Tag: Chairmanship

Pepper seller’s son joins Lagos LG Chairmanship race

Market women and community groups have purchased N5.5 million APC nomination forms for Mr Amodu Shehu, son of a local pepper seller, to contest chairmanship.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has scheduled elections for July 12 in all 57 council areas across the state.

Shehu said traders, artisans, youths, and community leaders around Oyingbo market funded his nomination and administrative fees to support his ambition.

He disclosed this on Friday during the unveiling of his forms and official declaration to contest Lagos Mainland Local Government chairmanship.

Shehu pledged to honour the trust placed in him and deliver inclusive, people-centred leadership if elected into office.

Reflecting on his upbringing in Lagos Mainland, he promised to prioritise education, youth empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.

“With my background as a pepper seller’s son from a humble community, I understand the struggles and will fight for meaningful change.

“Together, we can secure a better future for the children of Lagos Mainland through unity and commitment to progress,” he said.

He described his aspiration as a product of love for community, wide consultation, and a strong vision for rapid development.

“I seek to provide visionary, purposeful, and competent leadership that meets the hopes of our people,” Shehu stated.

He also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received, saying he is equipped with the knowledge, experience and exposure needed to lead.

Market leader, Mrs Iyabode Agboola, said traders came together to fund the forms because Shehu represents their hopes and struggles.

“Amodu is one of us. He grew up in our market and knows the reality of our everyday lives.

“This campaign is our collective project and we stand firmly behind him,” Agboola said.

Another market leader, Ms Bakare Adetokunbo, said they contributed to buy the APC nomination form because Shehu understands their pain.

“His mother sells peppers like me. He knows the value of every naira. He won’t forget his roots,” Adetokunbo said.

A local carpenter, Mr Femi Akande, said artisans are backing Shehu because he would fight for their future and their children’s.

Ward G Councillor and youth leader, Mr Biliaminu Saka, said Shehu’s leadership will bring smiles to faces of struggling residents.

“Shehu represents dynamic, youthful leadership. He has a record of mobilising young people for positive change.

“He brings energy, passion, and fresh ideas to local government,” Saka said.

Similarly, Ward D Councillor, Mr Ayodele Isiekwene, said Shehu’s support across the community shows strong grassroots belief in his candidacy.

“He’s one of us and understands our challenges. Amodu will be a true voice for the people,” Isiekwene said.

NAN reports that Shehu, an IT professional and son of a renowned Oyingbo pepper seller, enjoys wide support from residents.

Market women, artisans, and APC members gathered in large numbers to express solidarity with Shehu’s candidacy.

April 26, 2025
APC Convention: Governors unanimously agree to support President Buhari’s candidate

All Progressive Congress (APC) Governors have unamimously agreed to support any candidate president Buhari brings forward at the forthcoming APC convention.

The Governors have pledge to align with the president’s choice candidate saying it’s for a good cause.

APC convention will hold on the 26th of March 2022 in Abuja.

Last-minute scheming for the All Progressive Congress national convention saw a good number of governors from the party meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

They have, however, pledged to align with any candidate of Buhari’s choice, especially for the chairmanship position which will be keenly contested this weekend.

The convention was initially billed to hold earlier but was postponed due to circumstances beyong the control of APC the party stakeholders are finalizing logistic arrangements for the convention .

The governors were led to the meeting by the Chairman of the Interim Committee of the party and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Bala Buni.

APC National Convention: All contestants are working in unity – Bello

The chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said they will support any process that would lead to a consensus.

Recall Buhari had last month said he was in favour of the consensus model for selecting candidates for the party’s national positions.

He had urged the governors to explore the option of consensus.

March 23, 2022
Just In: APC Chairmanship nomination form to cost N20m

…Buni, aides, scribe take over Secretariat

…as party commences sales of forms

As the 26 March convention draws close, National chairmanship aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will pay N20m each for nomination forms.

This is just as the Buni led caretaker Committee finally returns to office after days of controversies surrounding the survival of APC.

Those gunning for the office of Deputy National Chairmanship will pay N10 million while other positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party will attract N5 million each.

The National Convention of the party holds on Saturday March 26.

It was gathered the sale of nomination forms, which was billed to have started on Monday March 14, will close on Friday.

The APC Secretariat once again is bubbling with activities as Mai Mala Buni, his aides and scribe that were allegedly thrown out of office last week when Gov of Niger state temporarily took over.

More details to follow…

March 15, 2022
Chairmanship dispute: Ekpan Development C’ttee cautions Otomiewo, Akemu, others over misrepresentation of Court order

The Ekpan Development Committee, EDC, in Delta State on Sunday cautioned Mr Stephen Akemu, his counsel Chief V .E Otomiewo to desist from circulating a misrepresentation of a Court Order issued by Honourable High Court of Justice, Ekpan Judicial Division, Ekpan over chairmanship dispute.

The EDC in a rejoinder issued and signed by Deacon Matthew A. Emewakeme alleged that Akemu and others have deliberately misinterpreted the Court Order which has been circulated in social media networks and even in the state owned television channel.

To this effect, the EDC has asked members of the public to disregard such insinuations that the Akemu led committee which has expired should remain in office.

Read full statement below:

ANOTHER FALSEHOOD IN CIRCULATION BY CHIEF OTOMIEWO, STEPHEN AKEMU AND COHORTS. THE HONOURABLE HIGH COURT AT EKPAN NEVER REINSTATED STEPHEN AKEMU AS EDC CHAIRMAN.

It has come to our attention that Chief V. E. Otomiewo and Mr. Stephen Akemu and their cohorts have been making publications on the social media platforms and even the Delta Broadcasting Station (DBS) since 4th and 5th December 2021 misrepresenting the Interim Order of Court that was delivered by the Honourable High Court of Justice, Ekpan Judicial Division, Ekpan.

It is pertinent to note the following from the Order of the Honourable Court:

1. The Order of the Honourable Court reads “Owing to the peculiar nature of this case, I hereby ordered that all parties maintain Status Quo Ante Bellum. Leave is hereby granted to the Claimants to serve. Suit is hereby adjourned to 20th day of January, 2022.”

2. The term status quo ante bellum is a Latin phrase meaning “the situation as it existed before the war”. Wikipedia.

3. Flowing from the above definition and the Order of Court, the Status Quo Ante Bellum is the state of things before Suit No: HCE/39/2021 was filed. What was the state of things before the institution of the said suit? The state of things is the leadership of Ekpan Development Committee by Mr. Newton Obey Onaedowan be maintained pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory Injunction. The Order was not made against the Defendants only but “ALL PARTIES” in the suit.

4. A careful reading of the Court’s Order will show clearly that the Claimants have not been able to serve the Court processes on all the Defendants and the Honourable Court granted them leave to serve. It is therefore, very shameful and disgraceful that Chief V.E Otomiewo can mislead his clients and the general public by mischievously and fraudulently misinterpreting the Simple Order of the Court.

5. Assuming without conceding that the Status Quo Ante is meant to be the position of things before the emergence of Mr. Newton Obey Onaedowan led EDC Executive, then the only known and recognised leadership of EDC prior to the present interim leadership of Mr. Newton Obey Onaedowan is that of Dr. Barr. Innocent Adjenughure led executive which tenure has expired and from which our interim leadership commenced.

6. Considering the age of Chief V.E Otomiewo in the BAR and in life, one would expect him to display impeccable and emulative character in his actions, however, it is indeed dishonourable of Chief V. E. Otomiewo to be circulating falsehood as Order of Court. It is unprofessional of him and contemptuous of the court. We shall meet him in court.

7. It is pertinent to note further that upon service of the court processes in the suit on some of us, we filed a notice of Preliminary Objection questioning the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court to entertain the suit. This Notice of preliminary objection has not been heard by the Honourable Court. The Honourable Justice P. O. Onajite Kuejubola is a very experienced and erudite Judge who can not be gagged or cajoled to give an Order that would decide the issues in dispute at the interim stage.

8. Chief V. E. Otomiewo can not foist Stephen Akemu who is a stark illiterate and ineligible to contest for the position of EDC Chairman on us for his selfish interest. This fabricated falsehood been circulated by Chief V. E. Otomiewo and his cohorts has brought misapprehension and tension to Ekpan Community. We have been calming down the youths and good people of Ekpan not to take to the streets in protest against the misinterpreted Order of Court.

9. By this joinder, we enjoin members of the public to be well guided and disregard in totality the fabricated falsehood being circulated as the meaning of the Order of the Honourable Court. There is no Stephen Akemu led faction of EDC, Stephen Akemu was at no time elected or appointed as EDC Chairman. Chief V. E. Otomiewo and Chief Robert Warri Ejiforma cannot impose an ineligible person who is presently facing criminal trial for Kidnapping at the Asaba High Court on us as EDC Chairman.

10. We therefore, in the light of the above demand that Chief V. E. Otomiewo and his clients withdraw their misleading and mischievous publications from circulation, otherwise, we will not hesitate to take drastic legal actions against them for deliberately misinterpreting the Court’s Order to mislead members of the public.

A stitch in time saves nine.

Signed by.

Deacon Matthew A. Emewakeme

For EDC Executive.

December 6, 2021
Rivers LG Election: PDP clears all chairmanship, councillorship seats

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cleared all the chairmanship and councilorship positions in Saturday’s Rivers council poll.

It was conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC).

Though All Progressives Congress (APC) withdrew from the poll, the party had scores of votes in the election, which took place on Saturday.

Announcing the results in Port Harcourt on Sunday at RSIEC office, chairman of the commission, Justice George Omereji (rtd.), declared PDP winner of the Ahoada East chairmanship contest with 35,483 votes.

PDP also won the 13 wards of the LGA for the councillorship poll while the APC that did not take part in the election got 84 votes.

Omereji declared Dr. Chidi Lloyd of PDP winner of the Emohua, chairmanship seat with 93,980 votes as the party also cleared the 14 councillorship seats.

PDP won the Etche chairmanship seat with 27, 883 votes and cleared the 18 seats of the wards.

Also PDP won the Gokana LGA chairmanship seat with 54,578 votes and all the 17 councillorship seats.

In Bonny, the PDP won the chairmanship seat with 18,408 votes and sweept all the 12 wards councillorship seats.

The party also won Asari Toru, chairmanship with 63,727 votes and won all the 13 Ward’s councillorship seats.

The commission declared Mr. Rowland Sekibo of PDP winner of Akuku-Toru with 54, 883 votes.

Omereji advised losers of the elections to accept the result and support the winners to provide good governance at the grassroots while encouraging the winners to carry everyone along.

The RSIEC boss used the opportunity to announce that the certificate of returns would be issued to the winner by Monday at the Commission’s Office on Aba Road.

April 19, 2021
APC wins all 11 Chairmanship, 114 Councillorship Seats in Gombe LG Poll

The Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC) on Saturday declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of all the 11 Local Government Councils seats in the just concluded election.

The GOSIEC Chairman, Saidu Shehu Awak who made the declaration after the collation of results as submitted by the 11 local government electoral officers, also announced the APC as winner of all the 114 Councillorship positions.

The Chairman, in accordance with section 26, sub sections 1 and 2 of the Gombe state Independent Electoral Commission Law 2013 as amended, and as the chief returning officer of the Commission, declared the following candidates of the APC who scored the highest number of votes as winners.

1. Akko LGA: Abubakar Usman- Barambu Chairman with Mahmud Saleh Tabra as Deputy Chairman

2. Balanga LGA: Garba Umar as Chairman with Salamu Ezikiel as Deputy Chairman

3. Billiri LGA: Margaret Bitrus as Chairman with Rev. Panuel Nicodemus Lashobok as Deputy Chairman

4. Dukku LGA: Jamilu Ahmed Shabewa as Chairman with Umar Manu Malala as Vice Chairman

5. Furnakaye LGA: Ibrahim Adamu Cheldu as Chairman with Mu’azu A. Yahaya Tongo as Deputy Chairman

6. Gombe LGA: Aliyu Usman Haruna as Chairman with Gambo Sulaiman Garko as Deputy Chairman

7. Kaltungo LGA: Faruk Aliyu Umar as Chairman with Solomon Lande as Deputy

8. Kwami LGA: Ibrahim Buba as Chairman with Muhammadu Musa Kolo as Deputy

9. Nafada LGA:
Musa Abubakar as Chairman with Salisu Shuaibu Dandele as Deputy Chairman

10. Shongom LGA: Yohannah Nahar as Chairman with Ambrose Alfred ( Bobby) as Deputy Chairman

11. Yamaltu Deba LGA:
Shuaibu Umar Galadima as Chairman with Garba Usman as Deputy Chairman.

The GOSIEC Chairman said three political parties that participated in the elections included the APC, PDP, and PRP.

The announcement and declaration was made in the presence of leaders of the Inter-Party Advisory Council ( IPAC), members of the Civil Society, the Media, the Nigeria Police and other security outfits as well as representatives of candidates.

December 20, 2020
Special Report: Meet the eight candidates contending PDP’s chairmanship title today

…as Bode George backs out of race

All is now set for the conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention scheduled to hold today (Saturday) at the Eagles Square in Abuja.

However, one of the leading contenders, Chief Bode George backs out of the race on Friday evening, therefore, leaving the position open to the remaining eight candidates.

Those in the race for the position of the PDP chair, include former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; founder of AIT and Raypower, Raymond Dokpesi; a former Deputy National Chairman and Acting Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus; and a former Minister of Education, Tunde Adeniran.

Others are a former Governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja; a former governorship candidate of the party in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje; a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Taofeek Adedoja and Segun Aderemi.

1. Tunde Adeniran

Prof. Tunde Adeniran is among the founding members of the party. He served as chairman of the electoral panel for the party’s national convention in 2011.

Adeniran is a professor of political science and is aged 72.

He has held various prominent positions in public office in the past such as Minister of Education, Nigerian Ambassador to Germany and chairman of the Board of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Many believe that with his level of education, exposure, experience in politics and governmental matters, Adeniran has what it takes to be in the helms of affairs of the PDP.

He is also said to be the favourite for senior party chieftains from the north such as Jerry Gana, Ibrahim Mantu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who recently defected to the party.

His “gentility” is, however, perceived to be a weakness for him in the convention, with many in the party insisting that what the PDP needs at the moment is a chairman that can lead it as a “vibrant” opposition to the ruling APC ahead of the 2019 elections.

Moreso, pundits are of the opinion that any candidate that emerge the National Chairman of the party will be resuming as the head of an opposition party rather than a party in power, hence, such Chairman will need to portray a battle-ready figure with the capacity to improvise occasionally and lead the party into the challenge in 2019; a duty many think Prof. Adeniran might find difficult discharging if elected as chairman.

2. Uche Secondus

Uche Secondus once served as the party’s acting chairman, deputy national chairman, organising secretary, and its two-term chairman in Rivers State.

With the positions he has held in the PDP, there is no doubt that Secondus has a deep knowledge and workings of the party; a plus that may earn him the support of some key decision makers – including governors.

Another plus for Secondus is that at 62 years of age, he is much younger than other other contenders like Adeniran and Ladoja who are 72 and 73 years old respectively. This could be an advantage for stakeholders of the party who are said to be rooting for young hands.

If he emerges, the workings of the party will not be new to him as he has a network across the divides. However, like Dokpesi, Secondus is also from the South-South region.The implication of his emergence is that the South East chance of clinching the Vice-Presidential ticket may become slim as the South West will definitely put in all its resources into ensuring the position comes to the region. Politically, the calculation of an Uche Secondus as National Chairman is that it creates a level of marginalization against the Southwest region and also promote a general believe of what many has whispered as the ‘South-Southernization’ of the party by the South-South having produced the immediate past President.

3. Chief Rashidi Ladoja

The candidacy of Chief Ladoja is more like a chess game. Having been received with accolades and funfair back into the party from the Accord Party, Chief Ladoja is on the road to test the efficacy of the promise of equality and level playing ground he was promised while been wooed back to the party. Chief Ladoja knows he is more of a freshman into the party and may not have the inroad network to galvanize the support of the entire National delegates but if the party does not screen him out in the race and he eventually gets to the convention as a candidate, his desire for inclusiveness would have been established.

A former governor of Oyo state, Ladoja joined the race very late, weeks after some of the contenders had kicked off campaigns.

He had left the PDP for Accord Party when the party was in leadership crisis but, just like Atiku, later returned in August this year.

Not long after he indicated interest in the party’s chairmanship position, he was endorsed by Oyo state chapter of the PDP. However, unconfirmed reports have it that PDP governors are considering him for the option of the party’s deputy chairman.

Apart from the PDP stakeholders in Oyo, the former governor is also said to enjoy massive support on the grassroots level and had in the build-up of the convention, said the chairmanship race is not a “do or die affair.”

At 73, Ladoja is the oldest among the key contenders in the Saturday convention.

Prof. Taoheed Adedoja

A former minister of youth and sports, Adedoja was the governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2015 Oyo state governorship election.

He is known within the party circle as a dedicated party member and has also traversed the length and breadth of the country, selling his candidature ahead of Saturday convention.

While indicating interest in the party’s chairmanship position, Adedoja had promised to put an end to “impunity” and “imposition of candidates” within the party.

While speaking Thursday on his chances of emerging the next PDP chairman, he had described himself as “a man of all parts who has lived and made friends across different parts of the country”.

He has also vowed that the PDP under his leadership will win back the presidency in 2019.

Jimi Agbaje

Agbaje is a Nigerian Pharmacist, and Politician. He was the 2015 flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, [PDP] in the Lagos State Governorship candidate, but he lost.

Recall that Agbaje had also vied for the state’s governorship election under the platform of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) in 2007. Despite Agbaje’s serial loss in seeking an elective position in government, he has been able to build himself a formidable brand in the political circle.

The 60-year old politician has garnered in his favour the integrity that accords him respect among the leaders of the party.

If not for the postponement of the second Port Harcourt convention, Jimi Agbaje would have emerged as the National Chairman of the party despite the challenge posed by Chief Dokpesi then. He was the candidate of the Governors and they literally made a case for him as the best image the party deserves then.

Raymond Dokpesi

Former chairman of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi is a frontline personality in the Peoples Democratic party.

In the midst of the uncertainty around the judgement of the Supreme Court, some party leaders pandered to him to create an alternative platform for the party, however, this was where Dokpesi problem started.

Rather than put in place an alternative party whose leadership will be collectively selected, Chief Dokpesi went ahead to put his followers and loyalists in all the top positions of the alternative party. This immediately caused distrust between him and the leadership of the PDP.

Party sources had earlier kicked against his candidature claiming that the media mogul is still a registered member of the Advance Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) – the party he co-founded amidst the PDP leadership tussle between Ali Modu Sheriff, former PDP chairman, and Ahmed Makarfi, current caretaker committee chairman.

However, he has gotten a clearance by the National Executive Council of the party as fit to contest for the National Chairmanship seat.

Gbenga Daniel

Former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel is a popular figure in the party. Apart from being a key political machinery in state, he has also played lead roles in the South West at large. During the 2011 election of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Daniel played was the Southwest Coordinator of the campaign.

One cannot rule out the political stature of Daniel, especially if one considers that he once defeated a strong incumbent in 2003 in Ogun State, a feat he replicated when he coordinated the Southwest for Jonathan’s victory.

Daniel who is already endorsed by PDP stakeholders in Ogun, during the build-up of the convention, promised to return the party to the path of the rule of law.

The 61-year old politician and an engineer by training has also made significant roles to the growth and rebranding of PDP in Ogun and Southwest.

Daniel apart from some of the inner caucus the rule the PDP is said to have the support of some former as well as serving governors for today’s convention.

Olusegun Aderemi

Ekiti State politician and member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Olusegun Aderemi has thrown in his hat for a shot at the national Chairmanship seat of the party.

Aderemi who hails from Omuo Ekiti was born on the 10th of April, 1973. He attended the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State where he graduated with a Higher National Diploma(HND) in Accounting/Insurance.

Aderemi is no doubt one of the least popular among the eight contenders, and also the youngest [he is aged 44] .

In June 2016, he had led youth groups within the PDP to the party’s secretariat in Abuja where they threatened to take over the party if the leadership tussle rocking it at the time was not resolved within seven days.

Despite his young age, the Ekiti politician may have some “fresh ideas” to add to the party and help it gain some grounds ahead of the 2019 election.

December 9, 2017
Dokpesi will not step down in PDP National Chairmanship race

Mr Idea Eguabor, the Director Of Cheif Raymond Dokpesi Campaign Organisation for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairmanship, has said that Dokpesi would not step down for any other aspirants.

Eguabor in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja said that the clarification was important following some speculations that Dokpesi had succumbed to political pressure and agreed to drop out of the race.

“Nothing can indeed be further from the truth. Chief Dokpesi is not only a front runner but remains the aspirant to beat at the convention grounds on Saturday.

“We urge teeming members and party delegates to disregard and ignore such cheap and diversionary antics aimed at causing ill wind in the PDP.

“Chief Dokpesi will not step down and those who wish so are advised to redirect their energies to campaigns that will benefit their aspirants rather than dissipate positive energy in negative direction.

“The national convention is the first effort by the PDP since inception at entrenching an internal democractic process that will lead deepen our democracy.

“Let him who is running behind in this race remain behind or run faster than the man in front. The impunity and imposition of the past has long gone out of fashion.”

Eguabor said that the delegates would decide every contestants faith.

“We should all agree to abide and accept by the convention decision. Only the process must be free, fair and credible,” Eguabor added.

December 8, 2017
PDP chairmanship: I can’t influence process of election – Makarfi

The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, caretaker committee, Ahmed Makarfi, has said he doesn’t have the sole power to decide who becomes the party’s chairman.

Makarfi explained that only the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, and convention can make such decision.

Makarfi was responding to claims that he was trying to influence the outcome of the contest for the chairmanship position which will take place at the party’s convention slated for December.

Mr. Makarfi, who said this while addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Abuja ahead of a peace parley between the National Caretaker Committee, and aspirants for the top slot, said only the best candidate would emerge from the contest.

“It is still up to NEC to decide, in addition to whatever the convention decides.

“So far, the decision on who can contest as chairman has been made. If today or tomorrow any other decision of the party is made, we’ll implement that decision,” Mr. Makarfi said.

“I want to make one thing categorically clear about unfair insinuations. Some people think that I, as the chairman of the caretaker committee should assume the power that I don’t have.

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

Also addressing the aspirants, he said the party leadership was putting measures in place to ensure a peaceful convention and harmony between the regions.

“We have been calling on the north and south to put themselves together.

‘‘Whether north or south, we must subject ourselves to what the NEC decides in respect to the matters before us in the leadup to the elective convention.

“We said that we should meet with you (aspirants) and discuss with you and hear from you to know your contribution to making proper preparation for the convention.’’

Also, Bode George, a former military governor of Ondo state who spoke with journalists, said with the preparations put in place by the party, only the best candidate can emerge winner at the end.

“We had a very useful meeting with the NCC. We agreed that we will remain civil, educate our followers because it is a family contest and not a matter of life and death.

“We have agreed and you can see us now holding our hands. There is no quarrel, let the best man win. That is the spirit of the party, that is the spirit we are sending to the public because we want to win the minds and hearts of the public that we are better managers.

“If we can manage our party and our states, we will be able to manage this country,’’ Mr. George said.

When asked if the candidates were considering agreeing on a consensus candidate as suggested recently by the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, Mr. George said they all agreed ‘‘to work as a team.’’

“Whatever it is, whether consensus or not, we are moving together as a team. The party is bigger than any individual. Nobody will be aggrieved,” he said.

Aspirants for the position present at the meeting include DAAR Communication boss, Raymond Dokpesi; former Ogun state governor, Gbenga Daniel; former education minister, Tunde Adeniran; former Lagos state governorship aspirant, Jimi Agbaje; former Oyo state governor, Rasheed Ladoja, and erstwhile acting chairman, PDP, Uche Secondus.

October 25, 2017
PDP chairmanship: I won’t step down my candidacy for anybody – Gbenga Daniel

A national chairmanship aspirant of the PDP, Gbenga Daniel, said on Monday in Lagos that he had no plan of stepping down for any of the other contenders.

Reacting to speculations that he might be stepping down for, Olabode George, another aspirant for the position, Daniel said he had no intention of stepping down for anybody.

Mr. Daniel is a former Governor of Ogun, while Mr. George served as a former national deputy chairman of the now opposition PDP.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that with the zoning of the PDP’s chairmanship position to the South-west, five major contenders are currently jostling for the position.

The other contenders are Jimi Agbaje, the 2015 governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State, Tunde Adeniran, a former Minister of Education and Taoheed Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports.

Mr. Daniel told reporters that although Mr. George was a respected leader of the PDP, he would not back down for the Lagos chief but would see the race to its logical conclusion.

“All the aspirants for this position are my friends and competent people but I am the bridge builder and the best man for the job.

“I will not step down for anyone because I did my consultations during our convention in Port Harcourt and I know so many leaders in Yorubaland who support me.

“People contest for various reasons. Some people contest to enrich their curriculum vitae, some contest to get donations while some run to win.

“It is not a do-or-die affair. It is an in-house contest and I’m running to win so as to bring my experiences to bear on the party and work on re-positioning the party,” Mr. Daniel said.

According to him, with 2019 around the corner, the PDP cannot afford to make mistakes in choosing its leaders because it is germane to the rebuilding of the party.

“PDP is spread across the length and breadth of Nigeria. The fragmentation in the party cuts across all political parties in Nigeria.

“However, most of our members who defected to other parties left, due to the internal challenges within it.

“The moment those who leave see a new leadership committed to fairness and justice, they will return’’ the former governor said.

On the PDP’s zoning of the presidential slot to the North, Mr. Daniel described the decision as sacrosanct, noting that it was common sense for the party to look for a candidate from the northern part of the country to square up with the APC.

Speaking further, he debunked an alleged strife between him and Buruji Kashamu from Ogun, stating that they had no personal issues and that they had no quarrels.

Mr. Daniel, however, expressed his support for the clamour for Nigeria to be restructured, arguing that the nation’s potential would be maximised when restructured.

“We must begin to examine the system to give equal opportunities to all parts of the country,” he added.

October 9, 2017