The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party

  • I will sell NNPC to wealthy Nigerians if elected-Atiku

    The Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday in Kaduna reiterated his resolve to privatise the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), if elected President on Saturday.

    Atiku, who reiterated this while interacting with stakeholders from the 23 local government areas of Kaduna state at the trade fair complex, said his resolve to sell national assets was informed by the fact that NNPC has since inception 1963 failed to meet its expectation of refining crude oil for the country’s consumption.

    He insisted he will sell off the NNPC to provide more development, stressing his decision is against the backdrop that only very few are benefiting from the operations of the national asset at the expense of the masses.

    Atiku challenged President Muhammadu Buhari, who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum, to relinquish the running of the NNPC to ordinary people to show his level of sincerity.

    Contrary to the widespread spread rumors that he will sell the NNPC to himself, the former Vice President said: “The NNPC will be sold to Nigerians with money to buy it.”

    He explained: “Its 63 years Nigeria found crude but up till now we are yet to refine petrol and kerosine by ourselves.

    “We have refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt but saboteurs stopped them from working.”

    He also said his government will not be run by any cabal such as experienced by the present government.

    He averred that the present government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inflicted the nation with pains and poverty because according to him, the President is not in-charge.

    Speaking on the President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent security directive on ballot snatching, Atiku said PDP will not tolerate any form of ballot snatching and indulge in any act whatsoever against the electoral law.

    He insisted the order to kill any ballot box snatcher is undemocratic.

    The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, told the state stakeholders to resist every form of provocation to warrant postponement of election in the state.

    According to him: “The governor is running from one place to another seeking federal support to shift election, all such efforts will fail.

    “I urge us all to be resolute to vote Atiku Abubakar in the coming election and all other candidates of the PDP in all the elections.

    “Resist all forms of provocation, because what the government of the day wants is to cause violence so as to shift election particularly in the strong holds of the PDP, we must not fall for their plans.”

  • I’m not in any alliance against Adelabu- Akala

    The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has cleared the air on the plot by opposition candidates to form an alliance against their All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart Adebayo Adelabu.

    Alao-Akala, who is a former governor of the state, said he was not working with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other in any form of alliance as being reported in the media.

    Speaking through his campaign organisation on Wednesday, the ADP candidate said the reports were aimed at “misinforming and confusing our teaming supporters world over.”

    Director General of the campaign organisation, Chief Wale Ohu, said: “At a time, the rumor in town was that he was not serious about his governorship ambition and that he was going to play the role of a spoiler or work for another governorship candidate.

    Read Also: I’ll respect gender balance as Governor, says Adelabu

    “The most recent is that he is working for the PDP governorship candidate, Engineer Seyi Makinde.

    “The Akala Campaign Organization hereby debunks all these insinuations which is the handiwork of the Propaganda machinery of the government in power in Oyo state which is jittery and overwhelmed by the soaring popularity of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and to state clearly that the former Governor is committed to taking the people of Oyo State out of the political mess they have been plunged into by the insensitive A. P. C government of Sen. Ajimobi since he left office eight years ago.

    “Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has toured the nooks and crannies of Oyo State, taking the message of hope to the citizenry which was received with enthusiasm by the people.

    “His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is not into any discussion, alliance or talks with the PDP governorship candidate Engr. Seyi Makinde or any other for that matter.

    “That is like the elephant hiding behind a rat when in the real sense. It is the rat that needs the cover of the elephant.

    “It is not in doubt that Akala is a political giant who cannot and would never hide under any candidate or politician in the state.

    “Rather, it is expected that, considering Akala’s experience and achievements, other young candidates should come together to support and rally Alao Akala so as to restore the State’s pacesetter position in the Committee of States.”

    He added: “What is the sensibility behind Alao-Akala dissipating his energy and financial resources over the governorship election if it is for any other motive other than to govern Oyo State again?

    “If it is prominence, Otunba Alao-Akalahe has it. If it is wealth, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is comfortable for the rest of his life so rather, his pursuit is for the emancipation of Oyo State people.

    “The Akala Campaign Organisation thereby reiterates that His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is not advancing the cause of the PDP candidate, Engineer Makinde or any other political party or candidate and consequently advises cheap rumor peddlers who want to profit from Alao-Akala’s large image to desist from cheap gossips and get more involved in issues that can move Oyo State forward.”

  • Kwara police confirm attack on APC senatorial candidate, others

    . Say arrest has been made

     

    The Kwara state police command on Wednesday confirmed the attack on the campaign train of the Kwara South senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lola Ashiru by suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs loyal to the PDP Kwara south senatorial candidate Senator Rafiu Ibrahim in Ojoku, Oyun local government area of the state.

    Spokesperson of the command, Ajayi Okasanmi said “we received with astonishment the reported attack unleashed on Arch Lola Ashiru, the APC senatorial candidate for Kwara South and his campaign train in Ojoku, Oyun local government area of the state on Tuesday evening.

    “Immediately the report was received, the Commissioner of police Kwara state Kayode Egbetokun dispatched to the scene of the attack at Ojoku a team of policemen led by the DPO Ilemona and the squadron commander
    68 PMF, Offa.

    “The teams successfully brought the situation under control, rescued the candidate unhurt and arrested suspects who were actively involved in the attack and also restored peace.

    “Manhunt for the remaining fleeing suspects had since begun, while discreet investigation of the incident is ongoing.

    “For the umpteenth time, the command is restating its commitment to the safety of lives and property of the people of Kwara State. While warning sternly that hooliganism, thuggery, unlawful possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons will be met with superior forces and suspects arrested will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    “Political party leaders are reminded of the peace accord they signed with respect to political campaigns in the State.

    “The command is appealing to the victims of this attack and their sympathizers not to result to self help but to have confidence in the Command that justice will not only be done but will be seen to have been done in this case.”

  • ‘Poll shift won’t save Buhari from defeat’

    A member of People’s Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council (PDPPCO) Prince Tim Ogwuru has declared the postponement of the presidential and National Assembly polls would not save President Muhammadu Buhari from defeat.

    He explained that majority of Nigerians have rejected Buhari and his party and would be ready to vote them out on February 23 and March 9.

    He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credible elections.

    In an interview with our correspondent, Ogwuru stated the Buhari administration has nothing more to offer Nigerians after it has brought Nigeria to ground zero in four years.

    He said it will be suicidal for Nigerians to reelect Buhari.

    The PDP chieftain stated: “Buhari’s days in office are numbered and if I am to advise him, he should quietly do the decent thing and not continue with the process of him getting a second term.

    Read Also: Ballot box snatchers will pay with their lives – Buhari

    “In any case, if he ready to be humiliated out of office through the ballot box, the choice remains his and his alone.

    “The postponement of the election won’t save him and his party, APC, from electoral demise. Nigerians are yearning for genuine and credible Barton change.

    “Buhari has brought pains, frustration and suffering of a monumental proportion Nigerians.

    “The avalanche of electoral rejection from Nigerians electorate is now unstoppable. Buhari has nothing to show for the period he has been in power.”

    He added: “Nothing to show for the period he has been in power except selective anti-graft war and appointments to from one section of the country.

    “I speak for most and majority of Nigerians when I say he has nothing more to offer and, in any case he cannot offer what he doesn’t have.”

    He insisted presidential candidate of the PDP Atiku Abubakar has the capacity to turn Nigeria around through purposeful leadership that would place the country on the fast lane of development.

  • PDP rejects postponement

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has rejected the postponement of the general elections by one week.

    He claimed in a statement moment after the confirmation of the polls postponement that the alleged  shoddy arrangement for the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) was  a “deliberate pre-determined agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to cling on to power even when it’s obvious to him that Nigerians want him out.”

    Secondus asked the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to resign.

    He also said the postponement was part of a grand design by the All Progressives Congress, (APC), to thwart the will of Nigerians at all cost.

    His words: “The PDP leader warns that the party will not accept anything short of a well- organized electoral process devoid of manipulation,   harassment and intimidation of voters and the opposition particularly members of the PDP.

    “Having failed in all their nefarious options to enable them cling on to power, the APC and the INEC came up with the idea of shifting election an action that is dangerous to our democracy and unacceptable.

    “The National Chairman said that the APC in connivance with the INEC have been trying all options including but not limited to burning down INEC offices in some states and destroying of electoral materials to create artificial problems upon which to stand for their dubious act.”

    The PDP chairman, in the statement signed by his chief spokesman, Ike Abonyi said, the PDP  was ” privy to all the pressures from the APC and the federal government to arm-twist the INEC, to dance to their new strategy after their earlier ones failed.

    He added:: “With several of their rigging options failing, they have to force INEC to agree to a shift in the election or a staggered election with flimsy excuses pre-manufactured for the purpose.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP sees this action as wicked and we are also aware of other dubious designs like the deployment of hooded security operatives who would be ruthless on the people ostensibly to scare them away.”

    He said that by the action of the President he has further demonstrated his insensitivity costing the huge cost after Nigerians including those who came home from abroad have all mobilized to their various constituencies.

    The National Chairman said his party had earlier raised the alarm about alleged rigging strategies by the APC including burning down of INEC offices and engineering crisis in PDP stronghold areas to scare away the people.

    Secondus said “the wicked killing of over 60 persons mostly women and children in Southern Kaduna on the eve of election is a copious ploy by the APC to frighten the people away from voting knowing too well that they were not going to record any vote from the area.

    “Recall that the Governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El Rufai had earlier threatened international election observers of going to their country in body bags and with the fatal violence in the state on the eve of  election, it’s clear what the motives are, to frighten the observers from the state so that he can carry out his nefarious acts.

    The National Chairman also drew the attention of all lovers of democracy to the statement of President Buhari in the international media that nobody can unseat him from office as an indication of what he wants to do.

    Secondus also regretted that President Buhari who made a promise at the signing of peace accord that the election will be conducted in a fair and transparent atmosphere  has gone ahead in breach of the peace agreements to send soldiers and other security agencies to arrest, harass and intimidate opponents in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Kano, Kaduna states.

  • INEC working for PDP, says Oshiomhole

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working for the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of the general elections.

    Oshiomhole was, however, quick to add that the governing party would not decent to the level of bringing down state institutions because the party believes that state institutions should be allowed to perform their functions.

    Responding to questions about an alleged collusion between the INEC and President Muhammadu Buhari, Oshiomhole alleged that at the moment, two Resident Electoral Commissioners in the Southsouth have been going about campaigning with the PDP.

    Oshiomhole, who asked Nigerians not to return the PDP to power, said the pledge by the PDP candidate to float the naira was a recipe for economic woes, adding that Atiku has always been part of problem facing the nation.

    He also dismissed PDP’s allegations that the APC was responsible for burning some INEC offices that have recently been engulfed in flame, stressing that he could easily allude to the fact that the PDP burnt the INEC offices because they are afraid of losing elections in those places.

    He said: “If anything, this INEC has been very unfair to the APC. But we just discovered that we have a responsibility. The fact that we are a governing party imposes on us a certain level of code that you can’t be seen to rubbish every institution, because if we rubbish everything, it would mean that we don’t want election. INEC believed everything the PDP says.

    “As we speak, there are two Resident Electoral Commissioners, who are virtually campaigning line by line with the PDP in the Southsouth. INEC, without giving us any explanation and without any concrete evidence, went ahead to say we can’t field candidates in Zamfara.

    “Is that the way your friends behave if they are your friends? INEC is working more for the PDP based on evidence I  can show. How can they explain that a court of competent jurisdiction gave orders in Zamfara to say this candidate is eligible to contest election and another high court in Abuja also gave a verdict saying APC did not conclude its primaries, but did not give order to INEC?

    “There is no order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Court of Appeal made a pronouncement on this matter today that there was no order from the court in Abuja, but that there was a concrete order from a Zamfara High Court, which upheld the primaries that was conducted in Zamfara.

    “The INEC Chairman has said that when there are two court orders, they will adopt the last judgment. In Zamfara State, the Abuja judgment came first and the Zamfara judgment came last, even though it is the same day.

    “More as INEC has said they will always obey the last judgment, when it came to the Zamfara issue, they changed the goal post. As  media practitioners, you have to be careful. When you say people alleged there were meetings and can’t even cite any, it is a disservice. We have been at the receiving end of abuse.

    “There is a candidate in Kano, whose nomination we forwarded to INEC, but they changed the nomination and as we speak, we are in court over that. We showed our evidence. When I saw Atiku talking about rigging today, I laughed.

    “Do you remember the confession of the former Deputy Senate President who, on national television and not social media where anything is possible, narrated how President Olusegun Obasanjo used him and Atiku to rig election, how they wrote results and how they collude with INEC. This same Atiku was in office when Mantu was doing those things.”

    “So, if PDP functionaries have enumerated how they use to rig election, how can in all fairness point to President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been victim of election rigging three times such that in our legal history, it is part of precedent that the Supreme Court was persuaded to accept that election, where ballot papers had no serial number was OK and not a major infraction.”

  • 2019: PDP unveils strategies against election rigging

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will deploy a state-of-the-art “Parallel Voting Tabulation (PVT)’’ system and four other strategies to prevent any form of rigging or manipulation in Saturday’s presidential election.

    Mr Osita Chidoka, former Aviation Minister and Chairman, Strategy Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The other strategies according to Chidoka included a national network of fully equipped Situation Rooms and Call Centres, a nation-wide hotline for the public to report malpractice and the launch of a hashtag, #DefendYourVote.

    He described PVT as a “scientifically proven, best practice technique, to hold election authorities accountable, particularly when there is a lack of trust and the result are highly contested.

    “Our methodology accounts for several different scenarios to ensure continued collation of the results in the event of any disruptions with collation process.

    “Hard copies of the signed voter tally provided to all party agents by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC officers) will be transported to the central command centre should future disputes need to be reconciled’’.

    He added that the party apart from deploying well trained and educated agents to each of the 176,000 polling units nationwide, the PDP had established a reporting system for the PVT from the wards level to the national tally centre.

    He added that the PVT would ensure that PDP partisans “accept the results of the election, and that the country remained peaceful and respectful of its differences, adding that some civil society organisations will also have their PVTs in place.

    Chidoka further disclosed that the party had also launched a nation-wide hotline for the public to report any noticed infractions.

    “The PDP is providing multiple-line inbound call centre linked to a single hotline number: 097000551, for voters to report any incidence of violence or electoral malpractice.”

    He said that the party would also make use of social media, #DefendYourVote campaign, targeted at Nigeria’s largest voter block (18-25 years-old), saying “a set of 12 easy-to-follow guidelines has been communicated to voters”.

    Chidoka expressed confidence that election officials and security services would do their duty in accordance with their oaths and obligations.

    He however warned that there would be consequences if attempt was made to compromise the integrity of the election.

    “Particularly, we call on the Inspector General of Police whose wide international experience places him with a historic burden to ensure that security agencies strictly abide by the election code of conduct and rules of engagement,’’ the spokesman said.

    Chidoka also noted that the PDP was aware that the All Progressives Congress (APC) intended to repeat the tactic it used for the Osun State governorship election in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Kaduna, Kano and Rivers States.

    According to him, the PDP had studied the APC play book, but said the PDP had adopted international best practices to halt the ruling party’s plans.

    He listed these to include establishing a robust election results management system and wide array of intelligence collectors and patriotic public servants who are resolute in defending the Constitution and the integrity of the electoral process.

    Chidoka who expressed confidence that election officials and security agents would do their duty in accordance with their oaths and obligations, however warned that there would be consequences if they try to compromise the integrity of the elections. (NAN)

  • Govt accuses PDP of planning to scuttle poll

    THERE is a plot to orchestrate a crisis and trigger panic among the populace, the Federal Government alleged yesterday, accusing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of planning the trouble.

    It said the plot is in furtherance of the opposition party’s plan to discredit the election and cause a constitutional crisis.

    The government, however, urged the international community to ignore the plot to discredit Saturday’s poll before it is conducted.

    The government, which made the claims in a statement in Abuja by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, said PDP bigwigs, including its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP governors and others, were planning a world press conference to level frivolous and unfounded allegations against the government.

    The statement said: “With just a few days to the presidential and National Assembly elections, the Federal Government has alerted the nation to the last-minute desperate plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to orchestrate a crisis and trigger a sense of panic among the populace, in furtherance of their plan to discredit the election and cause a constitutional crisis.

    ”The plot confirms the alarm raised by the Federal Government on Jan. 21st and Feb. 3rd 2019 that the PDP is planning to scuttle the election and, where that fails, discredit it.

    “In the days ahead, PDP bigwigs, including its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP governors and others, are planning a world press conference in order to level frivolous and unfounded allegations against the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    The statement gave insights into the alleged plot by the opposition, including alleged connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the Presidency.

    The statement added: “Part of the false allegations they plan to make is that the Presidency, in connivance with the APC, is planning to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce presidential election results that are favourable to the government in power, on the basis of the false premise that the APC’s intelligence team is worried that the ruling party would lose the elections.

    “The PDP bigwigs also plan to use their world press conference to further disparage the Buhari Administration as well as the ruling APC, with a view to painting an unfavourable image of both to Nigerians and the international community and to put the government on the defensive in the run-up to the polls.”

    The Minister said the “PDP’s last joker is a two-hour live press conference to be addressed by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, on Feb. 14th, the last day of electioneering campaign, to chronicle all their concocted allegations and lies against the ruling government, cast aspersion on the government and the ruling party’s officials and throw innuendos here and there”.

    The statement added: ‘’As electioneering campaign winds down, the PDP has realised that it cannot possibly win a free, fair and credible polls. It has thus resorted to engaging in red herring, hauling insults and abuses at Federal Government and ruling party officials and making outlandish allegations with a view to creating a sense of panic and crisis.

    ‘’The truth is that President Muhammadu Buhari, a man respected globally for his integrity, has continuously assured that the elections will be free, fair, credible and peaceful. He has warmly welcomed observers, both local and foreign., because he has nothing to hide, and because he is sure that the achievements of his Administration will win him re-election.”

    Mohammed urged international community to ignore plot to discredit the poll.

    ‘’We are, therefore, calling on all Nigerians and the international community to disregard any attempt to scuttle or discredit the polls.

    “We urge observers to keep an open mind. There is no cause for alarm, except in the warped imagination of the PDP, which has entered the panic mode and is already ruing the loss of another general election even before it has been held,’’ he said.

  • PDP, Obaseki, trade words over plot to postpone election in eight LGs

    The Peoples’ Democratic Party in Edo State has raised the alarm over plot by the Edo State Government to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone Saturday’s elections in eight local government areas of the state.

    It listed the targeted local government areas to include Orhionmwo, Uhunmwode, Ovia, Esan North-East, Esan South-East, Akoko-Edo, Etsako East, Estako West and Estako Central.

    The Edo PDP said the plot was leaked by some covert members of the ruling All Progressives Congress and officials of INEC.

    Spokesman of the Edo PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, who spoke at a press briefing in Bénin City voting would be postponed in the eight local government areas to a later day due to what would be termed “logistical problems”.

    Nehikhare said the aim was to have stand-alone elections in these local government so that the federal government could unleash their agents of intimidation and harassment to full effect.

    Describing the plan as barbaric, evil, and a recipe for chaos that would lead to  unprecedented people’s revolt and reaction, Nehikhare said Edo people would not accept, condone or tolerate any display or exhibition of “deliberate incompetence” as excuse to sabotage the general elections.

    Nehikhare also raised alarmed that on plans to arrest and detain some PDP leaders ahead of the election over alleged money laundering charges.

    He said the PDP would resist any plot for officials of the state to go near any polling unit under the guise of being a security officer.

    Read Also: Obaseki mobilises teachers to vote for APC candidates

    According to him, “The logistical problem excuse is a lame one that will not fly. The election must hold simultaneously with other elections and no cooked up excuse or reason will be acceptable!

    “It’s also appropriate to alert Nigerians that we are aware of the plot by DSS and the Police to arrest our leaders with the aim of removing them from circulation the Wednesday before the elections and thus destabilizing our supporters and members.

    “The intimidation and harassment of our leaders is unacceptable, tyrannical and exposes the desperation of this government to hold on to power even as it is clear that Nigerians have rejected them!

    “We call on all Nigerians and the international community to condemn this act and prevail on the government to organize a free, fair and transparent election devoid of government intimidation and harassment. It is clear and unfortunate that they are paying lip service to a free and fair election.”

    But Governor Godwin Obaseki advised the PDP to go to the streets and villages and campaign to the people instead of raising defeatist alarm.

    Governor Obaseki described the allegations as baseless and unfounded.

    Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said there as son such plan to postpone elections in any local government areas the State

    “These are signs of failure on the part of the PDP. Governor Obaseki is campaigning in different villages.

    “They are putting up alibi in the background knowing fully well that the people have rejected them. The PDP will meet defeat at the polls. The PDP should of and campaign instead of dishing out false information.”

  • Northern Elders’ Forum didn’t endorse Atiku, says Junaid Muhammed

    A Second Republic lawmaker and prominent member of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), Dr. Junaid Muhammed, has said the socio-cultural group did not endorse People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    According to Muhammed, only some members of the group, led by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, backed Atiku.

    Last week, leaders and elders of some geo-political zones announced their endorsement of the PDP candidate as their preferred choice for the February 16 presidential polls.

    This was sequel to a meeting tagged, “Summit of Nigerian leaders and elders,” held at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, where leaders and elders of a few socio-cultural bodies such as Ohaneze Ndigbo, Pan-Niger Delta, Middle Belt Forum and a faction of Afenifere teamed up with NEF to announce the purported endorsement.

    But, in an interview with The Nation yesterday, Muhammed said NEF has not officially thrown its weight behind any presidential candidate.

    “There was no time we discussed endorsement of any candidate in NEF. What was announced was a personal decision of Prof. Ango Abdullahi. The whole thing was cooked up; it was faked,” he said.

    Giving an insight into how the endorsement has triggered a crisis in NEF, Muhammed said his group summoned and interviewed PDP presidential aspirants, but could not arrive at a consensus candidate.

    The prominent politician insisted that failure to convince the aspirants to embrace consensus option led to the PDP primary in Port Harcourt, River State.

    “Sometimes last year, the newly appointed convener (as we call our leader) of Northern Elders’ Forum in the person of Prof. Ango Abdullahi, one-time vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, called a meeting of NEF. He summoned the meeting at Arewa House in Kaduna. He claimed that there were about 16 to 18 organisations that they have discussed with. And that they have decided to pass a vote of no confidence in the person of President Muhammadu Buhari and APC government.

    “At the meeting, it was a controversial decision because the person, who read the resolution was an aide of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    “There is no consensus in the North. And lately, Prof Ango decided to combine with other socio-cultural groups such as Ohaneze Ndigbo, Afenifere Revival, Pan-DEF led by Edwin Clark. These are groups agitating for restructuring, state police, security of the country and its various components and so on.

    “There is no consensus in NEF on some of issues because most of us are not members of the PDP. We left them to go and solve their problems in their own party because it was not our own problem. That is why they went for primaries in Port Harcourt, where money was used in the way it has never been used in the politics of Nigeria. And in the end, it was the man with the highest loads of money that emerged as presidential candidate. Whether it was democratic or not was not the issue.

    “As if that was not enough, another meeting of NEF was summoned and Atiku Abubakar was announced as the unanimous candidate or choice of the whole of the North.

    “Throughout the history of Nigeria, nobody – not even Sardauna of Sokoto Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello –  has ever been given such an honour. The North used to have Northern People’s Congress, Borno Youth Movement, People’s Redemption Party, Great Nigeria People’s Party and so on. An organisation, which is not political or elected or appointed is now declaring somebody as the unanimous choice of the North and is being presented as the choice of the North.”

    Despite the fact that the former lawmaker in the Second Republic has been critical of President Buhari, he said Atiku is no match for Buhari.

    “Whether Buhari is doing well or not, Atiku is no choice. If you are talking about integrity, Atiku is nowhere compared to Buhari. If you are talking about exposure, Atiku was VP and had a rocky relationship with his boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo. If you have to endorse anybody, you need to explain the reason to the people of the North. But no reason was given.

    “I have been critical of the President, but nobody should use my name to endorse Atiku because Prof. Ango or any other person does not have the right to take the North for a ride.

    “How can anybody announce that a place that consists of a land mass of over 60 per cent of Nigeria has decided to embrace a unanimous candidate? People who issue statements should do so in their own names; not in the name of any organisation,” he said.