The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Democratic Party

  • ‘Nigerians are regretting voting PDP out of power’

    ‘Nigerians are regretting voting PDP out of power’

    The chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi has said that Nigerians have been regretting voting PDP out of power in the 2015 general elections.
    According to him, some Nigerians are already apologising for voting the party out, saying however that there have another opportunity to vote the PDP back in power in 2019.
    Makarfi who spoke at a party function in Abuja on Wednesday, said the PDP was in the process of rebranding and re-strategising ahead of 2019.
    He said: “We are reviewing and rebranding the party, it is only the judgment in Port Harcourt we are waiting for and we are praying for a fair judgment that will revive the hope of the people.
    “Justice should be done and seen to be done in a manner that the whole would will see that the judiciary is doing the right thing.
    “If you eliminate or encumber the opposition, nobody will be safe. It is for the interest of Nigeria that there is opposition.
    “Some people are already apologising for voting us out of office, but we are telling them to vote for us again.”
    He advised his fellow party members to criticise wisely and to also come up with alternative policy options. He warned party members against blackmail.
    Makarfi assured that the party will reconcile on a strong foundation, stressing that the PDP would avoid loopholes in its reconciliation drive.
    Earlier, Chairman of the party’s Strategy Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, said the party had covered a lot of ground in resolving the leadership crisis in party.
    According to him, party members across the nation have given support to the caretaker committee, adding “We trust that very soon, judgment will be delivered and the party will move forward.
  • Terrorism: Nine pro-Kurdish politicians arrested in Turkey

    Terrorism: Nine pro-Kurdish politicians arrested in Turkey

    Nine more pro-Kurdish politicians from Turkey’s Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) were arrested on suspicion of membership in a terrorist organisation, Turkish media reported on Thursday.

    The local party leader in Istanbul was among those arrested, according to an agency report.

    The deputy head of the party, Aysel Tugluk, was arrested a week ago on terrorism charges.

    Tugluk is the lawyer for two co-chairs of the party who have been detained along with 10 other lawmakers since November.

    President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan accused the HDP, which is still legal although under increasing pressure, of links to the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.

    The HDP members deny the charges against them.

  • PDP needs surgery: Sheriff-led faction

    PDP needs surgery: Sheriff-led faction

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff on Sunday canvassed for the need to reposition the party through a major political surgery.

    The party said in a statement signed by Mr Bernard Mikko, the factional PDP Acting National Publicity Secretary to Sheriff and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    He recalled that there was a general consensus that PDP was undergoing stress and political hemorrhage arising from structural impunity, indiscipline and lack of respect for rule of law.

    Mikko said that such action had compromised the party’s unity, strength and loss of focus on the key values that engendered public trust and electoral victory for PDP over a decade.

    “To reverse these trends, a major political surgery has to be undertaken to get the party out of the grip of some selfish, lawless, and undisciplined individuals.

    “ The individuals who have used our platform to public reckoning, but now want to make the party an exclusive property of theirs.

    “The PDP as you know is the only formidable political institution that has remained so without change of name, slogan or nomenclature.

    “The weakness and schisms within the hierarchy of our party today is as a result of violent disregard of our constitution, ethics and rules of engagements of divergent opinions within and outside the party,’’ he said.

    Mikko said that politics is about building consensus and legitimacy to promote unity through equity, fairness and justice.

    “The case before the court of Appeal, Port Harcourt division is essentially to determine the legality or otherwise of the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi led national caretaker committee which has no place in the PDP’s constitution,’’ he said.

    Mikko said that the faction of the party was confident that the Appeal Court would cure the misgivings and error of judgment for which “Makarfi-led caretaker contraption is claiming legality.’’

    “It is in this regard that we appeal to our supporters not waiver in our determination to reposition our party to greater electoral fortunes.

    “They should also discountenance remarks by those who are still insisting on taking the people of the grass root for granted, using the PDP as a franchise for oppression, peonage and graft,’’ he said.

    Mikko said that the hate speeches espoused by the Markafi-led National Publicity, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, “to undermine the reconciliatory effort by Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff will not succeed.

    He said that the wisdom behind the recent setting up of PDP Caretaker Committee in Rivers chaired by Dr Silva Opusunju was to remove the needless friction in governance, instill accountability and transparency in public affairs.

    Mikko said that it was also to eradicate impunity, recklessness and adult delinquency in PDP in particular, and governance in general.

    “Rivers state is known to be a core PDP state since its creation in May 1967.
    “The confusion and violence in the state today is due largely to the emergence of some political leaders through impunity.

    “It is due to lack of respect for zonal provisions in Article 7(3c) of 2014 PDP Constitution (as amended) and section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended),’’ he said.

    Mikko urged teeming supporters and stakeholders to remain focused on the key ideals of the party that have kept the strong and resilient over the years.

  • Obaseki knocks PDP over stir at new five star hospital

    Obaseki knocks PDP over stir at new five star hospital

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has knocked chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party in Edo State for causing a stir at the new five star Benin Central hospital.

    Obaseki said the PDP chieftains led by the party’s State chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, wanted to score cheap political point by feigning the illness of a healthy family man.

    Chief Orbih had described the five star hospital recently inaugurated by President Mohammadu Buhari as a fraud when no doctors or nurses were on duty to treat the ‘patient’ brought by the PDP.

    Governor Obaseki who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, said governance is not run on an ad hoc approach as the PDP want Edo people to believe.

    Obaseki explained that the ongoing 3-day strategic policy dialogue workshop would afford his administration the opportunity to holistically look at all sectors including the five star hospital.

    He said the workshop is expected to come up with method to administer the various sectors in the state including the new hospital.

    According to him, “After the commissioning of the said facility by the past administration, you are well aware that there was change of guard in government – and as such, this disgruntled people should give us some time to look at the entire sector.

    “Edo people watched the said scene in the electronic media and came to a consensus that the alleged illness of one Ibawah – who surrendered himself for such ungodly act, was not only a charade but orchestrated by the PDP and their mischievous Chieftains.

    “We envision a broader perspective – the possibility of expanding the facility to become a one-stop-shop for medical tourism – and not the normal hospital we are used to – that facility was born a 5-star and nothing short of that for Edo people. After the strategic policy dialogue workshop, a blueprint on government’s direction would be unveiled.”

     

  • Heavy security at Edo tribunal sitting

    Heavy security at Edo tribunal sitting

    There was heavy presence of security presence at the premises of the Edo State High Court where the State Election Petition tribunal is sitting along Sapele Road in Benin City.

     

    To avert a clash of political parties supporters, roads leading to the court were cordoned off. 

     

    The tribunal was scheduled to hear applications filed Governor Godwin Obaseki and the All Progressive Congress against the petition filed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the People’s Democratic Party.

     

    Vehicles were allowed to ply one way along the dualised Sapele Road.

     

    At the last tribunal sitting, thugs loyal to both the PDP and the APC stormed the tribunal premises and it resulted in a clash which left about three persons injured.

     

    The heavy security presence prevented suspected thugs from gaining access to the tribunal premises.

  • Tribunal orders substituted service on Obaseki, APC

    Tribunal orders substituted service on Obaseki, APC

    The Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City has granted an order for the People’s Democratic Party and the Young Democratic Party to serve court processes on the All Progressive Congress and governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, through substituted service.

     

    By this order, the court processes would be assumed served once they are pasted on the walls, or gate of the Edo APC secretariat and the residence of Obaseki.

     

    The tribunal granted the order following a motion exparte filed separately by Counsels to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the YDP.

     

    Lead Counsel to Pastor Ize-Iyamu and the PDP, Kingsley Obamogie, said the motion exparte was filed in pursuant of the First Schedule, Paragraph 47 of the Electoral Act as amended.

     

    Obamogie told the tribunal that the Edo APC secretariat along the Airport road has been shut down since October 20, 2016.

     

    He said the shutting down was to frustrate attempt to serve court processes on them.

     

    Obamogie urged the tribunal to grant the motion because it has become impossible to serve Obaseki and to enable them make progress in the petition.

     

    Ugo Nwafor, Counsel to YDP and its candidate, Nurudeen Inwanfero, in the motion sought the tribunal leave to serve the APC and Obaseki by substituted service.

     

    In his ruling, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice A.T.Badamasi granted the motion saying it was in line with the Electoral Act as amended and section 6(5) of the Federal High Court procedural rules.

  • Declare me winner, Ize-Iyamu tells tribunal

    Declare me winner, Ize-Iyamu tells tribunal

    The People’s Democratic Party and its governorship candidate in the September 28 governorship polls in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has filed a petition against the outcome of the election.

     

    In the petition, Pastor Ize-Iyamu is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the election.

     

    Candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was declared winner of the election after polling 319,483 votes against 253,173 votes garnered by Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

     

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu beat the deadline by filing the petition at about 4:45pm even though party supporters and reporters had waited at the tribunal since 12noon.

     

    He was accompanied by the state party leaders and supporters. 

     

    State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, said they filed the petition within the stipulated time as defined by the Electoral Laws.

     

    Chief Orbih said they presented what he termed ‘a very good case’ before the tribunal.

     

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu said they are asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the election.

     

    His words, “We just filed and in the next few days, you will begin to get brief about what is at stake. We are asking the court to declare us as the rightful winner of the election. 

     

    “Edo people know who won the election. We are law abiding despite the injustice. I thank Edo people for their patience despite their anger against the results announced by INEC. 

     

    “Throughout the campaigns, our people kept asking us if we were ready to defend the votes they are going to give to us. We assured them and they came out to vote for us. Democracy will not thrive if you allow people to allocate votes. Our case is a strong one and by the time sitting will start, Edo people will be amazed at the impunity to win at all cost.”

  • PDP tasks Buhari on recession

    PDP tasks Buhari on recession

     

    The Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), South African chapter, Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen has advised President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to empathize with suffering Nigerians in the face of biting recession.

    Hon. Akpokabayen said this recently when he received delegates of the Nigerian Christian Association (NCA), South Africa branch at the party’s head office in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    He said: “President Buhari should empathize with the suffering citizens of Nigeria, a country which personal well-being indexes dropped by 0.06 percentage point, eleven months after the APC took over the government. A country which its masses are plunged into food crisis should hold its leaders responsible.”

    Akpokabayen said that “being surrounded by strangers, we can still get things done. The leadership should set aside their ego and begin wide consultations in order to figure out the pressing needs of Nigerians and address them quickly.”

    On the very recent arrest of Judges by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the PDP Chieftain observed that Nigerians should be very mindful of this creation of a monster that could hunt all of us in the nearest future.

    He said the government should channel their efforts towards the paths of economic recovery and growth, making it her number one priority, they should begin to involve the private sectors, banks, international business community via investors friendly policies and other stake holders, and all efforts should be non-partisan.

  • PDP picks Mafo as Jegede’s running mate

    PDP picks Mafo as Jegede’s running mate

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State on Wednesday forwarded the name of Prince John Ola Mafo to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the running mate of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) in the November 26, 2016, governorship candidate.
    This is in line with the directive of INEC that the issues bordering on withdrawal and replacement of candidates would elapse today, October 12, 2016.
    The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ondo State, Mr. Banji Okunomo in an interview said the credentials of Mafo qualified him for the position.
    According to Okunomo, the decision to pick Mafo was taken by the highest decision body of the PDP in Ondo State.
    His words: “At the highest decision-making body of Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today, the PDP resolved on the choice of Ola Mafo as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party.
    “The party took this far-reaching decision after considering all factors that would lead to its victory at the poll.
    “The party weighed a number of options including the credentials of Ola Mafo which ranged from being a former chairman of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State, former Commissioner for Information in Ondo State.
    “Mafo was also a former Special Adviser to Governor Mimiko and until his nomination, he is the chairman of the Ondo State Football Association (ODSFA).
    “Mafo is also a foundation member of the PDP and a veteran politician from the Southern senatorial district particularly Ilaje local government, a native of Zion Pepe,” he said.
    Okunomo posited that the choice of Mafo was based on equity and political balance saying: “For equity and balance, it is apposite for the party to uphold his nomination as the Deputy Governorship candidate.
    “His name has been forwarded to the INEC as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the PDP. With this development, all party members are further directed to go about their normal campaign, this time, for the Eyitayo/Mafo ticket.
    “Finally, the party wishes to congratulate Prince John Ola Mafo for this political elevation,” Okunomo said.
  • Tribunal grants Ize-Iyamu order to inspect election materials

    Tribunal grants Ize-Iyamu order to inspect election materials

    Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City has granted an order for the People’s Democratic Party and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to inspect all the electoral materials used by the Independence National Electoral Commission for the conduct of the September 28 Edo State governorship election.

    Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress was declared winner of the election after he polled over 319, 483 votes to defeat Pastor Ize-Iyamu who polled 253,173 votes.

    The order by the tribunal followed an ex-parte motion filed by Counsel to the PDP and Pastor Ize-Iyamu, Barr. Kingsley Obamogie

    Barr. Obamogie said the motion was in compliance with section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended which he relied on to pray the court to grant them the order to inspect the INEC materials.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Hon. Justice .A. Badamasi granted the order after listening the argument of Obamogie.

    Other members of the tribunal are Justices E.A. Ade Sodun, and Hon. Khadi Adamu Usman who are to serve as members.

    Obamogie said, “In compliance with the section 151 of the Electoral Act of 2010 as amended, we have approached and pray the court to grant us the permission to inspect all the Electoral, materials used by INEC in the just concluded Edo State Governorship Election”.

    An official of the tribunal would only be inaugurated only when petitions have been filed by aggrieved parties and their candidates that participated in the governorship election.

    He noted that aggrieved parties have 21 days within which to file petitions.

    However, there was a heavy presence of security personnel within and outside the tribunal premises.

    Their presence was to forestall any unforeseen circumstance within the court.