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Tag: Senator Ahmed Makarfi

  • I’ll restructure Nigeria – Makarfi

    Ex-Kaduna Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has vowed to restructure the country if elected as president in next year’s election.

    Makarfi said his commitment to restructuring is not mere political talk, insisting that there must be a way to restructure the country and its agencies including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) such that political parties are represented in the commission.

    Read Also:How PDP will win in 2019 – Makarfi

    He said as governor of Kaduna State, he was the architect of the first national conference under former president Olusegun Obasanjo, adding however that so many vital areas which were classified as no go areas, were shot out.

    Makarfi who spoke Tuesday during a meeting with Delta PDP members denied that he is aspiring to the position of president because he was once the national chairman of the caretaker committee.

    He said, “I am not an opportunist, I am not coming out to be president because you once appointed national chairman of the caretaker committee. People may have forgotten that I was to succeed Obasanjo in 2007.”

    Continuing, “After we had gone round and I was ahead on the ballot, for some reasons, somebody far behind me on the ballot was selected. Some people were not happy but I agreed to withdraw from the race in the interest of the party and the country.

    “They didn’t believe that I was withdrawing, and the president then asked for a formal letter of withdrawal which I tendered in three days. I did that to ensure smooth transition from one civilian government to the other.

    “That didn’t stop me; I became the leader of the presidential campaign for South-West. And they made a lot of promises to me but were not fulfilled; again I remained loyal to the party.”

    According to the presidential hopeful, political leaders are not associated with so much money before they emerge as president of the country from the onset.

    He said Tafawa Balewa, Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and even President Muhammadu Buhari never paraded so much wealth before they were elected presidents at various times in the nation’s history.

    “They often underrate us but we have always performed excellently in any task given to us. That is how you know who is capable. We are focused and can never be distracted.

    “When I was running for governorship in 1998, all the big politicians were against me, saying I didn’t have enough money but political leadership is not determined by how much you have.

    “Having too much money is a distraction to the public service you are expected to render when you are elected,” he said.

    He added that he was confident that the PDP will present a credible candidate that all the stakeholders including traditional rulers, religious leaders and all class of the citizenry can feel comfortable with when voted into office.

    In addition to restructuring, Makarfi said if elected, he would address the dearth of infrastructure, noting that he has decided to be going on his nationwide consultation by road to “feel what Nigerians are feeling.”

    He also promised to address insecurity and create an environment for the economy to thrive; pointing out that education, tackling unemployment and poverty reduction will occupy top priority in his administration.

    Responding, the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa described the presidential hopeful as very grounded about the issues affecting the country having held various positions as governor, senator and national chairman of the party at a time the PDP was in turmoil.

    He said Makarfi was able to manage the turbulent era of the PDP and made it a beautiful bride that is now being sort after, just as he affirmed that Makarfi was a good and honest party man.

     

  • Makarfi: Defectors will add value toPDP

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant Senator Ahmed Makarfi has said that defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be given a sense of belonging.

    He said in a statement by his media aide, Muktha Siraju that the coast is clear the victory of PDP in next year’s polls.

    Makarfi hailed Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governors Samuel Ortom, Abdulfatal Ahmed and Aminu Tambuwal;  senators, members of the House of Representatives and  House of Assembly who have returned to the PDP.

    He said the party has a large  umbrella to accommodate and and provide security to  Nigerians at this most difficult time in national history.

    Makarfi said: “As the former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, I fought long and hard to ensure that democracy did not perish in Nigeria. Idid so even at risk to my life because I believes that the Peoples Democratic Party is the only party founded on the very basic principles of democracy, justice, equity, fairness and the rule of law.

    “I always believe that the rebranded and repositioned PDP offers opportunity for all who have the will to take it.

    “I fought even harder to create an environment where members could thrive and develop to their God given potential by laying emphasis on openness, fairness, justice and inclusion.”

    Makarfi said the 2019 election is  critical to national survival, adding that intimidation and harassment of political opponents, impunity in government, insecurity, and poverty should end.

    He added: ‘ This is why I am is gladdened on the news of the return back to the fold of these our brothers and sisters  and the other democrats who decided to move in the right direction.

    “I congratulate them all and offers a hand of fellowship and cooperation to all of them, to work together, to rescue our country, save our democracy, preserve the legacy of our heroes past, restore our prosperity and secure our security at this crucial period.”

  • Defectors must not be accorded undue advantage – Makarfi

    Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has cautioned the leadership of the party against giving undue advantage to returnee members and those defecting.

    The former two-term governor of Kaduna State, while addressing the leadership of the Kogi State chapter of the party and other stakeholders Friday in Lokoja, said but for the steadfastness of committed members, PDP could have become history.

    Read Also:Ajomale: Defectors from APC are political jobbers

    Offering himself for the presidential candidate of the party ahead of the 2019 general election, he recounted the difficult days of the party following after the 2015 poll, when the PDP lost power at the centre.

    “Some people when you pinch them like this (touching his arm), they will run to another party. When the going was tough, I stayed on… but you accept them into your house and give them your guest room. Next, they take the Master Bedroom; next, they drive you out of your house. We must not allow this, nor give undue advantage to them, so that we do not alienate our people.

    “Modu Sheriff was brought from another party; they said he had three jets; he had billions, but what did he do? He was taking the party down, but I, the ‘bush boy,’ with the support of others, I was able to make members close ranks, and today, we can all see”, he said.

    He also delved on the vexed issue of restructuring, saying that only Nigerians can restructure the country, under a ‘trusted leadership’.

    According to him: “We fought the battle together; the praise and credit I’m receiving, is to God and to all of us. To me, Kogi is home; when Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) was governor, we use to come and spend weekends with him, Kogi remains a home to me.

    “We have many problems confronting us in Nigeria; insecurity, lack of national consensus, hunger, poverty; our economy has gone down, but there are few people benefiting. Nigerians are in lack; they are not able to provide for their families, access good healthcare, and all sorts of deprivation. People are being witch-hunted.

    “Some people talk of restructuring, but when they talk of restructuring, they talk of sharing money and resources. I tell you; we need institutional restructuring.

    “Only Nigerians that can restructure Nigeria. People are asking for restructuring due to lack of belonging, lopsidedness in appointments, the feeling of being cheated, and so on. Who can restructure Nigeria, but Nigerians, with a leader that can be trusted. I offer that and much more.

    “What I tell you is that now, if you’re in power, you’re right; if you’re in opposition, you’re wrong. We must get to a level in Nigeria, where if you’re a president, a governor, you can be charged for wrongdoing; not you being in power and witch-hunting every other person. That is turning Nigeria into a ‘Banana Republic’. We must therefore restructure our institutions.

    “Gentlemen, a tree does not make a forest…they will come with bags of money. Collect, but do the right thing. There is no receipt”.

  • Ekiti Election: Makarfi urges security agencies to be neutral

    Former Governor of Kaduna State and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential aspirant, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has cautioned the nation’s security agencies on the need to provide a level playing ground for all parties in the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.

    He said the security agencies, particularly the police, should operate above the fray to inspire the confidence of all in their neutrality and condemned the way and manner the police assaulted governor Ayodele Fayose and members of the PDP during a rally in Ado Ekiti few days ago.

    Read Also:Kaduna PDP endorse Makarfi for 2019 presidency

    In a statement signed by his media aide, Murktar Sirajo, Senator Makarfi said he was appalled by the news coming from Ekiti regarding the response of security agencies to the PDP rally.

    The statement reads: “Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi is appalled by the news coming out of Ekiti State, which reports that not only were members of the PDP denied their constitutionally guaranteed rights of assembly, but that also, in the process, the state Governor and his Deputy, who happens to be the party’s candidate in the forthcoming election were physically assaulted and injured by the police.

    “Senator Makarfi is pained by this brazen infringement on the individual and collective rights of the people as enshrined in our constitution and considers it an assault not only on Governor Ayo Fayose and the PDP, but also a knife through the heart of the nation’s democracy, by an agency of state that is funded to protect those rights amongst other functions.

    “As we approach 2019 elections, these signals are ominous as they portend a tendency towards desperation and the proclivity to deploy instruments of state towards the attainment of a predetermined agenda.

    “Situations such as this bring into sharper focus, Senator Makarfi’s arguments and appeals, with respect to restructuring the country, that we also consider restructuring our institutions in such a way that they are insulated from political control to enable them serve the state as opposed to serving political leaders of the time, which is what obtains at the moment.

    “The Senator appeals to the police and other security agencies to operate above the fray to inspire the confidence of all in their neutrality. He also appeals to the government of the day to rise to the occasion by providing  a level playing field in the Ekiti and subsequent elections to ensure the development of democracy and rule of law, as not only Nigerians, but also the entire world  is watching with interest, how situations unfold as the days go by.”

  • 2019: Arewa Concerned youth beg Makarfi to run for president

    2019: Arewa Concerned youth beg Makarfi to run for president

    A group under the auspices of Arewa Concerned Youth and Development has begged former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi to run of the seat of President in the upcoming 2019 elections.

    Speaking at a conference which had in attendance representatives from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Monday in Kaduna, Chairman of the group, Ibrahim Suleiman said Arewa Youth uninanimously agreed to support Makarfi for President come 2019.

    He said the conference with the theme ‘Focusing on People: A Call for Mandate’ is aimed at highlighting the faint strides the senator made when he held numerous positions including governor of Kaduna state and senator.

    He said, “We are here to officially kick-off call for the candidature of Senator Ahmed Makarfi for the top job of the nation, and this conference is the first one we are having which I find symbolic. I want to use this opportunity to share with you first our priorities for the conference.

    “Makarfi as governor of Kaduna state from 1999 to 2007 experienced u precedented record of success when the state witnessed clashed over the introduction of Sharia law, most notably in 200 for which Makarfi has been widely acclaimed for his reforms to diffuse the situation through a tripartite legal system and promote dialogue while also improving service delivery in the state.

    “The reform of the traditional and cultural system which was a major issue as some of the traditional institutions have been struggling with boundary and identity problems for up to hundreds of years and the administration at that time saw evidences and resolved it by giving each ethnic group its independent identity and traditional establishment.”

    He added that the group in the spirit of brotherhood decided to give Makarfi an automatic opportunity to fly its presidential flag in 2019 saying, “If he does not answer our call, we will embark on mass protest o e month from this conference until he answers.”

    Read Also:PDP is alternative to APC, says Markafi

  • Atiku meets Makarfi, urges other defectors to return to PDP

    Atiku meets Makarfi, urges other defectors to return to PDP

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar Tuesday called on other politicians that dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to the PDP.

    Atiku was received at the party’s Abuja secretariat by the chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi at 12 pm.

    The former Vice President said it’s only by their returning to the PDP that he and other defectors could build a stronger and more united PDP that can regain power in 2019.

    Addressing Makarfi, Atiku said, “All what I have come to do today is to come and show my face. Many people have read in the media that I have returned home. This is home.

    “Let me pay tribute to past leadership of this great party wherever they may be and to call upon them to please return home as I have done.

    “It is only by their returning home that we will build a stronger, more united party that can again return to government and continue to deliver the dividends of democracy.

    “I can bet you the records we have achieved so far in governance; no government has yet even done 50 percent of what we have achieved in government, not to talk of equaling our performance in government”.

    “Over the years, like any or every human organisation, PDP has faced its challenges. But I want to pay tribute to those who have stayed steadfast through thick and thin to see us through to this point.

    “Now that we have learnt our lessons, I hope that we will be guided by the lessons we have learnt. And that is to make sure that we build an all-inclusive party, where every part of this country will have a sense of belonging and sense of participation”

    Atiku commended the leadership of the PDP for keeping the party united despite many challenges and assured of his support and cooperation at all times.

    He recalled that the PDP was founded on the principles of democracy, good governance, unity of the country and the prosperity of its people.

    His return to the party, he said, was to help continue with the work of reforming and re-branding of the party, adding that the party must avoid tendencies that breed conflicts in the party.

    “To achieve all these, there must be sacrifices, understanding and compromises in the process of achieving that. And that is what I speak to members to imbibe. But as you know, one thing that I will never compromise is the internal democracy process in a given political party. And I hope we all must have learnt our lessons.

    “Mr Chairman, I want to congratulate you for a wonderful work which you have been doing to redeem the image of this party, to rebrand it and return it to its original form. I want to assure you of my support and cooperation at all times, to make sure that these objectives are achieved by you and subsequently by your successors”.

    Atiku had, last week, announced his resignation from the APC where he and others had defected to in 2014 owing to disagreements with the then President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Responding, Makarfi said Atiku has opened the flood gates and that the party expects more high profile returnees and new entrants into the PDP in the days ahead.

    “So PDP must be prepared for this, and be ready to reconcile and reintegrate in such a way and manner that everybody will be treated and given a level playing field to purse his or her personal aspiration. That is what PDP must stand for if it has to survive.

    The party chair denied the existence of any secret deal with Atiku for him to return to the party, adding that the ex-Vice President isn’t one to go for secret deals.

    “You have returned in good time and you should continue to contribute in this reinvention, remodeling of our party so that come 2019, we can reclaim what we can claim as ours. Because we still remain the only true Democratic Party in the true sense of the word.

    “We thank you for coming before the convention so that you can contribute to what we have started going forward. We will continue to consult you.

    “You will also help us reinvent the vehicle that will take us to Aso rock in 2019, we are not just targeting Aso Rock, we are targeting the federal legislature, the states; both the executive and legislature. We are targeting the local governments.

    “We want to sweep elections all across the country. As a united party, we have the capacity and we have the ability to do so,” Makarfi said.

     

  • Appeal Court affirms Olafeso as S’West PDP boss

    Appeal Court affirms Olafeso as S’West PDP boss

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Monday granted an Interim Order staying execution of all orders granted by the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti restraining the Dr. Eddy Olafeso-led Southwest Zonal Executive from functioning.

    The three-man panel led by Justice Ahmad Belgore stopped all proceedings at the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo pending the determination of the appeal.

    In granting the application for stay of execution of Justice Taiwo’s orders, the appellate court took cognizance of the pending application to commit Olafeso and his exco to prison for contempt scheduled to be heard at the Ado-Ekiti Federal High Court on 6th December.

    The court frowned at a letter dated 30th November, 2017 addressed to the Presiding Judge for the Ado-Ekiti Division, Justice Belgore, written by a factional Zonal Chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, seeking the postponement of the hearing of the motion for a stay of execution brought by Olafeso.

    While Olafeso belongs to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s National Caretaker Committee, Ogundipe belongs to the sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction.

    The Supreme Court had on 12th July affirmed Makarfi-led exco as the authentic leadership of the party and removed Sheriff from office as the national chairman.

    Justice Belgore ruled: “All the orders and rulings of the lower court delivered on October 17, October 23, November 8 and November 27, 2017 have been stayed in the interim, meaning that those orders and rulings are of no value as from now and cannot be used anywhere having been rendered null and void and that all the proceedings at the Federal High Court have been stayed pending the interlocutory appeal that is before the Appeal Court.”

    The court, subsequently, adjourned further hearing on the appeal till 15th January, 2017.

    Ogundipe had in a suit number FHC/AD/CS/18/2017 averred that the Supreme Court judgment did not invalidate his executive claiming the verdict only affected the national body led by Sheriff.

  • PDP is alternative to APC, says Markafi

    PDP is alternative to APC, says Markafi

    The National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi,  has said that the PDP is the only alternative to the “misrule of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    He spoke both in Ede at the award of scholarship to indigent students from Osun West Senatorial District by Senator Ademola Adeleke and at the Unity Luncheon in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    According to him, the country has suffered enough in the hands of the APC.

    He promised that the PDP would rescue the nation from its “present hard time.”

    He said: “With the PDP. We are going to have good-time governance under rain under shine. No doubt we had our problems but we will not run away from it.

    ”What we have now is a government and a party of denial. Anything you say even when they know is the truth, they will still find excuses, they will never accept that they erred. When you don’t accept that you erred, there is no way will correct the mistakes for the benefit of the people. In PDP, we err and we accept it.

    “Nigeria has suffered enough and God will emancipate Nigerians by returning the PDP to power both at the Federal and at the state levels.”

    Responding, Senator Ademola Adeleke appealed to PDP in Osun to close ranks and work together for a common goal as the 2018 governorship election in the state is drawing closer.

    He said: “This is the greatest challenge, that all well-meaning members of the PDP in the state, should saddle themselves with by closing ranks with a view to presenting a credible and sellable candidate that will effortlessly win the governorship election and take over the Bola Ige House, Abere.

    “Let us, as a party avoid rancour, mudslinging, pull him down syndrome and other vices, that may endanger, God forbid, our chances of winning the 2018 governorship election.”

     

  • 2019: Ladoja, Alli, Akala, others meet

    2019: Ladoja, Alli, Akala, others meet

    Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja on Thursday led other top leaders of the People’s Democratic Party in the state to the residence of his erstwhile deputy governor , Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala for broker peace ahead 2019 election in the state.

    Also present is the PDP National Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and other national officers of the party.

    Makarfi had at the meeting also confirmed the return of former Social Democratic Party Governorship candidate in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde as well as Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, who was the running mate to Alao-Akala during the 2015 governorship election under the Labour Party.

    Makarfi, had warned intending returnees to hurry up, stressed that “while we reconcile and accommodate, we are not waiting for any individual to make up their mind”.

    For the second week running now, Ladoja who left PDP for Accord in 2011 had been hosting his erstwhile footsoldiers who served under him but deserted the camp due to irreconcilable political differences in 2011 to work for the success of then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Safe for a former Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Hosea Ayoola Agboola and former PDP Chairman, Chief Jacob Adetoro who remained in PDP, Sarafadeen Alli, Alhaji Alli Dodo Oyedeji and a former lawmaker, Tunde Adegbenjo headed for then ACN.

    The incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi who has been the major beneficiary of the crack within the hitherto solid Oyo PDP, jetted out of country few days ago and met with both Akala and Folarin with the social media agog of their meeting;  regarded in the political circle as subtle move by the Governor to mend fence with the duo ahead of impending 2019 race.

    Seyi Makinde had also been meeting with Ladoja, and a few other bigwigs as he officially announced his defection from the SDP to PDP two weeks ago.

    Folarin, a former Senate Leader, who on arrival from London told reporters on phone that he has not left PDP but on consultations across political divides, visited Ladoja 48hours ago for a closed door meeting as political permutation and intrigues get underway.

    At Thursday meeting in Bodija, Akala was the first to visit Ladoja in his residence but the latter was not around yo receive him. Shortly in return, Ladoja headed to Akala’s house, which was about a kilometer away and had two-hour closed door meeting with his erstwhile deputy.

    Pictures of the visit showed Ladoja, Akala and others in frenzy mood as they wine and dine together to the consternation of their supporters. A serving PDP lawmaker, Segun Odebunmi, Alhaji Ado Marafa and erstwhile State Accord Chairman, Bashiru Lawal among others watched with keen interest.

    Before now, both Ladoja and Akala had been at loggerheads since January 12th, 2006 when Ladoja was illegally removed from office to pave way for Akala as Acting Governor and later elected Governor under PDP.

  • Supreme Court Ruling: Umahi urges reconciliation, forgiveness

    Supreme Court Ruling: Umahi urges reconciliation, forgiveness

    The National Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, South East Zone, Chief Austin Umahi also congratulated Senator Ahmed Makarfi over the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed him as the authentic National Chairman of the party.

    In a statement in Abakaliki, Umahi described Makarfi’s victory as remarkable but appealed to all members and supporters of the party in the South East zone to embrace the victory with maturity and in the spirit of true reconciliation.

    Umahi also commended the National Working Committee of the party for their doggedness and belief in the country’s judiciary as the last hope of the common man and called on Sheriff and other members of the party to unite with the Makarfi led leadership to regain the country and save it from imminent collapse.

    He noted that the victory was a second chance given for the party to consolidate and put its house in order for the task of recovering its lost glory and further  urged other zonal leaders and stakeholders of the party to reconcile with any aggrieved members of the party.

    He said “today is remarkable in the history of democracy in Nigeria. The Supreme Court judgment affirmed Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic National chairman of PDP. This victory is dedicated to the Almighty God”.

    “I passionately appeal to all PDP members and supporters in South East to embrace this victory with maturity and in the spirit of true reconciliation; forgive and forget whatever we individually or collectively did wrong.  God has decided to give us as a party a second chance and we cannot afford to jeopardize it as that will attract unpleasant consequences”.

    The National Vice Chairman promised to embark on serious membership drives for the party that would be rooted on true reconciliation for the purpose of rebuilding and rebranding the party in the South East.