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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party

  • Gbadamosi emerges Lagos ADP guber candidate

    Real estate developer, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, has emerged as the Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) for the 2019 election.

    Gbadamosi’s election was ratified by ADP members during the party’s primaries at its Lagos State Secretariat on Saturday.

    The Chairman, ADP, Lagos State, Mr Bolaji Adewale, said Gbadamosi, who was unopposed, scored a total of 119,919 votes during the primaries conducted across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.

    Adewale thanked the party chieftains and supporters for the peaceful conduct of all primaries.

    He noted that ADP was the first party to adopt direct primaries in Nigeria as enshrined in its constitution.

    The chairman said the party would continue to come up with innovative ideas that would deepen democracy and governance in Nigeria.

    In his acceptance speech, Gbadamosi , who is the Managing Director of Redbricks Homes International Limited, thanked ADP members for giving him the privilege of contesting for the governorship position under the party’s platform.

    Gbadamosi said he was joining the race to rescue Lagos State from the “captivity” of godfatherism, mediocre governance and mismanagement of tax payers money.

    “The moment of truth is here. Today, we are formally entering the race to lead our dear state on the platform of our great party, the ADP.

    “After today, I will be presenting the Gbadamosi Plan for Lagos. It is a comprehensive document that touches on all aspects of our lives as Lagosians.

    “It touches on our individual and collective destiny as people of Lagos and the legacies we hope to bequeath to our children and our generation yet unborn, “he said.

    Read Also: 2019: ADP aspirant pulls out of guber race in Niger

    According to him, the plan aims to address crucial areas such as public education, health care, transportation, affordable housing, among others which have deteriorated in the state.

    Gbadamosi said apart from having the prerequisite experience and qualifications to govern the state, he would assemble a team of professionals to administer over key areas to fast track its development.

    He expressed optimism that he would be victorious in the election because the people of Lagos were disappointed with the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at both the federal and state levels.

    “My appeal to you is that you should join me today. Let us rewrite our future to one of our own dreams and reject the greed of godfathers.

    “I solemnly promise all Lagosians today that I will take Lagos Beyond Ordinary Governance, ” he said.

    Gbadamosi will be contesting against several candidates including Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC and Mr Jimi Agbaje of the PDP in the 2019 governoship poll.

    NAN

  • PDP convention: Delegates, food vendors, posters adorn venue

    Delegates, food vendors, traders in various consumables, stickers and caps have set up canopies around the Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium, venue of the 2018 National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party.

    Some of the delegates have also been sleeping in vehicles parked within the open spaces around the stadium since Friday.

    Similarly, posters of the 13 aspirants jostling for the party’s Presidential ticket at the Convention conspicuously adorned streets leading to the stadium.

    The aspirants are: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Senator Bukola Saraki; Ibrahim Dankwambo; Rabiu Kwankwaso; Aminu Tambuwal; Ahmed Makarfi; and Jonah Jang.

    Read Also: Tight security as PDP holds national convention

    Others are: Senator David Mark; Sule Lamido; Atahiru Bafarawa; Tanimu Turaki; Datti Baba-Ahmed; and Stanley Osifo.

    The presence of Nigeria Police personnel and other security agencies were also noticeable around the stadium to maintain law and order.

    Praise singers with various musical instruments professing the virtues of their candidates also thronged the venue.

     

    NAN

  • Police attack: Nobody can cow us, says PDP

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as dastardly, unwarranted and unprovoked, yesterday’s police tear-gassing of some of its leaders, including the President of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and some state governors.

    In a statement by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said that no amount of attacks, aggression or acts of intimidation will deter it from confronting and dismantling the “rigging machinery” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and coast to victory in 2019.

    The statement said: “The whole world was shocked when the police physically assaulted, fired teargas cannisters and violently dispersed our party leaders who were on a peaceful protest to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, over the use of police by the APC to rig elections, particularly the September 22, 2018 Osun State governorship election.

    “Acting on ‘orders from above’, the police assaulted our elected leaders, including our national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Ekiti Governor, Chief Ayo Fayose; our presidential aspirants, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Bar. Kabiru Tanimu and Mallam Sule Lamido, among others.

    “This unwarranted attack has left no one in doubt that our police have finally been turned into a militant wing of the APC, with direct orders to use force to repress opposition and turn our nation into a one party state.

    “It has also shown that the police, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, has officially declared war on the opposition and there is no way our safety is guaranteed under the current police leadership.

    “If the police, which ought to protect the people, the law and the democratic process, could show such violent aggression on notable leaders, then they can no longer be trusted with the welfare and safety of regular citizens.

    “One can only imagine the level of violence that is being daily unleashed on our citizens by the APC- controlled police.

    “It is completely reprehensible that the same APC leaders, including President Buhari, who were allowed to freely hold protests under the PDP administration, could now turn around to approve police brutality and aggression against the opposition.

    “We know that the essence of such attacks is to instil fear and siege mentality on the people so as to cow them to submission ahead of the 2019 general election.”

  • Mark: those who absconded should not return to inherit our party

    Presidential aspirant, Senator David Mark, yesterday urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates to the National Convention of the party in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to vote for him as the candidate that would usher in peace, unity and prosperity in the nation.

    Welcoming delegates to the convention, Senator Mark Senator Mark Senator Mark urged party faithful to be guided by good reasons in their choice of the presidential candidate of the party, saying that “those who were fair weather friends yesterday would not be different tomorrow.”

    “We know those who are good party men and women. We know those who absconded when we had challenges. We have rebuilt and rebranded the party. They are welcome back. But it will be unjustified for them to inherit the product of our struggle,” he added.

    “I’m well equipped and prepared for this assignment. My blueprint is designed to address grey areas and imbalances in our national life.”

    In a press statement signed by his media aide Paul Mumeh and made available to The Nation, refuted the insinuations in some quarters that he had stepped down for another aspirant, saying “my credentials and wealth of experience puts me in a very good stead to win. I know other aspirants would step down and vote for me. I’m the aspirant to beat.

    “Our programme will give every citizen a sense of belonging. No one should be oppressed or marginalised in our country.”

    Gainful employment through industrialization and agriculture, functional Education, improved health care system among others, he said, would be given priority if he was elected.

    Senator Mark added that he has traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria and have come to the inevitable conclusion that “all we need is good governance anchored on equity and justice for all.”

    He stated that peace and unity would be an offspring of justice and equity.

  • Agbaje clinches Lagos PDP governorship ticket

    Lagos- Mr Jimi Agbaje was yesterday  declared winner of the governorship primary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State.

    Agbaje, who was the party’s flagbearer in the 2015 election, will be taking another shot at the Alausa  Government House, next year.

    He was declared winner of the primary after polling 1100 votes to defeat Mr Adedeji Doherty, who scored 742 votes.

    Announcing the results at about 4.40pm, the Chairman of the Primary Electoral Committee, Sen.Victor Oyofo, said that the party had demonstrated democracy in action with the successful conduct of the primary.

    He commended both men for the way they conducted themselves throughout the process, saying that the party was proud of them.

    He described the election as   very fair and an example of what democracy should be.

    “They fought a good fight, the process was open, everyone expressed their desires and the votes have counted,he said.

    Oyofo congratulated Agbaje as well as his counterpart, saying he had no doubt the party was on the path to win Lagos.

    Agbaje, in his speech, said he accepted the victory and congratulated Doherty for giving a good fight.

    “Let me first of all formally accept to be the gubernatorial candidate of our party in the 2019 election.

    “So , I will of course congratulate specially Engineer Adedeji Doherty, for the keen contest we have just concluded.

    “When you are in a race, you must know you either win or lose. Deji has demonstrated the capacity to accept what has happened.

    “I congratulate you once again and I will be soliciting your support in the months ahead,” he said

    Agbaje said his mission was to take Lagos to greater heights, and called for the support of all party members in pursuing the goal.

    Earlier, Doherty congratulated Agbaje, saying that his victory was not for him alone, but for all members of the party.

    He said the race to claim Lagos was worth it to bring more development to the state, promising to work with Agbaje to achieve the goal.

     

  • Tight security as PDP holds national convention

    Water-tight security arrangements have been made by the Rivers State Police Command and other security agents for today’s national convention of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Port Harcourt, the capital city of the hitherto volatile Rivers State and its environs are being properly guarded by security agents, considering the large number of PDP members from the 36 states and Abuja who will be converging on Adokiye Amaesimaka Stadium to elect a candidate that will challenge President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), during the 2019 election.

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), in a telephone interview yesterday assured all PDP delegates and other persons who would be at the convention that there would be adequate protection of their lives and property, urging them not to entertain any fear.

    Omoni said: “Water-tight security arrangements have been made by the Rivers State Police Command. I can assure you that the national convention of the PDP will be seamlessly held and there will be no security breach in view of the heavy deployment of policemen at the venue of the national convention, hotels, entry and exit points, as well as other strategic points.

    “All the black spots in Port Harcourt and its environs have been identified and are being properly policed. Day and night movements before, during and after the convention will be without any incident.”

    The 12 presidential aspirants expected to slug it out at the convention are Aminu Tambuwal, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Bukola Saraki, Sule Lamido, Ahmed Makarfi, Attahiru Bafarawa, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Tanimu Turaki, Datti Baba-Ahmed, David Mark and Jonah Jang.

    Addressing a crowded press conference at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt yesterday, the Director-General of Tambuwal Campaign Organisation, Mike Omeri, assured that the Governor of Sokoto State would be crowned winner by the delegates at PDP’s national convention in view of his capacity, youthfulness, capability, experience and as the most qualified candidate.

    Omeri said: “The accredited delegates will be free to cast their votes without interference, but I can assure you that almost all of them will vote for Gov. Tambuwal, who has never been invited for questioning by any security or anti-graft agency.

    “Governor Tambuwal is young and he believes in the future of Nigeria. He also believes that Nigeria has passed the stage of potential, but now at the stage of possibilities and fulfilment of dreams. He has a blueprint to transform Nigeria and he always speaks from the heart.”

  • Igbinedion, others get PDP ticket for Reps

    Barrister Omosede Igbinedion has won the Peoples Democratic Party’s primaries for the Ovia Federal Constituency for the House of Representatives.

    Omosede polled 209 votes from the 23 wards in the locality.

    She was the only aspirant as the party had given her automatic ticket.

    In Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Constituency, Lady Uwa Osunbor defeated Etinosa Ogbeiwi to pick the PDP’s ticket while Chief Bankole Balogun won in Akoko-Edo.

    Read Also: Saraki urges PDP delegates not to vote on sentiment

    Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama won in Oredo, Joe Edionwele was returned in Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben and Sergius Ogun won in Esan North East/Esan South Esan.

    For the Egor/Ikpoba Okha seat, Hon Jude Ise-Idehen defeated Nosa Adams.

    Omosede described the candidates of the PDP as the best saying Nigerians

    have lost confidence on the APC led government.

  • 2019: Ekiti PDP aspirants plot mass defection to APC

    Many People’s Democratic Party (PDP) State and National Assembly aspirants in Ekiti State have resolved to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) over alleged imposition of candidates by Governor Ayo Fayose.

    They accused the governor of having overbearing influence on the Screening Committee sent from the PDP National Secretariat to scrutinize the suitability of the aspirants for the seats they are contesting for.

    Describing reasons given for their disqualification as “feeble and untenable,” the PDP aspirants said the action was allegedly taken by the governor in collusion with the Gboyega Oguntuase-led State Executive Committee “to give room for the present occupants of the seats to emerge by consensus, which they described as anti-democratic.”

    Despite their pleas to the NWC and lodgement of complaints before the PDP appeal panel, their  hopes were on Saturday dashed with clear indications from the National headquarters of the party that the affected aspirants stand disqualified.

    One of the aspirants told our correspondent in Ado Ekiti on Monday that those who fell prey of manipulation in PDP are mobilizing their members and considering dumping the party for the APC.

    According to him, a top member of the NWC said that the party was under stringent instruction from the power brokers in Ekiti that only the incumbent should be allowed to emerge by consensus.

    Those that were favored by the governor, according to him were: Hon Ayodeji Oladimeji, representing Ado/Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Hon Kehinde Agboola, representing  Oye/Ikole Federal constituency I, Hon Thaddeus Aina, Ido/Moba/Ilejemeje Federal Constituency, Hon Segun Adekola , Ekiti Southwest/Ikere.Ise constituency.

    He said only those that had fallen out with Fayose; Hons Ola Oni, representing Ijero/ Efon/Ekiti West and Akin Awodumila, representing Gbonyin/Emure/Ekiti East were to be replaced with those perceived to be loyal to the governor.

    The aggrieved aspirant added that Oni was to be substituted  with the name of the present Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Bisi Kolawole, on account of his defection to APC while Awodumila would be replaced by another person on account  of old age and alleged ineptitude.

    Read Also: 2019: Ekiti APC members affirm Buhari’s candidacy

    The aspirant, who doesn’t want his name in print said,   what he called ‘political tsunami’ would hit the Ekiti chapter of the party and that over  10 of them are already poaching the party members for the mass defection to APC.

    He said the leadership of the APC, led by its new State Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotoso, has been contacted and that the opposition party is enthusiastic to have them in its fold.

    “We are keeping our strategies to our chests, we are making serious incursion into PDP and our efforts are gaining wider acceptability because of what our people have been reduced to.

    “There is a big difference between being a supporter of someone or being a slave. Our party members in Ekiti have been reduced to slaves, this was not only pathetic but very unfortunate.

    “We lost the July 14 election on account of arrogance. We lost to highhandedness because many party’s founding leaders like: Chief Clement Awoyelu, Dare Bejide, Dr Sikiru Lawal , Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Senator Ayo Arise, Ropo Adesanya , Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan , Sunday Akinniyi and many too numerous to mention left the party on account of despotism that has become the order of the day.

    “It pained us that a party that just lost election could be doing this. We thought sanity will prevail but our Ekiti PDP has been deeply immersed in insanity. It is on this premise that we are considering pitching our tent with APC where we feel our rights and aspirations can be fulfilled and it is going to be in a matter of days”, he said.

    But the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ekiti, Jackson Adebayo justified the disqualification, saying it was done in line with the party’s guidelines on eligibility for elective positions.

    Adebayo, who responded to attempt by aggrieved aspirants to dump the party, said there was no justifiable reason for such since all the contestants were given the party’s guidelines regarding the positions and stipulated criteria for the seats.

    “I don’t think we have problem with our primary in Ekt PDP. Our primaries for the Senate, House of Representatives and Assembly contests start from tomorrow till Thursday. Nobody was wrongly disqualified, it was done in line with our party’s guidelines.

    “All the contestants were fairly screened. No favouritism at all regarding qualifications.  It was purely done based on merit and eligibility. All the aspirants knew criteria for qualification and whoever fell victim didn’t meet the set criteria  and not out of victimization”, Adebayo stated.

    This disturbing news came barely one week some House of Representatives aspirants   besieged the PDP  Secretariat located in Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti, where they protested violently against the clandestine moves  to disqualify them from the race.

    The aggrieved aspirants, who were vying for the  House of Representatives contests in their various federal  constituencies include: Mr Segun Olanipekun, Ademola Salami, Temitope Oluwatosin Ajayi, Goke Omidiran Chief David Arowolo, Adekunle Ojo, Ibrahim Mumini Adewale,  Mr. Victor Alale and Mrs Kemi Adewumi .

    The protest, spearheaded by  these six House of representatives aspirants and their backers , accused the members of the PDP Screening Committee , led by Mr Seye Shonuga ,  sent by Chief Uche Secondus led National Working Committee (NWC) to screen the aspirants  of allegedly subverting the process to give way for automatic tickets to Fayose’s close allies and present occupants of the seats.

  • 2019: Tambuwal wants INEC to live above board

    Sokoto state Governor and Presidential aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Aminu Tambuwal, on Monday, in Katsina, charged personnel working for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live above board and remain unbiased umpire in the 2019 general elections.

    He declared “INEC personnel should understand that all eyes are on them as we prepare for the general elections. They should know that they have family names and integrity to protect’’.

    “They should not do anything that will make people insinuate and doubt the unbiased umpire that they are supposed to be’’.

    “When we form the next federal government, we shall find specific solutions to Nigeria problems and we shall respect human rights.”-

    Tambuwal who was in the state to meet members of the delegate to the fort coming national convention of the party, on his presidential ambition, made the declaration during an interview with journalists shortly after he met the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the party’s state Secretariat.

    The PDP Presidential Aspirant said he believed in strong institutions that will assist in the development of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Tambuwal vows to restore peace, rebuild north east

    Citing various examples of national appointments including those of Federal Fiscal Mobilization Committee, Tambuwal said he will make states to nominate members for such Committee, to further strengthen our institutions.

    The Sokoto state Governor had earlier appealed to PDP members in Katsina state, especially delegates attending the party’s national convention to vote for him and assist him in achieving his presidential ambition.

    He declared “If you assist me to become the President, we know Katsina to be an agrarian state. We would support the state to export your agriculture products and find ready markets for the products’’.

    “I am conversant with Katsina and believe strongly that during our convention, I will score 120 over 120 from the delegates here.”

  • Kano: Crisis deepens as Aspirants accuse police of double standard

    The crisis in the Kano state chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to linger unabated following the party’s inability to conduct its gubernatorial primaries, as police barricaded Maraba Cinema venue of the exercise to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    Kano PDP governorship primaries earlier scheduled for last Sunday was later postponed by the national headquarters pending resolution of the challenges bedeviling the party in Kano.

    A staunch member of Kwankwasiyya Group of PDP Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam who is also a running-mate to an aspirant, Malam Abba Kabir Yusuf, accused the Police acting the script of the Federal Government to cripple the party structure in Kano.

    According to him, the security agencies have no authority to prevent the opposition party from holding its lawful primaries.

    Abdulsalam, former Commissioner for State Affairs under Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s administration as Governor of Kano state also challenged the Police from preventing the Kwankwasiyya members from accessing the Lugard House, Kwankwasiyya headquarters in the state.

    According to him, PDP in Kano would not be intimidated by the Police from carrying out their lawful primaries.

    “We are all from Kano and we have the right of associate to belong to political party of our choice. We are aware the federal government and APC are jittering and intimidated of Kano PDP because of our strong and massive support. But we would not be intimidate we would go ahead to conduct our primaries let the Police come and kill all of us. The Police have no right to stop us from conducting political activities.” Abdulsalam lamented.

    Read Also: Boy, 10, electrocuted in Kano

    Also reacting, the Director, Campaign Organization of Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai, a governorships aspirant, Barr. Faruq Iya Sambo said the party was still waiting for the Police for approval to conduct its primaries.

    He said delegates from across the party’s structure are ready for the primaries to vote their choice but the sealing of the venue of the primaries has dampened the enthusiasm of delegates drawn from the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.

    When contacted the Police spokesperson in Kano, SP Magaji Musa Majiya said the Police was acting on a Court Order on the PDP leadership tussle in Kano.

    Majiya said there was existing Court Order which reversed the dissolution of the party leadership in the state and should be maintained.

    The Nation recalls that the Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee of the PDP had directed the dissolution of the Senator Masa’ud El-Jubrin Doguwa-led PDP Kano executive, replacing it with a Caretaker Committee led by Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, a staunch associate of Senator Kwankwaso and former Secretary to the State Government.

    No fewer than eight aspirants are presently jostling for the PDP gubernatorial flag in Kano.