The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party

  • One stabbed to death as PDP supporters fight over money in Imo

    A supporter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was, yesterday night, stabbed to death at Umuokorobi Umuobom in the Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, following disagreement over the sharing of money released for today’s election.

    According to an eyewitness, the politician simply identified as Chief Uzoma, died on the spot, which prompted other party members to set the house of the assailant ablaze.

    The crisis reportedly broke out over the sharing formula for the money released for mobilisation for the Presidential and National Assembly polls. According to the sources, the PDP members, who had gathered at an unnamed politician’s house, waiting for mobilisation money for the polls, started trading words with each other.

    “The politicians had gathered for mobilisation money but some others accused few persons of diverting the mobilisation money.

    “Voices were raised, which led one of the disagreeing PDP members to stab one chief Uzoma to death. The death of the politician angered members of the community, which made them burn down the assailant’s house.”

    A detachment from the Police Headquarters in Dikenafai, reportedly restored normalcy in the area.

    A Police source who pleaded anonymity,  confirmed the incident, stating that, “Yes, a fight broke out among some politicians sharing money, and one person was killed in the process, but the situation has been brought under control.”

  • Seven PDP members arrested in Ekiti for alleged PVCs racketeering

    Seven members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have been arrested for illegal collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from eligible voters in Ikere-Ekiti.

    The House of Assembly member, who allegedly masterminded the voter cards racketeering, was said to be on the run.

    He escaped being arrested by the whiskers when the policemen swooped on his situation office where the alleged PVCs racketeering was going on.

    The armed policemen believed to be acting on a tip-off stormed the area few minutes before 1pm and recovered unspecified number of PVCs from the suspects.

    He was said to have blocked the federal highway that passes through the area gathering eligible voters to collect their cards.

    Read also: Police foil plot to kidnap oil merchant by employees

    The operation caused confusion as the seven other PDP members allegedly assisting the lawmaker to collect the PVCs were apprehended by the policemen.

    Party members arrested are said to be cooling their heels in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) where they are stating all they know about the incident.

    The lawmaker could not be reached on his mobile phone at the time of filing this report.

    When contacted, police spokesman, Caleb Ikechukwu, said the report of the incident was yet to be brought to his office.

  • Ganduje condemns Bebeji clash, calls for investigation

    Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has described as unfortunate the attack on APC supporters in Bebeji Local Government, allegedly by members of Kwankwasiyya group of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The clash was said to have left scores injured while no fewer than 15 vehicles were destroyed.

    A statement signed by the state Commissioner of Information, Malam Mohammed Garba, issued to newsmen in Kano, alleged that supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were attacked on Thursday while holding a special prayer session for peaceful conduct of the general election.

    It alleged that the attack was the latest in series of such incidents by the Kwankwasiyya group in their alleged attempt to breach the peace in the state.

    The statement further said that the governor condoled with the bereaved families and prayed for quick recovery for those injured while calling on security agents to fish out the perpetrators and prosecute them.

    Reacting to the allegations, spokesperson to the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, accused the State Government of sponsoring the attack on the APC supporters.

    “They are aware that PDP governorship candidate, Abba Kabir-Yusuf and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as other party supporters, were going to the two areas for their final rally.

    “But they (APC supporters) decided to hold similar programme in order to cause trouble,” he claimed.

  • PDP urges court to void Buhari’s directive on ballot box snatchers

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Federal High Court to, among others declare illegal the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to security agencies to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers.

    The request is contained in a suit it filed on February 21 this year.

    The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/225/2019 has the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as defendants.

    It is the plaintiff’s contention that the directive was illegal and beyond the powers of the President.

    The party also argued the President lacked the powers to deploy the military for electoral purposes. And that any deployment of the military must be with the prior approval of the National Assembly.

    Read also: Soldiers intercept bus load of thugs

    The plaintiff wants the court to declare that the President “lacks the powers to deploy the 5th to 7th defendant (Army, Air Force and Navy) to participate in the 20019 general elections without the prior express approval of the 2nd defendant (National Assembly). And that such deployment in the absence of the 2nd defendant’s approval, is illegal and unconstitutional.

    It seeks orders of perpetual injunctions against the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police from given effect to the said directive by the President.

    The PDP also wants a perpetual injunction restraining the President from deploying the armed forces and their officials to participate in the general election.

    It is also praying the court to restrain the 5th to 7th defendant (the armed forces) and their officials “from participating and or playing any role whatsoever” in the general election without the aproval of the National Assembly.

    Also, the PDP has applied to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for leave to apply for an order of mandamus to compel the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), the Minister of the FCT and the APC to pull down the gigantic brooms which they erected in some parts of the city as part of the party’s campaign strategies.

    The PDP, in an ex-parte motion, marked: M/3476/2019, argued that the giant brooms were illegally erected at the City Gate, and other parts of the city.

    Both cases are yet to be assigned for hearing.

  • Soldiers intercept bus load of thugs

    Soldiers of 4 Brigade have reportedly intercepted for buses loaded with thugs heading for Okada, headquarters of Ovia North East local government area.

    Sources said the buses were in the convoy of Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency.

    It was gathered the soldiers stopped the convoy and the occupants said they were on their way to Okada to perform their civic responsibility but they couldn’t provide their PVCs.

    Read Also: Soldiers arrest 40 over cult killings

    Witnesses said the boys were asked to lie on the floor.

    Chairman of Ovia South West local government, Destiny Enabulele, confirmed the arrest of the suspected thugs.

    He praised the soldiers for being vigilant saying what they want in Ovia is peaceful elections.

    Igbinedon could not be reached for comments as calls to her phone went unanswered.

  • PDP demands release of Kogi campaign spokesman, others

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate release of its presidential campaign spokesperson in Kogi State, Mr. Austin Okai, who was allegedly abducted Friday evening by armed thugs allegedly unleashed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The party also said the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, should immediately disband the checking point in Banda, Lokoja-Abuja highway where members of opposition are allegedly being harassed and intimidated.

    In a statement on Friday night by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said its members, as well as the people of Kogi state cannot stomach the abduction of Mr. Austin Okai as well as the arrest of its members for flimsy reasons by the APC.

    Read also: PDP accuses INEC of hoarding result sheets

    The statement said: “PDP cautions that the continued stay in captivity of Kogi state party leaders can spark off crisis in the state.

    “We urge the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to immediately step into the matter to forestall a breakdown of law and order. This is because, if Mr. Austin Okai and others are not immediately released by the APC, it would send a very wrong signal to the already agitated youth and lead to a resort to self-help.

    “The PDP also alerts of the arrest of its ward chairmen in Rivers state by soldiers, particularly in Abua-Odual Local Government Area, ostensibly in compliance with the orders of the Buhari Presidency.

    “The mass arrest in Rivers is coming on the heels of the clampdown of PDP members in Kano state with the arrest of our party leaders and campaign officials including our Senatorial candidate Ahmed Haruna Bichi and a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Garba Bichi.

    “The PDP notes that these are two very volatile states and any act that suggests a clampdown by the authorities might lead to vehement resistance by the people and trigger crisis in the state.

    “We call on Nigerians to note how the Buhari Presidency and the APC are pushing Nigerians to the wall and invite the international community to hold President Buhari directly responsible for these infractions against innocent Nigerians”.

  • PDP applauds inclusion of APC candidates on INEC list

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) gubernatorial candidate in Zamfara State Dr. Bello Muhammad has applauded the judgement of the Court of Appeal that ordered inclusion of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the general elections.

    The PDP candidate told reporters in his residence that PDP is in the contest because there are others too and would not be happy if a strong contender as the APC is out.

    Read Also: Police arrest Jibrin-Kofa over Kano APC, PDP clash

    Muhammad, who donated a new Peugeot to the correspondent chapel, stated that eight political parties that include the PPA have all pledged allegiance to the PDP in the state, urging supporters to vote only PDP in all the polls across the state.

    Muhammad stated that without strong contestants, citizens will never enjoy democracy dividends, stressing he is poised to turn around the fortune of Zamfara state to a much higher position if voted into office.

  • PDP to voters: don’t be scared by Buhari’s order

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged voters not to be scared by what the party described as a shoot-on-sight directive against would-be ballot box snatchers.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had, on Monday, ordered the military and other security agencies to deal ruthlessly with anyone caught snatching ballot boxes during tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, urged Nigerians to be focussed and refuse to be intimidated as they go out to cast their votes.

    The party chair described the President’s directive as a ploy to manipulate the result of the elections.

    Secondus said: “When the President threatened the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the elections were rescheduled, the intention was to frighten and cow them into playing along with the All Progressives Congress (APC) agenda.

    “When they harass, arrest and block bank accounts of the opposition stakeholders, what they want is to win at all cost.

    “When they drag military institutions into politics, the aim is obviously to destroy that institution the way they are doing to the legislature and the judiciary.

    “But I urge you Nigerians to refuse to be intimidated or provoked but remain focused and fix your eyes on the ball, which is victory that is coming on Sunday.

    The chairman appealed to stakeholders in the election, particularly the INEC, security agencies and political party agents, to remember that the election is about Nigeria.

    “This election is about rescuing this country. It’s about sustaining our democracy.”

    The chairman of the Strategy Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Osita Chidoka, said that the world was watching Nigeria and urged voters to be patient, peaceful and tolerant.

    He urged Nigerians to demonstrate to Africa and the world that the country is irrevocably committed to democracy, transparency and the rule of law.

    Chidoka said the PDP had learnt its lessons from previous elections and so determined to give Nigerians the confidence that their votes, as expressed at the ballot, will count.

    He said: “Local and international observer groups have set up various models of vote tabulation that will enhance the credibility and validity of the election.

    “All parties have had the privilege of reviewing the official PVT system’s potential to scientifically and statistically validate the election within an acceptable margin of error.”

    According to him, the PDP is fully prepared to resist intimidation, extrajudicial procedures and partisanship on the part of security agencies.

  • Groups seek Abia REC’s probe

    Three social-cultural groups have accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abia State, Joseph Iloh, of using members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as electoral officials in tomorrow’s election.

    The Concerned Abia Leaders, Abia Renaissance Group and Abia Elites for Good Governance, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene.

    They also petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), National Security Adviser (NSA) and Inspector General of Police (IGP).

    The groups called for Iloh’s investigation and the immediate redeployment of INEC returning officers, collation officers and ad hoc workers in Abia.

    They warned that retaining them means “that pre-determined election results will be declared after the elections”.

    The Concerned Abia Leaders, through its President Mr Emeka Ukonu, and Secretary General, Chief Desmond Obioha, urged President Buhari to investigate INEC’s list in Abia State “which contains about 90 per cent PDP card carrying members”.

    “Despite not holding brief for any political party, we shall not support any action (s) that will jeopardise the electoral process. Contrary to the tenets of electoral process and democracy, which are anchored on transparency, probity and accountability, the officials of INEC in Abia State have been compromised by the PDP for ulterior motives in a bid to short-change the people’s will.

    “Your Excellency Sir, it may interest you to note that most of the returning officers are members or associates of top chieftains of the PDP. The personal relationships between the leadership of INEC and top chieftains and members of the PDP in Abia State are not only worrisome, but undemocratic.

    “All these atrocities couldn’t have been possible without the knowledge and support of the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, and Resident Electoral Commissioner Joseph Iloh,” the groups alleged.

     

  • Thugs attack Osinbajo’s convoy in Ilorin

    Political thugs suspected to have sympathies for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday allegedly attacked the convoy of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

    The attack is said to have culminated in life-threatening gunshots, which left at least two supporters of the APC injured.

    Many others allegedly got seriously injured while running for their lives.

    But a police source revealed the incident, which happened around Isale-Koko, Ilorin suburb, occurred when the Vice President’s convoy had left the area.

    When contacted, spokesperson of the state police command Ajayi Okasanmi could not confirm the incident.

    Reacting on the development APC governorship candidate in the state Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq condemned “the brazen attack today in Ilorin on the convoy of the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo by armed PDP thugs.”

    In a statement by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, Abdulrazaq said: “The vice president was at Isale Aluko suburb of Ilorin on a door-to-door campaign when some dare-devil gunmen opened fire at his convoy which included thousands of APC members and supporters.

    “In what is a reminiscence of the Offa robbery, this attack is the height of recklessness on the part of these street urchins who have long been empowered and armed by the discredited dynasty to terrorise our community and anyone who has contrary views to their amala politics.

    Read Also: I have not resigned, says Osinbajo

    “Coming just a day after two of our supporters were killed in Ojoku in the convoy of our senatorial candidate Architect Lola Ashiru, this is becoming too much and the madness must stop.

    “Going into an election with these thugs clearly on the loose is an existential threat not just to all of us challenging the misrule in our state but to the entire people of the state and their properties.

    “We call for immediate arrest and prosecution of these thugs. We also demand investigations to reveal those who gave the orders for these deadly attacks.

    “We call for all measures to be taken to ensure safety of lives and properties and sanctity of the ballot box in Kwara and beyond.

    “No one’s political interest should be at the expense of human lives and their properties.

    “We insist that a political contest is a contest of ideas and no one must be allowed to cow or kill others in the process.”