

    Justices Peter Obiorah and Adegboye Gbolagunte, in the majority decision, upheld the petition, voided Oyetola’s victory and declared Adeleke of the PDP. winner of the governorship election.

    Read Also: Supreme Court sacks Niger senator, declares new winner

    Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, who chaired the tribunal, gave a minority judgment, in which he dissented and struck out the petition on the grounds that the petitioners did not prove their case.

    Oyetola, APC and INEC appealed the  majority judgment at the Court of Appeal,Abuja, while Adeleke and the PDP appealed the minority decision.

    On May 9, 2019 the Court of Appeal gave its decisions on the appeals, with four members of the five-man panel, upholding the appeals by Oyetola, APC and INEC, and dismissing the cross-appeal by Adeleke and the PDP.

    The Court of Appeal’s majority judgement set aside the majority judgment of the election tribunal, upheld the result as declared by INEC and affirmed Oyetola of the APC as winner of the election.

    Justices Jummai Sankey, Abubakar Yahaya, Isaiah Akeju and Bitrus Sanga gave the majority decision, while Justice George Mbaba gave the minority judgment, in which he dismissed the appeals and upheld the cross-appeal.

    The appeal to be heard by the Supreme Court on Monday is that filed by Adeleke against the majority decisions of the Court of Appeal.

  • Kaduna: Governorship tribunal adjourns to June 17

    The Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned to tomorrow, June 17th, hearing in the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the re-election of Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

    The adjournment was to allow respondents in the petition study and verify the documents presented as evidence by the practitioners.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Bako, said at the resumed hearing of the petition that the three respondents, El-Rufa’i, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not privy to the documents brought before the tribunal by the petitioners.

    According to him, the respondents would need time to study the documents assembled by the petitioners to prepare their responses.

    Read Also: Kaduna’s bold move to regulate preaching

    Documents presented by the petitioners include Certified True Copies (CTC) of INEC result sheets and voters’ registers used during the March 9 polls.

    Bako said the tribunal, on the adjourned date, will admit those petitioners’ documents certified by the three respondents as evidence, while those they disagreed on would be presented for argument by counsel to the parties.

    Counsel to the PDP, Elisha Kurah (SAN), told newsmen shortly after the adjournment that the party had assembled 685 witnesses to testify within the two weeks given by the tribunal.

    Kurah said the petitioners had all the needed documentary evidence and witnesses to prove their case before the tribunal.

    “And by the time the votes in the areas affected by  violence, rigging and other irregularities are removed, the PDP and its candidate, Isah Ashiru, would have majority votes in the March 9 poll,” he claimed.

    The PDP and its governorship candidate are challenging the return of Gov. El-Rufa’i of the APC as declared by INEC.

    The petitioners alleged that the March 9 governorship poll was characterised by irregularities, massive rigging and violence in some parts of the state.

     

     

  • Mohammed signs 2019 N197bn Bauchi budget

    The Governor of Bauchi state Senator Bala Muhammed on Friday signed the N197bn 2019 appropriation bill into law.

    The budget was assented to after a downward review from N198bn proposed and submitted to the House of Assembly by his predecessor, Mohammad Abubakar, on December 20, 2018.

    Mohammed said the review of the budget was to incorporate the projects that was in line with manifesto of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).

    He had after his inauguration requested the legislators to make a review of the budget to suit his administration’s policies and programmes.

    Read Also: Gov Mohammed orders payment of workers’ salaries

    Speaking after signing the revised budget at the Council Chamber, Government House Bauchi, he expressed appreciation to members of the Assembly for the speedy review of the revised budget.

    He assured the lawmakers of synergy to take the state to “greatest height” with provision of good governance.

    Mohammed said further that his administration would be guided by the Constitution for better performance in line with International best practices.

    Earlier, while presenting the budget to the Governor for assent, Speaker of the House, Mr. Kawuwa Damina said Bala requested for review of the document, therefore the legislators were on their toes to ensure amendment.

    The speaker enjoined the governor to join hands with the Assembly for the speedy development of the state.

  • Kaduna Guber Tribunal strikes out PDP’s votes recount application

    The Kaduna State governorship election petition tribunal on Tuesday struck out People’s Democratic Party (PDP) application for the recount of votes of March 9 governorship election won by All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State.

    PDP’s Candidate, Hon. Mohammed Isa Ashiru lost the governorship election and decided to challenge the victory of Nasir El-Rufai of APC at the tribunal.

    The PDP candidate had earlier applied for the recount of ballot in some polling units and wards of Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Zaria, Sabon Gari, Makarfi, Kudan, Kubau, Soba and Ikara local government areas won by the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in the concluded election.

    In his ruling, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim M. Bako noted that the court does not have the power to grant the application for the recount of ballot papers.

    This was even as the tribunal fixed June 15, 2019 for continuation of hearing of the case.

    However, speaking to journalists after the court’s ruling, counsel to  Ashiru, Elesha Kurah (SAN) said the legal team will study the ruling and take necessary action.

    Kurah who frowned at the ruling said it is strange because other tribunals have done that ‎in the past and also with court of appeal in a number of cases.

    According to him, “So, we wonder at this stage why the tribunal would say it doesn’t have the power to recount. We have to take It up ‎so that the issue will be trashed out”, he said.

    Read Also: Kidnappers of Kaduna Pastor, 16 others demand N15M ransom

    The legal luminary argued that tribunal has inherent powers to grant the recount, saying that the court of appeal has even agreed that they have the powers.

    He said the claim of the court not to have powers to grant the application and to assume that there is no specific provision in the electoral act that talks about recount is strange.

    While quoting section 6(17) of the constitution, he said the inherent powers ‎of the court is clear, explaining that judicial powers conferred on the court ‎to do justice to the case and this one cannot be an exception.

    But counsel to Nasiru El-Rufai of APC, Abdulhakeen Mustapha (SAN) expressed satisfaction with the ruling, saying the PDP’s motion lacks merit.‎ ‎

    According to him, the court found no merit in the application and it was dismissed.‎

     

  • PDP demands apology over allegations

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded an apology from the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for allegedly misleading the nation and heating up the polity.

    The main opposition said the minister levelled unfounded security breach allegations against it and its presidential candidate in the February 23 election, Atiku Abubakar.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, by PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan said the minister’s doublespeak exposed the fact that he, acting for the Federal Government, only conjured up claims to create the impression that the PDP and Atiku had set security breaches against the President’s inauguration.

    Describing Mohammed’s allegations as phantoms, the PDP accused the minister of desperation to secure acceptance from Nigerians for the Buhari administration.

    The statement said: “Moreover, the minister’s claims that he relied on certain alarms fell flat as no agency in the country had ever accused the PDP, as a political party, or our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of ‘doing everything possible to sabotage the Buhari administration, generally overheat the polity and make Nigeria seemingly ungovernable’ as claimed by Lai Mohammed.

    Read Also: We never expelled Akpabio – PDP

    “We also have fears that Alhaji Lai Mohammed could have made those wild claims in a bid to pave the way to frame, harass, arrest and detain some opposition figures on trump-up charges.

    “Such antics have failed as Nigerians have seen through them and are resolute, behind Atiku Abubakar, in the determination to retrieve his mandate in the court…

    “By his fabricated claims, the Information Minister only succeeded in further de-marketing our dear nation in the international arena, causing more damage to investors’ confidence in our system and exposing this administration as purveyor of fake news.

    “The PDP, therefore, invites Alhaji Mohammed to apologise to the nation and desist from such acts of incitement.”

     

  • PDP accuses Tinubu of attacking party

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of hauling insults at it to curry political relevance.

    The main opposition party also faulted Tinubu’s recent visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Saudi Arabia where the party alleged that the APC leader hauled invectives and diatribes against the PDP

    In a statement Tuesday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said through his actions Tinubu has further demonstrated that he has nothing to offer towards the development of the nation.

    “It is atrocious that at the time other leaders are in the Holy Land offering prayers and supplications for our nation, Asiwaju Tinubu is in Mecca for photo-ops, playing dirty politics and hauling insults at other Nigerians just to curry relevance before President Buhari,” the statement said.

    Read Also: We never expelled Akpabio – PDP

    The party further noted nothing but sheer hypocrisy would push Asiwaju Tinubu to engage in “unholy praises of a failed administration” in desperation.

    The statement said: “This is the same Asiwaju Tinubu, who, in January 2018, at the 15th Annual Daily Trust Dialogue, berated the Buhari administration for its nepotism, incompetence, corrupt oil subsidy regime; blaming it for the high-level poverty in our country and counseled Nigerians to be guided by their conscience in electing leaders in the 2019 general elections.

    “Asiwaju, in criticising the Buhari administration, held rightly that too much political and economic power resides in the hands of too few.

    “This result in a society described by too much of unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, too little food, yet too much poverty.

    “He then added correctly that under President Buhari, “rather than becoming a joyous nation, Nigeria has become a cruel playground where the fears and concerns of the average person get exploited but their interests never get promoted.”

    “The PDP therefore lambasted Asiwaju Tinubu for making allusion to its determination with Nigerians to retrieve Atiku Abubakar’s stolen Presidential mandate at the court, adding that no amount of blackmail can detract from this resolve.”

  • We never expelled Akpabio – PDP

    The Akwa Ibom chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday said it never expelled or suspended former governor, Godswill Akpabio, from the party.

    The Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Ini Ememobong, stated this at a news conference in Uyo.

    He said that the claim by Akpabio that he was expelled by the party was a “transparent lie’’, adding that the former governor had never “even been suspended at any time’’.

    “Chief Akpabio had announced to the world on Aug. 8, 2018, that he was defecting from the PDP to the APC in pursuit of national interest and to stem the tide of defections in the National Assembly.

    “In fact, at different campaigns, he mocked the PDP as being empty since his `uncommon defection’.

    “At no time did he mention the issue of expulsion, which has now become his creation, as a lame defence in his struggle to keep his seat at the Senate,’’ Ememobong said.

    Read Also: Real reasons Akpabio, Amaechi reconciled

    He alleged that Akpabio colluded with a former chairman of PDP in Essien Udim Local Government Area to procure a letter purportedly expelling him from the party, and back dated it.

    According to him, after completing the assignment, the former chairman defected to APC to join Akpabio.

    The PDP insisted that there was no way Akpabio could have been expelled by the party without the concern of the executive committee of the party the area and the state.

    He also stated that there was no record showing the existence of such a punitive action against the senator by his ward or local government executive committee of the party.

    NAN

     

  • Osun Governorship poll: Adeleke heads to Supreme Court

    Sen. Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sept. 2018 governorship election in Osun, has approached the Supreme Court, seeking a reversal of the decision of the Court of Appeal that declared Mr Gboyega Oyetola, as the winner of the poll.

    A statement by Niyi Owolade, Legal Director, Adeleke Campaign Organisation, on Saturday in Osogbo said Adeleke, in his appeal, wants the apex court to set aside the ruling of the appeal court and uphold the decision of the Osun election petition tribunal.

    Owolade said Dr Onyeachi Ikpeazu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and six other SANs as well as 17 other senior counsels, had been hired by Adeleke to challenge the appeal court judgement at the Supreme Court.

    He said Ikpeazu had already filed four appeals at the Supreme Court against each of the four majority judgements of the appeal court.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osun State Election Petition Tribunal on March 22 ruled that Adeleke was the rightful winner of the 2018 governorship election.

    Read Also: Sen. Adeleke reacts to Appeal Court judgement

    But Appeal Court on May 9, reversed the ruling and set aside the decision of the tribunal and reinstated Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the election.

    Owolade said the appeals were against majority judgement in favour of Gboyega Oyetola, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the striking out of the cross appeals of Senator Adeleke, among others.

    Adeleke is seeking reliefs from the Supreme Court: to allow this appeal, set aside the decision of the appeal court and dismiss the appeal of the respondent, against the judgement of the tribunal.

    Owolade said other SANs that would be appearing with Ikpeazu in the appeal, include Chief N.O.O. Oke, Dr Paul Ananaba, Emeka Etiaba, Emeka Okpoko, and Kehinde Ogunwuminju.

    Other senior counsels on the team include Niyi Owolade, L.N. Iheanacho, Edmund Biriomoni, Wole Jimi-Bada and 13 others.