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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party

  • PDP: Atiku is a consummate democrat

    The Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the party’s Presidential Candidate, former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, as a consummate democrat.

    The Director, Media and Publicity of the organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan, said this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

    He was reacting to a statement credited to the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
    Tinubu was reported to have hauled verbal attack on Abubakar for allegedly criticising President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership style in his (Abubakar) address on the state-of-the-nation.

    He said, “We invite Nigerians to note that all the accusations of undemocratic actions alluded to by Tinubu against Abubakar did not come under Abubakar’s purview of decision or his sphere of control while in office as the Vice President of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Atiku reports Buhari to US, UK, EU, France, Germany

    “If anything, Abubakar was in charge of the economy during the period and every Nigerian can testify that, within that time, our economy thrived to be one of the fastest growing in the world.

    “And the purchasing power of citizens was much higher than what obtains today,” Ologbondiyan said.

    He said that it was unfortunate that Tinubu was attacking Abubakar at a time other respected Nigerian leaders were rallying support for Abubakar.

  • Why I left APC – Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives on Tuesday officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) saying he had to go back to the party under whose platform he was elected to the House.

    Dogara announced his withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a letter he read on the floor on yesterday with two others, Edward Pwajok (Plateau) and Ahmed Yerima (Bauchi) saying PDP has rebranded with an articulated a clear programme to rescue Nigeria.

    Prior to his formal announcement, Dogara had returned to PDP and secured the House of Representative ticket to represent Bogoro/Das/Tafawa Balewa Federal constituency of Bauchi state.

    Citing injustice meted out to him, Dogara said: “In May 2017 I formally joined the APC consequent upon the crisis that afflicted the PDP, leading to the creation of factions which negatively affected me.

    Read Also: NASS don’t hate President Buhari – Dogara

    “Subsequent to my defection, the Supreme Court declared that there was no faction in the PDP.

    “The party has since rebranded itself in a credible and transparent manner it has been conducting its affairs.

    “However, the APC which I joined has lost the confidence of my constituents and indeed the people of my State by the undemocratic manner it conducts its affairs.

    “Space will not allow me to table the misgivings of my constituents and I have in the APC. Accordingly, this is to formally inform you that I have since gone back to the party under whose platform I was elected to the House, and which has articulated a clear programme to rescue Nigeria, that is the PDP”.

    A section of the floor applauded the announcement shouting PDP.

    The House adjourned sitting till after the Presidential election, 19th February, 2019 to allow members participate in the electioneering activities.

  • PDP loses 3000 members to APC in Akoko-Edo

    About 3000 members of the opposition People’s Democratic Party in Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    The former PDP members led by one Leo Fadaka joined the APC at the flag-off of the party’s campaign at Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo LG.

    Fadaka said they were joining the APC because of the good work of President Mohammadu Buhari.

    According to him, “We have seen development and politics is about development. The PDP could not offer anything.”

    Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, said the people of Akoko-Edo local government area would vote “massively” for the APC because of the performances of the current administration.

    Akerele said the turnout and subsequent defection of PDP members were an appreciation of what the APC and Obaseki led administration is doing for the people.

    Read Also: APC on rescue mission in Benue

    His words, “Mr Governor and the APC as a party has been transforming Akoko-Edo within a very short time. Mr Governor promised that when he is voted into office he is going support the transformation of Akoko-Edo and within two years he has been able to achieve that. The job is not complete, it is an on-going process but you can see the crowd, the turnout of at the rally is a message that there is no room for opposition in Akoko-Edo because every ward in the local government has been affected either in terms of road, hospitals, schools in terms of recruitment into the civil service.

    “We are sending a very strong message to the opposition to leave Akoko-Edo alone. It is a one party local government and we are supporting the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, we are supporting the election of our three senators, House of Representative members and of course the House of Assembly members under the banner of APC and Akoko-Edo people have sent a very strong message.

    “We are moving from ward to ward, unit to unit essentially showing our record. It is a choice between performance and non-performance. PDP has been in the state, they governed before and now APC is governing so we are going to campaign on the basis of our record and performance and we are challenging PDP to also come out with their record so that the people can choose between a performing party and a previously empowered party that did not perform.”

  • 2019: Tambuwal campaigns in Sabon Birni amidst low turnout

    The campaign train of the People’s Democratic Party guber candidate in Sokoto state and incumbent Governor Amiu Waziri Tambuwal at the weekend took turn in Sabon Birni town east of the state amidst low turnout of supporters at the rally.

    The venue of the rally was undoubtedly half empty as the event was proceeded by an opening prayer.

    Sabon Birni the headquarters of Sabon Birni local government is by political stand a stronghold of the opposition All Progressives Congress(APC) and home front of serving APC Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir did not betray their support for the lawmaker for refusal to turnout for PDP.

    Tambuwal had earlier visited Isa town, headquarters of Isa local government where he got appreciable large turnout of supporters just as he reiterated his unrelenting efforts and commitment to repositioning the state education sector.

    Isa town also within the the eastern axis of the state, is the home council of Sokoto state PDP leader, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa.

    The governor while further reeling out what he had in stock for the people of the state said if re-elected, he would focus on the issue of upgrading, rehabilitation and construction of schools across the state.

    Similarly, the governor disclosed that more robust approach to boosting agriculture would be implemented in order to boost food production and security as well ensure value addition to farmers.

    According to Tambuwal, education remains the most viable ingredient of development which must be given adequate attention to facilitate the state’s desire for knowledge driven economy.

    Besides, the governor said schools in the state would be comprehensively equipped with basic facilities that would make teaching and learning conducive for teachers, students and pupils.

    Read Also: Tambuwal: APC afraid of losing 2019 polls

    “This will also encourage enrolment and discourage number of Out of School children to a significant proportion.”

    Tambuwal also assured people of the state of his resolve to turn around the economic fortunes of the state through various empowerment and loans schemes that would open windows for the least business man and woman.

    Accordingly, the incumbent governor raised the hope of youths, disabled and other social classes of individuals and groups that better things were ahead for them in the next dispensation of his government if returned for the second time.

    Speaking, former governor Attahiru Bafarawa who was excited by the large number of supporters that turned out to receive the PDP train, said Sokoto state had no alternative to its ruling party, stressing that Tambuwal was the best choice for them.

    “I urge you to use your PVC to vote Tambuwal who is ready and willing to continue with developmental projects aimed at benefitting the state.”

    Similarly, in Sabon Birnin Gobir, Bafarawa solicited support for all PDP candidates in the state, calling on the people of Isa and Sabon Birni to strengthen the existing unity both as brothers and political allies on the platform of PDP.

    While assuring people of Sabon Birnin Gobir of good governance and dividends of democracy if given a fresh mandate, Governor Tambuwal said he would ensure adequate water supply and more functional health facilities across the 23 councils.

    “I will construct modern water supply sub-station that will adequately serve every local government populace”, he said.

  • 2019: Ohaneze’s endorsement of Atiku partisan – Ngige

    The Minster of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has described the endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, by the  Ohaneze Ndigbo as partisan.
    Ngige said what played out was mere congregation of party men, that hurriedly took a decision without due consultation of the real Ime-Obi Ohaneze Ndigbo.
    The Labour and Employment minister made his feeling known in a telephone chat with journalists on Sunday in Awka.
    The minister said the meeting was constituted by the President-General of the union with members of the PDP and passed the resolution in favour of Abubakar.
    “The purported decision of Ohaneze endorsing Atiku Abubakar of the PDP as the Ndigbo choice was a distraction and should be disregarded by well meaning Igbo sons and daughters.
     “The decision was ill-conceived and should be ignored by Ndigbo as it’s a decision propelled by PDP members in Ohaneze Ndigbo, hurriedly taken to drum support for their party members in the coming election,” he said.
    Ngige expressed disappointment that the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation would degenerate into meddling in partisan politics.
    He said that the people of the South East have spoken in the rallies attended by hundreds of thousands of  Igbo citizens in Enugu and Onitsha as to their political choice.(NAN)

  • Why I left the APC- Sen. Nwobodo

    Former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, says he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to toe the line already taken by Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    Nwobodo, a onetime senator and Sports Minister, announced his return to PDP at a ceremony in his Amechi Awkunanaw country home in Enugu on Friday.

    According to him, I have no option than to toe the line already taken by Ohaneze Ndigbo when they had genuine worry about the fate of Ndigbo in Nigeria.

    “As you can see, they are here today in a larger number, after their meeting with Ohaneze.

    “It is difficult for me to ignore their call and turn my back on them when they have a genuine worry about the fate of Igbos in Nigerian polity.

    “I will do the same for any other zone that feels excluded because I am a true Nigerian in all sense of it,” he said.

    Nwobodo said he could not pretend that all was well in the country today with the escalating crisis, ranging from the economy, insecurity, tension among the three arms of government comprising executive, legislature and judiciary.

    He decried the existence of divisions along tribal and religious lines, and different militant groups arising from the hues and cries of marginalization.

    “What we are seeing are symptoms of deep-rooted issues that should be brought to the table for discussions on how to address them.

    “I am a democrat and a strong believer in democracy. Those of us who claim to be democrats have a duty to tell the president the truth and advise him appropriately,” he said.

    Read also: PDP kicks over suspension of Onnoghen

    “I was born in Lafia, spent my childhood and my early education there. Thereafter, I moved to Kafanchan in Kaduna state, where I had part of my education before going to University of Ibadan and thereafter taught at Kings College Lagos.

    “From Kings College, I went to work for Shell BP in Port Harcourt. I have friends and relationships across all parts of Nigeria.

    “As a governor, I worked hard to reconcile the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who had not sat together since after 1952 as a result of their political difference.

    “I succeeded in bringing the two great leaders of blessed memory to my private residence in Enugu and they sat together, had lunch and discussed at length.

    “Thereafter they communicated and attended political meetings and rallies together under the Progressive alliance we had in the second republic,” he said.

    Nwobodo said at this stage in his life, he saw himself more as an elder statesman than a partisan politician and spoke from the standpoint.

    He recalled that he had served the country both at the state and the federal level and in the course of his political journey from second republic till date, had his fair share of ups and downs.

    “I made mistakes and learned from my mistakes, I have learned a lot from my experiences and feel qualified to speak on burning issues confronting us as a nation.

    “My expectation had been to see an inspiring new hope and values for the younger generation of leaders in our country.

    “But a situation where current leaders of political parties and public office holders disparage former presidents and former leaders in the media shows we have learnt nothing from history.

    “Is that how we intend to groom and mentor the “not too young to run” and prepare them to take over the mantle of leadership?”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwobodo was a founding member of the PDP in 1998 but had left the party shortly after it lost power to APC in 2016.

    Nwobodo was welcomed back by prominent PDP chieftains including Prof Alphonsus (ABC) Nwosu, Sen. Ben Obi, Chief Simeon Okeke and Oseloka Obazee. (NAN)

  • PDP kicks over suspension of Onnoghen

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected what it described as attempts by President Muhammadu Buhari to foist an illegal Chief Justice on the nation while the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen is still in office.

    President Buhari had, on Friday, sworn in Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, following the suspension of Justice Onnoghen, on the advice of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    In a statement by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party said such impunity cannot stand.

    Insisting Nigeria is governed by law and not by the whims and caprices of a dictatorial leader, the PDP accused President Buhari of wanting to ruin the country, vowing however that the PDP would not allow him.

    The party called on Nigerians to reject what it termed incendiary move by President Buhari to forcefully suspend the constitution, annex the judicial arm of government and open the nation up for full-blown totalitarianism to achieve his self-succession bid, having realized that he cannot win in the 2019 general election.

    It said: “President Buhari’s action in attempting to unilaterally appoint a Chief Justice and foist him on our country is a direct invitation to anarchy, national confusion and a monumental crisis capable of derailing our democracy and destroying our corporate existence as a nation.

    “It is now clear to the world that President Buhari, in his selfish self-succession bid, is out to cause mayhem in our nation and truncate the smooth conduct of the 2019 election, not minding the consequential human and material losses.

    “There can be no two Chief Justices of Nigeria. Our constitution is clear on how a Chief Justice is appointed and removed as such does not lie on the prerogative of the President.

    “As such, we urge all Nigerians and the international community to recognize only Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “Furthermore, the PDP invites the international community and particularly the United States and the United Kingdom to note this assault on the judiciary is geared towards subverting the 2019 general elections and as such immediately list President Buhari and APC leaders for proposed sanctions on election riggers and perpetrators of violence in the general election.

    Read also: Court uphold Ogah as Abia APC governorship candidate

    “The world already knows how the Buhari administration has trying to compromise the electoral process, including the refusal to sign the amendment to the Electoral Act, as well as the foisting of Mr. President’s relation by marriage, Mrs. Amina Zakari to coordinate the collation of Presidential election results.

    “The PDP wants President Buhari to know this nation belongs to all Nigerians. Our nation is a democratic state governed by the constitution and the law and Nigerians will never allow anybody to appropriate rulership to himself outside the dictates of the law.

    “President Buhari tried to forcefully remove the leadership of the National Assembly and fail.

    “His attempt to annex the judiciary and impose a Chief Justice that will surrender the judiciary to him is also already dead on arrival.

    “Finally, the PDP calls on the National Assembly to immediately reconvene and proceed with legislative actions against President Buhari for this gross misconduct”.

  • Ohaneze’s endorsement of Atiku courageous – PDP

    The Peoples’ Democratic Party ( PDP ) has lauded the decision of Ohaneze Ndigbo to endorse the Atiku-Obi presidential ticket.

    Mr Oseloka Obaze, Chairman of the Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign Council, Anambra chapter made the commendation in Awka on Friday.

    Ohaneze, the Igbo Socio-Cultural organisation announced its endorsement of the PDP presidential flag bearers after a meeting held in Enugu on Thursday.

    Obaze described the position as `most profound, constructive and courageous decision’.

    “The endorsement is historical and seminal gesture will serve Nigeria well,” he said.

    Read Also: Atiku’s endorsement splits Ohaneze Ndigbo

    Ohaneze had in a communiqué said its decision to adopt Atiku/Obi followed a critical and dispassionate appraisal of the issues.

    It said the body analysed the election manifestos of the various contesting parties, especially with regards to the restructuring of the federation and continued relevance of Ndigbo in the Nigerian geopolitical space.

    “That the presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has made an avowed commitment to restructuring of the federation and reconfirmed same during his recent visit to the United States in his meetings with high-level US officials,” it said.

  • Atiku’s endorsement splits Ohaneze Ndigbo

    Chieftains of Ohaneze Ndigbo are split over the purported endorsement of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Abubakar Atiku by the organisation.

    It would be recalled that an arm of the organisation known as ‘Ime Obi’ arising from its meeting on Thursday, declared support for Atiku on the grounds that he was running with an Igbo man, Mr Peter Obi.

    This endorsement is in clear contrast of earlier stance of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation of not endorsing any of the presidential candidates.

    However, a former Secretary General of the organisation, Chief Obiora Ozobu, described the move as a hoax and personal invention of the President General of the organisation, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

    Ozobu, who disclosed this in Enugu on Thursday during a media briefing appealed to the people of the area to ignore the endorsement.

    He described it as a mischievous act aimed at causing division among Ndigbo.

    He said that Nwodo lacked the capacity to summon a meeting of ‘Ime Obi’ because his tenure as president general had lapsed.

    He also wondered why such meeting was held on a day President Muhammadu Buhari was in Anambra and Enugu States for his presidential campaign when the Zik mausoleum was inaugurated.

    He said that the leaders of the organisation were expected to participate actively in the inauguration ceremony of the project which was started 23 years ago but completed by Buhari.

    Ozobu said that the meeting could be best described as a meeting of friends of Atiku and did not represent the wishes of the people of the area.

    “The meeting is an attempt to perpetuate Nwodo in office. Granted that there were attempts to extend the tenure of Ohaneze executives to four but such has not materialised,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige described the move as unfortunate, adding that the endorsement of presidential candidates had never done anything good for Ndigbo.

    Ngige said that Ohaneze as a socio-cultural organisation had no business endorsing a particular candidate.

    The minister said that it was obvious that Nwodo had divided the organisation along party lines, adding that “we will fight this out.”

    Former Enugu State governor, Mr Sullivan Chime noted that the said endorsement was done by those that had left office.

    “It was not a meeting of Ohaneze Ndigbo but a meeting between Nwodo and his friends. Ohaneze has no business doing what that group did,” Chime said.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, similarly said that it was inappropriate for such a meeting to hold at a time Buhari was in the South East for his campaign.

    Onyeama described the purported meeting as a calculated attempt to exclude a significant number of people from such gathering, assuming it was a meeting of Ohaneze.

    Read Also: Between Ohaneze Ndigbo and Nnamdi Kanu

    “A significant number of the membership was not present at the meeting assuming it was a meeting of Ohaneze. So it is inappropriate to have a meeting of such magnitude,” Onyeama said.

    Former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, said that such a position made no meaning to the people of the area.

    “Our sons and daughters belong to many political parties and our people have never voted as a block but according to their conscience,” he said.

    Nnamani said that such position was not in the best interest of the people and would not stand.

    In a reaction, the Personal Assistant to the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Mr Emeka Attamah, said that everyone was entitled to their opinions.

    Attamah said that Ohaneze Ndigbo had endorsed who they wanted, adding that the people kicking against it were members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said that it was misleading to say that the tenure of the executive members of the organisation was two years, adding that the constitution had been amended to reflect the current four-year tenure.

    “The tenure is four years and they should go to court to contest,” Attamah said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that other chieftains of the organisation at the briefing are the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu and Chief Osita Okechukwu among others.

  • Adebutu remains Ogun gov candidate, PDP insists

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) on Thursday maintained Hon. Ladi Adebutu is its authentic and legitimate governorship in Ogun State for the March 2 gubernatorial polls.

    The party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to save itself from unnecessary controversies and immediately reflects Adebutu as PDP candidate in the Gateway state in compliance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal of December 18, 2018.

    It also advised party members, supporters, voters and the public to ignore anything to the contrary.

    This was contained in a statement by National Publicity Secretary and Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Kola Ologbondiyan.

    The party said: “The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) hereby informs the general public, security agencies, all electoral organs, observers and particularly, its teeming supporters in Ogun state that its candidate in the March 2, 2019 election in Ogun state remains Ladi Adebutu.

    “The PDP cautions the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to insulate the commission from unnecessary controversies by immediately obeying the judgment of the Court of Appeal of December 18, 2018, and without further delay reflect Hon. Ladi Adebutu’s name on the ballot, in the interest of a hitch free and peaceful election in Ogun state.

    “The PDP states that Hon. Ladi Adebutu’s name was duly and statutorily submitted to INEC after he won the governorship primary conducted by the National Working Committee (NWC), the only body empowered by law to conduct such primaries.

    “The PDP has not substituted his nomination with anybody and such is not in our contemplation.

    “The PDP charges the INEC Chairman to note that since the ruling of the Court of Appeal validating Hon. Ladi Adebutu as the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun state, no other court, not even the Supreme Court has over turned that extant ruling.

    “INEC is therefore compelled to obey the law. It cannot choose for itself which judgment to obey and cannot operate in waiting, anticipation or contemplation of a non-existent consideration in the conduct of the Ogun governorship election.”

    The party described Senator Buruji Kashamu as an imposter, saying he cannot fly its flag at the polls.

    Read Also: Ogun 2019: You’re on your own, INEC tells Adebutu

    The PDP insisted: “Moreover, the PDP holds that Senator Buruji cannot under any imagination be the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun state.

    “He is not a member of our party; he did not participate in our Ogun state governorship primary and has no connection whatsoever in our governorship nomination process at any level for that matter.

    “INEC cannot go to the streets to pick a candidate for our party. It must, therefore, in compliance with the extant judgment of the Court of Appeal, immediately reflect Ladi Adebutu’s name in the ballot, otherwise Nigerians will have no other option than to conclude that Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has become compromised to cause confusion and anarchy in Ogun state.”