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Tag: Convention

  • PDP releases consensus list for national offices

    PDP releases consensus list for national offices

    This is the list of the consensus candidates for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national convention taking place at Eagle Square, Abuja.

    In the list released, former governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was technically knocked off the race for the deputy national chairman (south) of the party.

    Before the convention, the 13 PDP governors made it clear they weren’t interested in a fierce political contest but in a consensus arrangement that would see them pick the 21-man national officers’ list to serve the party in the next four years.

    1. Iyorchia Ayu- national chairman

    2. Umar Iliya Damagum- deputy national chairman (North)

    3. Taofeek Arapaja- deputy national chairman (South)

    4. Samuel Anyanwu (national secretary)

    5. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (national treasurer)

    6. Umar Bature (national organizing secretary)

    7. Daniel Woyegikuro (national financial secretary)

    8. Stella Effah-Attoe (national woman leader)

    9. Mohammed Kadade suleiman (national youth leader)

    10. Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade (national legal adviser)

    11. Debo Ologunagba (national publicity secretary)

    12. Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel (national auditor)

    13. Setonji Koshoede (deputy national secretary)

    14 Ndubisi Eneh David (deputy national treasurer)

    15. Ibrahim Abdullahi (deputy national publicity secretary)

    16. Ighoyota Amori (deputy national organizing secretary)

    17. Adamu Kamale (deputy national financial secretary)

    18. Hajaja Yakubu Wanka (deputy national woman leader)

    19. Timothy Osadolor (deputy national youth leader)

    20. Okechukwu Osuoha (deputy national legal adviser)

  • PDP convention: Secondus heads for Supreme Court

    PDP convention: Secondus heads for Supreme Court

    The embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has headed for the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, which on Friday gave a nod for the party’s National Convention to hold in Abuja on Saturday.

    Reacting to the ruling, Secondus said he disagreed with it, but still respected it.

    Secondus in a statement released by his Media Adviser, Ike Abonyi, said the ongoing case was not about him but the need to protect the sanctity of the party’s constitution.

    The statement said, “I have just been briefed on the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt dismissing my motion to halt the National Convention of the party. I respect the position of the court even though I disagree totally with it.

    “Even as the substantive case is still pending at the Court of Appeal, I have instructed my lawyers to study the ruling with a view to appealing it immediately as no abuse of the constitution of our dear party should be allowed to stand.

    “The issue is not about Prince Uche Secondus but about the sanctity of our party constitution and core democratic principles of justice and rule of law not only in PDP but in our democracy. No impunity must be condoned.

    “I will therefore wish to emphasise the fact that I did not take the party to court and would not have done that. As a foundation member of this party who has served at various levels as state chairman, chairman of state chairmen, National Organising Secretary, Deputy National Chairman, Acting National Chairman and now National Chairman, I am very much abreast with the workings of the party. I have been a witness to how much harm litigations have done to our party in the past and as a result, I have been a strong advocate against settling issues in courts.”

    He said he resisted pressures mounted on him to go to court to stop those planning against him because of his love for the party, adding that he did not want to be seen as someone who took the party to court.

    He added, “This was why I resisted and rejected entreaties of those who wanted me to go to court to halt these forces when it was obvious that they were determined to disrupt my leadership and truncate my tenure in office with the sole objective of hijacking the party for their selfish, ulterior motives.

    “To allow this travesty to stand is to reduce our beloved party to a level where anybody can wake up overnight and remove officers against the proscribed constitutional process and the National Chairman for that matter, purporting to use the judiciary through an ex parte order to legitimise same.

    “As a major practitioner in our democracy, I am duty-bound to protect and defend the sanctity of the provisions of our constitution of which I am the custodian.

    “I wish to at this juncture thank and appreciate leaders and other stakeholders of our party who have called to express their concerns on this matter and appeal for the understanding of all.”

    He noted that if those who orchestrated and foisted the avoidable crisis on the party had listened to the wise counsel of party leaders and elders who advised the withdrawal of cases, the current situation would have been avoidable. I wish the party well as always.”

  • Secondus: Reps PDP Caucus hails court’s decision

    Secondus: Reps PDP Caucus hails court’s decision

    Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers), the leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has described the dismissal of the suit filed by suspended National Chairman, Mr Uche Secondus’ against the party as victory for democracy.

    Chinda, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, said that neither Secondus nor the PDP won the case, saying that the victory was for all Nigerians.

    NAN reports that the Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Division, on Friday, dismissed a suit by Secondus, challenging his suspension as national chairman of the PDP for lack of merit.

    Secondus had also prayed the Court to restrain the PDP from conducting the forthcoming national convention of the party which the court did not also grant.

    Chinda assured that regardless of the outcome of the judgment, Secondus was going to work closely with the party to enthrone good leaders in future elections.

    “It is a welcome development and strengthens our democracy to restate that power belongs to the people.

    “However, regardless of the judgment, neither PDP nor Secondus won but victory was for the people of Nigeria and indeed democracy.

    “I can assure you that the former national chairman of the party will work with the party as the leaders will all meet and sort out the issues whilst not compromising visionary leadership,” he said.

    Also, Rep. Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta) congratulated the Judiciary and the PDP family on the outcome of the judgment.

    Ossai said that it was better for leaders to listen to the decision of the people rather than doing otherwise against their wishes.

    “It is a welcome development, this is justice delivery.

    “The entire PDP had agreed to process a convention, a party that had given him a lot of lifeline to occupy some sensitive positions from state party chairman, organising secretary up to the point of becoming national chairman.

    “It is a good one, sometimes we make compromises, I did not like the way he went to Court, some people may look at it differently, for me, I think he is a strong party man occupying the most exulted position.

    “So if the party in general which are the people agree that this is the way to go, all you need to do is to go along , it does not diminish you.

    “For me it is a great one, I congratulate the judiciary, I congratulate the PDP family,’’ he said.

  • PDP disqualifies three aspirants ahead national convention

    PDP disqualifies three aspirants ahead national convention

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Screening Committee has disqualified three aspirants from participating in the national convention slated for October 30 and 31.

    The Chairman of the Convention Committee, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, disclosed this during the unveiling of the party’s national convention logo and promotional materials on Thursday in Abuja.

    The committee was headed by a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke.

    Mr Fintiri said the committee set up to screen the aspirants had completed its work and submitted its report to the organising committee on Thursday afternoon.

    He noted that 31 candidates indicated interests for various national positions in the party, out of which 27 were cleared, one withdrawn and three disqualified.

    Mr Oladipo was vying for the position of deputy national chairman (south), while Messrs Muo-Aroh and Olafeso were eyeing the positions of national secretary and national publicity secretary, respectively.

    “All these aspirants have been disqualified because they took the party to court. Their intention also was to stop the national convention.

    “So, if you have taken the party to court without exhausting the internal mechanism of settling whatever grievances you have and you try to stop the convention.

    “The committee felt you cannot also enjoy the convention.

    “More so, the provision of Section 51 sub 1L in our party constitution clearly spells out that you must exhaust all the internal mechanisms in the party.

    “The same constitution of our great party has also made a provision that if you have not exhausted Section 58 (1L), you can be punished under Section 59 (1e). So, you can see that the screening committee has done what is needful of them.

    “You must be disciplined in the party for us to survive. I think we have to move away from the past as we are trying to open a new chapter for the party,” Mr Fintiri said.

    He said that if any of the disqualified aspirants had reason not to agree with their disqualification, they had the opportunity to appear before the appeal committee on Friday.

    Mr Fintiri said such a person might be considered depending on the reason they may put forward.

    He said the committee had done a great job as it paved the way for PDP to move forward.

    “I assure you that on October 30 and 31, we will have one of the best open, transparent, and democratic conventions in the recent history of this country,” he said.

    On the number of delegates, Mr Fintiri said that about 4,000 delegates were being expected. He said even though there were litigations surrounding the list, efforts were on to clear it.

    He stressed the need for the party to bring out its best at the convention to steer the affairs of PDP with their skills, experience and integrity.

    “We need to bring people of high integrity to manage the affairs of the party and to pilot us to winning the 2023 general elections, particularly the president,” he said.

    Mr Fintiri appealed to members of the committee to make the necessary sacrifice that would ensure success of the convention.

    In his remarks, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the 2021 national convention committee led by Mr Fintiri was prepared to hold a convention that would lead PDP to victory in the 2023 general elections.

    Mr Ologbondiyan, who is also the Secretary of the National Convention Publicity Sub-Committee, said the national convention of PDP presents an opportunity to Nigerians to come together and support the party in 2023.

  • BREAKING: PDP set to hold its national convention on October 29-30

    BREAKING: PDP set to hold its national convention on October 29-30

    The National Caucus of the PDP on Friday agreed to submit a tentative date of October 30-31st, 2021 for the party’s national convention.

    Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal, announced this after the National Caucus meeting of the party in Abuja, on Friday.

    The resolution of the caucus meeting as read out by Tambuwal states: “We have just risen from our 40th meeting of the national caucus of our great party, the PDP, where we have resolved to submit to the NEC of our party tomorrow recommendation from the national working committee for the National Convention of our party, to be held between Friday, 30th of October to Saturday, 31st of October.

    “Also, this distinguished body had empaneled eight distinguished leaders of our party under the able leadership of ex-President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, to interface with our leaders who are involved in these issues of court, so that all court matters can be now withdrawn and then for normalcy to continue to return to the party.

    “I appeal on behalf of this body to all well meaning members of our party in the interest of the party to shield their sword and let us embrace peace because Nigeria is waiting for PDP; and I believe that we have the capacity to resolve whatever issues we have internally.”

  • Convention: APC chairmanship should not be re-zoned for now – Ahmad Abiodun

    Convention: APC chairmanship should not be re-zoned for now – Ahmad Abiodun

    By Ahmad Abiodun

    The All Progressives Congress, APC for the sake of equity should not re-zone the chairmanship position until the tenure of the South South geo-political zone is completed.

    Speculation emerging from the party points to the direction of a likely re-zoning and this may lead to further crisis in the party.

    In 2014 the chaimanship position was zoned to South South geo-political zone of the country and micro-zoned to Edo State because Cross River State had the zonal chaiman’s position.

    Chief Odigie Oyegun was chairman from 2014-2018 and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole continued till 2020 so what happens to 2020-2022?

    This is a sensitive matter that the party must ponder over to avoid distrust within the party.

    It could lead to chaos that may snowball into 2023 the election year.

    This status quo should be allowed to thrive as it will further foster cohesion and equity within the party structure.

    It will give the party the national outlook it has for now, but if it’s re-zoned to the north it may lead to further crisis which is the last thing the party wants for now.

    Now that the leader of the party, President Muhamnadu Buhari has given the caretaker Committee the nod to carry out fresh registeration, the new exco after the party’s convention in December can continue from where it stopped.

    To restore confidence in the present members, the convention should hold in December for a smooth take-off of the new exco in 2021.

    2023 is just around the corner, if the party does not right the wrongs via the convention in December then the party is heading into further crisis.

    Re-zoning the position to the north while the sitting president is from the north may fuel distrust which the party can cleverly avoid and retain the south south zone.

    But the discordant voices emanating from the ruling party is quite disturbing, if it is true that the caretaker Committee is embarking on tenure elongation instead of midwiving it towards a convention next month.

    This development in the party needs to be checkmated before it snowballs into a full blown crisis that may rubbish all the good intentions of setting up the caretaker Committee.

    The party needs to redefine and refine and if need be reengineer its political processes to accommodate internal democracy for a better tomorrow.

    APC in-fighting will continue if the caretaker Committee decides to buy time into 2021.

    The Caretaker Committee should immediately begin the process of convening the National Convention in December to rekindle hope and trust in the party.

     

     

    Ahmad Abiodun, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

  • Convention: Democratic heavyweights descend on Trump

    Convention: Democratic heavyweights descend on Trump

    U.S. President Donald Trump suffered scathing attacks from top Democrats on the first day of the party’s National Convention on Monday night.

    Speakers at the virtual event also took turns to drum support for Mr Joe Biden, the presumed candidate of the party in the Nov. 3 presidential election.

    Among those who spoke through video messages are former First Lady, Michelle Obama; Biden’s former rival in the primary, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and New York governor, Mr Andrew Cuomo.

    Obama painted a gloomy picture of the state of the American nation with focus on the coronavirus pandemic and its devastating socio-economic impacts.

    She also highlighted the division in the country caused largely by racial discrimination and alleged divisive rhetorics from the White House.

    “Whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division and a total lack of empathy.

    “Let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can: Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country.

    “He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in and over his head.

    “He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is,” she said.

    The former First Lady, who said she hates politics, emphasised that things could and would get worse if voters failed to make a change in the election.

    She said if Americans had any hope of ending the chaos, they had to vote for Joe Biden “like our lives depend on it”.

    “I know Joe, he is a profoundly decent man guided by faith. He was a terrific Vice President. He knows what it takes to rescue an economy, beat back a pandemic and lead our country.

    “And he listens. He will tell the truth, and trust science, he will make smart plans and manage a good team, and he will govern as someone who’s lived a life that the rest of us can recognise,” she added.

    Speaking live from Vermont, Sanders said the Nov. 3 presidential election was the most important in modern U.S. history.

    The leftwing senator, who contested against Biden for the party’s nomination, endorsed the former Vice President

    He warned that Trump was “leading us down the path to authoritarianism”, adding that all the progress the country had made would be reversed if the President was re-elected.

    “At its most basic, this election is about preserving our democracy. During this president’s term, the unthinkable has become normal.

    “He is trying to prevent people from voting, undermine the U.S. Postal Service, deploy the military and federal agents against peaceful protesters, threaten to delay the election and suggested that he would not leave office if he loses.

    “This is not normal and we must never treat it like it is. This president is not just a threat to our democracy, but by rejecting science, he has put our lives and our health in jeopardy.

    “Trump has attacked doctors and scientists trying to protect us from the pandemic, while refusing to take strong action to produce the masks, gowns and gloves our healthcare workers desperately need,” he fired.

    Turning to Biden, he said Americans must rally round the candidate to build a more equitable, compassionate and inclusive nation.

    “He will rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and fight the threat of climate change by transitioning us to 100 per cent clean electricity over the next 15 years.

    “While Joe and I disagree on the best path to get universal coverage, he has a plan that will greatly expand healthcare and cut the costs of prescription drugs.

    “Further, he will lower the eligibility age of medicare from 65 down to 60,” he said.

    For his part, Gov Cuomo in a prerecorded video address, described the Trump administration as “dysfunctional and incompetent”.

    The New York governor said COVID-19 was a symptom of the problems facing the country, not an illness.

    “Our nation is in crisis, and in many ways, COVID-19 is just a metaphor. A virus attacks when the body is weak, and when it cannot defend itself.

    “Over these past few years, America’s body politics has been weakened, the divisions have been growing deeper, the antisemitism, the anti-Latino, the anti-immigrant, the racism in Charlottesville where the KKK didn’t even bother to wear their hoods.

    “And in Minnesota where the life was squeezed from Mr George Floyd. Only a strong body can fight off the virus, and America’s divisions weakened it,” he said.

    Cuomo stated that Trump did not create the initial division, but rather the division created him, and he only made it worse.

    Attacking Trump’s “poor response” to the pandemic, which he tagged the “European virus”, the governor said the virus infected the north east of the country while the president was fixated on China.

    “The virus had been attacking us for months before they even knew it was here. We saw the failure of a government that tried to deny the virus, that tried to ignore it and then tried to politicise it,” Cuomo added.

    Trump reacted by retweeting some conservative criticisms of a number of the speakers, with focus on the New York governor.

    “Cuomo, just like his brother Fredo, has not got a very good memory!” Trump tweeted, sharing video clips of the governor praising him for his help to the state.

    The four-day virtual convention will cap on Thursday with Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, accepting the party’s nomination.

  • BREAKING: Fayose speaks of dumping PDP 24 hours after convention

    The outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has threatened to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the National Convention held on Saturday in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
    According to a report by The Punch, the governor hinted on Monday that he would renounce his “membership of the PDP anytime from now.”
    He added, “After consultations, I will speak clearly to Nigerians.”
    Recall that a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, was declared the winner of the party’s presidential primary, defeating the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Senate President Bukola Saraki, and eight others.
    Fayose’s second term as governor of Ekiti State expires on October 16, 2018.
    Details later…

  • Why our convention was transparent, rancour free – PDP

    Why our convention was transparent, rancour free – PDP

    …Says INEC, APC need lessons on how to conduct free, credible elections
    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said Sunday that its presidential primary is a lesson to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) on how elections should be conducted.
    It highlighted what it called the orderliness, transparency and credibility of its presidential primary.
    In a statement by its spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said “The success of our presidential primary followed our strict adherence to democratic rules and principles of transparency and fairness, which has eluded the nation since President Muhammadu Buhari-led licentious administration assumed office. Simply put, in the PDP presidential primary, every vote counted.
    “Nigerians are therefore no longer in doubt that our compromised electoral umpire, under the Buhari administration, is ostensibly culpable for injecting rancorous situations that create openings for violence, manipulations, inconclusive polls and outright rigging of elections.
    “We invite the whole world to note that the PDP conducted its Presidential primary and a clear winner, Atiku Abubakar, emerged, without any form of disagreements or reliance on heavy security, showing that Nigerians are peaceful, orderly and desirous of credible processes at all levels of political engagement.
    “The PDP therefore charges INEC to stop blaming voters, accept responsibility for its failure to conduct credible elections and learn from our presidential primary, as we approach the 2019 general elections.
    “The PDP restates its determination to dismantle APC’s rigging machinery and return credible processes in all spheres of our national life”.
     
    Jonathan, Saraki, Wike, Peter Obi, others congratulate Atiku
     
    Former President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Atiku Abubakar describing him as a man with the capacity to take the country to greater heights.
    His media aide Ikechukwu Eze quoted Jonathan as saying: “I congratulate His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa, and by the grace of God and the votes of Nigerians, the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    “Our party members have spoken and have nominated you as the candidate for the forthcoming Presidential elections.
    “I am convinced that you have all it takes to take Nigeria to greater heights and transform her into a hub for prosperity and happiness. Congratulations.“ he said
    Senate President Bukola Saraki also congratulated the former Vice President for emerging as the standard bearer of the PDP.
    Saraki in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu also commended the delegates to the convention and members of the organizing committee, led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, for holding a convention in which a candidate was elected in a free, fair, transparent and rancour-free atmosphere.
    “Our just concluded convention was a partisan event which the country can show-case as an example that democracy has a future in Nigeria and that when we are determined we can elect our leaders without any manipulation, intimidation and violation of the law and democratic norms.
    “The credit goes to the leadership of our party led by Prince Uche Secondus, the organizing committee led by Governor Okowa, the numerous delegates who came from across the country and conducted themselves in a civil, mature and democratic manner. I give kudos to them.
    “My commendation also goes to the government and people of Rivers State, for providing the best necessary facilities for hosting over 5000 delegates, campaign workers, security personnel, observers, media people and others who came to play one role or the other in the convention.
    “More importantly, let me congratulate the winner and new flagbearer of our party and all the fellow aspirants for running credible and mature campaigns and working all along to reassure millions of our fellow party members and other Nigerians that PDP will leave the convention venue more united and ready to work together to form the next government at the federal and other levels in a manner that we will unite the country, grow the economy, carry along all stakeholders, empower the youths and make government serve the people better.
    “Like I said in my speech at the convention after the official declaration of Alhaji Atiku as winner, all the other aspirants, especially myself, are ready to walk and work with him to spread the positive message of the PDP and his campaigns acrosss the nooks and crannies of the country such that the PDP will win the 2019 general elections.
    “Those who expect that the party will degenerate into crisis after the primaries have miscalculated. We will all work for the Atiku-PDP ticket to succeed and contribute ideas into solving the problems confronting Nigeria today. The event in Port Harcourt between yesterday and today was a victory for Nigeria and for democracy. We will not lose the momentum but sustain it to rebuild Nigeria and elect Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria.
    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, said Atiku has the requisite experience and knowledge to tackle the challenges bedevilling the country.
    Dickson, according to a statement by his media adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said: “Let me congratulate the former Vice President and now the presidential candidate of our great party for the next presidential election over his resounding victory in a free, fair, transparent and credible primary election.
    “The delegates have spoken and they have elected a man who understands our country, the Niger Delta and a man who has the requisite experience. He can build bridges of understanding and unity and form a great team to address the challenges that are facing our country. We look forward to working, collaborating and supporting him in that onerous responsibility. As he rightly said, it is not a job left for him alone.”
    Dickson commended the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and members of the National Working Committee as well as the chairman of the convention planning committee and Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and his team “for their hard work and the good job they have done.
    “I cannot fail to appreciate my brother, Governor Nyesom Wike, the government and people of Rivers State for their hospitality and sacrifices in hosting this historic event.
    “Let me also commend our worthy leaders most of whom are my compatriots and friends for offering themselves for service. I thank and appreciate them for their show of sportsmanship and magnanimity.
    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike urged Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation to sack the most “inefficient Federal Government”.
    Speaking to reporters after a Thank You Visit by PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar at the Government House Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said all PDP leaders and well-meaning Nigerians should be united in this cause.
    He said though different party leaders supported different aspirants, with the emergence of Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s Presidential Candidate, all hands must be on deck for the good of the country.
    The governor said: “We have no party that will salvage the country other than the PDP. A candidate has emerged and we owe it a duty to see that the party takes over the government.
    “We are one family. You may support aspirant A or B, but once a candidate emerges you owe it a duty to make sure your party returns to power.
    “We are doing everything we can to ensure that we don’t give APC any gap. They have failed Nigerians and we will take over in 2019.
    “My happiness today is that the convention was successful and it went on without hitches”, he said.
    Atiku said: “The entire country needs a new government. Definitely, we don’t need APC to return to power in 2019”.
    He said the country had gone through challenges ranging from recession, unemployment, insecurity and lack of unity. He said the country needed to chart a new direction in the interest of the people.
    He said: “I came to personally congratulate the Governor, people and Government of Rivers State and also thank him for hosting a most successful convention “.
    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was accompanied by Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Senator Sam Anyanwu, Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara and Edo State PDP Chairman Chief Dan Orbih.
    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi described Atiku’s victory as a consummation of the wishes and desires of most Nigerians, both high and low.
    In a message, Obi described Nigeria as a nation that had drilled off the paths of development due to what he called cumulative leadership failure, Obi said going by Atiku’s wealth of experience, track record of wealth-creation, knack for identifying excellence among excellent people, detribalized nature and perfect understanding of the ills of the country, that he has confident that Alhaji Abubakar Atiku has all it takes to restore the glory of Nigeria.
    “Having personally followed him in the past 6 months, listened and interacted with him on a number of issues negatively affecting our society, I observe in him a person who has the burning desire to leave a footprint in the sands of time.”
    SouthWest PDP in a statement by its spokesman Ayo Fadaka, said: “We wish to congratulate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his emergence as the flag bearer of our great Party in next year’s Presidential election. His victory signifies the Party’s determination to field our very best in the quest to win the Presidential election.
    “We also congratulate all those aspirants that sought to pick this same ticket, together they all participated in a race which was essentially beneficial to the synergy that currently propels the Party.
    “Their declared commitment at the convention to work assiduously for the victory of the Party in next year’s general elections signals the solidarity and uniqueness of actions that shall be deployed against the disintegrating APC.
    “The PDP with the successful conduct of this convention further confirms its resurgence and extending same to new frontiers, we therefore inform Nigerians that we represent a fresh breath, a complete difference from the decadence that APC represents.
    “We therefore appeal for the support of Nigerians for PDP as we prepare for 2019 as there is an incumbent task on all Nigerians to salvage our lives, institutions and nation from the unimaginative and vindictive grip of the APC.”
     

  • PDP convention: We will become ruling party come 2019 – Secondus

    PDP convention: We will become ruling party come 2019 – Secondus

    National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has stated that the party has graduated from an opposition party in 2015 to a ruling party in waiting in 2019.
    Secondus said this in an address at the opening of the PDP 2018 Special National Convention which he also declared open on Friday in Port Harcourt.
    The chairman, who expressed pleasure in welcoming members from all over Nigeria to Port Harcourt, said that the subject of this year’s national convention was: “Nigerians Take Back Your Country’’.
    The party boss also boasted that “today PDP is now in control of the leadership of the National Assembly, adding that “the convention is a crucial stage in PDP’s “ unstoppable march to regain power’’.
    He said that the selection of aspirants for the convention was done through Indirect Primaries, adding that the convention would be orderly, fair and transparent.
    Secondus said the party was determined to organise a convention that would remain a reference point for other parties
    He also recalled that the party gathered in Jos, Plateau, about 20 years ago for a similar convention to herald a new democracy in Nigeria.
    Secondus said the party started the Contributory Pension Scheme and reformed the Electoral Process, among others.
    Secondus, who said the party members had “Indeed learnt our lessons’’, added that the PDP had “graduated from an opposition party in 2015 to a ruling party in waiting’’ in 2019.
    He also assured that the party would Nigeria’s unity, secure Nigerians, educate our youths, reduce poverty, return Nigeria to the path of economic growth and run an inclusive government if it wins the presidential poll in 2019.