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Tag: Secondus

  • Secondus: I ‘ll restore internal democracy

    The former Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and a national chairmanship aspirant, Prince Uche Secondus, has promised to restore internal democracy, if he is given the mandate.

    Secondus said that the new leadership would take the party to another level with a view to restoring its winning ways.

    He made the pronouncements at Ibro Hotel while addressing North Central delegates to the December 9th National Convention of the party.

    Secondus told the delegates that included former governors, former ministers, old and serving senators, members of House of Representatives and other chieftains that PDP  is at a cross road and needed a leadership that would hit the ground running.

    He said: “Our party at the moment is not at a comfort zone and therefore requires purposeful leadership as it cannot afford any waste of time.

    “With election around the corner there is no time to learn, the party need an experienced person and I think I have it having served the party at various levels meritoriously.

    “Let me assure you that as your National Chairman I would deliver votes and if I can’t deliver votes from my constituency I should resign.

    Listing some of the achievements that stand him out to lead the party, Secondus said under his watch as National Organising Secretary, the party had the best internal and external elections.

    He also said that as acting National Chairman he set up a special committee that looked into the causes of the failure of the party in 2015 general election pointing out that the post-mortem report which has been adopted by the National Executive Committee NEC would be a huge guide for him to rebuild, reform and regain the party.

    Secondus also reminded the delegates how he saved the party from an impending constitutional crisis by ignoring the urge of the former National Chairman Alhaji Áli Modu Sheriff, who wanted him not to preside over the Port Harcourt convention and which became the grounds for the Supreme Court to dismiss Sheriff.

    “If you give me your mandate, under my watch, I would decentralize power to states and get our members more involved in the running of the party.

    “I would ensure that popular candidates fly our flag because when popular person hold the ticket, the election is 50% won

    “The 2019 election is for us to take if we do the tight thing and I can assure you that I have the skill, I have what it takes and the experience if you give me the mandate.

    “I would not be distracted, I would leverage on the peace and support the party enjoys in my state and in my zone.

    The former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, said the North Central delegates appreciate his humility of seeing himself as a servant of the party.

    He said: “What this party needs now is not a chairman but the chairman who would take the party to victory; we have all seen how painful and hurting it is to lose election.”

    Jang however, said that the PDP position at Aso a Rock is still empty and members and their leaders should not keep God away in what they do or seek.

    On the entourage of Secondus to address the delegates included former governors, National Assembly members and other Chieftains of the party across the six geo political zones.

    Top leaders and delegates of the Peoples’ Democratic Party from the North Central zone have pledged their support for the chairmanship ambition of Secondus.

    Jang recalled the current travails of the party and posited that an experienced party chief like Secondus is the best option for the party.

    Jang, who commended the humility of  Secondus, said PDP can only win in 2019 when a tested chairman is elected next month.

    Addressing delegates and leaders at the meeting, Secondus  said: “PDP  is at a cross road and needs a leadership that would hit the ground running,” adding that “Our party at the moment is not at a comfort zone and therefore requires purposeful leadership as it cannot afford any waste of time.

    “With election around the corner there is no time to learn, the party need an experienced person and I think I have it having served the party at various levels meritoriously.

    “Let me assure you that as your National Chairman I would deliver votes and if I can’t deliver votes from my constituency I should resign.

    Listing some of the achievements that stand him out to lead the party, Prince Secondus said under his watch as National Organizing Secretary, the party had the best internal and external elections.

    He also said that as acting National Chairman he set up a special committee that looked into the causes of the failure of the party in 2015 general election pointing out that the post-mortem report which has been adopted by the National Executive Committee NEC would be a huge guide for him to rebuild, reform and regain the party.

    Secondus also reminded the delegates how he saved the party from an impending constitutional crisis by ignoring the urge of the former National Chairman Alhaji Áli Modu Sheriff, who wanted him not to preside over the Port Harcourt convention and which became the grounds for the Supreme Court to dismiss Sheriff.

     

  • Let our campaign be issue-based, says Secondus

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairmanship aspirant Chief Uche Secondus has urged fellow aspirants to shun politics of blackmail and embrace issue-oriented campaigns.

    In a statement by his campaign organisation, Secondus said the plot to dent his image will fail.

    Read also: PDP to work with any chairman elected at Dec. 9 convention

    He said: “We have resolved never to raise a finger against fellow aspirants, but to run an issue- based campaign that dwells on our agenda for the party. We are resisting temptations to retaliate against savage attacks and falsehood, but instead concentrate our energies on wooing delegates and convincing them that we are the best for the leadership at this material time.

    “We have also watched with concern the trends among fellow contestants who appear to have abandoned their campaigns and instead adopted attacks on Prince Secondus as their main focus.”

     

     

     

  • My agenda for PDP, by Secondus

    My agenda for PDP, by Secondus

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) frontline chairmanship aspirant, Prince Uche Secondus, has listed his agenda if elected at the December 9 convention.

    While submitting his nomination form to the PDP National Organising Secretary, Senator Abdul Ningi, Secondus said he would dwell on three R’s – “rebuild, reposition and regain.”

    “We will collectively rebuild the party, reposition it for electoral victory and ensure we regain power come 2019”, he told the party leaders.

    Secondus, who was accompanied by top party leaders from all over the country, said: “I am prepared to put my experience into action and collectively mobilise loyalists, members and Nigerians for victory in 2019.

    “I will not blackmail or attack anybody. I urge those attacking me to woo the delegates. This party is for all of us; I respect all the leaders and I pledge to run a decent matured campaign.

    “I am not desperate for this office and that is why I have vowed never to fight anybody. If I win, fine, if not I will support whoever wins.

    “I joined the race because I think we need to hit the ground running. In less than nine months, preparations for the general elections will start. With my experience in that office, we will start the winning process,”

    Ningi affirmed that the party’s leadership had no preferred aspirant among those seeking the chairmanship, pledging that “the party will guarantee a level playing field for all contenders.”

    He warned aspirants against unwarranted attacks on the party leadership, insisting that the leadership has not done anything to favour any aspirant from any zone.

  • Ohanaeze, Ibori, Secondus pay tributes

    Igbo socio-political and cultural organisation, Ohanaeze, yesterday described the late former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, as an outstanding patriot, whose contributions to the country’s socio-political evolution was indelible.

    The tribute was contained in a statement by the President-General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo.

    The statement said Nigeria lost one of the foremost advocates of a restructured federation.

    It reads: “As Vice-President, Dr.  Ekwueme was intellectually forthright, engaging, loyal and outstandingly patriotic.

    “As a politician, he was courageous and original in his ideas. Ndigbo have lost a genius, a father and an intellectual giant.”

    The Ohanaeze boss commiserated with his family, friends, associates and Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to immortalise him.

    Ex-Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Uche Secondus said the death of Ekwueme was a huge loss to the PDP and Nigeria.

    He said: “By the loss, Nigeria and PDP have lost a dependable resource person, whose invaluable contributions to the socio- political development of the country remain unequalled.

    “As one of the outstanding founding fathers of our great party, PDP, his exit remains very painful, as he would have been a utility person in the rebuilding process of our party.

    “The leadership of the party would have hoped to tap on his deep intellectual knowledge of the party in the reengineering process already begun in the party.”

    Secondus, commiserating with his family and PDP, said: “Ekwueme’s legacy would outlive him as the history of PDP and indeed Nigeria would not be written without his contributions.”

    Former Delta State Governor James Ibori said Ekwueme was a stabilising factor in Nigerian politics.

    Ibori, in a statement through his Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, described the death as most shocking.

    He said: “Although His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, GCON, was a great leader, a national father-figure, a stabilising factor in Nigerian politics, I, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, can never stop asking ‘what if’!

    “It is ironic that the nation that betrayed this man’s effort to rescue it from political and economic morass will, now that he is dead, begin to shed crocodile tears.

    “Even those who betrayed the very effort to make Ekwueme President, may begin to, hypocritically of course, bewail the fact that Ekwueme or the Igboman or woman, never ruled Nigeria.

    “Ekwueme was an extraordinary polyvalent scholar, who earned multiple degrees in architecture, urban planning, sociology, history, philosophy and law from several universities.

    “He was a gifted architect, whose professional legacies dot Nigerian cities. In politics, he was both gentlemanly and fatherly, introducing mildness even when others had embraced roughness and irascibility.

    “If only we had allowed Ekwueme to rule Nigeria, what example would he have set? Now, we will never know…and Nigeria is the ultimate loser. Ekwueme lived a full life; gave a radiant account of himself. We all agree he was outstanding. “

  • Secondus promises internal democracy

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirant Prince Uche Secondus has promised to guarantee internal democracy, if elected.

    Secondus, according to a statement by his media office, said: “Internal democracy strengthens a political party; it is the essential oil for the survival of any party organisation

    “We will not joke with the rights of our members to decide on issues in line with the constitution of the party.

    “We will ensure the party constitution is adhered to in both letters and spirit. As a leading opposition party ,this mantra of internal democracy is a must for us, especially in our drive to take over governance of the country by 2019.We need all leaders and members on board to build a mass movement that will unseat this failed government.

    “We are fully aware of the state of our party, especially across the state chapters. We will consolidate on the good and make amends on what is bad. Our members will have their voice respected from the smallest of decisions to the biggest. Never will our members be taken for granted under my leadership.”

    He lauded the pact of unity signed in Enugu, saying: “Any living being like an organisation must place the will of its members as sacrosanct, we have a pact apart from the one signed in Enugu.

    “It is a pact with PDP members nationwide that Prince Secondus will be a chairman for all and sundry, for the rich and the poor, for the week and the strong, for the high and the low. We hold this pledge to be very dear to us because that is where our path to victory and return to power lie,” the statement noted.

  • PDP leaders oppose Fayose on Secondus

    PDP leaders oppose Fayose on Secondus

    Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have condemned Governor Ayo Fayose’s alleged support for the candidacy of Prince Uche Secondus, from the Southsouth, for the post of National Chairman, ahead of the party’s December 9 national convention.

    A former PDP National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Ishola Filani; governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Ambassador Dare Bejide and factional National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, urged party leaders and members to support the Southwest to produce the party’s next National Chairman.

    They spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the headquarters of Ambassador Dare Bejide (ADB) Campaign Organisation on Ikere Road, Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The trio described Bejide, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), as a thoroughbred and loyal party man who is fit for the office of the governor because of his experience in party and government positions.

    Filani said PDP’s national chairmanship had been zoned to the Southwest during May 2016 National Convention of the party.

    The PDP stalwart wondered why some interest groups were working against the agreement to support Southsouth’s candidacy.

    He said: “The PDP national chairmanship has not been occupied by the Southwest while every other geopolitical zone has occupied it.

    “We recently discovered that our brothers in the Southsouth said they want to contest for the national chairmanship. We want to appeal to our brothers that the Southwest will support the Southeast to grab the vice presidency zoned to the South.

    “God will forbid a situation in which our (national) chairman, after being elected at the convention, will be having an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) case hanging on his neck for him not be sent back to jail.”

    Bejide, a former High Commissioner to Canada, who condemned the alleged imposition of deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, said Fayose’s alleged impunity was the reason for galvanising support for a candidate from the Southsouth for the PDP national chairmanship.

    Bejide said: “That (supporting Secondus) is very uncharitable. The party’s leadership from the Southwest is clamouring for the national chairmanship. You will recall that in the history of the PDP in the last 18 years, we have not had the opportunity of heading the party.

    “We have had one chairman or the other from other zones in Nigeria except the Southwest. Secondus was national chairman in acting capacity for a long time. It is quite uncharitable for any leader in the Southwest to now canvass for anybody outside our zone.

    “We have five prominent candidates from the Southwest running for the national chairmanship. My position is that if you don’ like Bode George, you should like Tunde Adeniran. If you don’t like Adeniran, you should queue behind Gbenga Daniel.

    “If you look at all of them, Adeniran was one of the founding fathers of the party; George was a Deputy National Chairman; Gbenga Daniel was a governor for eight years, while Prof. Taoheed Adedoja has also made his mark.

    “If you have an issue with Adedoja, you suppose not to have any issue with Olabode George. Anybody queuing behind an aspirant from another zone, we see that as unpatriotic as far as we are concerned in the Southwest.

    “If we want to pick any chairman from outside the Southwest zone, you make the job more difficult for the zone in 2019. Already, we have the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader from the Southwest and the Vice President is from the Southwest. We have APC governors in Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Ondo states – all in the Southwest.

    “The best thing you can do is to create a leadership centre to confront the APC in the Southwest. If you take the leadership from the Southwest, you are just saying PDP is not relevant in the Southwest and that you don’t need the people’s votes in the zone.

    “You are saying you don’t need our votes to win in Southwest. It is going to create serious consequences for the party in the Southwest.”

    Ogundipe said: “The position of the national chairman has been zoned to the Southwest. Anybody from the Southwest working against it is an enemy of the party.”

     

     

  • Power brokers tip Secondus, Adeniran for PDP chair

    Power brokers tip Secondus, Adeniran for PDP chair

    Key power brokers in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have scaled the contest for the party’s national chairman down to a former Deputy National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus and a former Education Minister Prof. Tunde Adeniran.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the power brokers may have arrived at the decision for strategic political reasons, particularly the influence and contributions of the backers of the two contestants to the party.

    The attraction to the two contestants lies in the general perception that they appear “supple and flexible” and that they are likely to be adaptable to testy situations.

    Secondus enjoys the backing of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. He also hails from the state, while Adeniran has the support of a sizable number of elders of the party, particularly from the North.

    Investigation further revealed that Wike has been rallying support for Secondus among his colleague governors in the South-South and the South East which are expected to produce the highest number of delegates for the December 9 national convention.

    A former Information Minister Prof Jerry Gana, is the arrow head of contact and Mobilisation outreach for Adeniran in the North, particularly in Gombe and Taraba States which are under the control of the PDP.

    However, if Wike eventually yields to pressure being mounted on him by some interest groups to allow the position go to the South West, then the Adeniran candidacy may have a smooth sail.

    The PDP is fragmented in many of the states in the South West, a situation that may have compounded issues for Adeniran who requires enough delegate votes from the zone.

    Also at issue is the opposition to the aspiration of the former Education Minister by Ekiti State Governor. Ayo Fayose. Fayose’s calculation is that if Adeniran emerges chairman, it would have blocked his chance of picking the vice presidential ticket of the party in the 2019 election. Ademniran hails from Ekiti.

    Fayose a few weeks ago declared his interest to run for president even when the party leadership had zoned the ticket to the North.

    Many interpreted his declaration to run for president as a veiled attempt to bargain for the vice presidential ticket, which may have been quietly zoned to the South East.

    The only prominent position zoned to the South East zone in the coming convention is that of the National Organising Secretray, which cannot stop the zone from picking the vice presidential ticket.

    The fate of a former Deputy National Chairman (South West), Chief Olabode George who is the most experienced of all the chairmanship aspirants, having served at the national secretariat for 10 unbroken years, is hanging in the balance.

    Although George is favoured by a large number of radical elements in the party across the geopolitical zones, the major power brokers however consider him too hot to handle.

    Tough and highly independent minded, the former navy officer and ex-military governor, George does not trike the right chord among the conservative elements and key power brokers in the party.

    Our correspondent gathered that one of the major reasons they are opposed to his emergence as chairman is his track record of strict adherence to established rules, which may make it difficult for anyone to exert undue influence on him.

    Prof Taoheed Adedoja who is also in the race is seen not to have the required experience in party administration.

    Mr. Jimi Agbaje who was favoured for the position of chairman in the party’s botched 2016 convention appeared to have lost steam, as his major backers in the South East and South South have turned their back on him. His campaign has remained tepid.

    Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel may also not go far. His ongoing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is being considered a baggage by key stakeholders.

    In the same boat with Daniel is Chief Raymond Dokpesi who is also facing trial over his alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms purchase scandal with former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.

    The perception within party circles is that the government of the day might plant distractions in the way of Daniel and Dokpesi at the most critical state, particularly if any of the two should emerge chairman.

    A former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja who is also in the race is the least considered appropriate for the job. Having rejoined the PDP from the Accord only last month, his candidacy may prove a hard sell.

  • PDP knocks Dokpesi, Secondus out of national chair race

    PDP knocks Dokpesi, Secondus out of national chair race

    The ambition of media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to lead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to have been truncated by leaders of the party from the Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth.

    PDP governors, National Assembly members, ex-ministers and other leaders from the South at a crucial meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday ahead of the August 17 national convention billed for the city, zoned the post to the Southwest.

    Also out of the race is Uche Secondus, former acting national chairman, who is from Rivers State.

    Dokpesi is from Edo State. Edo and Rivers are in Southsouth.

    Although Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who briefed reporters at the end of the meeting, said any member willing to contest any position was free to do so, he was quick to advise them to respect the zoning formula.

    Also zoned to the Southwest are the positions of national treasurer and deputy national publicity secretary.

    PDP zoned the positions of first deputy national chairman, national legal adviser, deputy national women leader and deputy national auditor to the Southsouth, while Southeast got national organising secretary, national youth leader and deputy national financial secretary.

    The party’s stalwarts from the Southwest, who have signified their intention to contest the national chairmanship include former the Chairman of the Nigerian Port Authority, Chief Bode George and ex-minister Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

  • Refund N310m for 23 cars, EFCC tells Uche Secondus

    Refund N310m for 23 cars, EFCC tells Uche Secondus

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman Uche Secondus has offered to return the 23 luxury cars he got from a business associate of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked Secondus to refund to the Federal Government N310 million, being the worth of the vehicles.

    Secondus may however remain in detention for a while because the anti-graft agency is still probing his relationship with an oil baron.

    There were indications yesterday that the screening of Secondus’ financial transactions might provide more clues  beyond the 23 vehicles.

    Secondus was quizzed for hours yesterday by EFCC operatives.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Secondus is still under interrogation because there are fresh clues we are looking into on how diverted oil receipts from the oil magnate were used for logistics for the PDP.

    “The Deputy National Chairman of PDP has admitted  that he collected the 23 vehicles from the oil baron.

    “At a point during the interrogation, Secondus voluntarily offered to return all the vehicles to EFCC. He said he was willing to retrieve the vehicles from the beneficiaries.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The EFCC has asked Secondus to refund N310million cash being the worth of the vehicles.

    “We are actually not interested in the vehicles, as the value would have depreciated. Oil revenue was used to buy these vehicles and we are demanding nothing but the N310million.

    “It is left to the suspect to cooperate with our team.”

    There were indications last night that Secondus might remain in detention for a while, pending the conclusion of investigation into his activities with the oil baron.

    “We will keep Secondus in safe custody. Apart from making refunds, there are other clues we have which require more interaction with him,” the source said.

    Asked if Secondus might face trial, the source said: “It is not impossible but investigation is yet to be completed.”

    The vehicles bazaar has created shocks in PDP because most leaders of the party were unaware.

    A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) said some of the party’s leading lights were just hearing for the first time that vehicles were given to the party by an oil baron. “The revelation is shocking,” he said, adding:

    “The way some leaders of the party hijacked the campaign machinery is baffling. At least, some of us did not get from these vehicles”.

    The former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, was still in Lagos as at last night in continuation of  interrogation on “some funds received from NIMASA”.

    Another EFCC source said: “The team managing investigation on NIMASA is yet to release him. I think he has a lot to answer on funds got from NIMASA. Badeh will remain in Lagos for a while.”

    The EFCC is yet to vacate the restriction order on Air Chief Marshal Badeh’s accounts and those of 17 other military chiefs detained over the $2.1b arms deals.

    The EFCC source said: “The investigation of these former and serving military officers  is still ongoing. The restriction order on their accounts is yet to be vacated.”

    Some of those affected are the most senior Air Force officer, AVM A. M. Mamu (the Chief of Administration); AVM O.T.Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters);  AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer Tactical Air Command, Makurdi;  AVM J.B. Adigun(former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF); and AVM JA Kayode-Beckley(Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); AVM T Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings), four top officers at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) – Air Cdre. A. O. Ogunjobi; Air Cdre. G.M.D. Gwani; Air Cdre. S.O. Makinde; Air Cdre. A.Y. Lassa and Col. N. Ashinze , who was the Special Military Assistant to the ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

  • PDP decries detention of Secondus

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried the arrest and detention of its Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    A statement issued on Wednesday by PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Mr. Victor Kwom, described the development as oppressive and unfair treatment against the party’s key leaders by the Federal Government.

    The statement said, “The party alerts the nation that the arrest and detention of its Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is part of the grand script by the APC-led Federal Government to decimate the opposition.

    “We are also aware that plans have been perfected by the Federal Government to arrest and detain the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and other leaders of the party on imaginary charges.

    “Indeed, intelligence available to the party shows that the Federal Government, using its various agencies, is bent on destroying any opposition to the ruling party as all indications show that the government is more interested in humiliating the PDP than fighting corruption.

    “Finally, we state that this war on the PDP and its leaders has indeed gone too far. It has now become a mockery of democratic practice.”