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Tag: Secondus

  • Our fears for 2019 elections, by Secondus

    •’PDP will take back power’

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus yesterday expressed reservations about the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections next year.

    He said the umpire has become a willing tool in the hand of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to achieve its continuity agenda.

    Declaring open the PDP National Convention in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, the national chairman alleged that APC and INEC were collaborating to undermine the electoral process, lamenting that a free and fair election is not part of the APC”s agenda.

    He urged the over 3,000 delegates who converged on the Adokiye Amasiemeka Stadium that PDP will work with global agencies to insist on transparent polls.

    Secondus highlighted the imperative of power shift in next year’s election that we will take back governance in 2018.”

    He urged delegates from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to elect a competent flag bearer among the 12 aspirants to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari at the polls

    Secondus said the PDP will condUct a credible and transparent shadow poll to elect a competent candidate.

    Urging Nigerians to reject the APC at the poll, he said: President Buhari, it is time to go home. “Let us take back our country.”

    He said the police invitation to PDP chieftains, including Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye, following a protest against rigging in Abuja, smacked of intimidation of the opposition.

    The convention kicked off around 8.30 pm, following the directive by the Convention Committee, led by Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    He explained that the process was delayed by the painstaking accreditation of delegates, which was time-consuming.

    But, the delay was also not unconnected with the late arrival of aspirants to the venue due to last minute consultations and horse trading.

    In his speech titled: “Nigeria, take back your country,” Secondus said the PDP performed better than the APC when it was in power.

    He alluded to the reforms across the sectors, the setting up of anti-corruption agencies, and political stability for 16 years.

    The Chairman said the reform process has transformed the PDP from election-winning vehicle into an agenda-setting institution.

    Secondus said the party now controls the two arms of the National Assembly, noting that the Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker have returned to the fold. He said in its bid to win power in 2019, PDP is working with other 40 opposition parties to fight the PDP.

    Reflecting on the state of the nation, Secondus said all is not well.

     

  • Nigeria @58: Prospects of better Nigeria very bright, if … — Secondus

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, says prospects of a better Nigeria are very bright, if democracy flourishes and people are allowed to exercise their franchise at will.

    Secondus said this in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Ike Abonyi, on Monday in Abuja, to mark Nigeria 58th Independence Anniversary.

    He said it was regrettable that a richly endowed nation like Nigeria was being declared the headquarters of the World poor due to leadership problem.

    Secondus expressed concern about threat to the country’s democracy as Nigeria celebrated another anniversary.

    According to him, this was witnessed at the last governorship election in Osun state, where he said that will of the people was truncated.

    He said that the consolation was that democracy provided Nigerians the opportunity to change bad government and urged them to do so in 2019.

    The PDP leader urged Nigerians to stand up against anything that would prevent them from freely determining who governs and how public funds were expended.

    Secondus wished Nigerians happy Independence Anniversary, saying they deserve salute for their dexterity in the face of  leadership problem.

    He also saluted Nigeria’s fallen heroes and wished Nigerians well, assuring them of a better Nigeria under a PDP administration. (NAN)

  • PDP advises Buhari to sign amended Electoral Act

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the electoral act, as amended.

    Ike Abonyi, the Media Adviser to Secondus, in a statement he issued in Abuja on Tuesday said PDP national chairman gave the advice when he received two presidential aspirants of the party in Abuja.

    The aspirants are: former Sokoto State Governor Alhaji Atahiru Bafarawa and the incumbent governor of Gombe state,Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo who were at the Legacy House, the national campaign office of the party, to pick the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms.

    Said there should not be any delay in signing the new Electoral Act when it was obvious that it would deepen the electoral system and ensure faster growth of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Secondus assured ALL the aspirants of the party at all levels that there was going to be free, fair and transparent primaries where decision of delegates would prevail.

    “Let me assure all aspirants of our party that the era of impunity or imposition is over in the party as a rebranded PDP, under my watch, would ensure transparency and fairness to all.”

    Secondus appealed to the aspirants to work in harmony in the interest of the party and ensure its victory in 2019 general elections, reminding them that “only one candidate will get the slot at the end of the day.“

    “We must not forget to put the will of God in all we do, bearing in mind that nobody gets power unless as designed and approved by God.

    “We are proud of all our aspirants, all of them are eminently qualified to rule this country.“

    Bafarawa, in his remark, assured that he would abide by the will of the party at the end of the primaries and called on hands to be on deck to ensure the victory of the party in 2019.

    On his part, Gov. Dankwambo also assured that he would subordinate his ambition to the party, if the delegates decide to choose another person.

    He, however, said that he had “what it takes in terms of profession and experience to lead Nigeria.“

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PDP commenced the sale of its nomination and expression of interest forms for 2019 general elections, on Tuesday.(NAN)

  • Secondus appoints Chidoka as special adviser

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has appointed a former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, as his special adviser on strategy and external engagements.

    A statement issued on Friday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Chidoka, who was also a one time Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has since resumed duties.

    “Chidoka, who is well reputed for his ingenuity and organisational skills in public office, is expected to bring to bear his analytical expertise and wealth of experience in political strategy development, coordination and implementation, as the PDP sets for the 2019 general elections,” the statement said.

  • Nigerians should caution Buhari on NASS siege – Secondus

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, on Tuesday urged Nigerians to caution President Muhammadu Buhari, saying his actions are detrimental to the survival of democracy in the country.

    In a statement in Abuja, the PDP chairman said it was unfortunate that President Buhari allowed the siege on the leadership of the National Assembly by security agencies to happen under his watch.

    According to him, it was bad that President Buhari, who was a beneficiary of democracy in 2015, has allegedly done nothing “but destroyed every fabric of democracy and the rule of law” in the country.

    He alleged that the Federal Government was using the security agencies to overthrow the leadership of the National Assembly in “order to make it comatose.”

  • Secondus: Buhari’s Netherlands visit unnecessary

    Chair leads Atiku, others to Sokoto

    National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus yesterday led the party’s presidential aspirants to Sokoto State on a condolence visit following the attack on Tabbani, Rabah Local Government Area where more than 39 persons died.

    The delegation included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Governors of Jigawa, Kano and Sokoto states, Suleiman Lamido (Jigawa); Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano) and Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), as well as former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki.

    Secondus condemned President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the Netherlands as needless, saying Nigeria was going through serious pains as lives were being lost daily.

    He said: “The ruling All Progressives Congress-led (APC) government has failed. It is important that Nigerians should look to God for intervention and not the government again.

    “People now live in perpetual fear because they don’t know where the killing will happen next.”

    The chairman noted that Nigeria could not give an accurate figure of the death from January till date because what they see daily is blood flowing and bloodletting, which had never happened in the history of the country.

    “This is why I led these people here to commiserate with you. We know you are in pain and we are in pain too because whatever happens in Sokoto touches across the nation. It is really a sad event,” he noted.

    Tambuwal said the state had been peaceful until the unfortunate event which displaced about 10,000 people.

    The governor said the government and security agencies were doing their best to ensure there was no recurrence.

  • PDP apologises to Obasanjo for maltreatment, bad conduct

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday met with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and counselled them on steps to adopt if they hope to ‘unseat’ President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

    Obasanjo, who was elected Nigerian president twice from 1999 – 2007  on the platform of PDP,  told the  21-man delegation of the Committee, led by PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Walid Jibrin, to pay more than passive attention to four issues he identified as needed ingredients to bring PDP back to power.

    The Ebora Owu, who announced his quitting of partisan politics in the build up to the 2015 presidential election to become an elder statesman, advised the party to court and embrace “good image, internal discipline, commitment, quality leadership and moral principles.”

    The early morning meeting at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) was at the instance of the NWC of the party which had earlier arrived Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, a day ahead of it. The ex – president gave the advice in response to Uche  Secondus.

    The party national chairman had earlier tendered words of apology on behalf the party to Obasanjo for the bad conduct and mistreatment meted out to him and also drew  his attention to what he (Secondus) considered as the “distress and prostrate situation of the country today” as well as  the progress report on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the  grand alliance of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), among others.

    These were contained in a release issued in Abeokuta by Obasanjo’s media aide, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, shortly after the meeting.

    The release reads: “Chief Obasanjo thanked the delegation for apologising on behalf of the party and made reference to the Lord’s Prayer where we are taught to ask God for forgiveness and to grant forgiveness to others.

    “He further underlined the pitiable situation of Nigeria today and the inexcusable killing and insecurity almost all over the country and the unprecedented division of the country all of which the present government seems to have no credible solution.

    “After deliberations, it was made clear that the MOU for grand alliance is what it says, a grand alliance. It is neither a merger nor absorption of any political party by any political party. It is clearly for the parties who agreed to be members of the alliance to work together to achieve one important common objective at the national level for the election of 2019 and where it is appropriate and necessary members may also form alliance and cooperation at the state level.

    “Chief Obasanjo reiterated to the Committee that the idea of a grand alliance was broached when the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) adopted African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a political party platform. He therefore reaffirmed his belief and support for the grand alliance.

    “Chief Obasanjo, however, advised that the individuality and independence of each political party must be observed and respected by all parties concerned. It is also desirable that in the process of implementing the MOU to achieve the set objective, solidarity and focus on the objective must be maintained.

    “Chief Obasanjo urged that all member political parties must be cautious of fake news, rumours, blackmail, and seeds of discord that may be sown among them from external quarters.

    “He also, reminded the committee that on adoption of ADC as political party of the CNM (Coalition of Nigeria Movement), he had maintained that he will not be a member of any political party but he will make himself available to guide any party that wishes to be so guided and he has offered such guidance to ADC.

    “While he may make himself available to any other party that will require it, service to ADC will be paramount, he equally pointed out to the committee that before their prompting he had put his hands on the ground and there is no looking back.

    “That he will join men and women in the country and if necessary lead them, in retrieving and saving the country from shipwreck.”

    Earlier, the National Chairman of PDP also appealed to the former president not to relent on giving necessary leadership to save the country from the throes of mismanagement and drift towards shipwrecking.

  • Secondus, Atiku deplore ‘police attack’

    The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar have deplored Wednesday’s police attack on the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.

    The duo also deplored the invasion of the Ekiti State Government House by police and other security personnel, where Fayose was allegedly tear gassed.

    At a media briefing in Abuja, Secondus accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of making a self-succession cruise to turn the country into a fascist state.

    He recalled a recent statement by the national chairman of the APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, saying that the ruling party was going to crush the opposition.

    Secondus said the situation in Ekiti had reinforced the signpost of a manifest desire by the APC and its leaders to subdue the resilient spirit of Nigerians and set up a totalitarian regime in the country.

    The party said, “This morning, in its desperation to forcefully take over Ekiti State, the APC-led Federal Government deployed armed police personnel led by one Compol Mopol Echel Echel, who blocked the Ekiti State Government House, attacked and placed the democratically elected governor of Ekiti State, Governor Ayodele Fayose, under house arrest. At the moment, no one goes in or out of the government house.

    “The invading police squad sacked the official security at the Government House, fired sporadically into the premises during which Governor Fayose was beaten up by policemen and brought down by volleys of teargas while several others were injured.

    “This, we have been informed, is part of the ‘order from above’, in line with the earlier boast by the Buhari-led APC, to ‘cage’ Governor Fayose ahead of the July 14, 2018 Ekiti governorship election, so as to grant their agents a field day to rig the election.

    “In fact, we have been made aware that the invasion was a plot to assassinate Governor Fayose and blame it on accidental discharge by one of the policemen”.

    The party chairman described the development as an assault on the governor and a siege to the government house, saying it constituted a recipe for violence.

    “It’s a complete attack on our democratic order and direct assault on the corporate existence of Ekiti and her people as a federating part of our nation.

    “We know that this is part of the desperate effort by the APC-led Federal Government to intimidate, subjugate, frighten and overawe the people and unleash a rigging mechanism for the election.”

    Atiku described the development in Ekiti as appealing. In a statement in Abuja, Atiku said it was an uncivil assault on democracy and fell short of democratic best practices.

    The former Vice President the administration that it came into being because the past administration of the PDP ensured free and fair elections at all levels in 2015.

    The statement said, “Having been a beneficiary of such propriety, it is incumbent on the Federal Government not to deprive others of the ladder it was provided by its predecessors.

    “Free, fair and credible elections are not a privilege. They are a right! The peaceful congregating of the good people of Ekiti State, be they members of the All Progressive Congress or the Peoples Democratic Party or of any other party, must be allowed by the Federal Government”.

  • Be mindful of your comments on Buhari – BMO cautions Secondus

    The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has called on the national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Uche Secondus, to refrain from making inflammatory comments capable of inciting Nigerians against President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration.

    The organization’s Chairman, Mr Austin Braimoh, and its Secretary, Mr Cassidy Madueke, made the call in a jointly signed statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The group described Secondus’ allegation at the PDP rally in Ekiti, that Pesident Buhari was responsible for the killings across the country, as careless and inciting.

    According to the organisation, such inflammatory comments are capable of exacerbating the current security situation in the country.

    Read Also: We are taking measures against killings, says Buhari 

    “For the information of Mr Secondus and his co-travellers, we need to remind them that under their past administrations, Nigeria was under siege and nearly collapsed, but for the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration that has already brought the situation under control.

    “As we approach the 2019 elections, he should always weigh the implication of his public comments to avoid the possibility of plunging the country into unnecessary crisis.

    “As the chairman of the leading opposition party, he must realize that he owes it a duty to the country to exhibit the highest sense of decorum in his conduct and public utterances,” it said.

    The organization called on security agencies to caution Secondus to desist forthwith from making such comments.

  • Atiku, Makarfi, Secondus, others storm Ekiti for Olusola

    •’Pdp on mission to rescue Nigeria’

    National leaders, presidential aspirants and governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday declared the readiness of the party to retain the governorship seat in Ekiti State and displace the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Presidency.

    They sounded the 2019 general election battle cry at the mega rally in Ado-Ekiti where they rallied support for the party’s candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, in the July 14 governorship election.

    Olusola was officially presented with the party’s flag by the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, at a rally staged on the highway at the foot of the new flyover in Ojumose area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    A mammoth crowd of party members, workers’ unions, students, youths, artisans, ethnic nationalities and members of the public utilized the opportunity to attend the rally.

    Former Vice President and presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said the PDP is on a mission to rescue Nigeria from insecurity and other challenges confronting it.

    Other national leaders who restated the readiness of the PDP to take over power at the centre are former National Caretaker Chairman and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi; former Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa; former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; former Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin.

    Atiku, Makarfi, Lamido and Bafarawa addressed the rally in their capacity as presidential aspirants.

    Atiku urged the people of Ekiti to vote continuity as represented by Olusola, who is seeking to succeed his boss, Governor Ayo Fayose, in the July 14 election.

    He said: “The people of Ekiti, I have known you since 1992, all the projects completed and taken Ekiti to higher level have been done by PDP alone.

    “PDP guarantees you good hospital, road, infrastructure, education and many other dividends of democracy, it is time for you to ensure that this administration continues because that is the key to development.

    “What we are doing is a rescue mission, we will bring back peace, security and prosperity of this country. Make sure you vote and stay there till results are announced.”

    Secondus said: “The PDP is rebranded and repositioned; we are here to rescue Nigeria from insecurity, from collapse and from hardship Nigerians are presently going through under the APC government.

    “Many Nigerians are being killed in Taraba, Benue and Plateau States. How many of our people will you kill? APC and its people are not God.

    “We refuse to be intimidated, it is their style to intimidate. This country is experiencing civil war because of killing, APC is behind it, PDP will take over.

    “They have the plan to arrest our people, our members, but we will not be intimidated. The APC is broken already, the broom has scattered. We have the best candidate for this election and he will take over from Fayose to continue the development of this state.”

    Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council and Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel said Nigerians are tired of the APC leadership and are ready to vote out the broom party.

    Emmanuel said it is only in PDP states that things are working. He  urged Ekiti residents to vote continuity and give their votes to Olusola.

    He also called on security agencies to allow the conduct of a free, fair and credible election and ensure that the votes of the Ekiti electorate count.

    Other PDP governors who canvassed for votes for Olusola include Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Mr. Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Chief Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Mr. Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Prof. Ben Ayade (Cross River), Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), and Mr. Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd).

    Other prominent party leaders who attended the rally include former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi; former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Dr. Eddy Olafeso, members of the National Working Committee and members of the Zonal Working Committee.

    Fayose accused the APC of planning to rig the governorship poll, but maintained that the people are ready to resist any attempt to manipulate the poll.

    He said the intimidation ahead of the election had started with the alleged closure of the Akure Airport to prevent governors and other party leaders from attending the rally.

    Fayose said: “INEC, we know your plan that you want to rig for APC, we will follow you bumper-to-bumper. We know your preloaded agenda, how you are planning to release ballot papers to APC.

    “We knew what you did in Kogi, we knew what you did in Ondo, we know your plan. Whether APC resort to violence or not, Kolapo Olusola will be declared governor-elect of Ekiti State.

    “I want to say that over 99 per cent of those who will conduct the election are not from Ekiti; youth corpers, police, INEC are not from here, leave our state alone.

    “Look at this crowd, look at this young people, if you are living in our state, this is not a hired crowd, we don’t hire crowd here, these are people living in the state.”

    Fayose added: “Since Monday, they have been arresting PDP people, they arrested three teachers. In this election, it will be 16-0, it will be 16-0 again, the 16-0 is loading.

    “I got a letter yesterday (Wednesday) that that I should come and welcome the President but I said I am not receiving the President because he has not done anything for Ekiti.

    “I want to condemn the Federal Government for what they have done; why do you have to close the Akure Airport? That is shameful, that is not patriotic, that is shameful.”

    Speaking after receiving the flag, Olusola, who was flanked by his wife, Janet, expressed confidence that he will win the election and will be declared governor-elect.

    Olusola said: “By the grace of Almighty God, we assure our leaders and Ekiti that we will sustain the good legacies of Fayose, we will improve on it and sustain the legacies.

    “I assure you of adequate security, healthcare, excellent infrastructure, civil service, education enterprises, and  exemplary leadership among others.

    “Ours is a divine agenda.  It is a divine mission with divine agenda it cannot be conquered by APC. Congratulations Ekiti, your governor elect is talking.”