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Tag: Taoheed Adedoja.

  • Former Sports Minister Adedoja, dumps PDP for APC

    A former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    While addressing newsmen on Friday in his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan, Adedoja said he had submitted his letter of resignation from PDP to the party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus.

    Adedoja explained that his aligning with the APC at this period of Nigeria’s political dispensation was to contribute his best to the needed unity of Nigeria, having built bridges of unity among various socio-political groups in the country.

    “I want to align with the Federal government of Nigeria to contribute to the good governance the country deserves for our people and for my followers across the country,’’ he said.

    Read Also: PDP, APC all square in Sokoto House of Assembly

    When asked what his relationship with the Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde is, Adedoja described Makinde as his brother whom he maintains cordial relationship with.

    He said that he had congratulated Makinde to wish him God’s guidance in the newly-onerous task of governing Oyo State.

    Adedoja thanked his well-wishers, friends and colleagues across the country, who in the course of his academic, professional and political life in different parts of the country had provided him the needed support and encouragement.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adedoja was the governorship candidate of Action Congress (AC) in the 2007 Governorship election in Oyo State.

    NAN reports that Adedoja, a former Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, also contested for the post of National Chairman of the PDP at the National Convention of the party in 2017.

  • PDP chair: Lagos chapter endorses Bode George

    PDP chair: Lagos chapter endorses Bode George

    The Lagos State Chapter of the PDP on Sunday night endorsed Chief Olabode George as their preferred candidate for the National Chairmanship position during the forthcoming  December 9 National Convention of the party.

    Dr Moshood Salvador, the State Chairman of PDP, gave the certification at a feedback meeting between George and members of the party, held at the party’s secretariat in GRA, Ikeja.

    Reports say that George had been on campaign in the Southern states of the country to seek support for votes ahead of the National Convention.

    There are about eight aspirants jostling for the National chairmanship seat of the party from the south.

    They include: the former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran.

    Others are: the former Minister of Youth Development, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja and former Lagos State PDP governorship candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje, Prince Uche Secondus, a former acting National Chairman of PDP, and Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

    Read also: Bode George consistent, dogged, says Ayade

    Salvador said: “ On behalf of Lagos PDP, we must vote for Chief Bode George come December 9;  the South west is the rightful region to have the chairman of our great party.

    “In the last dispensation, Ekiti produced the Vice- Chairman while Osun and Oyo states took the highest office. It is only Lagos that is left and what we want is the chairman.

    “The South-east and the South-south have produced a chairman before that is why it is our turn to have the chairman of PDP,’’ he said.

    Earlier, George assured members that if given the opportunity to serve, he would re-establish the culture and tradition put in place by the founding fathers of  the PDP.

    “If I am given the opportunity, I will not be new to the management of this party because the party’s constitution is not going to be new to me; I know its provisions as I know the back of my hand.

    “We grew up with the party and the founding fathers handed over the culture of the party to us and that is what we would re-establish.

    “Just check out, from the end of our convention to the national election is a very short time, it is not a time where you can do experimentation, it is not a time you can bring a green horn to be the chairman of the party.

    “If you are desirous that you want to win that election, on that day before you cast your votes search your consciences and think very carefully.

    “Secondly, it is not a matter of life and death, if I don’t believe that I have anything to offer, I will not be here.

    “I will not compromise on things that are not right and are not in the constitution.

    “ I will do things the way they should be done and everybody will be happy. That was how our founding fathers were moving the party forward ,’’ George said.

    NAN

  • PDP chairman aspirants to sign peace accord – Dokpesi

    PDP chairman aspirants to sign peace accord – Dokpesi

    Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the one of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) National Chairmanship aspirants, has said that all the eight chairmanship aspirants would sign a peace accord as part of their commitment toward successful convention.

    Dokpesi, the founder of Daar Communications, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen after the PDP Governors Forum met with all aspirants in Enugu, which ended at early hour of Monday.

    Dokpesi disclosed that all the aspirants had agreed to sign the peace accord at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by 4 p.m.

    He described the move as part of efforts by the aspirants to ensure that the party comes out of the convention  stronger and united.

    “With that accord being signed we are going to look forward to a very peaceful and harmonious convention.”

    Asked if the issue of zoning came up at the meeting of the forum with the aspirants, Dokpesi said the party was explicit enough on the issue of zoning.

    He said that while the party’s presidential ticket was zoned to the North, the position of chairman’s was zone to the South, without specific reference to  states or geopolitical region.

    He said that the candidates had agreed to work together

    “After the zoning principle, all the aspirants have agreed to work together to come up with a common position. Anybody can contest.

    “If the party in its wisdom and the aspirants agreed within themselves and notify the party early enough that would be fine.”

    Also asked if the issue of a consensus  candidate was deliberated at the meeting Dokpesi said “no, but that did not mean there were no discussion among the aspirants.

    “Today on the way forward, a few of the aspirants met in the morning and in the afternoon and discussed which solution can be adopted.”

    Dokpesi added that following the meeting  he would go ahead with his campaign and consultation to fulfill his ambition.

    The Governor of Ekiti and Chairman of the Forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose, said that the party national convention, schedule for Dec. 9, would be a world class  that other political parties would emulate.

    Fayose said that the party had work hard and it has all it takes to win the Saturday Anambra Governorship election.

    “We are using this opportunity to demand that the election should be credible. It should not only be credible but seen to be credible.

    “We want to believe that Nigeria is of age to organise election that is acceptable at home and internationally, on Nov. 18 in Anambra,” Fayose added

    In attendance were the Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, all the PDP governors, except Ebonyi represented by his deputy.

    Other aspirants at the meeting were Chief Bode George, Gbenga Daniel, Prince Uche Secondus, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Jimi Agbaje, Taoheed Adedoja and Rashid Ladoja.

    Also in attendance were Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy President of the Senate; Gabriel Susuwan, former Benue Governor, Adolphus Nwabara and Sule Lamido.

    NAN

  • BOT wants the best for PDP, says Adeniran

    BOT wants the best for PDP, says Adeniran

    A national chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Prof. Tunde Adeniran, said on Monday that his endorsement alongside two other aspirants by the South West caucus of the party ‘s Board of Trustees ( BOT ) was for the party’s progress.

    The BOT caucus had in a document issued on Nov. 3 endorsed Adeniran, a former Minister of Education; Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the party, and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports, for the party ‘s top position.

    Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, who signed the document on behalf of other members of the caucus, said the decision was to ensure the South West produced the next chairman and that quality leadership should at the convention.

    He said in arriving at the three candidates, the members considered such factors as acceptability, vision, experience, perception by members, winning chances, educational exposure among others.

    Oyedokun said the move was also to reduce election expenditure and avoid splitting of south west votes, and the ultimate objective was to arrive at a consensus candidate for the zone.

    He, however, said the endorsement was without prejudice to the right of aspirants to contest and did not preclude aspirants like former Ogun state governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel; former Oyo governor, Sen. Rasheed Ladoja; and a chieftain of the party in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, from contesting at the convention.

    Reacting, Adeniran told NAN through the Director -General of his campaign organisation, Chief Olukayode Akindele in Lagos that what the BOT members had done was for the progress of the party.

    He said what the PDP needed was a strong leadership, and that was what the BOT members aimed to achieve with the endorsement.

    “The prunning down of aspirants to three by the BOT members is a step in the right direction.

    “These are elders in the party who know what is good for the party and have taken a step to ensure the party gets the best.

    “It is not about personalities; it is about leadership. It is about giving the best to the party at this critical time that we are coming out of some challenges.

    “They have not said those not shortlisted cannot contest; they are only saying the endorsed aspirants meet important criteria necessary for leadership.

    “It is a step in the right direction, and for us, we thank the Almighty God for the endorsement,” he said.

    Adeniran insisted that he remained the best out of the three shortlisted candidates to lead the party to glory.

    He said he was a consistent and a dedicated member who had been with the party through thick and thin.

    The former minister said as a founding member of the party, he knew the party inside out and had the experience to pilot it to greatness.

    He expressed the hope and confidence that he would emerge the next chairman of the party based on the support he enjoyed among party members.

    The party will elect new national executive officers at its national convention on Dec. 9.

  • PDP needs a gentleman with ideas – Adeniran

    PDP needs a gentleman with ideas – Adeniran

    A former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, says his gentle mien will not diminish his chances of becoming the next national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adeniran told in a telephone interview on Wednesday that being a gentleman, he remained the best candidate in the race for the national chairmanship seat of the party.

    The party’s national elective convention, which will produce the national chairman and other executive officers, is scheduled for Dec. 9 in Abuja.

    Apart from Adeniran, former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George; former Minister of Sport, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, and former PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr Jimi Agbaje, are also in the chairmanship race.

    Former governors of Ogun and Oyo states, Chief Gbenga Daniel and Chief Rasheed Ladoja respectively; media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and one-time acting chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, are also eying the party’s chairmanship.

    Adeniran said the perception that he is a gentleman is a good one, as the PDP needs such a person with ideas and vision to drive its progress.

    “Yes, I am a gentleman. The belief in some quarters that the party does not need a gentleman as leader is an insult not only to the party, but every member.

    “Leadership is not by thuggery, is not by violence, but by ideas, passion, vision and commitment.

    “We don’t need a violent person in PDP as chairman. We need a man with ideas to drive the party‘s vision. I am that man. I am that gentleman,’’ he said.

    The former minister said with God on his side and the support he was enjoying across the party, he was sure to clinch the post.

    He insisted that he had all it required to lead and reposition the party, being a founding member with the requisite experience.

    “PDP needs a leader with the right vision, passion for good leadership qualities and a leader with right experience.

    “I am passionate about repositioning the party and I am brimming with ideas and vision to return the party to winning ways,’’ he said.

    Adeniran said his academic and political background as a political science professor and former minister had enriched his suitability for the seat.

    He acknowledged that other aspirants had great attributes, but said his kind of vision to salvage the PDP at a critical moment was unmatched.

    The National Caretaker chairman of the party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi had said at the end of the party’s National Executive Council ( NEC ) meeting on Tuesday that the chairmanship seat was zoned to the entire South, and not micro-zoned to the South-West.

    He said the party’s non-elective convention zoned the presidency to the North and the chairmanship to the South.

    Read Also: Chairmanship: Again, PDP walks a tight rope

  • How PDP can return to power in 2019 – Ex-minister

    How PDP can return to power in 2019 – Ex-minister

    A former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, on Thursday predicted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would return to power in 2019 because the party has purged itself of impunity and imposition of candidates at elections.

    Adeniran, who is vying for the party’s national chairmanship position, vowed to lead the PDP to victory if given the opportunity to lead the erstwhile ruling party.

    The former minister, who stated this in Abuja while receiving a delegation of a PDP support group, charged members to be dedicated to the ideals of the party ahead of its December national convention.

    “If elected national chairman, I will deliver the Presidency for PDP in 2019. We are not gunning for the office for the fun of it or because we want to be chairman of the largest party, the PDP.

    “The purpose is that by the grace of God and with you, we will put an end to impunity and imposition in the party. We know what Nigeria has been going through. The PDP will take-over and we will demonstrate what it means to give power to the people.

    “Kindly go back and let’s reach every nook and cranny of this country, keep a checklist of those who are yet to be reached. We want to bring everybody on board and we trust you can do that,” Adeniran said.

    Speaking earlier, the leader of the support group, Dr. Emeka Wachuku, regretted that impunity and imposition of candidates robbed the PDP of victory in the 2015 general elections.

    Describing Adeniran as the right candidate for the PDP chair, Wachuku said the party needed a chairman that is consistent and committed, and someone who is not encumbered by litigations.

    Adeniran is contesting the chairmanship position with a former Deputy National Chairman (Southwest), Chief Olabode George and a former Minister, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.