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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party

  • Supreme Court rejects PDP’s appeal on Ogun crisis

    ….Strikes out appeals against Dayo’s EXCO

     

    The Supreme Court on Monday declined jurisdiction over two appeals by the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the Senator Buruji Kashamu backed leadership of the party in Ogun State.

    The appeals marked: SC/968/2018 (PDP v. Eng Adebayo Dayo & 4 others) and SC/1203/2018 (PDP v. Pegba Otemolu and 3 others, were struck out by a five-man panel of the court led by Musa Datijo Muhammad.

    The court said the appeals, being pre-election related were incompetent because they were not filed within the 14 days allowed under Section 285(9) of the Constitution, others referred to as the 4th Alteration Act.

    Justice Muhammad said the court no longer possessed the necessary jurisdiction to hear the appeal because it has become statute barred, lifeless and worthless, having been caught by the 4th Alteration to the 1999 Constitution.

    PDP in the appeal had challenged the judgment of Justice Buba Ibrahim of the Federal High Court and upheld by the Court of Appeal which conferred recognition on the Dayo Adebayo led Executive Committee of the party in Ogun State as the authentic leadership.

    Read Also; Supreme Court decides Rivers APC’s fate Tuesday

    At the resumed hearing in the first appeal, the court asked the appellant’s lawyer Emeka Etiaba (SAN) whether the case was a pre-election matter to which he answered in the negative.

    He said the appeal was about the leadership of the PDP in Ogun State and was not election related.

    Lawyer to the respondents, Alex Izinyon (SAN) insisted that it was a pre-election matter because it relates to the candidate nomination for the next general election.

    Izinyon drew the court’s attention to ground 8 of the application filed on December 14, 2018 by the appellant for accelerated hearing of the appeal, where the appellant said the subject of the matter is to determine who are the rightful candidates of the appellant in Ogun State.

    He also referred to paragraphs 11, 12 and 13 of the affidavit supporting the application where the appellant also said that the matter is about the determination of which of the two set of candidates that emanated from the two executive of the party should Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should accept.

    He also had informed the court that the appeal has become a mere academic exercise because it has been caught by the 4th Alteration Act which requires the filing of a pre-election suit within 14 days.

    The court agreed with Izinyon and held that the case was a pre-election matter, on which the court no longer has jurisdiction in view of the effect of the 4th Alteration Act.

    Although Etiaba made spirited effort to sway the court to his side with argument that the suit was not a pre-election matter, the Supreme Court refused to accept his argument.

    He eventually agreed with the court position and withdrew the appeal.

    Justice Muhammad, in his ruling agreed with Izinyon that the appeal has become statute barred and lifeless, He consequently struck it out.

    ‎The same fate befell the second appeal when it was called later.

  • PDP kicks against alleged clampdown on members

    The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) has kicked against what it described as the on-going clampdown, unlawful arrest and detention of its officials and members in various parts of the country.

    Accusing the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of instigating the clampdown, the PDP viewed the development as highly provocative and a direct invitation to anarchy and a political crisis capable of derailing the democratic order.

    At a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, expressed concern over the arrest of the Director of Media Committee of the Kaduna State PDP Governorship Campaign Organization, Mr. Ben Bako.

    Bako has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since weekend.

    Ologbondiyan said, “We are aware that Mr. Ben Bako’s arrest is prelude to the planned clampdown on our campaign officials by the Buhari Presidency and the APC, whose aim is to instil fear in the polity, incite crisis and derail the electoral process, having realised that they have lost in this election ahead of the polls.

    “It is instructive to state that the DSS has given no reason for Mr. Ben Bako’s arrest and detention, but only acted on the orders of the APC as expressed by the Assistant Publicity Secretary of Kaduna APC, Salisu Tanko Wusono, who openly stated that Mr. Bako deserved his ordeal”

    The PDP spokesman said reports reaching the party indicated that some prominent chieftains of the party in Kaduna State have been marked for arrest and detention.

    Read Also: PDP is biggest election rigger, says Edo lawmaker

    Among those listed as being targeted for arrest include two former Governors of the state, Ahmed Makarfi and Ramalan Yero.

    Also listed were the chairman of the Kaduna chapter of the PDP, Chief Felix Hyat and a former chairman of the chapter, Alhaji Yahaya Makama, who the party spokesman alleged were being trailed by agents of the APC.

    “We have also been informed of plots by the APC and the Buhari Presidency to track down and detain PDP critical stakeholders in other parts of the country, so as to put them out of circulation before and during the general elections.

    “However, the PDP unequivocally cautions the Buhari Presidency and the APC to note that their plot, as well as the continued detention of Ben Bako, is setting the stage for a vehement resistance by the people, which is capable of triggering crisis and disrupting the fragile peace in Kaduna state.

    “The PDP therefore demands the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Ben Bako by the DSS without hurt or further harassment,” Ologbondiyan added.

    The main opposition party said it would hold the APC and the Buhari Presidency directly responsible should any harm befall any of its leaders or members, particularly in Kaduna State ahead of the elections.

    Describing Kaduna State as a stronghold of the PDP, the party vowed never to stomach any further harassment of its leaders, officials and members; before, during and after the general elections.

    It called on the National Peace Committee to note and speak out against the alleged provocations by the APC and the Buhari Presidency against its party, in contravention of the spirit and letters of the peace accord.

    “The PDP states this because Nigeria belongs to all of us and we will not hesitate to call out our members, in their millions, should this aggression by the APC and the Buhari Presidency against our party is not curbed,” Ologbondiyan said.

  • ‘Atiku’ll get 90 per cent votes in Cross River’

    The Coordinator of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign in Cross River State, Mr Chris Agara has expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would score not less than 90 per cent of votes in the presidential elections in the state.

    Mr Agara in an interaction with reporters in Calabar,  said that they were carrying out an aggressive campaign down to the grassroots to mobilize support for Atiku in the elections.

    “We are looking forward to having a minimum of 90 per cent votes for the PDP in Cross River State. There is no arrogance in it. It is just so. We go right down to the polling units to mobilize and let the people know the difference between PDP and the Federal Government and for them to come out in their numbers and vote that day and vote the PDP and change the government of the day. Cross River is a PDP state and nobody can take that away.

    “One of the problems we have in the country is unemployment. Atiku came to Cross River and said he is going to support the deep seaport and the construction of the superhighway. That alone would generate not just thousands but millions of job opportunities. The youths are willing to work, only that the opportunities are not there. So if the youths are properly engaged their lives would change and the economy would go round. Trade and commerce would definitely thrive. The multiplier effects cannot be quantified. That is what we would be telling the people.

    “Whoever wants to lead should have pedigree. He should have tried something on his own and developed it. You need a lot to start a transaction and grow that transaction to success because you would go through a lot in terms of financial discipline, personal discipline, emotional stability, and foresightedness to grow. If the man in Adamawa is the single largest employer of labour in Adamawa, then you can imagine what such a person can do if given the opportunity to run the country,” Agara said.

  • ‘Good interpersonal relations key to harmonious industrial relations’

    The Ogun State deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Reuben Abati, has said good interpersonal relationship is key to a smooth industrial relation with labour unions.

    Abati spoke at the weekend in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the governorship debate organised by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    The former chairman of The Guardian editorial board noted that to maintain a harmonious relationship between labour and government, justice and honesty must be the underpinning principles.

    He said since the welfare of the people is the foundation of all labour and government activities, they must do all within their powers to avoid unnecessary rancour.

    Abati began the session by reading out the covenant of the Kashamu-Abati ticket with Ogun State civil/public officers.

    The document reads: “Sequel to the general undertaking I took regarding my commitment to complete and full remittance of local governments’ allocation, I wish to further state as follows:

    “Since transparency is one of the cardinal principles that shall guide the policies of my administration, I am irrevocably committed to the prompt payment/remittance of cooperative deductions.

    “All appointments in the service shall be on merit, and promotions shall be as and when due.

    “For career progression, civil/public officers will be encouraged to get to the peak of their careers in line with statutory guidelines.

    “Our administration will ensure compliance with statutory provisions in the discipline of workers and where any perceived injustice exists, it will be reviewed.

    “Our administration will review the Contributory Pension Scheme with a view to making it more workers-friendly.”

  • Wike, Okowa mobilizing thugs for Edo PDP, says APC

    The ruling All Progressive Congress in Edo State has raised the alarm over the mobilization of thugs from Bayelsa, Delta and River States by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

    It said the thugs were being recruited to cause mayhem, anarchy and bloodshed before and during next Saturday’s general elections.

    A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Edo APC, Mr. Chris Azebamwan, accused the PDP of plotting to adopt the Venezualan model of of crisis resolution.

    Azebamwan who called on security agencies to proactive and alert said intelligence made available to the party was disturbing owing to the cache of police uniforms and large quantity of machetes in the consignment.

    He said the PDP had embarked on hate propaganda and spurios allegations to discredit the entire electoral process in its desperation to regain power.

    Read Also: Wike alleges plot to implicate 200 federal judges

    According to the statement, “For the PDP, the election is a do or die but for us it is an integrity test for the main contender.

    “It is an avenue for Nigerians to align with the drive to stamp out corruption from our political culture. The PDP must not be given the platform to resume their nefarious activities and the looting of our common heritage.

    Reacting, spokesman for Edo PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare denied the allegation saying it was the Edo Government planning to import thugs and cause mayhem during the elections.

    According to Nehikhare, “That is laungahble. Why would we be involving thugs when the election is ours to win. Edo poeple are with us. We are enjoying their support”.

  • Atiku promises to revive Calabar deep sea port

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has promised to revive the Calabar deep-sea port if elected.

    Atiku made the promise while addressing party supporters at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Calabar, Cross River State on Friday.

    He said: “I want to promise you that the vision of Governor Ayade to have a very deep sea port in Calabar will be actualised.

    “Once that deep sea water port is operational, the number of jobs it is going to create for the young men and women of this state cannot be said.

    “It is going to create thousands of jobs for the young men and women of this state.

    “Let me also assure you, I am going to partner with him (Ayade) to make sure that the superhighway is realised”.

    Atiku described Cross River State as so much endowed with natural and human capital resources, adding the state parades some of the most educated people in the country.

    He continued: “If we can develop your manpower, already this is the only digital governor in the entire country.

    “So we shall continue to invest in education so that you can maintain your lead as far as educational advancement is concerned.

    “Because education is key to whatever you decide to do with your life, I want to promise you, Ben Ayade and myself will join hands and invest more in education.

    “We shall invest more in the industries, which he is building because we shall bring the private sector to be part of that investment so that this state can be transformed.

    “This will bring prosperity, so that you can have development, so that this state can have advancement.

    “So my brothers and sisters, make sure you turn up in your millions on the 16th of February to vote for the PDP and when you vote, remain there and ensure that your votes are counted and entered on the prescribed forms. Protect your votes because that is your future.”

    Atiku also promised to make his administration youth and women driven, saying that the future of country belongs to them.

    The PDP presidential candidate restated his admonishment to the Federal Government, the military and the police not to tamper with the electoral process or manipulate election results.

    “I have heard and I have read many statements from the military high command threatening people, threatening politicians.

    “Please you have no function whatsoever in our electoral process.

    “So be guided and remain and operate within the confines of our constitution.

    “I am a very constitutional person, I will protect law and order and I will defend law and order in our constitution”.

  • Nwodo expressed personal views in adopting Atiku – Ohanaeze

    …. apologizes to Buhari

     

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Friday apologized to President Muhammadu Buhari for the announced endorsement of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 elections.

    The President General of Ohaneze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, whose tenure was said to have expired, had announced Atiku’s endorsement a fortnight ago.

    But leading the Ohaneze group to the Presidential Villa, the Secretary General, Barrister Uche Okuku, while apologizing to the President, said that Nwodo only expressed his personal views and not that of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze and the 2109 presidential election

    He said that a nine-man panel has already been set up over Nwodo’s pronouncement.

    “Our visit is to declare our stand,” he stated

    Other three groups that expressed support for the President during the visit include World Igbo Congress, World Igbo Union and Ndigbo Delegate covering the 19 Northern States.

  • Ezekwesili’s group declares support for Atiku

    The Red Card Movement (RCM), a civil society group founded by Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili has endorsed the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar for the February 16 presidential election.

    The endorsement was a departure from the group’s initial position under Ezekwesili whereby the RCM issued a Red Card to the PDP and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ezekwesili resigned from the group to contest the presidential election on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) but withdrew from the race a few days ago.

    At a public declaration in Abuja Thursday, co-chairman of the RCM, Dr Tony Akabuno, said the decision to endorse Atiku was informed by the failure of the APC to fulfill its campaign promises to Nigerians.

    Akabuno said the group would mobilise 20 million votes for Atiku to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari as the APC were defeated in the upcoming elections.

    The group described the PDP presidential candidate as the “best option” for now, saying however that the RCM will not merge with the PDP.

    Read Also: ACPN to Ezekwesili: Return our money or face court action

    Akabuno said: “Some co-conveners were of the opinion that we should not get into any arrangement with PDP. These ones suggested a ‘siddon look approach’.

    “They appealed to me, as one that is very close to the state champions, to persuade our leaders across the federation to desist from supporting the Atiku/Obi ticket.

    “But as a pragmatic political strategist and the peoples’ general, I had no choice than to reject the inferior argument of some co-coveners and strongly aligned with our state champions, who are in sync with the grassroots”.

    Akubono said the coming election will be a defining moment in the political history of the country, adding Buhari has failed in all his cardinal programmes of improving the economy, provision of adequate security and fighting corruption.

    He accused the President of playing politics with the fight against corruption, saying the nation cannot afford to perform experiment with the Presidency.

    “This is not about Buhari but about the future of the country. The question is if we want the status quo to remain or if we want a change.

    “We the leaders of RCM are not in doubt that the Atiku/Obi ticket is the most efficacious brand that can send Buhari back to Daura.”

  • PDP accuses lawmaker of being in possession of ‘destroyed’ PVCs

    Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) has raised the alarm thousands of Permanent Voters Cards(PVCs) destroyed by flood last year were in possession of the lawmaker representing Oredo West constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Chris Okaeben.

    It said Hon Okaeben was spotted to be in possession of thousands of the supposedly destroyed PVCs and distributing same to his party loyalists and supporters.

    Edo Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, in a press statement said they party has received information on the role INEC Electoral Officers (EOs) were playing in the local government areas they were assigned to supervise.

    Nehikhare said the party was also aware of the N500,000.00 alert from Edo State government agents for the EOs  cooperation to smuggle APC members into the list of ad-hoc staff.

    He alleged that the EOs have given APC candidates PVCs in bulk to be distributing among their members while depriving other citizens and eligible voters their cards.

    Read Also: PDP not committed to peace accord, says BMO

    His words, “To mask this fraud, the EOs are claiming flood have destroyed them. We believe the cards with Okaeben are some of the purportedly destroyed PVC”.

    But, Hon. Okaeben who is seeking re-election on the platform of the APC said the PDP was raising dust to create impression to Atiku and their national officers that they are on ground in Edo.

    Okaeben who threatened legal action against Nehikhare challenged him to produce produce evidence where he was distributing PVCs.

    His words, “It is clear that the opposition parties are not ready for elections but willing to cause commotion with a view to creating impression before the international community that they are being intimidated and harassed.

    “They do not have the money to pay their agents Edo. They are relying on River and Akwa Ibom state governments.

    “It is not a secret that they have turned Wike as their farm where they go to collect political support and political oxygen. To buttress their claims in their proposal to Wike, they decided to bring in my name to their failed project. I am not afraid of political battle. The PDP has no political base in Oredo.”

  • PDP planning to unleash violence in Kwara – Abdulrazaq

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kwara state, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has alleged attempts by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to unleash violence on the opposition.

    He, therefore, urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to focus attention on the state.

    In a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, AbdulRazaq commended the ICC for its latest message warning against violence in the coming polls.

    “We welcome the latest appeal and warnings by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the upcoming Nigerian elections,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement, adding that there is need to pay attention to
    political development in the state.

    “We believe elections should not be a do or die affair but should be about selling one’s ideas to the electorate in an atmosphere devoid of violence or threat of same or intimidation.

    Read Also; PDP not committed to peaceaccord, says BMO

    “We have reasons to call on the ICC to especially turn its radar on Kwara State where the discredited political dynasty has consistently used violence to suppress opposition. The recent rise in political
    violence, including attacks on my person and supporters and unabated destruction of our billboards, is instructive.

    “We therefore invite the ICC to monitor the processes leading to the elections in Kwara state. My supporters and I hereby formally pledge peaceful campaign and conduct before, during and after the elections.

    We urge the people of Kwara to shun violence in all forms and discourage our youths from violence or anything that could disturb public peace.”