The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party

  • PDP: Jonathan calls for political solution

    PDP: Jonathan calls for political solution

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had constituted a committee to find a political solution to its leadership crisis.

    He told newsmen in Abuja that constitution of the committee was a major outcome of a stakeholders meeting of the party’s members held on Thursday.

    Jonathan, who convened the meeting, said that the committee would be chaired by him and had two weeks to submit recommendations for consideration by the stakeholders.

    He said that in his absence, the committee would be chaired by former Vice President, Nnamadi Sambo or Sen David Mark.

    Jonathan said that PDP leaders believed that various matters of the party before the courts would be resolved in the next few months but that the party would not surrender its powers entirely to the court.

    “We will take some steps to make sure that we will keep our people together and work with all the interested parties to see how we can resolve this difference.’’

    He listed members of the committee as six from of the Board of Trustees – one per geo-political zone as well as six each from the two groups within the party.

    Others members, according to him, are all PDP governors, Deputy President of the Senate, Senate Minority Leader, House of Representatives Minority Leader and Minority Whip.

    “We will consult with both groups and take two former governors – one from the North and one from the South; two former ministers, two women, two youths – all will be one from the north and one from the South,’’ he added.

    Jonathan expressed optimism that when the committee met, minor issues experienced during the stakeholders meeting would be resolved.

    “Be assured that we are determined to restore our party, and to make sure that PDP becomes stronger and stronger. We are determined to ensure that PDP rises again,’’ he said.

    Earlier at the opening of the meeting, Jonathan had urged PDP leaders to make personal and general sacrifices to ensure quick resolution of the party’s problems.
    He described PDP as a symbol of democracy and said that there was no sacrifice too big for anybody who believed in the party to make.

    “As politicians with the zeal to lead our people, we must aspire to higher offices or identify the people we believe have leadership qualities and encourage them to aspire to those positions.

    “But one thing is very clear, you cannot, as the polity is configured today, be elected into a higher office on the platform of a weak party.

    “We must all, therefore, work to rebuild the PDP and strengthen the party in line with the vision of our founding fathers.’’

    He reminded the members that the prolongation of the party’s crisis had cost them so much in election fortunes, in recent times.

    “The loss of Edo and Ondo gubernatorial elections is still fresh in our memory.

    “It goes without saying that we cannot afford to have a repeat of that in the forthcoming elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states.’’

    He, therefore, said that it was high time the members buried their hatchet, suppressed their ego and prepared to make sacrifices in the interest of PDP and the country.

    “We must realise that as they say, everybody is nobody without a platform. So, why destroy the platform?’’

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sen. Walid Jubrin, urged the party leaders to embrace strategies that would regain the party’s lost glory.

    “We must be able to bring ourselves together and forget our differences for the sake of the party. We must be ready to do away with selfish interests and ambitions.

    “We must also forego blame game and be involved in forecast and formation and never abandoned PDP,” Jubrin said.

    In attendance at the meeting was Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, who later walked out, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, PDP Governors, former ministers, BoT members, former governors, among others.

  • PDP Senate caucus dispels disunity claims among members

    PDP Senate caucus dispels disunity claims among members

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate Caucus on Thursday dispelled newspaper publications insinuating disunity among member of the caucus.

    The group, in a statement by its spokesperson, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, in Abuja said that the claims of growing rift within its fold were unfounded.

    It said that the caucus was united and would continue to work harmoniously with the leadership of the Senate in the interest of Nigerians and deepening of democracy.

    It, however, said that it would not shy away from carrying out its constitutionally guaranteed role as a coordinated and responsible opposition on the floor of the Senate.

    “The PDP Senate Caucus is united and we have resolved to continue to speak with one voice more than ever before.

    “We can assure you that there is no crack in our fold. We have rather solidified our base with the aim of offering the desired opposition in the interest of our people.

    “The caucus will work harmoniously with the leadership of the Senate for the enthronement of good governance and the preservation of the sanctity of the Senate as an institution,’’ the statement added.

  • PDP knocks EFCC over Oshiomhole

    PDP knocks EFCC over Oshiomhole

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has knocked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  for inviting former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as a guest speaker to the National Anti-corruption Stakeholders’ Summit.

    It said the invitation of Oshiomhole showed that the country has a long way to go in the fight against corruption and akin to inviting the “devil to give a talk on holiness and sainthood”.

    State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, in a press statement issued in Benin City said Oshiomhole has over fifteen (15) pending petitions against him.

    Nehikhare said the party would avail the EFCC with relevant documents to prove their case against him if the Commission commenced investigation.

    According to the statement, “Oshiomhole has till this moment not told Edo people about the $54m he collected from the federal government in December 2014. Edo people and Nigerians only got to hear of that money because NNPC books were audited.

    “The only good thing that can come out of the just concluded seminar is for Oshiomhole to submit himself for full scale investigation. There can be no better way to start the anti-corruption war than inviting Oshiomhole to answer for his financial crime against the state.

    “We join others to urge EFFC to swing into action. No need for glamorous talk shows of anti-corruption with tainted characters. God help Nigeria.”

     

  • Expectations for the week

    Expectations for the week

    In Nigeria, no day or week passes without its uniqueness, controversy and news. Last week, many happenings around the various segments will still unfold this week majorly because there is continuous unending drama surrounding them.

    One of such happening is the great revelation by an online media that Kogi west representative at the Senate, Mr. Dino Melaye did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    The bold, tall and huge senator fired back warning his ‘enemies’ to back off and that he has seven degrees including a degree from the renowned Harvard University.

    Soon after his statement, Harvard University replied saying the Kogi born politician did not attend the institution. The senator even went on to post a picture of him observing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1999 although his statement of result from Ahmadu Bello University shows he graduated in 2000.

    Sen. Melaye said he has sued the online publication alongside the publisher to court but obviously the public will want a clearer explanation on the actual situation of things.

    With the Vice-chancellor of the institution declaring on the floor of the Senate today that Melaye actually graduated with a third class in 2000, the last may not have been heard concerning this yet, and more revelations may burst up this week.

    The Senate has been in the news in more recent weeks and the claim by Senator Shehu Sani last week that the Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir David Lawal awarded contracts to ‘ghost firms’ has put the red chamber more on the headlines. Last Friday, a statement from the SGF urged the general public not to be misled into the belief that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has the authority or power to award contracts.

    With Lawal to appear before the Senate soon, many Nigerians are hopeful to get a clearer understanding of the situation. To strengthen the Nigerian democracy, the opposition party must be a good watch-dog to the government.

    However, the recent crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has led to name-calling in the media. The two factions have been at each other’s neck and with a case already at the Supreme Court; one wonders how the dispute will be settled. This week may witness new twists and turns as per their crisis.

    At the weekend, the number one in the Nigerian Professional Football League spot got a new face although it was not an unfamiliar face. Last week, star striker of MFM FC and current highest goal scorer in the league, Stephen Odey added two goals which lifted his club to the zenith but with a loss for the Olukoya boys away at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe and a win for Plateau United yesterday brought the former league leaders back to the pinnacle with 28 points. Last season’s champions, Rangers International is languishing at the bottom of the table with 12 points.

    After Bassey’s eviction from the Big Brother Naija house yesterday, one wonders who will be next to leave this week. With just six housemates left, and Bisola being the new head of house, the show is gradually winding down and the fans are savoring all the excitement. Some housemates will be put up for eviction and the person with the least number of votes gets evicted on Sunday.

     

  • PDP: No accord with Sheriff, says Makarfi

    PDP: No accord with Sheriff, says Makarfi

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership tussle between Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi is far from over, regardless of Thursday’s agreement between the two factions to cease media hostilities.
    The Makarfi faction declared on Friday that there is no accord in place between it and the Sheriff camp.
    Prince Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman for the Makarfi faction, said in a statement in Abuja that the only area of agreement is that the two sides will withhold fire in the media for now.
     He said reports that they have reached a ‘political solution’ is not true, stressing that they only agreed before the Governor Dickson’s reconciliation committee  to “stop further media attacks on officers, elders and other stakeholders of the PDP across the internal political divide.”
    He added: “For the record, the agreement was not a political solution but rather an understanding reached urging representatives of ‘the key actors’ from both groups not to dissipate energy amongst themselves but to focus on how to unite as a formidable force capable of re-gaining power from the failed All Progressive Congress (APC)-led government in the 2019.
    “The agreement also implores both parties to desist from making public derogatory remarks against each other that could cause inflammatory reactions capable of dragging the party to the mud.”
    Adeyeye added that the national caretaker committee and all the organs of the party are working with the reconciliation committee to reach a lasting political solution.
    The four point media hostilities cessation agreement demands that  “all actors of the parties should desist from making derogatory, inflammatory and divisive statements against party officials, stakeholders and members.”
    It also said: “all key actors in the on-going peace process should henceforth desist from making public statements attacking each other and statements insinuating negative acts capable of dragging the party to the mud.”
  • No vacancies at PDP National Secretariat – Makarfi

    No vacancies at PDP National Secretariat – Makarfi

    Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that there is no vacancy at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja.

    Makari stated this in a statement by the committee’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that the attention of the caretaker committee had been drawn to some newspaper publication “Vacancies in the PDP National Secretariat’’.

    He said that the report was credited to Prof. Wale Oladipo, National Secretary to Ali Modu Sheriff, who advertised for various offices in the PDP secretariat, declaring them vacant.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that there are no vacancies for employment at the National Secretariat of our great party, PDP.

    “All the staffers of the party, in line with the Establishment Manual, are intact and standing strong with all the organs of the PDP in its bid to salvage the party from destroyers,’’ Makarfi said.

    He said that it was sad to note that Oladipo was ignorant on the workings of the PDP, the Establishment Manual.

    Makarfi said that Oladipo was ignorant of the position of the recent Appeal Court judgment of Feb, 17, which ordered PDP to revert to the status quo before May 21, 2016.

    He described the publication as a ploy by Sheriff and his “cohorts’’ to disengage the establishment staff of the party for acting in line with their constitutional mandate and convictions.

    “The vexatious publication is a cheap blackmail designed to intimidate our hardworking and highly principled staff. It belongs to the trash bin and should be ignored.

    “ Nigerians, our members and teeming supporters may wish to note that the self-appointed National Working Committee as currently constituted under Sheriff cannot form a quorum to take any valid decision.

    “Unless Senator Ali Sheriff complies with the Appeal Court ruling of status quo ante of May 21, 2017, any decision taken by the present illegal NWC is not binding and will be challenged before the court of competent jurisdiction.’’

    Makarfi said that though the Court of Appeal judgment was for Sheriff and his group, the National Caretaker Committee was still in full operation given that its appeal against the
    judgment was before the Supreme Court.

    “This is more so that the Committee still enjoy the support of the entire organs of the party.’’

    He stated that the action of Sheriff and his NWC in recent times were completely against the spirit of the political solution they have professed to abide with.

    He said that Sheriff could not be declaring support for political solution to end the party leadership crisis and at the same time igniting fire by taken decisions capable of causing more rancour in PDP.

    “ As law-abiding party members and citizens of this great country, we shall continue to work with all the organs of PDP to make sure that this crisis is fully resolved.’’ Makarfi said. (NAN)

  • I’ll constitute national convention committee soon – Sheriff

    I’ll constitute national convention committee soon – Sheriff

    The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has said he would soon set up a committee to work out modalities for the party’s national convention.

    Sheriff made this known while briefing newsmen on Monday in Abuja on the recommendations of the party’s Reconciliation Committee, chaired by Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa.

    He said that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was already consulting with members and leaders of the party as part of process for constituting the convention committee.

    The chairman said that he was also talking with lawmakers at the National Assembly and State Assemblies on the platform of the party as part of political solution recommended by the Dickson committee.

    He added that he had commenced consultation with the Board of Trustees (BoT) through its Chairman, Sen. Walid Jibrin, who, he said, had promised to get back to him for a formal meeting with BoT members.

    He said that by next week they would meet with the party’s national ex-officio members from the 36 states.

    “Everywhere in our party, we are working across the board; everybody is working for the party to come back to its position in 1999.

    “We are for peace and that does not mean that we are afraid of anybody; we will not be relenting.

    “We need our party back in power and we will carry everybody that means well for PDP along.

    “I assure you that PDP will not be destroyed; PDP is a creation of God and cannot be destroyed by anybody.

    “We are on course and we will go as planned. For everybody that believes that it is not political solution, they are on their own,” he said.

    Sheriff reiterated his determination not to contest the national chairmanship at the national convention, adding that his NWC members had the right to contest for any position of their choice.

    On his presidential ambition for 2019, he said that it was a decision left for God.

    “Every position I occupied in life, God made it possible. I am a firm believer in the will of God. I told you I will not run for the chairmanship position, the rest we leave to God.”

    He, however, said that the party’s chairmanship position would definitely be for the Southern part of the country. (NAN)

  • Edo Guber: Appeal court to hear Ize-Iyamu case Thursday

    Edo Guber: Appeal court to hear Ize-Iyamu case Thursday

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City has adjourned till Thursday March 16, for the hearing of the appeal filed by the People’s Democratic Party and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu over the stopping of the recounting of ballot papers used in the 2016 governorship election.

    It would be recalled that the recounting of ballot papers in some local government areas was stopped by the tribunal last month following the expiration of the days the petitioners had to prove their case

    A  cross appeal was also filed by respondents  insisting that the tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi ought not to have given an order to the petitioners at all for the recounting of the ballot papers used for the election.

    When the case came up for hearing yesterday, the appellate court struck the application by counsel to the third respondent, the APC, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for the consolidation of the appeals by the petitioners and respondents describing it as a mere academic exercise.

    Presiding Justice, Justice Olukayode Bada said, “By consent of all counsel, hearing of the two appeals will now come up for hearing onThursday, 16 March, 2017. The present application has become academic and is hereby struck out”

    The Tribunal had earlier ordered for the recount of the ballot papers used for the election in Egor, Akoko – Edo, Etsako West and Etsako East local governments following an oral application made by the Counsel for the petitioners, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN).

    But the recounting exercise was concluded in only Wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Etsako West Local Government Area, Wards 1 and 2 in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and Ward 1 of Egor Local Government Area.

     

  • PDP NWC accepts reconciliation committee’s recommendations

    PDP NWC accepts reconciliation committee’s recommendations

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it had accepted the recommendations in the report of the party’s Reconciliation Committee.

    The National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

    Sheriff said the NWC believed that the recommendations of the committee headed Bayelsa governor, Mr Sariake Dickson, met the requirements for the conduct of national convention and reconciliation procedures.

    “We accept the recommendations in totality and we will start working on the implementation,’’ he said.

    He added that the recommendation was, however, subject to further approval of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

    Dickson had on Tuesday, submitted the report of the recommendation to Sheriff at PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.

    Sheriff said that he would commence consultation with all organs of the party in line with the recommendation.

    He said that he would contact the organs to get their membership lists so as to draw up the nomination for the national convention planning committee members as proposed by the committee.

    He also said that the commission would soon set up state executive for Anambra chapter of the party as part of preparations for the November, 2017 governorship election in the state.

    The chairman also disclosed that as part of efforts to reunite the party members, he had contacted all the states governors of the party, including Mr Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum.

    He said that he had contacted all the governors except Nyesome Wike of Rivers, who was said to be out of the country.

    Sheriff, however, cautioned some party members, especially Fayose, to desist from making derogatory remarks about him.

    He said that Fayose had already made it a point of duty to insult his personality on daily basis, but said “I want to tell him that enough is enough.

    “Belonging to political party is by choice. Yes, you may have a right, but your right should not trample on another person’s right; political party is a voluntary association.

    “If you are a leader of a political party, we have to allow people to have their choice of leadership.’’

    Sheriff, who said he had no personal rift with Fayose or any party member, said that all he was doing was to make PDP attractive to everybody.

    “We want to reposition the party so that it can win elections,” he said.

    On indefinite medical vacation by President Muhammadu Buhari abroad, Sheriff said the president’s absence did not affect governance as he had transferred power to Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    He advised Nigerians not to politicise the issue of health, saying “every living human being will get sick.’’ (NAN)

  • Edo polls: There was accreditation before voting, witnesses tell tribunal

    Edo polls: There was accreditation before voting, witnesses tell tribunal

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Thursday opened his defence at the State Election Petition Tribunal in the ongoing hearing of the petition filed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the People’s Democratic Party.

     

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the September 28 governorship election.

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday closed its defence by submitting 203 documents without calling any witnesses.

     

    It said calling of witnesses would amount to helping the petitioners repaired their case damaged by the witnesses they called.

     

    The six witnesses that testified before the tribunal as at press time insisted that all voters were accredited before voting.

     

    They told the tribunal that election was conducted freely and fairly in line with the electoral act and added that there were neither agitation nor complaints from anybody including PDP agents after the results were announced.

     

    Lovely Igene who hails from Ward 7 in Oredo local government said the PDP collation agent in the Ward, Orkar Friday, did not come to his polling unit on the Election Day.

     

    He told the tribunal that voting and accreditation took place simultaneously.

     

    Evbuomwan Jackson told the tribunal that Presiding Officer informed all parties the procedure for the conduct of the election which included simultaneous accreditation and voting.

     

    Attempts by Counsel to the petitioners, Yusuf Alli, to seek additional time for cross examination was rejected by the tribunal.