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Tag: Chairman

  • I’m frightened money may dictate who emerges chairman of PDP – IBB

    A former military leader, Ibrahim Babangida, has said that he his frightened that monetary considerations may likely determine who wins the position of national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming national convention of the party.

    Mr. Babangida said as a founding member of the PDP, people like him and other leaders need to collectively assure Nigerians and members of the party that they have learnt bitter lessons.

    PDP ruled Nigeria for 16 years before losing to the APC in the 2015 election.

    The PDP will elect new set of leaders at a national convention billed for Abuja on December 9, 2017.

    “Following the defeat of the party in the 2015 election, it is incumbent upon us as leaders and stakeholders to use the opportunity of the convention to sober reflect on the challenges confronting us, identify our flaws and seek plausible ways to correct them in order to come out stronger in subsequent elections.

    “An elective convention presents as it were, a rare opportunity and veritable platform to elect in a holistic manner a credible, tested, down-to-earth and truly urbane candidate with enough stamina, distinguished character and national acceptability who is driven by incurable optimism and passion for a united Nigeria,” the former president said in a statement on Sunday.

    The statement, which was signed by his spokesperson, Kassim Afegbua, also said the PDP at present needs a national chairman “who is driven by uncommon initiatives, creativity in ideas and a rich content of character to lead and stabilize the party in line with the laudable ideals of the founding fathers of the party.”

    IBB, as he is fondly called, also said the new chairman to emerge must possess national recognition to be able to galvanise political opportunities and transform them into tangible outcomes in Nigeria’s democratic engagements.

    “When we were conceptualizing the idea of the PDP at formation, we had in mind a party that offers platform for all Nigerians in their pursuit of legitimate political aspirations. The choice of her motto; POWER TO THE PEOPLE was in sync with our clear objective of recognizing the people as the repository of power,” he said.

    He also said in any democratic engagement, the people decide the outcome of elections through popular and inclusive participation.

    “The monetisation of our electoral process is disturbingly eroding that power which should ordinarily reside in the people.

    “In the last few days, I get frightened by the monetary consideration that is likely to dictate who emerges as the National Chairman of our great party rather than what the people truly want.

    “The discussion is more on the side of heavy monetisation of the process and ultimate “procurement” of the position of the Chairman by the highest bidder. This approach, in my humble view, defeats the whole essence of participation, free choice and voting which are the essential attributes of any democracy without inducement and outright manipulation.

    “ I wish to plead that we tread on the path of caution and common sense, conscious of our recent history of avoidable political crisis.

    “At 76, and given the benefit of hindsight, my role both in context and content; is now more of advisory one to enhance any altruistic democratic process to elect credible leadership at various levels of representation.

    “ Rather than de-monetize the electoral process to provide ample room for more citizens’ participation, the idea of monetizing the process and trying to “procure” party positions defeats merit, offends good conscience and blurs fair play. At this critical stage of our political secretions, we need men of stature, discipline, character and commendable conduct to breathe fresh air into our party and not persons whose political relevance is the product of naira and kobo bargain across the counter,” he said.

    IBB said the PDP needs a national chairman that would not bend to the vagaries of individual selfish interest but one who is strong enough to apply the rule of law without fear or favour.

    He said members must begin the process of interrogating processes that lead to outcomes and not just the outcomes.
    “We must interrogate our leadership recruitment process and encourage our delegates to exercise the power of their thumbs in making their preferred choice among the candidates.

    “Good name cannot be bought with gold or silver. Good name is the sum total of the individual’s conduct in his trajectory and his overall assessment through life’s enduring journey.

    “On the strength of this, I wish to make a passionate appeal to our members, party leaders and the members of the Convention Committee to be fair and just to all, and allow the process to produce a National Chairman that would truly represent the conscience of the party.

    “I do subscribe to the idea that consensus building, collective bargaining and constructive engagement are some of the ingredients that nurture any democratic process; such ingredients should be given enough room to flourish in order to birth credible and truly representative leadership,” he said.

    The former military leader said the PDP must re-invent and re-enact itself on account of her recent history of factions and fractures.

    He said the new leadership must therefore be one that enjoys the confidence of the majority stakeholders and members in order to have a seamless transition.

    To achieve this template, he said, such a chairman must be the outcome of delegates’ election without manipulation and inducement.

    “ One would have thought that after the 2015 dismal outing, followed by months of leadership tussles, individuals would have put to rest their selfish and egocentric interest and pursue goals and objectives that bear true testimony to the ideals of the founding fathers; but the sound bites of monetization of the process are utterly demoralizing and benumbing.

    “It is my strong belief therefore that leaders of the party irrespective of their political interest would allow reason and level playing field to prevail in the overall interest of the party. I wish the party a successful and peaceful convention on Saturday 9th December, 2017,” IBB said

  • We won’t accept zoning of national chairmanship to South-west – Northern PDP chairmen

    The chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 19 northern states and the FCT on Friday rejected suggestions that the National Chairmanship seat of the party be sub-zoned to a particular zone in the South.

    The chairmen, who announced their stance after a meeting in Abuja, however, reaffirmed commitment to the zoning of two principal positions as agreed at the party’s National Convention in Port Harcourt last year.

    Hassan Hyat, Chairman, Forum of PDP State Chairmen in the North, who addressed the press after the meeting, said that the forum “rejected any move to sub-zone the seat to any particular zone”.

    “The position cannot be sub-zoned to a particular zone in the south because that will disenfranchise other contestants. We, as state chairmen, cannot be party to any micro-zoning.

    “The party’s decision at the Port Harcourt Convention is final and binding on all. No one has the right to change or tamper with it,” Mr. Hyat declared.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party had zoned the office of the National Chairman to the South, and its ticket in the 2019 Presidential elections to the North.

    Some interest groups have, however, suggested that the National Chairmanship seat be sub-zoned to the South-West, and premised their stance on the argument that the zone had never occupied the position.

    A group of northern PDP elders recently re-echoed that stance and urged delegates from the north to vote for candidates from the South-West for the party’s top position at the PDP National Convention slated for Dec. 9.

    But the Northern States Chairmen Forum, after deliberating on the development, resolved to reject such micro-zoning as proposed by such elders.

    “The party’s decision is that all parts of the south should be given the opportunity to present their candidates so that delegates can choose the best material for the position of National Chairman.

    “We stand by that position and and have resolved to reject any sub-zoning to a particular area,” the forum declared.

    The forum further declared that zoning was a cardinal principle of the PDP and should “never be toyed with”.

    “As the national convention gets closer, our stance on the zoning arrangement remains unshakeable. We believe that our party will only get stronger if we remain committed to it,” he said.

    The forum urged delegates to assess candidates critically and vote on merit, and advised the contestants to be “temperate and civil” in the use of language.

    “The party’s interest should be the principal guiding spirit. No other personal or group’s interest should be placed over it,” the group declared.

    It urged members seeking positions to “understand that power comes from God” and be prepared to accept whoever God ordained to lead the PDP.

    The group commended the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP for strengthening the party after its protracted crises, and expressed happiness that the PDP was growing stronger “every minute”.

    It particularly expressed satisfaction with the attention the party was gaining nationwide, saying that recent defections to the fold was a testimony to its rising popularity.

    On the expected return of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to the PDP, Mr. Hyat said that it was a “beautiful development”.

    “Atiku is back and we are all happy to have him on board once again. We are going to receive even more defectors in the next few days. It only shows that our party is waxing stronger,” he said.

    Mr. Hyat, however, rejected suggestions that the returnees would divide the PDP.

    “The new comers will not divide the party. They will make us stronger. We need them to build a strong force to wrestle power from the APC,” he said.

    NAN reports that the meeting was attended by 16 chairmen, while four sent representatives.

    NAN

     

  • Why I am running for PDP chairman – Ladoja

    …Says he is waiting for his time as Olubadan

    A former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has said his decision to join the chairmanship race of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was to return the former ruling party to its winning ways.

    The former governor also disclosed that he would not contest the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    Ladoja, who recently rejoined the party, disclosed this while speaking on an Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM, on Saturday. He explained that he had personal reasons for not joining the next governorship race.

    According to him, he was inching closer to the the throne of the Olubadan, a position he desires to occupy if God permits. He is currently the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan land. Ladoja said he has other reasons to leave the stage for others because he has done enough in Oyo politics.

    The former governor said he took the decision in 2015 but that his former party, Accord, forced him to join the race because of his goodwill and popularity.

    Ladoja, who was emphatic about his decision, said he has had enough of the governorship race, pointing out that it was part of the reasons he joined the national chairmanship race of the PDP. He said that he would not have joined the chairmanship race if he still intended to contest for the governorship in 2019.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Ladoja was governor of the state from 2003 to 2007 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He joined the Accord Party in 2010 and contested under his new party in 2011 and 2015. He lost to the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in the two elections. But he insisted that he won the last election, stressing that he lost at the tribunal only on technical grounds.

    Ladoja explained that his main agenda for seeking to be PDP’s national chairman is to right the wrongs of the past by creating a level-playing ground for all aspirants for all positions in elections across Nigeria. “I was a victim of that. I am contesting to ensure that no other party member falls victim of that. I will instill confidence in everybody by ensuring there is a level-playing ground for every party member in all parts of Nigeria,” he said

    Ladoja said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not have won the last presidential election if the PDP embraced internal democracy. He explained that the PDP governors who joined the APC did so because of lack of internal democracy. He also denied claims by his former deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala, that he (Ladoja) won the governorship election only at the time they worked together. Ladoja said he won because of his large following.

     

  • Race for PDP National Chairmanship open to all zones in South – Makarfi

    Race for PDP National Chairmanship open to all zones in South – Makarfi

    Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ahmed Makarfi, has said the office of the national chairman of the party is not restricted to any particular zone in the Southern part of Nigeria.

    Makarfi said this on yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with aspirants who are looking to fill the position.

    The party had zoned the office of the national chairman to the southern part of the country, while the presidential slot was ceded to the northern part at a convention in 2015.

    The meeting was attended by former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Bode George, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Prince Uche Secondus, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Chief Gbenga Daniel.

    Makarfi said his committee cannot alter the the zoning arrangements that had been agreed.

    Makarfi said, ”We have no power beyond the convention and I want to remind all of us, the only thing the convention did was to zone two positions and as chairman or caretaker committee, you cannot go beyond that.

    “The office of the national chairman is zoned to the South while that of the president is for the North. No micro zoning.”

  • Gov Ambode emerges Chairman, Southern Governors Forum

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode was yesterday unanimously appointed as the Chairman of the forum while Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and David Umahi of Ebonyi States were appointed as Co- Chairmen.

    His appointment came during the meeting of all the governors of the 17 states in Southern Nigeria.

    The governors all agreed that restructuring was key for Nigeria as a country and gave their commitment to the growth of Nigeria.

    They spoke through a joint communique issued after they met in Lagos House, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The governors met twelve years after their last meeting held in Lagos. The first summit took place in 2001 and the last in 2005.

    The forum scheduled the next meeting for Port Harcourt, on a yet to be announced date.

    The Governor-General becomes Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum. Congrats in zillions…#AmboLeekanSi

    A post shared by steve ayorinde (@steveayorinde) on

    Aside Ambode, governors present include Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti , Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun ; Ondo State governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu; Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and Oyo State governor, Mr Abiola Ajimobi.

    Also present were the Governors of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki; Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Akwa Ibom State, Mr Emmanuel Udom and Ebonyi State, David Umahi .

    The Deputy Governors of Anambra, Dr Nkem Okeke , and Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu were also present at the event.

  • PDP suspends former factional chairman over alleged gross misconduct

    PDP suspends former factional chairman over alleged gross misconduct

    The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended Chief Ken Emeakayi, a former factional chairman of the party in Anambra for a month over an alleged act of indiscipline.

    Mr Dayo Adeyeye, the National Publicity Secretary, PDP National Caretaker Committee made this known at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Adeyeye recalled that the party had on July 27 dissolved all the parallel PDP executives in Anambra.

    Adeyeye, however, said that three days after the dissolution of all factional executive in the state, Emeakayi went ahead to summon a meeting of his faction, which was in clear violation of the decision of National Caretaker Committee.

    He said when the committee heard about the development, it issued a query to Emeakayi on his action, and that rather than respond to the issue, Emeakayi disparaged the national leadership of the party.

    “His reply not only showed total disrespect to the National Caretaker Committee, he disparaged the personality of the chairman and the secretary.

    “He issued words of abuse totally unbecoming of a person who claims to be holding an important office as chairman of a state party.

    “We found this to be gross indiscipline. And today we took a decision on this matter in accordance with the provisions of our Constitution.

    “So, the National Caretaker Committee at its meeting today took cognisance of the violation of the Provision of Section 58 (1A, B, C, G, H, I, J, M) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended) by Chief Ken Emeakayi.

    “We took a decision to immediately suspend him for a period of one month, in accordance with Section 57 (3) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended),’’ Adeyeye said.

    He said that the case of Emeakayi had also been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee of the party for further disciplinary action.

    Adeyeye said that the decision was taken in order to sanitise the situation in Anambra.

    “It is also to send a signal to all party members and trouble makers all over the country that those who decide to `trouble Israel’ will not find peace themselves.

    “We will henceforth not condone any act of indiscipline.’’

    Adeyeye also disclosed that seven aspirants have so far obtained PDP nomination and expression of interest forms for the Anambra Governorship election scheduled for Nov. 28.

    They are Dr Alex Obiogolu, Mr Oseloka Obaze, Okechukwu Emeka, Dr Patrick Ubah, Mr Akolisa Ufodike, Lynda Ikpeazu and Mrs Stella Oduah.

     

    NAN

  • APC expels Bayelsa chapter chairman, Tiwe Oruminighe for anti-party activities

    The National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the weekend, said its Bayelsa State Chairman, Chief Tiwe Oruminighe had been expelled from the party.

    The party also confirmed the suspension of two other members of the State Working Committee (SWC), the Deputy Chairman of the party, Mr. Eddy Julius and the Secretary, Mr. Marlin Daniel.

    The party has dispatched separate letters of Oruminighe’s expulsion and the suspension of only two members of the executive committee loyal to him.

    There was, however, confusion as two separate letters containing conflicting punishments for the deposed chairman emanated from the headquarters.

    While the first letter said Oruminighe had been suspended, the second document said his punishment was outright expulsion.

    In the second letter dated August 4 and titled, “Expulsion from the Party”, APC said the decision against Oruminighe was reached at the 23rd regular meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC).

    The letter signed by the National Secretary of the party, Mr. Mai Buni, said the NWC took the action following the recommendations of the APC South-South Zonal Executive Committee.

    The letter said the committee deliberated on the report of the party’s Disciplinary Committee on Oruminighe’s anti-party activities in the state.

    “On behalf of the National Executive Committee of our party, All Progressives Congress, the National Working Committee at its 23rd regular meeting of Thursday, 3rd August 2017 adopted the recommendations of APC South-South Zonal Executive Committee.

    “The committee deliberated on the report of the Disciplinary Committee that investigated your anti-party activities in Bayelsa State to the effect that you be suspended and ultimately from the party”.

    The letter, however, said the decision of the NWC was subject to the ratification of the party’s NEC.

    “As a consequence, you are to hand over all party property in your possession to the Zonal Vice-Chairman, Bayelsa Central Senatorial District with immediate effect while the National Vice-Chairman, South-South shall coordinate the state chapter of the party”, the letter said.

    Similar separate letters, titled, Suspension from the Party, were also addressed to Julius and Daniel.

    Three of them fell out with the state leader of the party and former Governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva, shortly after the 2015 governorship election in the state.

    The feud led to the the division of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the APC into two factions with other members of the committee declaring their loyalty to Sylva.

    The police and the Department of State Security (DSS) deployed a detachment to take over the secretariat of the party in the state at the weekend following tension created by the suspension.

    It was, however, gathered that the party in the state had selected Joseph Fafi, serving as a Vice-Chairman, Central Senatorial District, on the State Executive Committee (SEC) to fill the vacuum created by Oruminighe’s suspension.

    Already, most party members were in high spirits and were said to be jubilating over the choice of Fafi as the acting chairman of the party in the state.

    It was learnt that prior to the suspension of Oruminighe and the two executive committee loyal to him, other members of SEC held several meetings declaring confidence in Fafi.

     

  • BREAKING: PDP chairman, Makarfi, involved in auto crash along Abuja-Kaduna road

    BREAKING: PDP chairman, Makarfi, involved in auto crash along Abuja-Kaduna road

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Ahmed Makarfi, on Friday escaped death by the whiskers after a vehicle he was travelling in was involved in multiple collision along Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

    PDP spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye in a statement, said that Mr. Makarfi “and all other passengers in his vehicle came out unhurt.”

    He said, “This is to allay the fears of our Party members, teeming supporters and well wishers who heard of the accident and have been making frantic calls; as well as those who may stumble on half-baked information.”

  • Only Buhari can decide when he’ll return – Oyegun

    Only Buhari can decide when he’ll return – Oyegun

    The All Progressives Congress, APC, Constitution review committee submitted its report to the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday evening at the APC National Secretariat. After the meeting, journalists who covered the event interviewed the APC National Chairman on Sunday’s visit alongside other party leaders to President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

    Below are excerpts of the interview:

    Your Excellency, you led an APC delegation to visit Mr. President. What is his state of health?

    Oyegun: I can confirm that Mr. President is convalescing very strongly. Right now, all he is doing is having as much rest as he can to build up his energy, to build up his stamina. But the worst is certainly over. Mr. President is going to come back and he is going to face the responsibilities for which the people of this country have elected him. I am glad to say he is recovering beautifully.

    On allegations made by the Governor of Ekiti State on Mr. President’s state of health.

    Believe me, I hate to comment on anything the Governor of Ekiti State says because when people have taken leave of common decency, our basic cultural upbringing; when people cease to have respect for elders and cease to have respect for the fact that an elder statesman who is also President of this nation is going through a health challenge and seek to make fun of it, and seek to say things that are so totally unbecoming, it is really not worth commenting on. But I am glad that as at yesterday (Wednesday) even Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors went there and thank God nice sober people, they were very excited at the pace of recovery of Mr. President. I hope that finally, even for the most hardened of political adversaries that common sense and common decency will finally prevail.

    When are we expecting Mr. President sir?

    Only Mr. President can speak to that. But I am glad he is having a lot of rest. And I wish it was possible to say take a longer time getting truly ready but he is beautifully making progress with his recovery. We discussed issues with him, but basically it was a courtesy call. People who are genuinely concerned, who want to see him, who want to chat with him. We had quite a good chat, quite a good meal. As you could see he is still his old jovial self. He had so many questions about events back home, just wanting of course to get our own perspective of things which we did. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and I came away very happy.

     

  • #LagosLGPolls : APC Chairmanship candidate, Muse-Ariyo declared winner in Oshodi/Isolo LGA

    The Chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Bolaji Muse-Ariyo, has emerged the winner of the chairmanship election in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area in Saturday election.

    Ariyo polled a total of 8, 429 votes to defeat his closest contender from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Adeola Williams who scored 3928 votes.

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission ( LASIEC) Returning Officer, Mr Abari Ajibola declared Ariyo the winner of the election having scored the highest number of votes.

    Ajibola said, ”As the returning officer of this election, I have the mandate to declare the result of the election and the winner as returned.

    “By the virtue of the power conferred on me, I, Abari Jamiu Ajibola certified that I was the local government Returning Officer for the election held on July 22, 2017 for Oshodi/Isolo Local Government.

    “The election was contested and won.

    “The candidate of APC, Mr Muse Ariyo Bolaji Idris received the total votes of 8,429 followed by Mr Adeola Saheed Williams of the PDP who scored 3, 928 while the third on the list, is Mr Kazeem Lanre Aregbe of the LP who scored 896.

    “That, Mr Muse Ariyo Bolaji Idris of APC is hereby declared the winner of the Chairmanship election of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government.”

    In his reaction , Mr Oloyinde Moruf, the Party Agent of the Labour Party (LP) expressed satisfaction with the polls and congratulated the winner.

    The APC Party Agent, Mr Adewale Adelana, said that the outcome of the election reflected the decision of the people of Oshodi/Isolo on who to lead them.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that party agents of the APC and LP signed the result sheet after declaration while the agent of the PDP was nowhere to be found.

    The collation centre – LASIEC Office in the council Secretariat – was peaceful as security men were on ground to secure electoral officers and materials.

    Collation is still ongoing in some other council areas for the chairmanship and Councillorship polls held on Saturday across the 20 LGAs and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state.