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Tag: Secondus

  • EFCC: N1.28b spent on cars for Secondus, others

    DID the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus benefit from a multi-billion naira oil cash during the Jonathan administration?

    Documents from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), obtained by The Nation, yesterday showed that N1.28 billion was spent on acquiring exotic vehicles for him and two others.

    The others are one of his predecessors, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and Senator Albert Bassey.

    A breakdown showed that Secondus got vehicles or gifts worth N310million-N472.5million; Mua’zu, N504, 500,000 and  Bassey, N303m.

    But in a swift reaction last night, Secondus described the allegation as continuation of his media trial.

    “We are already in court on some of these allegations. If anybody has anything to prove, let him go to court. We know that this is a continuation of blackmail and media trial against the PDP national chairman,” his spokesman Ike Abonyi said.

    Also, about N250million was traced to Secondus as remittance in two tranches from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    ONSA said out of the cash, N50million was collected by Uche (Secondus) on November 7, 2014 and  one Chukwurah, who was a Special Assistant to Secondus, picked the balance of N200million in cash, on February 9, 2015.

    The desk officers who handed over the cash to the beneficiaries have made statements to the EFCC.

    One of them said: “The money (N50million) was paid to Uche Secondus but the purpose was not known. It was based on the directive of a  former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.

    “One could remember that a payment of N200million was made to Uche Secondus as directed by the former NSA. The purpose was unknown.”

    All the payment vouchers, especially a vital one tagged 0244, have been retrieved by EFCC from ONSA.

    Mua’zu, who is tagged as being on the run, it was learnt, may be watch-listed on how he came about the N504.5million worth of vehicles.

    The EFCC declared that “Secondus still has a case to answer because he is on bail.”

    According to the fact-sheet obtained from the anti-graft commission, the vehicles were purchased from Skymit Motors from the proceeds of what was due to the nation from the Strategic Alliance Agreement between Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Nigeria Limited and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company(NPDC).

    Some of the proceeds were initially diverted to Expedia Marines from where payments were made to Skymit Motors.

    The documents indicated that 50 vehicles were purchased for Secondus between June 28, 2013 and November 2014.

    The fact-sheet reads in part: “As part of the investigation of Strategic Alliance Agreement between Atlantic Energy and NPDC, the EFCC team discovered that part of the  proceeds of crude oil lifting were diverted to Expedia Marines and from the company several payments were made to a company called Skymit, which deals in assorted vehicles.

    “About 55 vehicles were bought for Secondus as follows:

    • 10 Hiace High Roof @N8.5million each-8/4/14;
    • 15 Hiace Mid-roof @ N8.5million each;
    • 25 Hiace High and Mid-roof @ N210million;
    • Range Rover Autobiography @N50million
    • Mercedez G63 @N36m (28/6/2013;
    • 2 Toyota Hilux(D-Cabin Pick Up) @ N14million (8/4/14)

    “Secondus was invited on February 23, 2016 in respect of investigation into alleged case of fraud and money laundering. He made a statement and he was granted bail on March 2, 2016.

    “His case is still under investigation in spite of the fact that part of the case has been charged to court. Secondus withdrew his first surety, Dr. Musa Hassan Gusau of the National Commission for Mass Literacy and brought in a new surety, Mr. Daniang Peter Dajan, the Director, General Services of the Federal Ministry of Labour. He is on bail and the surety is still there for him. The condition of the bail is very clear: That Secondus will be invited when required and he must honour the invitation.”

    In his statement to EFCC, Secondus wrote: “All these gifts came to me  from the Chairman of Atlantic Energy, Chief Jide Omokore over the years.

    “I am not aware of the proceeds from Strategic Alliance Agreement being used to purchase the gifts.”

    On Mua’zu, a former governor of Bauchi State, the EFCC said the vehicles allegedly bought for him included: Mercedez G-63@N45million(19/5/14); Many vehicles @N247,500,000 (26/6/14) and another set of vehicles @ N212million on 14/814.

    “The suspect is still on the run, the EFCC has not been able to interact with him,” the document said.

    On Bassey, who was a Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State, the EFCC uncovered how the following vehicles were made available to him by Atlantic Energy which allegedly paid for them from oil cash.

    • BMW X 5BP(Bullet Proof)@ N50m on 13/5/10
    • Infinity QX 5BP @ N45m (10/12/12)
    • Range Rover @N40m (17/3/14)
    • 5 Toyota Hiace High Roof@ N43m(9/6/14)
    • 6 Toyota Hilux D/Cabin @N6.2m= N42m(15/9/14)
    • Set of vehicles @N83m (19/12/14)

    In his statement on oath, Bassey said: “The vehicles are gifts from Jide Omokore on the need to ensure my personal safety. I have known him for 19 years since 1997. They are also contributions to my governorship campaigns in 2014.”

    A top source in EFCC said: “We have subsequently invited Senator Bassey twice but he has refused to honour our invitation. He was expected to come for interaction on Monday(yesterday) but he did not show up.”

  • Era of impunity, imposition of candidates over says PDP

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Mr Uche Secondus says the period of impunity and imposition of candidates in the party has ended.

    Secondus said this in Udi, Enugu State on Saturday during a rally organised by members of the party in Enugu West Senatorial Zone of the state.

    The chairman, who was represented by the Deputy National Chairman, North, Sen. Babaya Garba, said that the party was determined and poised to reenact its glorious days.

    He said that aspirants in the party would henceforth be provided the level playing ground to thrive.

    Secondus said that feelers across the country showed that Nigerians needed the party back to power, adding that their performances during their time were outstanding.

    He, however, said that for the party to thrive, it needed to show character and good leadership in the states under its control as was witnessed in Enugu State.

    “We are determined to reenact the glorious days and achieve greater heights. To achieve this, we need to provide level playing ground for aspirants.

    “There will no longer be impunity and imposition of candidates in our party,” he said.

    Secondus said that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was happy with the quality of leadership shown by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    “Enugu State deserves to be emulated because there is absolute peace here. We are happy with the unity between the two leaders of our party in the state: Ugwuanyi and Sen. Ike Ekweremadu.

    “The NWC of the party is proud of you,” Secondus said.

    In his speech, the Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu, said that the leadership style of the governor had ushered permanent peace in the state.

    Ekweremadu said that the PDP in the state had its fair share of crisis and trying moments which threatened to sink the party.

    He mentioned 1998, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 as the years the party in the state had its greatest challenges as its chieftains were engaged in supremacy battle.

    He said that this was the first time the party in the state had peace at the eve of an election year.

    “I have been involved in politics of the state since 1998 and there have always been problems.

    “In 2002 we had a crisis that almost consumed everybody while 2006 was crisis of succession.

    “In 2008 and 2014, the state was divided between Abuja politicians and their home based counterparts but we survived it.

    “Today, we have a governor that has brought permanent peace and that is why we are celebrating,” he said.

    The deputy senate president said that the state was one of the best places to live in the country due to the prevailing security and peace.

    Ekweremadu said that residents of the state would show their gratitude to the governor in the coming general election.

    Responding, Ugwuanyi said that he was overwhelmed by the outpour of emotions and eloquent testimonies about his administration.

    The governor commended members of the party from the zone for their show of love and support.
    He assured them of continued provision of good and quality leadership as well as lead with the fear of God. (NAN)

  • PDP to Nigerians: Don’t re-elect Buhari in 2019

    The People Democratic Party (PDP) has warned Nigerians the nation would face dire consequences if President Muhammadu Buhari is re-elected in 2019.

    The National Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus, who stated this during the North West Zonal rally of the party held in Katsina on Saturday, maintained that Nigeria cannot endure another difficult four years under Buhari

    Also speaking at the rally, a PDP presidential aspirant, Sule lamido, said the President has not performed creditably well in his first term.

    He said: ‘’Buhari’s destruction of the economy is unprecedented. His government sees every one as corrupt except him. What is it that is not happening here in Nigeria under Buhari, we must join hands and root him out come 2019? if he returns, Nigeria will be the worst for it.”

    The National Women leader of the party, Hajia Maria Umar Waziri, said the turnout of party supporters despite the fact that the President is spending the weekend in his Daura hometown is a clear indication that the party is waxing stronger in the state despite the All Progressive Congress (APC)’s claim of a one party state.

     

  • Alleged looters’ list: Secondus drags Lai Mohammed to court

    The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus, has dragged the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, to court for defamation of character,according to a media aide to the PDP National Chairman, Ike Abonyi.

    Mohammed had listed  Secondus as one of the PDP  top shots that looted the treasury.

    He alleged that the PDP chairman received N200 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA).

    In his reaction, Secondus had through his lawyer, Mr Emeka Etiaba, denied collecting any money from the former NSA.

    He had consequently asked the minister to immediately retract his name on the list and demanded a public apology and payment of N1.5b damages within 48 hours.

    “We shall within 72 hours from today (March 31, 2018), proceed to a court of competent jurisdiction to ventilate our client’s right under the law and shall further seek the protection of the court against you,” Secondus’ lawyer had told Mohammed in a letter on Saturday last week.

    Having failed to meet the demand, the PDP National Chairman made good his threat yesterday and filed a suit at the Port Harcourt High Court in Rivers State.

    In the suit no/PHC/1013/2018, he asked the court to award him the sum of N1.5b as damages for “humiliation, castigation, vilification attack on his person and integrity as a result of the publication.”

    He also claimed that the list published by the minister was defamatory and urged the court to direct Mohammed to retract the said publication and apologise in writing.

    Secondus wants the retraction and apology to be published in all social media platforms and other media organisations where it was earlier publicised and broadcast.

    He further asked the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further publishing defamatory materials against him.

    Joined in the suit are the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Attorney General of the Federation and a publishing firm.

    The minister and other respondents are yet to respond to the suit.

    Mohammed had told reporters penultimate  Friday in Lagos that the decision to reveal the list was prompted by the PDP’s call to the government to publish the names of those that alleged looted Nigeria’s treasury.

    Also on the list are former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, and an erstwhile aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dudafa Waripamo-Owei, among others.

  • Secondus, Metuh, Dokpesi, Jonathan’s ex- SSA are looters, says Lai Mohammed

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) launched into a fresh stand-off yesterday after Information and Culture Minister  Lai Mohammed named the PDP national chairman and four other members of the party as looters.

    Mohammed was reacting to Thursday’s statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr.Kola Ologbondiyan, challenging the federal government to name those who stole public funds under the last dispensation.

    Other ‘looters’ named by the Minister yesterday were the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr.Olisa Metuh; Dr. Raymond Dokpesi; former Presidential Senior Special Assistant, Dudafa Waripamo-Owei and Robert Azibaola, a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    But the PDP hit back immediately, dismissing government’s allegation as hollow and laughable.

    Ologbondiyan, PDP spokesman, asked the minister to name any of the party members that has been convicted of looting the treasury.

    Mohammed alleged that Secondus collected N200 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA) while Metuh took N1.4 billion and Dr. Raymond Dokpesi collected N2.1 billion.

    Describing the PDP chieftains as hypocrites, the minister said that the Federal Government will continue to make references to the alleged looting, adding that the looters and their party were unpatriotic.

    Mohammed said: “The PDP has challenged us to name the looters under their watch. They said they did not loot the treasury.

    “I am sure they know that the treasury was looted dry under their watch, yet they decided to grandstand.

    “This shows the hollowness of their apology to Nigerians.

    “Let’s just give them a teaser with this list: The PDP Chairman Uche Secondus, on the 19th of February 2015, took N200 million only from the office of then NSA.

    “Then PDP Financial Secretary, on the 24th of Oct 2014, took N600 million only from the office of then NSA.

    “Then National Publicity Secretary Olisah Metuh is on trial for collecting N1.4 billion from the office of then NSA.

    “Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of DAAR Communications, is on trial for taking N2.1 billion from the office of then NSA.

    “Former SSA to President Jonathan, Dudafa Waripamo-Owei, is on trial over N830 million kept in accounts of four different companies.

    “On Thursday, a Federal High Court ruled that former President Jonathan’s cousin, Robert Azibaola, has a case to answer for collecting $40 million from the office of then NSA.”

    The minister added: “This list is just a tip of the iceberg, and the PDP is aware of this.

    “We did not make these cases up. Many of these cases are in court and the records are available.

    “Some of the people on this list are seeking to plea bargain, and that is a fact.

    “We insist that Nigeria was looted blind under the watch of the PDP, and that the starting point in tendering an apology is for them to return the loot.

    “It’s like a robber admitting to stealing your car and apologising, but then saying he will keep the car anyway. It doesn’t work that way.

    “The PDP is a hypocrite. And that reminds me of what English writer William Hazlitt said: ‘’The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.”

    “We will not stop talking about the massive looting by the PDP.

    “They brought Nigeria to this sorry pass. We are now looking around for loans to build infrastructure, and they ask us not to talk about it.

    “We will talk about it.”

    PDP fires back, lists cases of alleged looting under Buhari

    The PDP was quick in responding to the minister’s allegation yesterday.

    Ologbondiyan, speaking for the PDP in a statement, described the minister’s press conference as an extension of federal government’s media trial of PDP members.

    He challenged government to come up with the names of its members against whom the federal government has secured convictions.

    He said: “The list put forward by the Federal Government as purported looters amounts to a cheap blackmail as none of those listed has been indicted or convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction or any panel of enquiry in our country.

    “The list issued by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, only goes to show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency have no prove of corruption against the PDP.”

    The party said in its frenzy and desperation, the federal government even included names of individuals who are not standing trial or under investigation for any act of corruption, as well as those who are not even PDP members.

    “The Buhari-led Federal Government has manifested its frenzy by going after matters that are in court and in which none of the persons have been convicted, thus betraying their wickedness and desperation to mislead the public, the court and divert attention from the heavy looting involving their members,” Ologbondiyan said.

    “We are not in doubt that the individuals he has mentioned will take their legitimate stride and pursue appropriate action in the court.

    “However, attacks on individuals, who are members of our party, do not in any way detract from the fact that the PDP, as a political platform, is not a party of corruption.

    “It is unfortunate that the APC and its government under whose watch horrendous sleazes are happening on a daily basis and a government that has failed to fulfill the littlest of its campaign promises, can spend a wholesome three years

  • Why we apologised to Nigerians – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Tuesday its apology to Nigerians was a pathway to national healing, renewal of hope and remobilisation of the citizenry for the task of rescuing the nation from “the current pathetic situation occasioned by the painful misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, had on Monday apologised to Nigerians and pleaded for forgiveness for the party’s culture of impunity and imposition of candidate, which he said led to the party’s defeat in the 2015 general election.

    It said as a responsible party, committed to the good of Nigerians, the PDP is deeply saddened that Nigerians are suffering “because the nation allowed the APC, a movement that has neither structure nor plan to scheme itself into governance.”

    A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, accused the APC of devastating the country, wrecking the country’s once robust economy and plunging the citizens into a situation of hunger, starvation and daily bloodletting.

    The party said it is not unmindful of the fact that lessons have been learnt and that Nigerians across board are now looking up to its repositioned and rebranded platform to pull the country from the brinks and return her to the path of true democracy, national cohesion and economic prosperity, which were the hallmarks of PDP’s 16 years stay in power.

    The party added that while certain mistakes were made in its internal administration prior to the 2015 general election, its new leadership has already smoothen the rough edges to ensure strict adherence to internal democracy and good governance in all processes.

    “It is imperative to further state that our apology has to do more with the fact that we made certain mistakes that allowed an anti-people movement to take over governance in our country.

    “Our situation under the APC has become so pathetic that the world is now contemplating how to help us. Under the APC misrule, the average life span of Nigerians has become abysmally low.

    “Purchasing power is eroded, the middle class has been wiped off, security is almost non-existent, all the economic gains of the PDP years have been destroyed, and our nation is now placed on auto-pilot.

    “It is painful to note that under the nightmarish rule of APC, Nigerians have become so frustrated that they now consider suicide mission and slavery as options.

    “Therefore, our apology is to ask Nigerians, once again, to put their trust in the rebranded PDP, particularly, as our party is the only platform that is committed to the national agenda of peace, unity, justice and prosperous nation,” the statement added.

     

  • Secondus charges women to vie for political offices

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, on Thursday urged women in the country to vie for political offices.

    Secondus made the call in Abuja at an event with the theme: “Pressing for Progress,” organised by the Office of the Woman Leader of the PDP as part of activities marking the 2018 International Women’s Day.

    He said women in the country had been quiet for too long, blaming the failure of men on the inactions of women.

    According to him, unless women play active role in governance, the country would not make the desired progress.

    Secondus stressed that any nation that neglected women was heading for doom, adding that women must not allow themselves to be deceived any further.

    He said: “I see a country where women participate in the highest level of politics, since we have failed as men have over the years. One day, we shall have a woman president.

    “I apologise to women on behalf of men who had been saddled with state responsibility over the years and failed to deliver on their mandates.

    “The struggle for the emancipation of women must continue. We urge women to take advantage of the party’s constitution provision that makes interest form for any elective office free for women.

    “Women should be courageous enough to contest for any elective office ranging from counsellorship to presidency.”

    The PDP chairman charged women to ensure that only the “people’s government” got into power in the 2019 general election.

     

    NAN

     

  • IBB to Secondus, others: provide better choice for Nigerians

    IBB to Secondus, others: provide better choice for Nigerians

    Former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders to provide a better choice for Nigerians.

    Babangida spoke in Minna at the weekend while receiving members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

    A statement yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the ex-military dictator expressed satisfaction with the rebranding so far achieved by the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “I am happy at your assurances that there will be no imposition in all your primary elections. It is all about choice and you have promised to provide the best choice,” Babangida was quoted to have said.

    He was said to have hailed the December elective national convention of the PDP, and noted that not a few Nigerians believed that the national convention will hold, adding however that the outcome was successful.

    “Your ‘Reposition, Rebrand and Regain’ agenda is working and I mean particularly the rebranding. Some people believed that having been in government since 1999, the PDP will find opposition difficult but you are carrying on well and providing a better alternative.

    “You have also not abandoned the people in times of crisis. I monitored your activities in Benue, Taraba and you just said your party has sent members to Zamfara to commiserate with the people.  Surely, you have made the people the centre of your return and they will not forget you because you were with them in time of sorrow,” he was quieted to have said.

    Secondus was said to have earlier told Babangida that former Nigerian leaders must rally together to save the nation from the present administration.

    He lamented the killings and economic hardships, which Nigerians contend with on a daily basis, stressing that the country has never witnessed the type of division the people were facing.

    Secondus said: “As a leader, you made the welfare of Nigerians the thrust of governance. You were also concerned about the peace and unity of this nation. You created and built people as well as institutions.

    “Today, our nation is drifting and as a leader you cannot afford to keep quiet and watch on the sides. Leaders like you must come together and take a firm position on how to save our nation from the precipice.”

  • Insurgents threatened to attack Taraba in 10 days – Ishaku

    Insurgents threatened to attack Taraba in 10 days – Ishaku

    Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, said on Thursday that suspected insurgents have threatened  to attack the state within 10 days.

    Ishaku stated this when the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, visited  him at the Government House in Jalingo to commiserate with him over the recent killings in Taraba.

    “We received a notice that in 10 days, we shall be attacked. I have alerted all security agencies. We are waiting.

    “A helicopter has dropped arms and ammunitions in the night without its mission established. It is not a time to keep quiet, we are living in fear,” the governor stated.

    The Taraba State Commissioner of Police, David Akinremi, had in a statement dismissed the report of arms-filled chopper landing in Taraba at night as “unfounded and misleading rumour.”

    But the state government is not satisfied and residents are suspecting connivance.

    Ishaku said the alleged arms and ammunition might be for the militia group threatening to attack the state.

  • Secondus, others pay condolence visit to Ekwueme’s family

    Secondus, others pay condolence visit to Ekwueme’s family

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)yesterday visited the home of   late former Vice President  Dr Alex Ekwueme to condole with the family.

    Ekwueme was one of the founding fathers of the PDP.

    The delegation that visited the late Ekwueme’s family in Enugu was led by the PDP National Charmian, Prince Uche Socundus.

    Others are the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Jublim Aminu, a former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chukwuemeka Ihedioha, former Plateau State Governor David Jang.

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi accompanied the delegation to the Ekwueme family.

    Secondus consoled  the family and told them  that it is God that can resolve all issues including the issue of death.

    He noted that the PDP which Ekwueme and others founded has a national representation and has no room for sectionalism.

    Chidi Ekwueme Onyemelukwu, daughter of the late Vice-President, thanked the PDP leadership for honoring her father.

    She advised the PDP to instil discipline in its ranks.