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Tag: Secondus

  • ‘Fresh PDP’ dissolves self, embraces Secondus-led PDP

    ‘Fresh PDP’ dissolves self, embraces Secondus-led PDP

    Members of the ‘Fresh PDP’ on Saturday willingly dissolved the group after a marathon meeting with some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Led by Chief Olukayode Akindele, the group agreed to drop its decision to create a breakaway faction of the opposition party and pledged loyalty to the Uche Secondus-led PDP.

    The decision was reached after a peace meeting held at the Abuja residence of a former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, in Abuja.

    Notable among those present at the meeting were a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Stella Omu and the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan.

    Besides Akindele, other members of the Fresh PDP at the meeting were Duru Ihuoma and Franklyne Edederan who lost out at the party’s December 9 convention.

    The Fresh PDP had, mid-December, opened its parallel secretariat PDP in Abuja to register its dissatisfaction with the outcome of the convention.

    The group has also renounced its plans to inaugurate a separate National Executive Committee on Monday, January 22.

    Speaking after the meeting, Nwodo disclosed that the reconciliatory process enjoyed the backing of the national leadership of the party and the BoT.

    According to him, no conditions were given by the group for agreeing to dissolve itself, stressing that members were enthusiastic youths that would be useful to the PDP in the 2019 elections.

    Also speaking after the meeting, Ologbondiyan declared that the group’s grievances had been addressed and that the PDP remained united across the country and in the diaspora.

    Nwodo described the disbandment of the group as the best gift the PDP can give to Nigerians, saying, “A lot of people thought our house was divided and was about to cascade down.

    “But we want to assure you that by God’s mercy, an internal reconciliation capacity of the PDP, the cracks that you noticed have been completely sealed off”.

    The ex-party chairman stated that the PDP will displace the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019, adding that the government has proven to be insensitive to the feelings of Nigerians.

    He noted that the administration has failed in its duty of protecting the lives of the citizenry and therefore has no business being in government.

    Nwodo said, “Today, by what has happened here, we are sending a powerful signal across the country that the PDP wants to assure all Nigerians that we will not disappoint you.”

    “The members of the Fresh PDP that is now disbanded are young vibrant politicians. If a leader is leading, and nobody is following, he is taking a walk. PDP is leading and mentoring the young ones to take over.

    “The wish of a father is that his offspring will be bigger than him. If a father does not bring an offspring that will surpass him, he is not a good father. It means he doesn’t want his future to be better than his past”.

    Erstwhile chairman of Fresh PDP, Chief Olukayode Akindele, stated that his members were forced to breakaway owing to what he described as acts of impunity in the party.

    Akindele said, “But the issue of impunity and imposition had forced us into this situation because in PDP we don’t have any mechanism to address it.

    We have a mechanism for reconciliation. Reconciliation is when you have a dispute.

    “But when a criminal political act is committed, then what you need is restitution. But we have received assurances from our leaders here that this will be addressed and today while it marks the end of Fresh PDP, it brings a PDP that is caring and wants to address issues that may affect it in the primaries.

    “We have been having these meetings for a long time. An executive meeting was held at 5am today (yesterday) in the interest of the nation and the party so that we won’t have a parallel NWC come Monday.

    “That has been cancelled and we have surrendered the list to our leader here and we want to assure that this is the best thing that can happen to PDP”.

     

  • Why we backed Secondus, by PDP governors

    Why we backed Secondus, by PDP governors

    Governors elected under the platform  of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have explained their support for Prince Uche Secondus as  their party’s National Chairman. They said it was because  of his strength character and honesty.

    The governors said Secondus as National Deputy Chairman stood for the truth and ensured that  rules were adhered to during  party primaries.

    They spoke at the Thanksgiving Service in honour of Secondus at the Rivers State Ecumenical Centre in Port Harcourt yesterday.

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said Secondus insisted on his emergence as PDP governorship candidate because he felt it was in the best interest of the party, even though  other groups preferred an ethnic candidate.

    He said: “This position is an opportunity to give Nigerians  what they want.  I can’t understand why people are suffering untold hardship.  Imagine the fuel scarcity with people buying a litre of fuel between N300 and N400.”

    He said Secondus emerged through a credible process where all candidates tested their popularity. He said the governors and other stakeholders preferred Secondus because of his experience and track record.

    “For the first time in the history of our party, we had an election to elect a national chairman.  It was not like the case before where the President and Governors  decided on a consensus candidate “, Governor Wike said.

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade said he encountered  Secondus when they had a major challenge in the delegates list of the party, but the former Deputy National Chairman insisted on correcting the illegality without inducement.

    He said all the governors who worked for the emergence of the National Chairman did so because  of the unflinching support Secondus gave them in the past.

    Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi said: “Secondus  stood with me when the promise of man failed. “

    He said  all the governors resolved to work with Wike in canvassing for Secondus because  of his character and content. He said that the governors turned their backs on those who took money in the past.

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu commended the presence of mind of Secondus, which he said would be beneficial to the party.

    He said: “We are prepared to go the whole route with Prince Uche Secondus.  He will be an exemplary party leader in Africa “.

    Secondus said the PDP is poised to take over the leadership of the country.

    He said: “We are going according to the plans and purpose of God. This country will be returned to the PDP, whether you like it or not, it approved in heaven. You cannot do otherwise “.

    Secondus said God used Wike and his colleagues to bring the post to fruition.

  • Secondus charges PDP leaders to brace up for challenges

    Secondus charges PDP leaders to brace up for challenges

    The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Mr Uche Secondus, has called on all newly-elected leaders of the party to brace up for the challenges ahead, saying they were huge.

    Secondus made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day retreat for the National Working Committee (NWC) and Chairmen of the PDP in the states.

    He said that the time for individualistic ideology was over, and that in moving forward, all must collectively channel their energy and resources toward achieving the party’s immediate goal, which was regaining power in 2019.

    The chairman said that the ability of PDP to win in 2019 had implications not just on the party, but on the country.

    “It is based on this reason that we are starting on a fresh note. We must be ready to compromise on personal agenda where necessary as well as make sacrifices for the greater good of the party.

    “As a party in opposition, we must be ready to forgo certain deserving privileges for the good of the party.

    “The point where we are at the moment is at the crossroad where we are about to take the critical decision of which direction to go – right or left.

    “Our choice should be swift, clear and unambiguous; we are going right and it leads us straight to Aso Rock,’’ he said.

    Secondus said that leaders must begin to invest in the party with the aim of repackaging and eventually unveiling a reformed PDP to the Nigerian electorate so as to regain their confidence.

    “We must re-define who we are in the minds of Nigerians, down to the grassroots.

    “We must let the people know that we are ready to re-ignite the fire that once made Nigeria a shining beacon in Africa and the world over by returning this party to the real owners, the people,’’ he said.

    He added that the actions were necessary for PDP to reclaim the territory it lost across the three tiers of government in 2015.

    Secondus said that the mandate given to new leaders of the party was to rebuild and re-position the party with a view to regaining the lost power.

    “The only way to achieve what we have set out to do is by bringing all our stakeholders to work together as one larger family,’’ he said.

    The national chairman pledged that the NWC members would continue to promote the principles of democratic practice, progressive politics, good and effective leadership, and national interest within PDP.

    He added that they would also re-strategise PDP communication channels, especially social media.

    “No matter what a political party does, if it does not have effective communication, it can’t achieve much.

    “PDP needs more strategic engagement to lose and unbundle any negative impression already created by the opposition,’’ Secondus said.

    The Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT), Sen. Walid Jibrin, charged the party leaders to use the retreat to discuss the philosophy and principles of the party.

    “This is in fact necessary at all levels of the party as well as building a strong party identity,’’ Jibrin said.

    The theme of the retreat is “Re-positioning PDP for Dominance and Electoral Victory.’’

  • Okon seconds Secondus

    Okon seconds Secondus

    As the Christmas season finally got underway, birds of unusual plumage have been sighted at the old Western front. Some of these birds are strange and surreal indeed. Whether they are birds of passage, transiting to a new habitat and lazing about in the process, or new avian monstrosities bent on further upturning the delicate eco-political equilibrium obtaining in the country remains to be seen.

    Since the last PDP Convention when the western armada appeared to have been routed by a coalition put together by some forces bent on calling the  South-West bluff, Okon has been running subversive anti- Yoruba commentary and gloating over the fate of a region once considered to be the most politically sophisticated in the conglomeration.

    “You see, Okon dis na why I tell dem Obasanjo man make him no leave him Yoruba people for dem PDP hyenas like dat. See how dem come pieces dem and come tear dem to death like dat like dem Orile Agege fowls “, Baba Lekki moaned.

    “Kai kai baba, na real katakata for Abuja. Come see for telly how dem Yoruba people with dem fat yansh and dem big belly dey roll for ground as dem come hammer dem. I come see with my korokoro ear as dem dey count dem vote, Seconder two thousand, Professor two hundred, Bode George, bakodaya, Gbenga Samuel, bakodaya, Ladoja, bakodaya, Lagbaja, bakodaya”, the crazy boy sneered.

    “Okon, you are a fool, Bode George and others withdrew before the counting”, Baba Lekki cautioned the mad boy.

    “Ha baba, no be dat one dem dey call technical knock out? After boxer don enter ring and him say him dey withdraw, dem referee must to count. If dem like make dem withdraw ten time.”, Okon jeered.

    “They say a reconciliation committee is visiting Bode and others”, Baba Lekki noted.

    “Baba, why your head no correct like dis? No be dat dem dey call panel beating after politics? Bode dey hospital. Seconder wan go finish am with him bilala. Dem say every night him go dey cry, nwoke biko, nwoke biko, Wike I say biko now. Him dey think say convention never finish. Baba kai kai, dat dem Wike na wicked pikin. He come show dem Bode man say even warder get oga for prison”, Okon sniggered.

    “I wonder why this Wike boy hate Yoruba people like this”, Baba Lekki rued.

    “Ha baba dem say na becos him dey fight one Yoruba boy dem dey call Rotimi . Dem say after Wike drive dat one comot, him dey hide inside cabinet for Abuja. How man go dey hide inside Fila, I know understand dat one, but you know say mala tira pass anything.”

    “Okon, Rotimi is not a Yoruba man. He is Nkwerre and Ibo”, Baba Lekki corrected.

    “Baba, abi burukutu don scatter your head again?  Where you don hear Ibo man dey bear Rotimi”, Okon sneered at the old man.

    “His father named him after Timi the law”, Baba Lekki replied.

    “Baba who be Timi the Law? He get one charge and bail Yoruba lawyer for Ajegunle dem dey call Jimi the lawyer. Him no get money for dem lawyer’s gown sef and him dey drive taxi for night”.

    “Okon if you don’t know Timi the law, that is evidence of weightlessness. I cannot be wasting my time with a fool like you”, Baba Lekki spat with magisterial disgust and began to walk away.

    “Come ooo, Baba “ Okon called out, “as dem don hammer Yoruba people for PDP and dem don wire dem for APC, wetin dem go do now?”

    “Okon, that is what Fela calls convulsion jam confusion. Dead body come get twin and overtake come overtake overtake”, the old contrarian whimpered as he shambled away.

  • Daniel congratulates Secondus

    Daniel congratulates Secondus

    Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel has congratulated the new chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus.

    The former national chairmanship aspirant urged him to foster unity and cohesion in the party.

    In a congratulatory message to the Ijaw prince, Daniel said the onus is on him to reposition the party for 2019 general elections.

    Daniel said: “Our party have spoken in clear terms with their votes. They have placed on you the responsibility of their franchise in trust that you will protect them and their interests within the party.

    “Your emergence as our National Chairman at this material time, when our party seeks unity and cohesion for proper positioning towards the 2019 general elections in Nigeria is not just a welcome development, but a divine intervention and a good omen.

    He added: “The PDP needs to be strong for itself and for the nation so that we can restore its lost glory as the biggest party in Africa, and take it back to Aso Rock as the ruling party in the country.

    “My tour round the country during my campaign for the chairmanship position of the party in the last three months exposed me to the diverse challenges in the party and in the country as a whole.”

  • Odigie-Oyegun greets Secondus, PDP officers

    Odigie-Oyegun greets Secondus, PDP officers

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John E. K. Odigie-Oyegun has congratulated National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus on his election at the PDP’s National Convention.

    He also greeted other newly-elected PDP national officials.

    Odigie-Oyegun, in a statement, said: “It is my hope that the newly-elected PDP National Chairman will use his experience garnered over the years to ensure that the PDP assumes its role as a responsible opposition Party in the country.

    “Our party wholeheartedly welcome opposition because we believe that democracy cannot thrive without a vibrant but responsible opposition that puts the nation first.  This will often challenge you to balance partisan interests with overall national considerations.

    “I assure the PDP National Chairman of my willingness to engage him robustly in an atmosphere devoid of acrimony and rancour. I believe that working together we can both elevate the language and temper of politics in our country, thereby providing the enabling environment for democracy to thrive in our country.”

  • Secondus pledges total reconciliation

    Secondus pledges total reconciliation

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Uche Secondus has restated his commitment to full reconciliation and inclusion of all aggrieved members in his bid to reposition the party.

    The chairman stated this yesterday at the pary secretariat in Abuja while receiving  Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson. Secondus said he is committed to the implementation of his three Rs namely rebuild,re position and regain power.

    A statement by his Media aide Bisi Ezekiel quoted him as saying: “Power belongs to God. It is the Almighty God who put us here and we have to be fair and just.”.

    He told the Governor and his delegation that he had begun reconciliation with his visit to Chief Olabode George and assured him that he would  ensure a united front with justice and internal democracy  within the party.

    Governor Dicskon urged the chairman not to relent in his reconciliation. He said many Nigerians were  looking towards the PDP for salvation.

    “We are here to congratulate the chairman and the new leadership . We appeal that all aggrieved members should be reintegrated to ensure a united front for the party ahead of 2019”,he said.

  • PDP pacifies angry Southwest leaders

    PDP pacifies angry Southwest leaders

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders are considering options on how to pacify the Southwest geopolitical zone, following protest from its leaders.

    The zone failed to realise its bid to produce the national chairman for the first time since the party was formed in 1998 as a result of the opposition from the party’s governors.

    It was learnt that the PDP governors hijacked the party’s structure  to have a say in the 2019 presidential plans of the party, secure second term tickets for eight of the party’s  11 governors and for the remaining three to be able to anoint their successors.

    In a bid to rally support for National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has reached out to aggrieved PDP members.

    Jonathan visited his ally, ex-Minister of National Planning Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, who lost the post of National Publicity Secretary to the “Unity List” candidate, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan.

    The former President urged PDP leaders and members to give the Secondus team “benefit of the doubt”.

    Secondus himself initiated reconciliation with PDP leaders in the Southwest, meeting yesterday with a former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, in Abuja.

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson was also expected to hold talks with defeated chairmanship aspirant Prof. Tunde Adeniran.

    Investigation by The Nation showed that top leaders of the party, especially the founding fathers, were disturbed by the sidelining of the Southwest in the scheme of things.

    The leaders were worried that the number of registered voters in Lagos alone is about 5.8 million, which is more than the figures of Bayelsa, Ekiti, Cross Rivers, Gombe and Ebonyi put together.

    It was learnt that while the leaders of PDP might have come to terms with the reality of the emergence of Secondus, they said the party must assuage the “genuine feelings of the Southwest.”.

    According to party sources, the PDP options for the Southwest are as follows: engagement and reconciliation; inclusion of more Southwest leaders in party’s key decisions;  likelihood of appointment of Senate President or Secretary to the Government of the Federation from the zone, if PDP wins the next presidential race; and juicy appointments after 2019 poll

    A member of the Board of Trustees, who spoke in confidence, said: “The PDP chairman on Monday held a reconciliatory meeting with Chief George. We are hopeful that the healing process will yield fruits.”

    National Publicity Secretary Ologbodiyan said: “There are efforts to begin a proper reconciliation in the Southwest and with some of our leaders. We believe it is not in the interest  of all of us to allow the party to be killed.”

    A strong stalwart of PDP, who spoke with The Nation in confidence, said:  “The governors took over the party structure because they have been funding it all along with their huge resources. So, they believe ‘he who pays the piper dictates the tune’.

    “Some of the governors were emphatic that they cannot entrust their future in the hands of some candidates from the Southwest, who might succumb to pressure from the bigwigs in PDP at any critical moment. They rated Secondus as a very strong character.

    “A few others claimed that they were being patriotic by backing Secondus, who can restructure, reunite and make the party stronger to win more states than what the old generation of PDP leaders turned it into.

    “But it was discernible to all that the governors are actually targeting 2019 presidential primaries in PDP. They are determined to have much say on who will secure the ticket of the party. Some of them are already working for some aspirants in PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    During his visit to Prof. Sulaiman, Jonathan arrived at the ex-minister’s home in Abuja at about 1.10pm and left after a 50-minute stay.

    Those on his entourage included a former Minister of Special Duties Mallam Tanimu Turaki and some party leaders.

    Jonathan pleaded with Suleiman and other leaders of the party, who felt offended by the results of the elective convention, to forgive and forget.

    He said: “We should give the new executives of PDP some benefit of the doubt and see how things work out. If we fail to support them, we are not helping the party.”

    He told Suleiman: “I thank you for your doggedness and passion for PDP

    “You did well and members of our party know you are the best among the competitors. Put the events of  Saturday night behind you and move on. Accept the outcome of the election as the wish of God.

    “You should not allow yourself to be stampeded into any untoward action. I know better things await you. We cannot afford to lose you.”

    Suleiman, who praised the ex-President for his solidarity visit,  said nobody or group could  intimidate others out of PDP.

    He said: “I thank you for your compassionate posture. You are a consummate leader worthy of emulation. Your visit has inspired me more on my commitment to PDP.

    “I promise to I will take to your advice. The party is ours and nobody  or group of people cannot intimidate us out of the party. I thank you and other members of your entourage for the confidence reposed in me.”

  • APC running a broken govt, says Secondus

    APC running a broken govt, says Secondus

    PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is running a broken government.

    He described a “broken government” as one characterised by lies, intimidation and propaganda.

    Secondus, however, said the PDP will not be distracted by lies and intimidation.

    The PDP National Chairman , who spoke yesterday during the handover ceremony at the party’s Abuja secretariat, said Nigerians can no longer be fooled by false propaganda because they now know the truth about the ruling party.

    “Nigerians can no longer be fooled by false propaganda. They will hear the truth and the truth will save the country, and not false propaganda.

    “We know that the APC and their government are broken. They are running a broken government. We need to rescue our nation from their hands and to rebuild our country once more,” Secondus said.

    Declaring that there was no victor, no vanquished in the convention that brought him in, the PDP Chairman said his first assignment was to reconcile the various aggrieved persons and groups within the party.

    The party chairman promised to put machinery in motion for the rebuilding of the party to regain lost grounds, stressing that the leadership under his watch would decentralise power to the state chapters.

    This, he said, would save the national leadership from unnecessary distraction and concentrate on the task of regaining power from the ruling APC in 2019.

    He described the convention conducted under Makarfi’s watch as the best in the history of political parties in the country, saying the ex-caretaker committee chairman remained a hero.

    Makarfi urged the new leadership to work harmoniously with all the organs of the party in order to succeed.

    He asked them to pursue a vigorous reconciliation agenda to ensure that all aggrieved persons and groups are accommodated, including those that left the PDP for other political parties.

     

  • Atiku, Dokpesi congratulate Secondus

    Atiku, Dokpesi congratulate Secondus

    •Fani-Kayode makes case for peace

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and founder of Daar Communication Chief Raymond Dokpesi have congratulated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus and other officials elected at the party’s just concluded national convention.

    Atiku, in a congratulatory message, described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the enemy of Nigeria.

    He said it would take a united and coherent PDP to sack the APC government in 2019.

    The former vice president, in the statement released by his media office yesterday, said the immediate challenge before the PDP newly elected national officers was to run an all-inclusive administration, where the various interests within the party can find accommodation.

    He added that Nigerians are looking up to the PDP for unity in the party, “because it takes a united and coherent PDP to sack the APC government in 2019”.

    The statement said: “Our great party, the PDP, is, again, at the threshold of an historical moment. Just as we mobilised to put an end to prolonged military rule in 1999, the people of Nigeria at this moment look up to us to rescue the country from the mis-government of the APC.

    “Arising from our elective congress, there should be no victor and no vanquished. Our paramount attention should be focused at sacking a government that deceived the people of Nigeria into power by promising our youths three million jobs annually, only to deliver three million job losses annually; a government that is repeatedly living in denial of its commitment to restructuring. We must be united to take power back to where it belongs: the Nigerian people.

    “As members of the PDP, we must take pride in being able to hold a national convention and in so doing live up to the bill of being a truly democratic political party. Our major opponent has not been able to achieve this feat and I join millions of our party members to congratulate the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee.

    “I understand that there are complaints and grievances from many of the co-contestants in the congress. I am aware that the PDP has a mechanism for addressing such complaints and it is important that such avenues of redress are made available for members to explore without let or hindrance.”

    Dokpesi, who contested the PDP National Chairmanship position and lost, congratulated the winner.

    Dokpesi, who had earlier faulted the process of the party’s National Convention held in Abuja on Saturday, declared that “the delegates have spoken”.

    He said: “I appreciate the delegates for voting at the convention and congratulate the newly elected National Working Committee of the PDP led by Secondus.

    “You will recall that I said that the PDP must be the ultimate winner at the end of the contest.

    “God bless the PDP. Congratulations PDP as I wish all our members the best of luck.”

    A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode yesterday asked PDP leaders to sink their differences to support the newly-elected national chairman.

    He said the task ahead was to win 2019 general election.

    Fani-Kayode, who issued a statement in Abuja, said the PDP must be ready to fight for a greater cause.