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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • PDP denies link with APDA

    PDP denies link with APDA

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has denied having any association with newly unveiled Advance People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA).

    The National Caretaker Committee of the party made the clarification in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, on Monday in Abuja.

    The party said that the clarification was necessary following numerous calls it had received its members, concerned citizens and well-wishers soon after the new association was unveiled in Abuja on Monday.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we reiterate once again that we are not in any way associated with the new political association in any form or guise.

    “The APDA is neither an offshoot of the PDP nor its alter ego as some are speculating.

    “This statement is made purely to set the records straight and to avoid unnecessary innuendos, speculations and ambiguity that may threaten the continued unity and solidarity of our party members,” it stated.

    The party, however, appreciated millions of well-meaning Nigerians for their concern and commitment to the defence of the country’s nascent democracy.

    It added that the democracy “cannot survive without a strong and vibrant opposition.”

     

  • Dakingari denies defecting to APC

    Dakingari denies defecting to APC

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi, Alhaji Lawali Dakingari, has denied defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dakingari, a nephew to former governor Saidu Dakingari, said he was not among those that defected to the APC on Sunday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that the state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bello Doya, 21 former local government chairmen, councillors and  ward executives, as well as House of Assembly members defected to the APC on Sunday.

    However, Dakingari said in a statement released on Monday in Birnin Kebbi that the decampees were spent horses with no power to influence any voter.

    ”The decampees are not our true members and they will not succeed in their quest.

    “I totally condemn their action, though its allowed democratically, but I want to assure the Kebbi people that the  PDP will be stronger again,” he stated.

    Dakingari urged “true” PDP members and supporters to remain resolute and ensure that the party wins the July 15 local government election.

    “We are optimistic that not only the local government council election, but even the 2019 presidential polls, victory will be ours,” Dakingari stated.

  • PDP commiserates with Obanikoro over mother’s death

    PDP commiserates with Obanikoro over mother’s death

    The Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday condoled with the former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, over the death of his mother, Alhaja Wosilat Obanikoro.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alhaja Obanikoro died at the age 95 years on Saturday at her residence in Lagos.

    She was buried same day at the Ikoyi Cemetery according to Islamic rites.

    Mr. Taofik Gani, the state’s Publicity Secretary of the party, said in Lagos that the party shared in the grief of the Obanikoros at this point in time.

    He said the family was important to the party because the former minister was a chieftain of the party, who had held many political offices on the party’s platform.

    “We commiserate with him as a chieftain of our party and one who has held several privileged political offices using our platform, PDP.

    “The Obanikoro family is important to us and we use this period to implore him to increase his dedication to sincere public service.

    “May the soul of late Madam Obanikoro rest in peace and may God grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.

  • I still want to become president – Donald Duke

    I still want to become president – Donald Duke

    A former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, on Tuesday said he would still take a shot at the presidency, if the opportunity presented itself.

    Duke spoke at a programme, “The Nigerian Symposium for Emerging Leaders’’, held in Lagos.

    He said though he once aspired to the position but did not emerge the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would still contest for the highest office in the country at the appropriate time.

    Duke explained that it was because of his preference for the presidential seat that he did not vie for any federal legislative seat after serving out his terms as governor.

    “I do not have the flair for the legislature; standing up and sitting down at the chambers to raise a point. That was why I did not contest for the Senate but the presidency, after serving out my term as governor.

    “I have contested the presidency before; I will still give it a shot when the opportunity presents itself . I believe I still have the energy in me,“he said.

    The former governor canvassed the reform of the country’s political system to accommodate wider participation and good governance.

    He suggested the review of the electoral law to allow for independent candidacy.

    Duke said the country’s democracy would fare better if young people, who form the larger proportion of the population ,took more active part in its political process.

    He said most developed countries had young people as their leaders at one point or the other in their democratic history.

    The former governor, however, said power was never given easily, urging young people to participate in the political process and use their prime to add value to the country.

    “I want to urge young people in the country not to see leadership as if it belongs to some people, but do everything positive to be part of it.

    “You can only make a difference at the prime of your life. You can actually add value now, not when you are above 50.

    “So, you need to be part of the political process and play your part. It is your right to be there; nobody is doing you a favour.

    “You represent more than 60 per cent of the population;  you don’t have to beg for it.

    “Just make effort to make that change and contribute your quota to nation building,’’ he said.

    Duke urged government at all levels to be accountable and challenged the governed to demand more from their leaders.

    Also speaking, former Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State decried lack of transparency and accountability in government.

    He said the situation was responsible for the level of corruption in the country and poor delivery of dividends of democracy.

    Obi said the way out of the quagmire was for leaders to carry the governed along in budgetary spending and plans for effective tracking.

    “The way forward is that governments should make their budgets more explicit and published. The plans and the money to be spent on them should be clearly stated.

    “That is when people can track and make comparative analysis with previous budgets and then we can achieve some transparency,’’ he said.

    The former governor also urged the masses to show more interest in the budget so as to keep leaders on their toes.

    Mr Seun Onigbinde, Chief Executive Officer, Budgit, an organisation with interest in accountability in public finance, urged Nigerians to demand accountability from their governments.

    He also urged governments at all levels to always carry the people along in their budgetary proposals and implementation to achieve accountability.

  • PDP Senators condemn police raid on Ekweremadu’s guest house

    PDP Senators condemn police raid on Ekweremadu’s guest house

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate Caucus Friday evening condemned in strong terms the police raid on Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s guest house in Abuja.

    The police on Friday raided the National Assembly guest house in Abuja assigned to the use of the Deputy Senate President Senator Ekweremadu.

    The police was said to have claiming that a whistle blower tipped them off that Ekweremadu hid arms and money in the property.

    The Caucus in a statement in Abuja by its spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe described the Police action as unwarranted, unacceptable and a deliberate attempt to muzzle the opposition.

    Abaribe also faulted police explanations that they acted on whistle blower tip off.

    He noted  that the “failed gestapo-like operation was nothing but a smokescreen to cover up a carefully orchestrated plot to intimidate Senator Ekweremadu and by so doing cow the opposition from pointing out the failings of the government of the day.”

    According to the caucus, “the raid said to have been ordered by the Inspector General of police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, on a property owned by the National Assembly was a willful affront on democracy.”

    “We had raised alarm on this plot not too long ago and now they have carried out the assignment only to reach a dead end, to the embarrassment of the police and other anti-democratic forces bent on casting a wicked shadow on our fledgling democracy.

    “We of the Senate PDP Caucus will never be intimidated or cowed in discharging our constitutional mandate of providing a responsible opposition.

    “Is it not an irony that the raid in the National Assembly guest house is coming on the eve of the democracy day anniversary?

    “A raid on a property of another arm of government is a dangerous continuation of attack on the institutions that affects the needed checks on the excesses of the executive.

    “It cast an ominous sign and this must stop,” Abaribe said.

     

     

  • Police search Ekweremadu’s Abuja guest house

    Police search Ekweremadu’s Abuja guest house

    The police on Friday conducted a search on the official guest house of the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu. The guest house is located in the highbrow Maitama District, Abuja.

    Ekweremadu’s Special Adviser, Mr. Uche Anichukwu who confirmed the search on the guest house, said police did not inform the senator or any of his aides before the search was conducted.

    Anichukwu further said that only the senator’s steward was present when the police team arrived at the property, adding that nothing incriminating was found in the premises.

    According to him, the policemen were said to have told the steward that they were detailed by the Force Headquarters to carry out the search.

    When our correspondent called the Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood for comments, his mobile telephone indicated that his line was switched off.

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate had, a few weeks ago, raised the alarm, saying that security report at its disposal indicated that the security agencies were planning to invade Ekweremadu’s residence either in Abuja or Enugu.

    According to the spokesman of the caucus, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe who addressed journalists on the matter, the raid was to be carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Abaribe said the plot was to plant incriminating items; either a huge amount in foreign currencies or guns in Ekweremadu’s targeted residence and then arrest him for money laundry or gun running.

    The caucus stated that the motive behind the alleged plot was to put the Deputy President of the Senate out of circulation by arresting and detaining him on trumped up charges.

  • Nigerians urged to stand against one party state

    Nigerians urged to stand against one party state

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South Africa Chapter, Hon Ekos Akpokabayen has called on Nigerians to stand strong and resist every attempt to make Nigeria a one political party state.
    He said that Nigerians must apply their God’s given wisdom not to succumb to the unholy antics of the ancient crop of politicians who have lost every sense of democratic values; selfish political gangsters whose utmost motive is to enthrone one party system in Nigeria in this conventional times when refined democracy reigns supreme all over the world.
    According to him, this against the seemingly un-ending leadership tussle between the factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is currently breeding serious uncertainties about the immediate future of the most popular political party in Africa
    He noted that the current instability that is bedevilling PDP may have been perceived by many in different ways but the truth remains that no man will ever allow his family to disintegrate if that family is truly his.
    He said that in our own African culture, when an issue goes the wrong way in the family, the elders are called in to calm the situation and when any of the entities involved in the crisis is seen to be on the side of resistance, it becomes very obvious that such one is running prodigal and there is always an unseen hand rocking the cradle for him.
    Akpokabayen maintained that any Nigerian enjoining the government of the day in the spreading of this numerous dark propaganda against the PDP should have a rethink and also remember that nothing lasts forever, life and virtually everything in it take turns.
    He opined that the future is the nearest companion of the human race. Prizes can only be given at the end of the race, not at the beginning.
    Akpokabayen called on the true members of the PDP to  keep faith alive and anchor such hopes on the fact that without demolition there will never be renovation. Those that endures to the end will surely be the ones that will be crowned.
    He restated that the visions and values of our founding fathers will never be destroyed by a few sale-outs whose personal interests are of more importance to them than the stability of our great country and her hard earned democracy.
    He called for an urgent political solution to the pending leadership problem in the party.
    He admonished Nigerians to continue to pray for the health of the nation and that of the president, Muhammadu Buhari for him to recover from his ailments so that he will be sound enough to give the Nigerian people the “change” he and his party promised
    “No matter the direction the said change takes so that there will later be no more excuses when the time comes for making comparisons between the past and the present”, he said
  • FG to pay N2 billion Ecological fund each to 19 states, FCT

    FG to pay N2 billion Ecological fund each to 19 states, FCT

    …NEC to review Land Use Act

     

    The National Economic Council (NEC) next month may approve payment of N2 billion each from the Ecological Funds to 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, said that the disbursement is part of recommendations of his committee’s interim report submitted to NEC on Thursday.

    Stressing that the recommendation was to ensure fairness to states that were not given anything when former President Goodluck Jonathan shared N2 billion each to People’s Democratic Party (PDP) controlled states from the Ecological Funds.

    According to him, his 11-man committee, which comprised of governors, Minister of Finance and some permanent secretaries, will submit the final report during NEC meeting in June, where NEC will decide on the recommendation.

    The committee, he said, was asked to look at the operations and management of the one per cent which the Federal Government shares.

    He said “The committee established beyond all doubts that in 2013, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan gave N2 billion to certain states of the federation but excluded other states.

    “The states that got it were all PDP states and states of other parties that were sympathetic to the PDP like Labour Party in Ondo and APGA in Anambra State. 19 states and the FCT did not get the N2 billion from the Ecological Fund.

    “These states are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Borno, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Kwara and Lagos.

    “Others are Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara and the Federal Capital Territory

    “So essentially what President Goodluck Jonathan did was to take N2 billion each from the Ecological fund and give to some PDP states. Any PDP state that was not his friend like Kano and Kwara didn’t get. And all the other opposition party, like no ACN state got anything, no ANPP state got anything.

    “This, the committee of the council consider discriminatory and recommended that the 19 states and the FCT that did not get the N2 billion in 2013 be given N2 billion each to level the playing field.

    “Thereafter very clear criteria for accessing the fund will be recommended to the council for the consideration of the federal government,” he said.

    According to him, there is a Presidential directive that the Ecological Fund office must maintain a balance of N20 billion out of the present N33.6 billion in the Ecological Fund.

    This, he said, is to cater for any emergency or any natural disaster requiring intervention.

    From the total money in the fund, he said that the balance of about N13 billion will be available for distribution to the states that were discriminated against.

    “As I said, 19 states and the FCT making it 20, so it isn’t enough to give them N2 billion each.” he added

    He went on “So what we did was to give an interim report on how the entire ecological fund has been utilized from May 2010 till date. And we realize that a lot of the deployment of the funds was based on discretion of the President and there is need to establish very clear criteria for the use of the 65 per cent of the federal government share among the states of the federation.

    “But the committee recommended to make partial payment to these states that were discriminated against by President Jonathan. Council defied decision on that until we submit out final report which will be submitted to NEC in the meeting of June.

    “The council appreciated the enormous work the committee did and particularly appreciated the permanent secretary of the Ecological Fund office for providing detailed information about the operations of the Fund.” he stated

    He pointed out that the N2 billion each given to the states by the former President was purely on discretionary basis and not on any identified Ecological problem or any project request.

    According to him, it was given to favoured states not based on criteria or any request based on emergency.

    “It was just a handout to favoured states and other states that were not so favoured were discriminated against.

    “So our committee recommended that to level the playing field every state be treated equally, the federal government should give those states that did not get.

    “My state got because my state was governed by the PDP and was very friendly with Jonathan. In my state the amount was used to do some Ecological projects but in some states the money simply vanished. But in my state, it didn’t vanish. The projects were done, we are looking into those projects because the prices did not look right, the quality in one or two cases is not the best but some projects were done.

    “So we are saying in fairness the other states that did not get this N2 billion on discretionary basis should be done. This is why President Buhari is here to right the wrongs of the past,” he said.

    Bauchi Governor, Mohammed Abubakar said that the Council received the report of an Ad-Hoc committee set up by NEC to study the report of the Presidential Technical Committee of the Land Use Act regulations.

    He said “The presidential committee submitted its report on 26th of September last year. As a result of that the Nigeria Governors Forum set up its own committee comprising Surveyor General of the states of the federation of Nigeria to study that report of the presidential technical committee and come up with recommendations.

    “So when NEC received the report of the committee, an adhoc committee of six was set up with myself as chairman to study both the report of the technical committee and report of the Forum of Surveyor general of the federation and then compare the two reports and make recommendations to council.

    “The reason for setting up the technical committee at the onset was because of the encumbrances being faced in the interpretations given in the Land use Act over time from the time of promulgation in 1978 to date.

    “So the adhoc committee studied the two reports and made recommendations to council.

    “The main basis of the recommendation was the observance of true federalism. You know despite the various interpretations and comments made about the Land Use Act as a unitary law, actually the Land Use Act for the first time is one Act of the federal government that has made a categorical statement with respect to federalism by conferring control over land in the governors of the states and not a unitary system where the federal government will now control land. So this was what the adhoc committee had in mind when it was making its recommendations along with the presidential committee.

    “So at the end of the day all the recommendations that tended to temper with the powers of the governors over control of lands in the state were expunged from the report of the presidential technical committee.

    “Council finally received the report of the adhoc committee favourablly, in fact Council gave another assignment to that ad committee with a view to looking at areas of conflict in the Land Use Act and the minerals Act. There are situations whereby companies will come to Abuja to the Mining Casdastal and obtain license to prospect for minerals in the state. And the go and immediately commence prospecting without minding the fact that it been granted to some other people by governors who have control over land with certificates of occupancy. So this led to a lot of conflicts. So council has extended the life of this adhoc committee to look into this with a view to making recommendations.

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha said that the Council also reviewed many money issues as it affects the nation.

    He said “We were made to understand from the office of the Accountant General that the excess crude account as at May 24th stands at $2.3 billion. Council also reviewed the discrepancies in figures and we have said that the Accountant General will go to look at it and at the next meeting he will brief the council appropriately.

    “As regards the loan support what is called the budget support facility for states which is suppose to come to an end by the end of this month, council was concerned about the fact that we are gradually coming out of recession and if this budgetary support ceases at the end of May, it might create some lapses in our bid to stabilize the economy. So council resolved that the budgetary support be extended to enable states catch up with the economy challenges of the moment.

    “The good news is that we have been reliably informed that crude production at Forcados terminal will soon commence and this will in any small way help the  economy and the stabilization of the economy and for us to get out of recession as quickly as possible.

    “But the highlight of the whole discussion today’s was a special commendation that the Council made on the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who we have all resolved to call a systems stabilizer given the fact that Mr. President is on medical vacation, the system is still as smooth as it has always been. So, we commended the Acting President for a job well done.”

    He maintained that the Paris Club refund was not a free money, but money owed state governments.

     

  • Former PDP spokesman accuses defectors of selfishness

    Former PDP spokesman accuses defectors of selfishness

    A former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Anietie Okon, says those dumping the party in Akwa Ibom are selfish.

    “Those who switched camp did that for selfish interest, they lack commitment to the party.

    “By their very act, they give politics a bad name, they are doing so for their selfish interest, they are not working for people but themselves,” Okon told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Uyo.

    Okon who was reacting to recent defection from PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) by some prominent politicians in the state, described the action of such politicians as regrettable.

    According to him, many politicians place their personal interest above the common good of all.

    He noted that politicians had shown very little concern about collective interest of the people and the vision of building the state for the wellbeing of future generations.

    “Akwa Ibom politics runs on two clear lines, which are partisan. This is regrettable so far.

    “As far as I am concerned there must be a point in political partisanship, where the greater interest of the people is placed above partisanship.

    “After politicking, there comes a period of governance. Governance is not to be one-sided. It puts the interest of the people first.”

    NAN recalls that about 200 members of PDP in Uruan Local Government defected to the APC on Friday and three weeks ago 500 PDP stalwarts left the party in Ikono Local Government Area.

    Okon absolved the PDP leadership in the state led by Gov. Udom Emmanuel for the wave of defection, saying that the governor was resolute in fulfilling his electoral promises to the people.

    “As Gov. Emmanuel celebrates two years in office this May, the state is not owing workers’ salaries and entitlements like some states.

    “We are in a modern world, the important thing is to give satisfaction to the people and the governor is toiling day and night to meet the people’s needs,” Okon said.

    He assured that the PDP administration in the state was on course and determined to deliver quality and people-centred leadership.

  • No APC member joined PDP in Enugu, says party chairman

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State says none of its members has joined any other political party in the last two years.

    The party said on Sunday that, on the contrary, it had become the new bride in the state as some members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and some others defected to its fold.
    The state Chairman of the party, Dr. Ben Nwoye, made the claim in Aguobu-Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state, when a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the state, Chief Joe Mmamel, defected to the APC from the PDP.
    According to Nwoye, the clarification had become necessary following a recent claim by the PDP that some APC members defected to its fold.

    NAN reports that the state PDP, at a recent zonal meeting in Awgu, announced the defection of 5,000 members of the APC into its fold.

    At the meeting, the defectors wielded brooms which they finally dropped and pledged allegiance to the PDP.
    Nwoye, however, claimed that the action was a panic measure adopted by the state PDP.

    “They have two factions; so, what happened there was phony – PDP members defecting between their factions.
    “There were no faces known to us as our members but we have real PDP members defecting to our party,” Nwoye said.
    Also reacting, a former governor of the state under the PDP, Mr Sullivan Chime, who now belongs to APC, said: “We need to tell our people the truth because the game of politics has changed.
    “When PDP was on ground, there was no other viable party in the state.
    “Other political parties always joined our campaign train but what we hear today is that some people were given brooms to declare for PDP.
    “Not a single person was identified as an APC member.”
    The former governor said that he declared for the APC in his ward, urging that whoever desired to change political party should not hide his identity.
    “I declared for APC publicly in my ward. Former Senate President, Dr Ken Nnamani, and some others did the same thing.’’
    Chime said that the APC had come to stay in the state.