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Tag: Uche Secondus

  • I will fulfill all promises – Atiku

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday said he would fulfill all his electoral promises to Nigerians if elected.

    He gave the assurance in Lagos while speaking at the party’s presidential rally.

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; Atiku‘s running -mate, Mr Peter Obi; the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, were some of the prominent personalities at the rally.

    Former governor of Ekiti, Mr Ayo Fayose; former Ogun governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Sen. Ben-Bruce, a former presidential spokesman, Chief Doyin Okupe; were also at the rally.

    Atiku and his entourage were welcome to the state by a former Deputy-National Chairman of PDP, Chief Olabode George and the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje and a mammoth crowd of party faithful.

    Atiku emphasized that he would not renege on his promise to restructure the country to fast track development.

    The PDP candidate said he would fulfil his promise to revamp the economy and create jobs.

    He said the spate of killings and other security challenges in the country was disturbing, promising to tackle the problem head-on.

    Atiku urged Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the party had failed the people in all its electoral promises.

    “When I say I am going to do something, I am going to do it; I am not like APC that will promise something but will not fulfil them.

    “I promised Nigerians that I am going to restructure the country, I am going to do it.

    “I promised Nigerians I am going to create jobs, I have been creating jobs and I will create more jobs for you.

    “The APC promised to create jobs, but we have been losing jobs, we have the largest unemployment case in our history.

    “APC said they were going to improve security; we had security challenges only in the North East; today, we have insecurity in the North West, North Central, they have failed Nigerians.

    “They said they were going to revamp the economy, today, we are the headquarters of poverty in the world.

    “I promise you, I am going to reverse all these when I am elected”, he said.

    Atiku said Lagos residents deserved a better deal than they were currently getting from the APC government.

    The PDP said the problem of traffic and other problems were surmountable with the ideal government in place.

    He said he could vouch for the credibility, passion and capacity of Agbaje to move the state forward .

    Atiku urged Nigerians and Lagos residents to vote PDP from top to bottom for good governance.

    In his speech, Obi said the PDP was the best bet for the progress of the country and the well-being of citizens.

    He urged all Nigerians to cast their votes for the party on Feb. 16 and March 2 “for a better Nigeria “.

    Speaking, Saraki said a vote for Atiku was a vote for a better and a prosperous Nigeria .

    Read Also: I am the author of restructuring – Atiku

    He said the PDP candidate had the capacity to revamp the economy and hence, create massive jobs for citizens.

    Saraki claimed the APC government had brought sufferings to the country, urging Lagos residents to reject the ruling party at the polls.

    “When you vote for Atiku Abubakar, you vote for a better economy, when you vote for a better economy, you vote for jobs, and when you vote for jobs for the youth,you vote for prosperity and a better Nigeria.

    “I urge Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents, to end the sufferings in the country by rejecting the APC and voting for Atiku,” he said.

    Agbaje, in his speech, said the PDP and Atiku had solutions to all the problems bedevilling the country.

    He said it was time Lagos freed itself from what he called the political hegemony of people with vested interests, and embrace a government that truly cares.

    He said if elected, he would deliver service and provide the real governance that residents deserved.

     

    NAN

     

  • Stop misleading voters, Kashamu tells Secondus

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State Senator Buruji Kashamu has urged the party’s national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to stop misleading voters.

    Kashamu, who was reacting to a letter written by Secondus and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Umaru Tsauri to INEC asking the electoral body to recognize Honourable Ladi Adebutu as the party’s governorship candidate, said the letter was a tissue of lies meant to blackmail INEC.

    He declared the ploy would fail.

    Kashamu, in a 4th of February, 2019 letter entitled, “Re: Final List of Nominated Candidates in Ogun State” addressed to the National Chairman, accused Secondus of twisting facts with a view to blackmailing INEC.

    According to Kashamu, the Secondus’ letter “drips with the usual lies and blackmail that you have always peddled to obfuscate obvious facts and issues that are glaringly in the public domain.”

    He added: “Ordinarily, I would not have responded since the Commission is aware of the issues and has the benefit of sound legal advice from senior lawyers and experts. However, since you are not tired of telling lies, I would also not be tired of telling the truth and exposing your lies to the whole world.”

    Going into the genesis of the crisis, Kashamu said, “The indubitable fact is that the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on the 24th of June, 2016, delivered a judgment in which it directed the PDP and INEC to deal exclusively with the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive.

    “This same judgment was reaffirmed by the Honourable Justice M.B. Idris on the 9th of February, 2018.

    “These two judgments formed the basis of the 12th of April, 2018 letter written to you by the Commission in which it informed you of its decision to comply with the terms of both judgments.”

    Kashamu said despite the judgments and INEC’s position, the PDP leadership under Secondus opted to act contrary to the position of the law by supporting an illegal executive in the state.

    “If you chose to disobey the law and INEC decided to obey the law, how can you blame me for your misfortune?” Kashamu asked Secondus.

    Read Also: Secondus to APC: Don’t kill Buhari with undue pressure

    The letter reads further, “Contrary to your claims, I wish to remind you that in its guidelines for the 2019 general election dated the 4th October, 2019, INEC expressly stated that notwithstanding its requirements for the National Chairman and National Secretary to endorse the Commission’s Nomination Forms (not PDP’s nomination forms), it added in Item 6.1 that, ‘Political Parties are to note that where there is a Court Order in respect of the nomination of any candidate, the Commission shall be guided by such Order.’

    “Now, in the Ogun State PDP case, there are three subsisting judgments of the High Court and two rulings of the Court of Appeal. In its 25th of October, 2018 letter to you, the Commission referred to three suits, namely FHC/L/CS/636/2016; FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 and FHC/AB/CS/114/2018.

    It was the interlocutory orders in one out of the three suits (i.e. FHC/AB/CS/114/2018) that were determined by the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan on the 18th of December, 2018, leaving the final judgments in the two other cases (FHC/L/CS/636/2016; FHC/L/CS/1556/2017) that came first-in-time subsisting and valid till date.

    “The only appeal against one of the two subsisting and final judgments was dismissed by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on the 4th of May, 2017. A further attempt to relist it was struck out on the 11th of July, 2018.

    “The second judgment by the Honourable Justice M.B. Idris (now of the Court of Appeal) was not appealed at all.

    “It is inconceivable that the same person who deliberately flouts valid and subsisting rulings and judgments of court could turn round to blame the Commission for his contemptuous acts against the court and the whole judiciary.

    “Mr. Chairman, you are the one choosing and picking the judgments to obey. You lack the moral right to accuse the Commission of what you are known for.

    “If the National Chairman and National Secretary of the PDP willfully refused to sign forms that were duly submitted to them in spite of subsisting court judgments directing them to accord recognition to the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco and its activities, including the conduct of congresses/primaries, how can they hold the judgment creditors or the Commission liable for their disobedience?

    “It was based on the valid and subsisting judgments of court (not only the interlocutory orders of the FHC, Abeokuta) that Engr. Adebayo Dayo, as the Chairman of the Ogun State PDP Exco, presided over the congress (es) where candidates were elected in line with Section 25(1) of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution 2017 (as amended) which states: ‘There shall be a State Party Congress which shall consist of: The State Chairman who shall be the Chairman.

    “’Section 25(2C) states further: ‘The function of the State Congress shall be to: (c)     Elect Governorship candidates of the Party’, among others.’

    “It is from the congress chaired by the State Chairman that the list of candidates to represent a Party can be generated and submitted to the Commission.

    “The role of the national leadership or its representatives is merely nominal and observatory. More so, such roles are subject to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and the PDP Constitution.  It does not give the national leadership of the Party the latitude to act irresponsibly or illegally compile list of candidates.

    “When the INEC guidelines say the National Chairman and National Secretary are to sign the Commission’s Nomination Forms, it never envisaged a situation where the leaders of a political party would not obey valid and subsisting judgments of court. Thankfully, the Commission gave the proviso that, ‘…where there is a Court Order in respect of the nomination of any candidate, the Commission shall be guided by such Order’.”

    Kashamu added: “It is also misleading and mischievous to claim that the Commission based its decision to accept, process and publish the list of Ogun State PDP candidates on the ‘judgment of the High Court (Abeokuta’s Division)’.

    “As stated above, INEC’s decision was based on three suits. The Federal High Court order that was set aside is just one out of the three suits cited by the Commission.

    “Two final judgments of court of competent jurisdiction are still valid, binding and subsisting. Even the order said to have been set aside had been overtaken by events.

    “On the so-called implications of the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, I challenge you to quote a part of the judgment that validated your claim or declared Adebutu as the Ogun State PDP governorship candidate.

    “For the umpteenth time, I would refer you to the findings of the Court of Appeal at page 12 of the judgment wherein the Court held, ‘The action instituted at the Lower Court is also not in respect of selection or nomination of candidates to represent the 1st Appellant at an election nor is it a complaint against any election, decision or activity of the INEC (10th Respondent). It is in my view, simply an inter-party (sic) dispute between two factions of the party as to which of the factions is the legitimate State Executive of the P.D.P in Ogun State. This appeal is therefore not in respect of a pre-election matter.’

    “The findings and decision of the Court of Appeal in the Judgment of 18th December, 2018, clearly shows that the subject of the said appeal was neither related to pre-election issues nor the nomination of candidates to represent the Ogun State PDP at the election.

    “Therefore, since the said appeal and judgment do not relate to the list of candidates that would represent the Ogun State PDP at the February 16 and March 2, 2019 elections, the Court of Appeal could not have pronounced on the list of candidates from Ogun State.

    “What is more, as can be clearly seen on the face of the appeal, Adebutu was not a party to the appeal. So, how can anyone claim that he is a beneficiary of the judgment?

    “It was when you and Adebutu realised that the appeal court judgment did not enure in your favour that you hurriedly and surreptitiously went to the FCT High Court to file a suit meant to ambush me and my associates.

    “You wanted the court to declare Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State without joining me as an interested party or someone who would be affected by the outcome of the suit. It was by providence that I got to know of the suit and applied to be joined in the matter.

    “Again, the devilish move backfired when the court found that you acted in flagrant disobedience of subsisting judgment (s), refused your prayers and dismissed the suit.

    “The FCT High Court expressly held on the 14th of January, 2019 that since all the actions of the national leadership of the Party were done in defiance of valid and subsisting court judgments they could not stand.

    “So, what is all the lies and blackmail against INEC about? The Commission has acted rightly – in line with its avowed commitment to be law-abiding and rein in political parties when they act illegally and irresponsibly as in this case.”

    Kashamu advised Secondus to desist from dragging the name of the party in the mud and support him for PDP to win in Ogun State.

  • Atiku expresses commitment to job creation

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has promised to harness the great potential that abound in the small and medium enterprises in Nigeria to create jobs for the nation’s youths.

    Abubakar said this on Saturday during PDP’s presidential rally held at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    He said that Abia had become popular as the centre for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), adding that he had developed the strategies to make the state the hub for small businesses in Nigeria.

    He said: “I am going to work with your governor to make sure we create millions of jobs for SMEs. Aba is the headquarters in the whole of Nigeria.

    “We will create that hub and make sure Aba serves the rest of Nigeria. By doing that, we are going to create millions of jobs for our young men.”

    He thanked the people of Abia for supporting PDP and urged them to protect their vote during the election.

    Abubakar further said that the 2019 general elections would go a long way to determine the future of the nation, adding that it was pertinent for Nigerians to vote wisely.

    Earleir, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secondus, said that PDP was committed to preserving the unity of Nigeria.

    Secondus urged the people of Abia to vote massively for PDP candidates at all levels of the elections.

    He also advised the electorate to take measures to protect their vote and resist any form of malpractice.

    He called on the relevant agencies to put the necessary strategies in place to ensure that the elections would be free and fair.

    Abubakar had an interaction with the Abia traditional rulers, where he urged them to mohilise their subjects to vote for all the PDP candidates at the polls.

    He described the general elections as an opportunity for Nigerians to exercise their right to chose their leaders.

    He said that as the traditional institution closest to the grassroots level, the monarchs had the capacity to influence the people’s choices.

    He said: “Since the creation of Abia state, all the progress that has been recorded in the state has been made under the PDP-led government.

    “It is good for the people of Abia to be consistent and consolidate on the progress made in the state,” Atiku said.

    Responding, Eze Eberechi Dick, the Chairman of Abia Traditional Rulers Council, thanked the presidential candidate and the party for identifying with traditional rulers in the state.

    Dick said that the people of Abia would support causes that would promote national unity and development to ensure even distribution of the dividend of democracy.

    In an interview with newsmen, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu described Abia as a major stakeholder in the nation’s polity, having been acclaimed the SME capital of Nigeria.

    “That goes a long way to show that Abia is the center of the nation’s economy. It is proper to have an industrialist at the helm of affairs,” Ikpeazu said.

    Abubakar was later conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Aha eji aga mba of Abia.”

    NAN

  • Secondus to APC: Don’t kill Buhari with undue pressure

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has warned the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to kill President Muhammadu Buhari with undue electioneering campaign pressure.

    Secondus accused those he described as power grabbers in the ruling party of putting undue pressure on the President for selfish reasons, even as it’s evident that he can no longer cope.

    The PDP chairman spoke in Abuja on Friday while inaugurating the party’s 27 presidential election campaign committees at the party’s campaign office.

    Secondus said with what Nigerians and the international community are witnessing around the President lately, it’s apparent that he is tired and incapacitated but they would not let him be.

    “There is no way this President can cope given what we are witnessing, added to this is the incompetence in leadership Nigerians have been seeing in the last three years”, the party chairman said.

    Prince Secondus warned that Nigerians are not ready to take anything less than free, fair and credible poll in the upcoming elections.

    He said, “Our fear is that the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu lacks the will and courage to ignore the pressure from the APC to conduct free and transparent election.

    Read Also; It’s strange Secondus is backing Adebutu, says Kashamu

    “But he should know that he would be held responsible for any fall out from a rigged election”.

    The opposition party chairman reiterated his call on the new Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to clear the mess left behind by his predecessor by running a professional and responsible police force.

    Prince Secondus also explained why the PDP would continue to protest the membership of Mrs Amina Zakari as a National Commissioner in INEC.

    Restating the call for Zakari’s resignation, the party chair said the PDP would continue to oppose her continued stay at the electoral body because she is a “master rigger”, adding, “we have evidence of what she did in Ekiti and Osun states.

    He announced that the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was in the United States, meeting with top American politicians and government officials.

    Secondus said the visit has doused the blackmail against the party’s presidential candidate, stressing that if elected, an Atiku Presidency would restore the battered image of the country.

    The party chairman charged members of the PDP presidential campaign committees to give their all to the job, saying that the party’s reward system now gives prime attention to electoral performance at the grassroots.

  • Atiku to Supporters: Reject APC

    Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Monday urged the people to  reject President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress(APC) at the poll during the next month general election.

    Besides,he charged them to monitor and ensure that they vote  a competent person to run the affairs of the country

    According to the former Vice President,the coming election would determine the future of the country.

    Speaking at a campaign rally at MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure, Atiku said Buhari was no more competent to rule the country.

    He said the problems that were facing the country could only be solved if the people of the nation come out massively to reject APC in the coming election.

    According to him, the nation needed someone that is competent and has experience to revive the dwindling economy of the country.

    Atiku said “We have insecurity in North West, North Central and we have problem of the
    insecurity all over the nation.

    They promised to create jobs but we have lost more than ten million jobs.They stole your jobs, do you now want them to steal your votes.

    Read Also: Buhari versus Atiku: How states will vote

    “Do you know why are said they are planning to steal your votes, it is
    because they are not talking to you.

    “But here in PDP, we are not doing that becuase our people are talking to you, and all engaging you”.

    The PDP presidential candidate reiterated his promises to channel forty percent of his cabinet for the youth and 30 percent for the woman thereby making it seventy percent

    National Chairman, Uche Secondus said the country had been plunged into crisis under the APC’s government.

    Secondus, however, noted that President Buhari has only been shying away on his responsibilities to develop the nation’s economy.

    He said” The President that we all have had been sleeping, he has been sleeping for 24 hours and that is the reasons why the economy is dwindling and the depleting.

    The Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign
    Council,Dr Bukola Saraki said there were too much sufferings and hunger under the APC

    Sakari described the anti-corruption war of the APC as a ‘total scam’, noting that it was aimed at perceived enemies.

    According to him, Ondo state remains a PDP state and urged the people to shine their eyes.

  • Promises galore as PDP campaign berths in Sokoto

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign Monday berthed in Sokoto with promises to rescue the country from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress.

    Addressing a large crowd of party faithful and supporters, party leaders took turns to harangue the audience with what they described as the many failures of the APC.

    The PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said that President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC have failed the people woefully.

    According to him, the PDP has chosen a credible and experienced presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abuabakar and his running mate, Peter Obi to lead the rescue mission.

    Secondus, who is also the chairman of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, said the performance records of Atiku and his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi give the reassurance that Nigeria will be in good hands from 2019.

    “Atiku has what it takes to turn the economy around, create jobs for our teeming youths and unite the country”, Secondus said, adding that Nigerians have turned their back on President Buhari and the APC.

    The PDP chair cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies not to undermine the country by attempting to rig the elections.

    Also speaking at the rally, former President Goodluck Jonathan said Atiku and Obi would show Nigeria the way forward and urged the people of the Northwest zone to join the PDP in showing the way forward.
    Jonathan said, “From 1999 till date, we have seen four Presidents, from Obasanjo, to Umaru Musa Yar ‘Adua, to myself and the current President (Buhari).
    “You have seen how the various Presidents and the various parties have worked, and one thing is very clear, PDP is still the number one party
    “There is something that all of us see as human beings, everybody, everyday must eat, and if you cannot eat well, then you are not happy. PDP is the only party that can make sure that all of us eat very well in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening
    “Let us not make mistakes, those of us who are adults, old enough to vote, if we vote wrongly, our children and grand children will not forgive us.

    Read Also: 2019: Panic in PDP over Wike’s resignation

    “Today, our country has a lot of challenges and we have looked at all the presidential candidates, all of them are good people, we have known them, credible people, but among all, we have seen that it’s only Atiku that can deliver
    “If you have a football match, you go with your first eleven, you don’t manage. If you have a wrestling or boxing tournament, you go with your best. You don’t manage.
    “Atiku is experienced enough, he has demonstrated clearly in his personal life and his business life that he has the capacity to bring this country to one, and make sure that our economy grow so that all of us will have something to eat”.

    The President of the Senate, and Director General of the Campaign, Dr. Bukola Saraki urged the people of the Northwest to lead the way in the mission to rescue the country.

    Declaring the Northwest as a PDP zone, Saraki bemoaned the deteriorating socio economic situation in the country, saying, “There is no security, there is no food, there is hunger.
    “Atiku is the man that can fight insecurity, hunger and unite Nigerians. It is about food and security. We will vote Atiku. He understands it, he knows how to create jobs. He knows how to unite Nigerians. We have tried Buhari and he has failed”.

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara said Nigeria should be grateful for democracy that provides them the opportunity to make changes when things are not going well.

    Dogara said that he and some other Nigerians fought for change in 2015 but have since realised that the change was not forthcoming, hence the decision by himself and others to dump the APC for the PDP.

    “Democracy always offers us the opportunity to correct ourselves. We had speeches dealing with our convictions in 2015 when some of us left PDP to say we wanted to associate with change.
    “So we have a wonderful opportunity today to revisit those issues of 2015. We will be deceiving you to say that this election is between Atiku Abubakar and President Muhammadu Buhari.
    “The election is not between them. The election is about you, women, young people and every Nigerian citizen who is suffering untold hardship today on account of lack of good leadership.
    “So we want to review a lot of things. For instance, is your life better now than in 2015. Is security better now than it was in 2015. Are we more united as Nigerians than we were in 2015.
    These are the things that are on the ballot paper. It is not a contest between Atiku and Buhari rather it is between APC and all Nigerians”, Dogara said.

    The highpoints of the rally was the presentation of the party flags to the presidential candidate and his running mate. Flag was also presented to the Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal who is the PDP governorship candidate.

    Other party chieftains that addressed the rally were former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwakwaso; former Jigawa Governor, Sule Lamido; former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi; former Special Duties Minister, Taminu Turaki; and former Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

    Atiku, who also addressed the gathering, spoke in Hausa.

  • Secondus demands resignation of IGP, INEC chair

    ….As Atiku challenges Buhari to debate

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has demanded the immediate resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris.
    Secondus also called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu to resign his position without delay.
    Speaking on Thursday as the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP, the opposition party chairman said the PDP has lost confidence in the capacity of the IGP and the INEC chairman to guarantee free and fair elections.
    He insisted that both the IGP and the INEC aided the All Progressives Congress (APC) in rigging the last Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections.
    Secondus warned that the PDP would not accept the outcome of rigged elections, adding that there would be a national crisis if the 2019 elections were rigged.
    Also speaking at the event, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubabar, expressed his readiness to engage President Muhammadu Buhari in a public debate on key national issues in the 2019 elections.
    His speech was interrupted with a snide remark from an unidentified voice who asked if Atiku was referring to “Jubril”, an alleged non existent body double of President Buhari. The mischief has been trending in the social media space lately.
    Atiku however replied the voice, asking, “Which Jubril? Is it the one in Sudan or the one in Abuja?”, a remark that drew a derisive outburst from the crowd of party faithful present in the hall.
    The opposition presidential candidate further said that if elected, his administration would enthroned a policy of strict adherence to fiscal responsibility in the conduct of government business.
    He pledged to galvanize efforts through consultations to liberate the nation from the shackles of hunger, deprivation, killings and divisive tendencies.
    Atiku said, “Our aim is to work very hard and collectively liberate our nation from the shackles of hunger, starvation, deprivation, bloodletting, killings and division which bedevil us today. We must all work hard to return our nation to the path of harmony, peace and progress.
    “We need to be disciplined in our campaign because we are facing a desperate APC. The coming election may be the toughest presidential election since the return of democracy.
    “The APC has chosen personal attacks over issues, instead of campaigning on achievements. My campaign will be focused on issues not character assassination and personal attacks.
    “We should be telling Nigerians what we want to do differently to get Nigeria working again. We must be vigilant at the polling units. We must demand the removal of the IGP. Elections are governed by laws and rules guiding the behaviour of all those involved”
    He urged President Buhari to sign the amended Electoral Act presently on his desk if he is truly for free, fair and credible elections.
    The PDP candidate made assurances of new templates for fiscal responsibility and productivity in every critical sector of national life.
    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, who also spoke at the event urged party leaders and stakeholders, to remain united and strong as the elections draw nearer.
    Saraki said, “The people are with us and when the people are with us, God is with us, we will do it, we will succeed. I emphasise that we must stay strong because it is not going to be easy.
    “Let us remember when we were going for the convention this room was vibrating, there was tension in the country and people never believed that it was possible because it has never happened where people will go to a primary and come out with not even one person disagreeing.

    Read Also: Kashamu to Secondus: obey party constitution

    “I have said it many atimes that APC is not our opponent on the ballot paper; it is the security agents that are opponents on the ballot paper.
    “If you talk to ten Nigerians today, they will tell you yes your party is popular but they will rig it. What does that mean? We must stand, we must stand for free and credible election. We must stand for an election where people have the right to vote.
    Saraki, is the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, warned that there could be crisis in the country if the elections were not free, fair and credible.
    The party inaugurated a 154-member Campaign Council shortly after the NEC meeting, with Secondus named as chairman of the Council.
    Atiku is co-chairman of the Council while former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is co deputy chairman.
    Also on Thursday, the PDP inaugurated its Presidential campaign council with Secondus as chairman and Atiku as co-chair man.
    Other members of the Council are the governors elected on the platform of the party, the party’s principal officers of the National Assembly, all the presidential aspirants that contested with Atiku, former Ministers, former principal officers of the National Assembly, members of the National Working Committee of the PDP, among others.

    At the inauguration of the campaign council, Secondus charged the team to brace up for the challenges ahead, adding that the task was to sell the agenda of the PDP across the entire country.

  • Secondus demands resignation of IGP, INEC chairman

    ….As Atiku challenges Buhari to debate

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has demanded the immediate resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris.

    Secondus also called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu to resign his position without delay.

    Speaking on Thursday as the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP, the opposition party chairman said the PDP has lost confidence in the capacity of the IGP and the INEC chairman to guarantee free and fair elections.

    He insisted that both the IGP and the INEC aided the All Progressives Congress (APC) in rigging the last Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections.

    Secondus warned that the PDP would not accept the outcome of rigged elections, adding that there would be a national crisis if the 2019 elections were rigged.

    Also speaking at the event, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubabar, expressed his readiness to engage President Muhammadu Buhari in a public debate on key national issues in the 2019 elections.

    His speech was interrupted with a snide remark from an unidentified voice who asked if Atiku was referring to “Jubril”, an alleged non existent body double of President Buhari. The mischief has been trending in the social media space lately.

    Atiku however replied the voice, asking, “Which Jubril? Is it the one in Sudan or the one in Abuja?”, a remark that drew a derisive outburst from the crowd of party faithful present in the hall.

    The opposition presidential candidate further said that if elected, his administration would enthroned a policy of strict adherence to fiscal responsibility in the conduct of government business.

    He pledged to galvanize efforts through consultations to liberate the nation from the shackles of hunger, deprivation, killings and divisive tendencies.

    Atiku said, “Our aim is to work very hard and collectively liberate our nation from the shackles of hunger, starvation, deprivation, bloodletting, killings and division which bedevil us today. We must all work hard to return our nation to the path of harmony, peace and progress.

    “We need to be disciplined in our campaign because we are facing a desperate APC. The coming election may be the toughest presidential election since the return of democracy.

    “The APC has chosen personal attacks over issues, instead of campaigning on achievements. My campaign will be focused on issues not character assassination and personal attacks.

    Read Also: No move to impeach my former deputy – Tambuwal

    “We should be telling Nigerians what we want to do differently to get Nigeria working again. We must be vigilant at the polling units. We must demand the removal of the IGP. Elections are governed by laws and rules guiding the behaviour of all those involved”

    He urged President Buhari to sign the amended Electoral Act presently on his desk if he is truly for free, fair and credible elections.

    The PDP candidate made assurances of new templates for fiscal responsibility and productivity in every critical sector of national life.

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, who also spoke at the event urged party leaders and stakeholders, to remain united and strong as the elections draw nearer.

    Saraki said, “The people are with us and when the people are with us, God is with us, we will do it, we will succeed. I emphasise that we must stay strong because it is not going to be easy.

    “Let us remember when we were going for the convention this room was vibrating, there was tension in the country and people never believed that it was possible because it has never happened where people will go to a primary and come out with not even one person disagreeing.

    “I have said it many atimes that APC is not our opponent on the ballot paper; it is the security agents that are opponents on the ballot paper.

    “If you talk to ten Nigerians today, they will tell you yes your party is popular but they will rig it. What does that mean? We must stand, we must stand for free and credible election. We must stand for an election where people have the right to vote.

    Saraki, is the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, warned that there could be crisis in the country if the elections were not free, fair and credible.

    The party inaugurated a 154-member Campaign Council shortly after the NEC meeting, with Secondus named as chairman of the Council.

    Atiku is co-chairman of the Council while former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is co deputy chairman.

    Also yesterday, the PDP inaugurated its Presidential campaign council with Secondus as chairman and Atiku as co-chair man.

    Other members of the Council are the governors elected on the platform of the party, the party’s principal officers of the National Assembly, all the presidential aspirants that contested with Atiku, former Ministers, former principal officers of the National Assembly, members of the National Working Committee of the PDP, among others.

    At the inauguration of the campaign council, Secondus charged the team to brace up for the challenges ahead, adding that the task was to sell the agenda of the PDP across the entire country.

  • Anxiety in PDP over presidential campaign in S/West

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be in a dilemma on how to design the appropriate campaign message to woo voters in the Southwest geopolitical zone for its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
    The various political parties will soon commence their presidential campaigns in line with the campaign timeline released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Presently, the PDP cannot boast of any of its key positions occupied by members from the Southwest at the national level within the party hierarchy.

    The highest position held by the Southwest in the party’s hierarchy is that of Deputy National Chairman (Southwest) which is being occupied by Elder Yemi Akinwonmi from Ogun State.

    Investigation by our correspondent at the weekend revealed that it was one of the key issues that dominated discussions in a meeting held by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar with key party stakeholders in Abuja Wednesday night.

    Those that attended the Wednesday meeting included the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Governors elected on the platform of the party, among others.
    Our correspondent gathered that some stakeholders have pointed out that the All Progressives Congress (APC) having Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari, may constitute an uphill task for the PDP campaign in the Southwest.

    On the other hand, the PDP has picked Atiku’s running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, from Anambra State in the Southeast geopolitical zone; while the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus is from Rivers State, in the South-South geopolitical zone.

    This, according to some of strategists, has stripped the Southwest of any representation in key positions within the PDP. In their submission, this makes the situation more difficult for the opposition party, considering the fact that the entire six states in the Southwest are being controlled by the APC.

    Read Also: Ayade berates PDP over primaries

    More so, the fact that the Buhari administration also parades a number of South Westerners in key positions in Buhari’s cabinet and other key federal agencies may also give the ruling party an edge in the zone.

    They have cited the Ministries of Power, Works and Housing being manned by one of the prominent sons of the Southwest, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

    The case of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) which is being headed by another South Westerner, Mr. Babatunde Fowler from Lagos State.

    Similarly, some analysts have argued that restructuring of the country, which the PDP has projected as one of its key campaign points, is an elitist concept that does not strike any chord with the voting masses in the zone.

    “For instance, what is the Yoruba word for restructuring and how do you pass the message across to the market women, artisans and the masses that form the bulk of the voting population”, a PDP chieftain who spoke on the condition of anonymity said at the weekend.

    The source also described the positions of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG) and that of the Speaker of House of Representatives that the PDP promised the Southwest as uncertain, stressing that it’s only if the PDP wins the Presidency that that can be fulfilled.

    In a swift reaction however, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, disagreed with the postulations, saying that prevailing circumstances have changed voting dynamics in the country

    Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone on Friday, Ologbondiyan said, “Nigerians are not talking about who occupies certain positions. They are interested in who can give them power and make ease of doing business available.

    “Nigerians are interested in who can save them from hunger, starvation, killings, bloodletting and all the pain that the Buhari government has imposed on them.

    “The issue is not about who occupies what positions. It is about that candidate that understands the nuances of our nation. That candidate that can turn our economy around and make life better for Nigerians.

    “Having said that, it’s important to state that the PDP is interested in the value of life. The PDP is interested in the equitable distribution of wealth in the nation. The PDP is interested in making life better for the average Nigerian.

    “As such, every group and every geopolitical zone will be well captured and well represented when we form government.

    “This is the type of division that the Buhari administration has continued to set Nigerians against one another with all manner of ethnic crises. But Nigerians have come to resent this approach.

    “It is unfortunate that even the President is so insensitive to the plight of Nigerians that he does not realise that this is not the time Nigerians will be thinking about who comes from where.
    For now, Nigerian are only keen on good governance”.

  • Buhari must go, Atiku tells Igbo leaders

    Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar stormed the venue of the Igbo elders, religious and traditional rulers just as they were about rounding up.
    He came with a message  “Whether I am president or not, Buhari must go in 2019. Our economy must be fixed.”
    He arrived in a large entourage that was led by the national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus. In the entourage were the senate president, Bukola Saraki , Babangida Aliyu, Gbenga Daniel, Dino Melaye and other party chieftains.
    Atiku ‎told the full house of Igbo leaders that he and Peter Obi would correct all the anomalies visited on Nigeria by the Buhari administration.
    He pointed at the security apparati in the country and decried the situation where all the security chiefs were from one part of the country.

    Read Also: Buhari, Osinbajo lash out at restructuring advocates

    “It aches ‎my heart when I receive texts listing the lopsided appointments of security chiefs. The appointments do not reflect federalism. This is not federalism,” he said.
    He promised to bring back to life the coal industry, regretting that coal which use to power the whole of Eastern Nigeria before the war was abandoned.
    He promised to give all it takes to make Nigeria a united and progressive country.
    “A combination of Peter Obi and I, you can trust will fix the economy.”