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Tag: spokesman for the PDP

  • PDP disowns presidential campaign ‘timetable’

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has disowned what it described as a phony presidential campaign timetable currently circulating in some traditional and social media platforms.

    Spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on Tuesday, said the PDP has not released any timetable or timeline for its presidential campaign.

    Read Also:PDP urges National Assembly to probe killing of soldiers

    Calling on its members and supporters to disregard the fake timetable, the party said the presidential campaign council would soon come up with the authentic timetable.

    The statement said, “The fabricators of the post even went further to allocate venues and dates for zonal rallies, which they claimed to have emanated from the PDP Presidential Campaign Council.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP clarifies that it has not yet released any timetable or timelines for our presidential campaigns. Similarly, our party has not yet allotted any dates or venues for our campaigns.

    “The leadership of the PDP therefore urges all our members and supporters across board to completely disregard the said timetable on the social media, as it did not emanate from the PDP.

    “The PDP Presidential Campaign Council led by His Excellency, Senator Bukola Saraki, will soon make public the authentic timetable for our presidential campaign and such information will have the full seal of our party and disseminated through PDP official handles.”

     

  • Jonathan pillar of democracy, says PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a pillar of contemporary Nigeria democracy.

    The party, in tributes to the ex-President on the occasion of his 61st birthday, said his patriotism and personal sacrifices ensured the unity, stability and corporate existence of the nation, particularly given the circumstances of the 2015 general elections.

    Jonathan and his PDP had lost to President Muhammadu Buhari who contested under on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 elections.

    A statement Tuesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Dr. Jonathan remained a true Nigerian leader, whose administration was known, not only for good governance and landmark development projects across the nation, but also for the entrenchment of democratic values, rule of law, equity and justice, respect for separation of powers and constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens as well as engendering harmonious coexistence of all interests in the country.

    “In all, President Jonathan amply demonstrated that the true essence of leadership and statesmanship is the application of the virtues, opportunities and authority therein for the good of others rather than self, and for that our party and indeed Nigerians celebrate him.

    “The PDP therefore joins family members, associates and well-wishers at large in celebrating Dr. Jonathan as he attains this milestone and prays that God will continue to keep him in good health and sound mind as he gives himself to the service of our dear fatherland,” the statement added.

  • Atiku’s policy document embodies yearnings of Nigerians – PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the policy document articulated by its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has received resounding public endorsements.

    This, according to the opposition party, was is a confirmation that the document embodied the collective mindset, yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians in their quest for a new leadership and a better life in our country.

    Read Also:Buhari’s ‘Next Level’ big on promises, vague on policy, says Atiku

    The party noted that President Muhammadu Buhari failed to articulate any solutions or operable policy direction in his own campaign document, “Next Level”.

    A statement Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, added that the Atiku’s policy document offered solutions and practical direction for delivery in all sectors of national life.

    The statement said, “The negative reactions of Nigerians to the Next Level mantra have shown that the document is dead on arrival as Nigeria cannot afford the reinforcement of failure, especially as the electorates have already seen through the deception and cheap attempt to beguile them again ahead of the 2019 elections.

    “The Atiku Abubakar policy document is a product of very wide, painstaking and productive consultations with Nigerians from all walks of life, critical stakeholders and development partners in key sectors, in the overall determination to chart a new course for our nation.

    “The policy document foretells a new dawn as it articulates practical solutions and answers to the myriad of economic, social and political challenges facing our nation and sets out all-inclusive templates for national rejuvenation, cohesion, protection of human rights and democratic tenets, wealth creation, transparency and elimination of corruption in governance.

    “In line with PDP’s people-based manifesto, the Atiku Abubakar policy document places utmost priority on the people by focusing chiefly on their yearnings for job creation, infrastructural development, poverty eradication, human capital development, inclusiveness and national unity”.

    The party spokesman stated further that Nigerians are particularly happy with the Atiku Abubakar policy document as it sought to implement pro-poor policies that grant all citizens, irrespective of financial and social status, unhindered opportunity to participate in economic activities to achieve self-reliance and become active contributors to national development.

    “Unlike President Buhari, who is adjudged by Nigerians to be aloof, detached and unconcerned, Atiku Abubakar has always maintained a strong bond with the people; hence his ability to understand their challenges, collective aspirations and to proffer solutions with underlining political will.

    “The PDP therefore urges Nigerians to continue to take ownership of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential campaign, which embodies their collective aspiration as a people to make our dear nation work again.

    “Finally, the PDP counsels President Buhari to note that he has come to the end of the road. Nigerians will never follow a leader on a journey to Next Level of failure, lies, poverty, hunger, disease, bloodletting, extra-judicial killings, humongous corruption, nepotism, disdain for citizens and institutions of democracy, decayed infrastructure, national divisiveness and embarrassment in the international arena”, the statement added.

  • PDP cautions on ‘security siege’ to Bayelsa

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the federal government over what it described as the continued onslaught and security siege to Bayelsa State.

    Warning that the development, if not checked, could spell doom for the nation, the opposition party flayed the posting of eight Commissioners of Police to the state in a space of three months.

    Read Also:Uzodinma is PDP’s mole, says Okorocha

    At a media briefing at the PDP secretariat on Friday, spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged that the move was meant to forcefully take over the control of Bayelsa by the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “It is no longer news that the APC, for obvious reasons, is bent on forcefully taking over the control of oil rich Bayelsa and other littoral states, for which it now seeks to turn them into theaters of war, with the support of certain individuals in control of federal apparatus of power.

    “Today, the PDP and the people of Bayelsa state are being pushed to the wall as with the on-going plot by the APC and the Buhari Presidency to bully the people of Bayelsa and politically annex the state, by the use of crude force”, Ologbondiyan said.

    The party alleged plots to use security agencies, particularly the police to browbeat the people, foist a siege mentality on the state, trigger confusion and violence; then create an impression of security emergency.

    This, according to Ologbondiyan, was with a view to using such as justification for a coordinated invasion, attack and annexing of political structures of the state for President Buhari and the APC ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Ologbondiyan continued, “In the bid to forcefully seize control of Bayelsa state, the APC is attempting to convert the Police into its violent militant wing, leading to the violation of rules of engagement and putting security agencies on collision course with the people despite its potential bloody consequences.

    “It may interest Nigerians to know that, in its desperation, the APC has directly influenced the Inspector General of Police into posting eight different Commissioners of Police to Bayelsa state within the space of the last three months just to destabilise the state.

    “Some of the Police Commissioners spent less than a week before being pulled out of the state by the police authorities that have unfortunately acceded to the demands of the APC on the deployment of police chiefs to Bayelsa State.

    “This alarming change of guards of Police hierarchy in Bayelsa state is part of the devious plot to compromise the security architecture of the state, orchestrate security uncertainty, instill fear and siege mentality on residents and then seize the political structure in the state so as to pave way for massive rigging for President Buhari and the APC in the 2019 general elections”.

    The opposition party spokesman said the PDP was privy to information that some of the Police Commissioners were changed for refusing to infiltrate the firm resolve of the people to remain peaceful and determinedly supportive of the PDP controlled administration in the state.

    The party also said it was aware of series of meetings in Abuja involving certain cabinet ministers, two particular Presidency aides, some APC leaders, some top security officers and certain “compromised” officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including a close relative of President Buhari, where plots to destabilise Bayelsa State were hatched and orders given to the police to that effect.

    Stating that the PDP was in possession of documentary evidence of the said meetings, the party said it would not hesitate to make them public if the APC failed to steer clear of Bayelsa State.

    Continuing, Ologbondiyan said, “The fact remains that the APC knows that it cannot win any election in Bayelsa State as well as other littoral states or any PDP state for that matter. As such, it believes that the only way for them is to use security agencies to frighten Nigerians and break their resolve ahead of the 2019 polls.

    “However, let it be known to the APC, the Buhari Presidency and their compromised security personnel that their assault on Bayelsa will definitely attract very terrible consequences, as it will be firmly resisted by the people, head to head, with every means available, accessible and implementable in the defence of democracy.

    “Bayelsa remains a stronghold of the PDP and this fact is known to all. The Buhari Presidency and the APC should recall that they tried to forcefully take over the state in 2016 with their ‘penetration plan’ but failed woefully.

    “Bayelsa has not altered its status as a stronghold of the PDP and any attempt to disrupt this order has the capacity to trigger a crisis that is capable of sinking our nation’s economic mainstay”.

    The opposition party pointed out that Bayelsa state is at the epicenter of all the oil producing strongholds in the Niger Delta region.

    It added that the security siege to the state has triggered unprecedented anxiety and anger across all interests in the Niger Delta region and warned that an imminent collective response by the citizens to defend the state might come with serious costs to the national economy.

    “As we all know, Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) amply provided that no person shall take control of the government of our nation or any part thereof, except in accordance with the democratic provisions of the law. Therefore, we are not ready, in any way, to cede this statutory provision to anybody no matter the threats.

    “Nigerians and the international community appreciate the effort of the Government of Bayelsa State under Governor Seriake Dickson in ensuring the peace and security of the oil producing state.

    “Such should be encouraged to consolidate instead of this unrelenting plot by the Buhari Presidency and the APC to use the police to instigate insecurity and violence.

    “Nigerians must note that our country cannot survive another unrest in the Niger Delta, especially when our security agencies are grappling with the worsening insurgency in the North East and prevailing daily violence and bloodletting in various parts of the country.

    “The PDP as a patriotic party therefore calls on all Nigerians and the global community to join in cautioning the Buhari Presidency and the APC not to set our nation on fire with their inordinate ambition.

    “Instead of resorting to violence, rigging and seeking forceful control, the APC should rather use the remaining days of its fading administration to make restitutions and seek for forgiveness for all their atrocities and misrule, leading to the economic disaster and daily bloodletting which Nigerians have been painfully suffering in the last three and half years.

    “The PDP therefore cautions INEC officials and all security operatives, particularly the police, not to allow the rejected and discredited APC to set them on collision course with Nigerians, as such may not augur well with them, both as institutions and individuals.

    “Furthermore, our party calls on all well-meaning Nigerians to raise their voices and counsel the Inspector General of Police to tread cautiously and protect his office from politicisation. A word is enough for the wise”.

  • PDP accuses Buhari of shielding Oshiomhole from investigation

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described as reprehensible, revelations that President Muhammadu Buhari was shielding the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole from being investigated by the Department of State Service (DSS).

    An online medium, The Cable, had reported that Oshiomhole was on Sunday, arrested by the DSS in Abuja and grilled for about nine hours for alleged involvement in bribery and other corrupt practices.

    A statement Wednesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the party was privy to the pressure being mounted on the DSS by President Buhari to let the party chair off the hook.

    The opposition party attributed the President’s alleged intervention to fears that the DSS investigation would unearth the complicity of the Presidency and other key APC members in the alleged scam.

    The statement said, “Information available to the PDP reveals that apart from the billions of naira, he allegedly stole from the coffers of Edo State when he was governor.

    “Oshiomhole is facing charges of allegedly collecting billions of naira from some ministers and other APC sources in Adamawa, Rivers, Kano and Imo states to manipulate the 2019 electoral process.

    “This is in addition to allegedly collecting billions of naira from Presidency sources to influence electoral officers, independent observers and certain polling organizations ahead of the 2019 election, part of which was allegedly diverted for personal use of some APC leaders.

    “The PDP had always alerted Nigerians to the corruption allegation burden on the APC Chairman and the continued official cover provided him by the Buhari Presidency, including stalling his investigation and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged stealing of billions of naira from Edo State coffers.

    “If the Buhari Presidency has nothing to hide; if it is not complicit in the alleged scam, it should allow the DSS and EFCC a free hand to investigate and prosecute his party’s factional chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, particularly now that all issues are laid bare before Nigerians.

    “As long as the DSS and the EFCC are not allowed to put Oshiomhole into the dock, the Buhari Presidency does not have the moral rectitude to speak on corruption.

    “This is especially as the involvement of the DSS shows that the corruption burden of the APC Chairman has already become a security risk to our nation.

    “Finally, the PDP cautions that in no circumstance should the Presidency escort Adams Oshiomhole out of the country, just like it did for the disgraced Buhari’s former Minister of Finance”.

  • PDP to Buhari: Present your certificate to INEC

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to show proof of his vaunted integrity by presenting his academic documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and put to an end his certificate saga.

    The main opposition party also urged President Buhari to fulfill his obligation like other presidential candidates, by presenting his certificate, if he has any, instead of bugging the commission with affidavits.

    A statement Friday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, accused the President of seeking ways to short-circuit the system, instead of complying with set rules.

    The party said while its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has submitted his educational and other relevant documents to INEC, President Buhari has continued to insist that his secondary school certificate was with the military authorities.

    The statement said, “Indeed, a situation where President Buhari has been dodging the certificate issue raises huge questions of integrity, which demands that he makes available his credentials, or apologise to Nigerians, if he has none, so that the nation can move ahead.

    “President Buhari knows by now that Nigerians are no longer interested in his claims in an affidavit wherein he stated; “I am the above-named person and the deponent of this affidavit herein. All my academic qualification documents as filled in my Presidential form, APC/001/2015 are currently with the Secretary of the Military Board as of the time of this affidavit”.

    The PDP maintained that integrity strictly demands that President Buhari, particularly as the Commander-In-Chief write to the military authorities directing them to forward his claimed credentials to INEC, as requisite evidence of compliance with a key requirement for election into the Office of the President, under Section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “That President Buhari and the previous INEC succeeded in circumventing the law in 2015 does not make such acceptable in our current electoral process.

    “Moreover, President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) must realise that even their followers that were beguiled in 2015, are currently not prepared to accept ‘NEPA bill’ as WAEC certificate in the 2019 elections.

    “This is particularly as the certificate scandal contributes to the erosion of Mr. President’s rectitude to check the humongous corruption, ineptitude and recklessness among his officials which has brought the nation to its knees under his administration.

    “Furthermore, President Buhari’s failure to tidy up such grey areas also contributes to his inability to cultivate and earn the productive followership of the youth and the respect of the international community, resulting in retardation in national productivity and dearth of international development partnership in the last three and half years.

    “This situation has even been worsened by the revelations that President Buhari’s ministers and aides parade forged certificates.

    No country makes meaningful progress with persons with these educational pedigrees in its leadership.

    “The PDP, therefore, urges President Buhari to do the needful so as not to cause any frictions that will put INEC under further pressure ahead of the 2019 general elections”.

     

     

  • PDP mocks Buhari’s ‘image laundering’ trip to Morocco

    …says Nigerians can’t be deceived

     

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed what it described as “image rescue effort” by President Muhammadu Buhari during his last visit to Morocco.

    A statement on Tuesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the reception given to President Buhari by the Moroccan Prime Minister, Saadeddine Othman, was a poorly packaged deception to sugarcoat his deep-seated disdain for Nigerian youths.

    The party observed that President Buhari’s “sudden praise-singing” of Nigerian youths in faraway Morocco was only a desperate afterthought aimed at reversing the public opprobrium he earned himself over his “lazy youths and lovers of freebies” comment, and not borne out of genuine regard for the youths.

    The statement said, “Unfortunately for Mr. President, our youths now know better and can no longer fall for his tricks.

    “Every Nigerian is aware of President Buhari’s disdain for our citizens and his reported comments in Morocco as inconsistent with his known beliefs and dispositions.

    “Nigerians recall that in a most recent gaffe, Mr President described the members of our National Assembly as idle and unproductive just as he dismissed our youths as unfit to run for Presidency in 2019, even while signing the “Not Too Young To Run” bill into an Act.

    Read Also:Nigerians intellectually aggressive, economically ambitious – Buhari

    “Perhaps, this explains why his handlers resorted to heavily edited press statement on the Morocco visit”.

    The PDP said President Buhari’s visit to the Moroccan Prime Minister cannot wash away the “disgraceful invectives” he openly poured on the energetic and vivacious Nigerian youths at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), in Lindon, in the presence of other world leaders.

    The party said it would need another CHOGM in London to remove the President’s “lazy and lover of freebies” stamp on youths.

    “The PDP is aware of the desperate bid by President Buhari to stop at nothing to beguile the citizens once again that election is around the corner.

    “However, it is important to inform him that Nigerians now know his true colours and will reject any design to take them on a second ride to nowhere.

    “President Buhari should therefore end his gimmicks and let go of straws. He should amply come to terms with the fact that the only expectation Nigerians require of him is to tender a direct apology for his abysmal performance and get prepared to leave the stage for a more innovative, and people-oriented President which Nigerians will elect on the platform of the PDP, come 2019,” the statement added.