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Tag: Tambuwal

  • Sokoto State Governor Tambuwal returns to PDP with 18 lawmakers

    Months of speculations on Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s  political fortune yesterday ended with his return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He announced the expected decision at a solidarity rally organised by his supporters across the state’s 23 local government areas.

    Tambuwal told the rally: “This is not a decision that I have made lightly, but after extensive consultations with all the important stakeholders that we have come to the decision to pitch our political tent elsewhere.

    “However, the decision of our people and associates had become our total priority; it is the reason for the leadership we are yearning for.

    “As such, we have left the APC for the PDP in order to ensure that the masses’ needs in the areas of health, security, among others, are fully prioritised.”

    In 2014, Tambuwal as House of Representatives Speaker on the eve of the general elections left the PDP for the APC, a coalition of parties, which took power from President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He added: “ Let me at this juncture state emphatically that I return to the PDP with a clear conscience today,  because the party has learnt some bitter lessons and noted what mistakes it must avoid in the future. It is now a repositioned and forward looking political party to which I now pledge loyalty, in my resolve to contribute towards improving the lives of Nigerians and expanding opportunities for the youths.”

    Eighteen members of the House of Assembly defected along with the governor. Others who publicly denounced their membership of the APC at the rally for the PDP are: the House Speaker and his deputy, Alhaji Abdullahi Miagwandu, Muhammadu Arzika Tureta, Bello Kofar Marke, Mukhtari Maigona, Usman Danmadamin Isa, Dahiru Yusuf Yabo,  Isah Bajini Galadanci, Bello Suleiman, Sahabi Tungar Kwangi, Alhaji Muhammadu Dangoggo, Muazu Zabira, among other notable APC members believed to be close to Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

    Declaring his new political platform before a tumultous crowd in Sokoto, Tambuwal, who explained his defection to the main opposition PDP, said “good governance, viz-a-viz economic wellbeing of our people remain the major reasons for my action today”.

    He noted that” information from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that over nine million jobs have been lost in the last three years, since the APC government came into office.”

    “This journey is set to collectively rid the state and country of the immeasurable negative trend of events that have characterised every facet of our lives as citizens,” Tambuwal said, adding:

    “We are in dire need to advance the state to its place of glory. We have to fine tune a new political direction to salvage our common collective interests.”

    Tambuwal spoke of wide consultations with relevant stakeholders across the state, adding that” I don’t personalise politics and therefore will ask you to suggest a party”.

    “In line with the best tradition in any major political decision, especially by a serving elected governor, I have widely painstakingly consulted far and wide, if the present political platform is a viable vehicle for achieving the aspiration of our people.

    “It is because I am convinced that no nation can thrive while there is inequity and bad governance; because I am saddened by the fact that lethargy, incompetence and sustained  denial of obvious leadership missteps have become the major raw materials with which the Nigerian state is being run today.”

    The governor threw to the big crowd the option of suggesting which party to defect to. The excited gathering screamed “PDP!” He replied: “I will go with you.” The crowd rented the air with slogans “Sai Mutawalle”

    According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, “Nigeria needs competent hands to drive the cause for capable administration that will advance its overall interest to prosperity”.

  • PDP welcomes Tambuwal, Kano deputy governor

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday welcomed the Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal back to its fold.

    The party also welcomed Kano State Deputy Governor Prof. Hafizu Abubakar.

    A statement  by PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, said, “In welcoming Governor Tambuwal, the party has no doubts that Governor Tambuwal will indeed contribute immensely towards the rebuilding of our dear nation on the platform of the PDP.

    “The return of Governor Tambuwal, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and  Kano State Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafizu Abubakar in addition to scores of federal legislators to the party, reflects the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians across board, who are now resurging to the repositioned PDP as the only vehicle to rescue our nation from the mis-governance of the APC.

  • Atiku welcomes Ahmed, Tambuwal, others back to PDP

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed delight over the return of Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    While Ahmed defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP on Tuesday, Tambuwal announced his defection on Wednesday.

    The former Vice President congratulated the two governors, as well as the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Prof. Hafizu Abubakar and Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, who also defected from the APC to the PDP about the same time.

    A statement issued on Wednesday by the Atiku media office said:  “When in December 2017, the Waziri Adamawa said the APC has to embrace the true tenets of democracy or lose its soul, he was greeted with hostility and his warnings were scorned.

    “At that time, Atiku Abubakar had warned that without justice, there could be no unity and without internal democracy there could be no internal cohesion.”

    The presidential aspirant urged true lovers of democracy to emancipate themselves from the faux democracy practiced in the APC and move over to the only party capable of entrenching genuine democracy in Nigeria and economic progress for Nigerians.

    He also called urged the Federal Government to respect the decisions of those now voting with their feet and ensure that they are not persecuted by security officials and law enforcement agencies.

     

     

     

    The PDP chieftain urged the powers that be to note that the party set up these agencies to fight crime and criminality and not to fight democracy and democrats.

     

  • Tambuwal returns to PDP with ‘clear conscience’

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has formally deflected from the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

    ” Let me at this juncture state emphatically that I return to the PDP with a clear conscience today,  because the party has learnt some bitter lessons and noted what mistakes it must avoid in the future.

    “It is now a repositioned and forward looking political party to which I now pledge loyalty, in my resolve to contribute towards improving the lives of Nigerians and expanding opportunities for the youths”, Tambuwal stated.

    Others who publicly denounced their membership of the APC at the rally for the PDP included: Speaker Sokoto stae House of Assembly.and his deputy, Alhaji Abdullahi Miagwandu, Muhammadu Arzika Tureta, Bello Kofar Marke, Mukhtari Maigona, Usman Danmadamin Isa, Dahiru Yusuf Yabo,  Isah Bajini Galadanci, Bello Suleiman, Sahabi Tungar Kwangi, Alhaji Muhammadu Dangoggo, Muazu Zabira among other notable APC members believed to be close to Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

    Declaring his new political platform before a  crowd in Sokoto, Tambuwal who gave reason for his defection to the main opposition PDP said” good governance, viz-a-viz economic well-being of our people remain the major reasons for my action today.

    He noted that” Information from National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) shows that over nine million jobs have been lost in the last 3 years, since the APC government came into office.”

    According to him, it was time Sokoto people and Nigerians identified with realities on ground while assuring that “this journey is set to collectively rid the state and country of the immeasurable negative trend of events that have characterised every facet of our lives as citizens.”

    ” We are in dire need to advance the state to its place of glory. We have to fine tune a new political direction  to savage our common collective interests”, he stated.

    Tambuwal said the himself and the people of Sokoto state had to take a stand after wide consultations with relevant stakeholders across the state, adding that” I don’t personalise politics and therefore will ask you to suggest a party.”

    ” In line with the best tradition in any major political decision, especially by a serving elected Governor, I have widely painstakingly consulted far ad wide, if the present political platform is a viable vehicle for achieving the aspiration of our people.

    ” It is because I am convinced that no nation can thrive while there is inequity and bad governance; because I am saddened by the fact that lethargy, incompetence and sustained  denia of obvious leadership missteps have become the major raw materials with which the Nigerian state is being run today”

    The governor however, openly threw to the crowd the option to suggest which party to defect to and in response the anxious gathering chanted” PDP” while he replied: “I will go with you” and the crowd rented the air with slogans “Sai Mutawalle”

    According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives” Nigeria needs competent hands to drive the cause for capable adminstration that will advance its overall interest to prosperity.

    ” The yearnings and aspirations of our people in Sokoto state and Nigeria are paramount.”

    Tambuwal noted that the struggle for democracy dated back to the era of the fight for independence which he stated that it was driven by sacrifice, resilience and determination to rightfully demonstrate the love for Nigerians and the nation.

    ” Now almost four years into what ought to  be a new order as desired and elected by Nigerians,
    sadly, the nation is going through the most difficult and precarious times, since the civil war, with ethno, religious ad regional distrust at its highest ebb.”

    He said” I speak to you today with a mixture of sadness and relief because I did not expect that the APC,  which promised so much when the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) stood under the sway of impunity, could not maintain or manage whatever good it inherited,  has not broken new grounds in any positive sense but has reached historically unprecedented heights of impunity in all manner of vices.”

    According to Tambuwal who could not hide his disenchantment on the absence of federal projects in the state, said” I cannot look those who elected me their Governor here in Sokoto state and boldly point to any meaningful Federal Project initiated in the state under APC government.”

    Speaking earlier, Alhaji Isah Bajini Galadanci noted that the FG under President Buhari came into power with the mission to fight insecurity and corruption “but today things were fast changing negatively with serious insecurity in the northwest which escalated to places where there was no such threats.”

    ” Today, we have nothing to show and campaign to support Buhari and APC. We have not felt the pulse of  a single federal project in the state. Infact, he is an enemy of Sokoto state. He cannot handle Nigeria. People of Sokoto state and Nigeria are waiting for Tambuwal.”

  • Why I am leaving APC – Tambuwal

    Full Speech

     

    Politicians and political leaders, groups and group leaders, stakeholders in the development of our state and our nation, fellow indigenes of Sokoto State and citizens of our great country, members of the press, ladies and gentlemen. It is with gratitude to Almighty Allah, our Sustainer that I address you on a matter of great importance to our nation at this auspicious moment in our political history. I stand before you with a heavy heart, wishing I had cheery words of progress, instead of the sad report that I am constrained to give you on the situation of our dear nation.

    2.​The struggle for democracy is one that began with our fight for independence as a sovereign nation. To this end, the blood, freedom and other liberties of our past heroes and contemporary veterans were sacrificed. The current dispensation began in 1999, as the watershed of our toil, which granted to us a democratic system that is striving to evolve and survive.

    3.​Through those years the forces of genuine change gravitated and by 2015, merged to ensure a transition of power that Nigerians hoped would herald a new order of true democracy under an atmosphere of justice, peace, equity and the rule of law. The leaders of that coalition represented and symbolized the aspiration of Nigerians for progress and prosperity under one united, indivisible nation.

    4.​As the speaker of the House of Representatives then, I left my comfort zone to be involved in the struggle for the enthronement of purposeful leadership for the citizens of our dear country.

    6.​Now, almost four years into what ought to be a new order as desired and elected by Nigerians, the nation is unfortunately going through the most difficult and precarious times, since the Civil war; with ethno, religious and regional distrust at its highest ebb.

    7.​This development had often been blamed on political opponents. Meanwhile, there are issues of brazen inequity and capacity and questionable distribution of appointments/projects. This is in addition to lack of statesmanship in responding to national issues, among other things that are for aggravating the anomaly.

    8.​In line with the best traditions in any major political decision, especially by a serving elected Governor, I have painstakingly consulted far and wide, on whether the present political platform is a viable vehicle for achieving the aspiration of our people.

    9.​It is because I am convinced that no nation can thrive while there is inequity and bad governance; because I am saddened by the fact that lethargy, incompetence and sustained denial of obvious leadership missteps have become the major raw materials with which the Nigerian State is being run today; because I am unwilling to be part of frightful conspiracy against the cohesion of the Nigerian State, Nigeria youths and peoples; because I am unable to feel at ease in the face of a progressively divided nation and, above all, because I am totally unable to reconcile myself to a national leadership that offers no redeeming moral beacons that I am here with you today; to announce withdrawal of my membership of the All Progressives Congress and return to the People’s Democratic Party.

    10.​I speak to you today with a mixture of sadness and relief because I did not expect that the APC, which promised so much when the People’s Democratic party (PDP) stood under the sway of impunity, could not maintain or manage whatever good it inherited. It has also not broken new grounds in any positive sense, but has instead reached historically unprecedented heights of impunity in all manner of vices far above and beyond the challenges which made some of us to leave the PDP about four years ago to join others to form the APC. The party has brazenly turned itself into a sanctuary for the corrupt and a machine for rigging and for the rape of democracy.

    11.​Let me also put it on record that all attempts to discuss the electoral promises of the APC-led government, including the restructuring of the country as promised Nigerians and as contained in the APC manifesto, have proved abortive.

    12.​Beyond that, I cannot look those who elected me their Governor here in Sokoto State in the face and boldly point to any meaningful Federal Projects initiated in the state under the APC government. Even the bulk of uncompleted Federal Projects here that were inherited from the previous administration have largely remained in their state of neglect. Sokoto State is also not being meaningfully carried along in political appointments and in other matters of national importance.

    13. Like most states of the North, and indeed the entire federation, elders and traditional institutions have come under measured disrespect. The recent attack in Tabinnii in Rabah LGA of Sokoto State, the routine invasion of Zamfara State by armed bandits, the now-regular killing of policemen by unknown gun men all over the country, the regular massacre of innocent people in the North East axis and many similar daily incidents, do not attract much attention any more.

    14.​Good governance, viz-a-viz economic wellbeing of our people, remain the major reason for my action of today. Information from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that over nine million jobs have been lost in the last 3 years, since the APC Government came into office. While youth unemployment rate was 11.70 per cent during the fourth quarter of 2014, it rose to 33.10 per cent in third quarter of 2017 under the APC Government. The economy is not showing any real signs of improvement. Our educational and health institutions are in retreat. Poverty is on rampage and still ravages the land. It is unacceptable that majority of those who voted for APC in 2015 should have nothing good to show for it.

    15.​As in the past, it is only my interest in equity, the wellbeing of Nigerians and a befitting future for our teeming youths, national unity and economic prosperity that has led to my new locus in Nigerian politics today. We all have a duty to do our best, while nudging our political parties to progressively align political contests in Nigeria along clear ideological lines; such that sooner rather than later the aspirations and the will of our people will be the only determinant of election outcomes.

    16.​Let me at this juncture state emphatically that I return to the PDP with a clear conscience today, because the party has learnt some bitter lessons and noted what mistakes it must avoid in the future. It is now a repositioned and forward looking political party to which I now pledge loyalty, in my resolve to contribute towards improving the lives of Nigerians and expanding opportunities for the youths. It is only by working together as agents of development that we can promote excellence, competence, good governance and enthronement of genuine democracy to save Nigeria.

    17.​I thank you for your understanding, support, prayers and your continued faith in the Nigerian Project. May Almighty Allah guide and protect us.

    Signed
    Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal ,
    Governor of Sokoto state.

  • Tambuwal to Nigerians: reject prison-yard democracy

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has called on Nigerians to reject the “prison-yard democracy” typified by the ignoble meddlesomeness, rascality and high-handedness of some security agencies against democratic institutions in Nigeria.

    Tambuwal, in a statement yesterday, said: “Nigerians must say no to prison-yard democracy, where the rights of the citizenry are shackled to the caprices of a few, as if we now run a country of helpless inmates. If Nigeria are so unfortunate to endure the growling nightmare occasioned by deprivation of most things that a democracy should ordinarily provide; if they are now accustomed to the pangs of hunger, unemployment, shabby infrastructure, poor healthcare and hopelessness, they should, in the interest of democracy and the youths, stand against anything that has the potential of robbing them of their inalienable rights to live and make choices as free citizens.”

    The governor condemned the recent developments in Benue State and Abuja, where security agencies reportedly meddled in the affairs of both the House of Assembly and National Assembly, by trying to prevent lawmakers from accessing their chambers, and also impeding movement of the Senate President and his deputy.

    “These are unfortunate incidents, an aberration, a reprehensible attack on the fundamental human rights and privileges of fellow Nigerians, and a direct attack on our fledgling democracy. We should condemn this crass and impudent exhibition of uncivilised conduct, so that we can keep peace and maintain a civilised society.

    “Democracy is about freedom of choice and association; it is about the people and the supremacy of the will of the people. Democracy loses its essential value when the interest of the people takes a back seat in any supposedly democratic setting.

    “Legitimate political choices and movements, including cross-carpeting, are part of a democratic enterprise. Any attempt to bully people out of their legitimate, democratic choices is a war against democracy.

    “I call on our leaders to guard their utterances so that our country is not driven further down the path of divisiveness and ethnic/religious mistrust. Let us water our democracy, using the fountains of equity, fairness and justice for all.”

  • Sokoto: Tambuwal, Wamakko scramble for lawmakers

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and his estranged godfather, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, are now locked in a battle of wits for the support of the majority of members of the state House of Assembly as both men go their different political ways.

    Tambuwal is expected to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) later  this week while Wamakko has chosen to remain in the APC.

    Reliable party sources told The Nation that the lawmakers are now being camped in locations across the state by the political gladiators.

    The governor is said to be working round the clock to leave for the PDP with as many state legislators as possible to boost his value in his new party.

    The governor’s move is however being seriously challenged by Wamakko who is the leader of the APC in the state.

    Sources said that more than half of the state lawmakers originally promised the governor to move with him to the PDP only for some of them to change their mind after a separate meeting with Wamakko.

    The source said:”at the meeting, many of the lawmakers started reconsidering their decision to leave the APC. While some were bold enough to tell the governor and his men they wanted to stay back in the APC, other have been playing hide and seek with him.

    “The situation in the state, as we speak, is that of uncertainty. The state lost two Senators and four of the 11 House of Representatives members to the PDP last week.

    “The two Senators and the Reps who left Wamakko to cross over to the PDP were all his political allies and disciples until they took sides in the rift between Tambuwal and his predecessor.

    “Last week’s defection has weakened the base of the APC in Sokoto as the party now has only one Senator while PDP boasts of two. So, the scramble for the Assembly members is very fierce with both the governor and Senator Wamakko determined to outwit each other.”

    Top members of the APC in the state are also said to be joined in wooing the state legislators for either Wammako or Tambuwal.

    It was also gathered that  Tambuwal had planned to switch camps last week but had shelved the move  when he found out that  most of the  state lawmakers had reneged on their agreement to go with him.

    A source said: “it was not easy for the governor to get the four Reps to defect to the PDP.

    “Apart from the two Senators who have personal issues with our leader, all others who defected to the PDP on the request of the governor were lured with a lot of promises and freebies.

    “If this is truly a test of the governor’s popularity within APC, then he can see for himself that he is unpopular. Majority of our party chieftains and members are with Senator Wamakko and the leadership of the party.

    “The battle has now shifted to the House of Assembly. The two camps are struggling to win the legislators to their side.

    “For Tambuwal, it is a must-win battle as he is ready to move over to the PDP anytime from now. But he is disturbed by the hide and seek game by some of the assembly members after a meeting with the APC leadership in the state on Wednesday.

    “Senator Wamakko needs to retain the support of the majority in the assembly to prove that he is still strong politically in the state.”

    Another source said Tambuwal may announce his defection tomorrow to keep his alleged presidential ambition alive.

    The governor is said to have been told by chieftains of the PDP to join the party early enough for him to be granted a waiver along with other defectors.

  • Defection: PDP gives Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, others two-week deadline

    •Senate President summons meeting of loyalists, strategists for final decision
    •No timeline for defection, says Ologbondiyan

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be in a hurry to get its deal with members of the Reformed -All Progressives Congress (R-APC) done and sealed.

    The two sides have been locked in intense talks and negotiations over the last few weeks for the aggrieved members of the APC to switch camps ahead of next year’s elections.

    But President Muhammadu Buhari and the new national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, have also launched peace talks of their own to persuade such APC members to reconsider their plan to dump the party.

    With no defection of note happening as expected by the PDP, the party has   given Senate  President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others a two-week deadline to make up their minds and rejoin it.

    Also being wooed by the PDP are : Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto); Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Governor Samuel Ortom (Benue); ex-Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, many Senators and members of the House of Representatives mostly in the Reformed-All Progressives Congress(R-APC) and other willing defectors.

    The Nation gathered that the Senate President who met with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, has summoned an emergency meeting of his associates, loyalists and strategists to take a final decision on whether or not to defect.

    The meeting, which may hold anytime this week with tomorrow said to be the target date, if all those concerned could make it to Abuja.

    It was learnt that Saraki has been in Lagos and Ilorin on whistle stops over the last few days for last minute consultations with his allies.

    Sources told The Nation that a committee empanelled by Saraki has recommended that defection is “appropriate and popular” among his loyalists.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the two week deadline was conveyed to Saraki in Ilorin by Governor Nyesom Wike on Wednesday during a closed door session that took place after the Fidau for Hajiya Aishat Baraje, mother of a former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

    Baraje, who was also chairman of the New PDP (nPDP), is one of the key promoters of R-APC.

    A top source familiar with the development said: “there is no doubt that the PDP delegation came for the Fidau and to mount pressure on Saraki to hasten action on the proposal to accommodate likely defectors from APC to PDP.

    “Wike, who led the team, asked Saraki to wrap up decision on the defection within the next one week or two weeks in order to enable PDP adjust its structures ahead of primaries for various elective posts in 2019.

    “Do not forget that the defection might alter the party structure at the state level and the power sharing formula. The PDP has clearly stated that it will give equal rights and a sense of belonging to all defectors.

    “This deadline applies to Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, other governors, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, Speakers and members of the State Houses of Assembly; and other party chieftains.

    “The conduct of primaries by all parties is expected to begin on August 18. Any serious defector, technically, has less than three weeks to do so in order to be able to integrate with the structure of the party.

    “And the National Assembly will soon go on break to enable the lawmakers participate in the primaries.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “I think Wike, who is a key facilitator in strengthening PDP ahead of 2019 poll, is working on a deadline to prevent undue pressure on the APC bigwigs which might make them change their decision.”

    No timeframe for defection, says Ologbondiyan

    However, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said last night that there is no timeframe for defection.

    “There is no timeframe for defection. Our constitution says those who are coming to our party can contest election within one month to the conduct of any elective post. And even that one month can still be waived,” he said when contacted by The Nation.

    Continuing, the PDP spokesman said: “I am not aware of the two-week deadline given to those who are defecting and it could not have been true.

    “It is natural for those defecting, who want to contest for elective offices in 2019, to join PDP before the primaries.”

    What INEC time table stipulates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in January released the guidelines and schedule of activities for the 2019 poll.

    According to the guidelines, all political parties are expected to collect forms for all elections latest by August 24, 2018.

    The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the notice of election would be communicated on August 17, 2018 in line with Section 30(1) of the Electoral 2010 which provides that the notice of election be made not later than 90 days before the election.

    He said the conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes from the exercise will hold between August 18 and October 7, 2018.

    Saraki summons meeting with associates

    Sources said Saraki is currently on the last lap of his consultations with his associates on whether to defect or not.

    A final decision is expected to be taken at the meeting which will take place anytime this week.

    Although it was reliably learnt that the session might take place on Monday, it could not be officially confirmed as at the time of going to the press.

    “There is pressure from the two main parties on the President of the Senate. I can tell you that Saraki is on the last lap of consultation on whether to remain in APC or defect to PDP,” a well placed source said last night.

    “You can see that even the President, Vice President and some governors met with him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

    “A committee, set up to consult widely in all the zones and local government areas in Kwara State, has strongly recommended that he should defect. Left to members of the immediate family of Saraki, they do not want him to stay a day longer in APC because of his ordeal in the last three years.

    “As a leader, the president of the Senate will hold a session with his associates, loyalists and strategists on whether to defect or not.  The meeting will hold this week with Monday tentatively in mind. It is a moment he did not expect will come so soon after joining others to form a coalition which led to the birth of APC.”

    The source added: “The greatest concern of Saraki and his loyalists borders on whether President Buhari and APC leaders will keep faith if he remains in APC. No one has trust in the presidency and the APC leaders.

    “If APC returns to power in 2018, the Buhari administration will be going through its constitutionally acceptable second term in which there will not be anything at stake. Are you sure Saraki will be safe enough?”

     

  • Saraki, Wike, Tambuwal, Ortom in defection talks

    It was meant to be a gathering to pray for a politician’s mother, but yesterday’s session in Ilorin was more than that.

    Politicians latched onto the prayer to smoothen defection talks between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Reformed-All Progressives Congress(R-APC)—the conclave of aggrived APC members.

    The secret session was between PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus and some aggrieved APC bigwigs, led by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Also yesterday, former President Goodluck Jonathan held a meeting with former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in Minna.

    The two-hour meeting was described as “private”.

    Some APC governors, PDP governors and PDP leaders took advantage of the prayer for the repose of the soul of Alhaja Aishat Baraje, the mother of Kawu Baraje, a leader of the R-APC to fine tune the APC men’s defection plan.

    APC Deputy National Chairman Lawal Shuaibu (North) and Adeniyi Adebayo (South) attended the prayer but the governors and the PDP chiefs thereafter held a private session at the GRA Ilorin home of the Senate president.

    Saraki returned to Ilorin on Tuesday, received by a large crowd – obviously to make a political statement.

    At the session were Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Samuel Ortom(Benue) and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), who is also a presidential aspirant.

    Others are: Secondus, another presidential aspirant and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido; Senator Barnabas Gemade; Baraje and Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly Ali Ahmad, among others.

    A source at the session, who spoke in confidence, said: “After the prayer session for Baraje’s mother, we felt it necessary to discuss mutual issues bordering on the talks between the PDP and R-APC.

    Our talks centred on how some APC and R-APC leaders will join forces in 2019 to change the status quo. It is certainly convenient for PDP at this bend to woo potential defectors who might add value to its electoral value in 2019.

    “All these leaders are heavyweights who PDP cannot gloss over. So, the meeting was to consolidate ongoing negotiation ahead of mass defections from APC to the main opposition party.”

    The source added: “Of course, you do not need a soothsayer to tell you that Saraki is the biggest fish that the PDP is after. He is also a rallying point of leaders in R-APC and the people of North-Central.”

    It was learnt that the PDP had agreed to hand over the structure of the party to  Saraki; sharing of party’s position  on 60-40  or 40-60  ratio; and the concession of  two Senate seats and the governorship slot  to Saraki’s camp and R-APC in Kwara.

    On Ortom and Gemade, the source said:  “The PDP has now opened talks with the Benue governor as part of steps to consolidate its grip on North-Central. We are targeting Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger and the FCT.

    “Do you expect the PDP to fold its hands when the governor said he was done with APC and available to any party? The opposition party is wooing him, it is left for him to return to PDP if the terms are acceptable. If Ortom defects, the PDP can conveniently boast of  a likely control of four states in the geopolitical zone.

    One of the governors confirmed that “issues of common interest on 2019 came up for about one and a half hours.”

    “There were proposals here and there but you will know the details in the fullness of time.”

    PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan said: “We only went to Ilorin to commiserate with Alhaji Kawu Baraje. He is a Nigerian and we are open to all Nigerians. We have the interest of every Nigerian at heart. We also went to Sokoto State to commiserate with the governor and the people of the state but you are not asking questions along this line.”

    Ologbondiyan also told our correspondent in Ilorin: “It is a brotherhood meeting. Our leaders met and they shared thoughts on the future of Nigeria and how to improve on the living condition of Nigerians and how to make Nigeria a better place for all to live in.

    “It was a convergence of notable Nigerians. Do not forget that the essence of today was to commensurate with Alhaji Baraje on the death of his mother.

    “When politicians meet, they must discuss politics and how to improve on the standard of living of Nigerians. It will not be wrong to say that some issues were discussed.”

    On Saraki’s planned return to PDP, he said: “I do not know when Saraki and Baraje will publicly declare their defection. I cannot speak on that.”

    Ortom, who also visited Ahmed, told reporters that the Benue State APC issued him a red card and he hoped that the national leadership could reverse the decision. He added that the national leadership is the larger body capable of upturning the decision of the state chapter.

    Wike said: “We came here to sympathise with Alhaji Abubakar Baraje over the death of his loving mother. We prayed for the family.

    “Baraje is a politician and you expect politicians to rally round him at this time that he lost his mother.”

    He added: “When you see your colleagues, you need to compare notes and do peer review on what you are doing in your respective states.

    “However, we came purposely to engage in the eight days prayers for the late mother of Abubakar Baraje “.

    Ahmed said he was yet to take a decision on his political future.

    In a statement by his spokesman Dr. Muideen Akorede, the governor said he remained in the APC. “The presence today in Ilorin of Senate President Bukola Saraki, PDP Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, Governor Samuel Ortom, Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Governor Nyesom Wike, ex-Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, Senator Barnabas Gemade and other prominent political figures was for the burial rites of the late mother of respected politician, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and was not for the purpose of a political realignment.

    “While I have not been briefed on any planned defection, I am aware that my principal and other political leaders in the state are gradually being shown the way out of the APC.”

    But Secondus’ shuttle to Ilorin caught Kwara PDP leaders unawares. They could not receive him.

    State Chairman Chief Iyiola Oyedepo said: “Actually, the National Chairman and the National Organising Secretary spoke with me when they were in Sokoto about their trip to Ilorin.

    “They wanted me to meet them at the airport but I was out of town. They told me they were coming to commiserate with Baraje.”

    In Abuja, Senator Shehu Sani said: “I can confirm we are talking with the PDP and we are talking with the APC and what is pushing us out of the APC is inherent injustice, marginalisation and inequity that have visited us. We have been treated badly by the party in the last three years. But we appreciate the fact that we have a chairman, in the person of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    “We are also exploring options of getting out of the party or remain in the party. So, the issue is still on discussion. Our decisions will be in a matter of weeks and not in the matter of months where we are going to review whether we will remain in the party or we will go to cross the red sea out of Egypt to the promised land.

    “It is very clear that we should vote for people, irrespective of their political affiliation, those who can deliver us out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. We should move away from that thinking that one political party can solve the problems of Nigeria.

    “The challenge is the crisis and the problems we face as a nation today cannot be addressed without a national consensus and without a collective approach to our national problems.

    “In a situation where we think the President has monopoly of wisdom and the solution to the problems, we are simply deceiving ourselves. President Muhammadu Buhari alone cannot solve the problem of Nigeria. It is important for him to be honest and understand that. It is also important for the APC to understand that.”

    But  a chieftain of the APC in Kaduna, Alhaji Kailani Mohammed, said the 2019 presidential race would be a walkover for President Muhammadu Buhari despite the “gang-up against him”.

    He said greedy and selfish politicians were behind the killings in the North Central region.

    Mohammad, an ally of President Buhari, said selfish politicians were causing the insecurity to discredit Buhari’s administration.

    Mohammed, who was the Chairman “Buhari Votes Guard and Awareness”, said.

    “It is alleged that politicians sponsor thugs and hoodlums who are responsible for most community skirmishes and killings in the country that have sent many Nigerians to the great beyond.

    “In this direction, the police have invited President of the Senate Bukola Saraki over an allegation that he sponsored some political thugs that have been unleashing terror in Kwara State,” he said, adding that the revelation by the leader of the Middle Belt Peace Network, Jayeola Mohammed, that Senator Jonah Jang, a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Plateau State Governor, once vowed to make Plateau ungovernable for Lalong is something that is worrisome.

    “Mohammed further claimed that Jang, who was recently arrested by the DSS over issues bordering on corruption and abuse of office, had sworn to extinguish the peace of Plateau State and enshrine anguish and despair by empowering youths in the area with weapons.

    “Security agencies should rise up to this challenge and ensure that those who kill daily to promote and protect their political hemisphere must be brought to book. It is quite disheartening that our politicians have turned themselves into security threats in the country. They use human lives as shield to promote their political ambitions.

    “Human lives should not be devalued by killings as part of political games. No matter how highly placed, offenders must be prosecuted and adequate justice be meted out to serve as deterrents to others of like minds.

    “No Nigerian is bigger than the law. It is time for government to wield the big sick against vicious politicians who daily foment trouble for the country and her peoples so that the rest of us smaller mortals will be secured from the high and mighty,

    “All these they are doing to discredit this government, but God and the masses of Nigeria are behind President Muhammadu Buhari. By God’s grace, 2019 presidential election will be a walk over for President Buhari, despite the gang up against him,” Mohammed said.

  • …Oshiomhole parleys with Tambuwal, Kwankwaso

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has met with Governor Aminu Tambuwal of  Sokoto State and former Kano State Governor  Rabiu Kwankwaso in his latest round of peace talks with aggrieved members of the party.

    Oshiomhole had earlier met with Senate President Bukola Saraki,House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara  and the APC caucuses in the two chambers of the National Assembly with a view to persuading them from dumping the party.

    More meetings have been scheduled  to resolve the  issues at stake,his chief press secretary,Simon Ebegbulem, told The Nation yesterday.

    Ebegbulem said Oshiomhole has been very busy since his assumption of office to salvage the situation.

    He said: “Since he assumed office, he has not slept well,always meeting with aggrieved members till the early hours of the morning.

    “ He has met with Saraki, Tambuwal and Dogara. He has been pleading that they should all remain in the party so they can build it together.

    “He also has  this regret that the issues were allowed to linger for too long before he came into office.

    “ He met with the APC caucus in the Senate and the House twice seeking for peace. He met with Tambuwal, Kwankwaso individually and Saraki severally pleading for peace.

    “As we speak he is still talking to them. We believe that the kind of implosion that people are envisaging may not happen. So his efforts are yielding results and he is determined to ensure that he brings many of them back to the fold.

    “I want you to also know that he had experienced sleepless nights dealing with the crisis in the party and the Ekiti State election. He has stressed the need for party leaders across board to bury their pride so they can achieve success.”