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Tag: Debo Ologunagba

  • PDP denies suspending Akwa-Ibom Governorship Candidate

    PDP denies suspending Akwa-Ibom Governorship Candidate

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from the purported letter of suspension of its Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom, Pastor Umo Eno.

    The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday in Abuja, said that Eno remained the party’s candidate in the March election.

    ”The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has been drawn to a fake letter purported to have been signed by Ologunagba and mischievously claiming that our Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Eno has been suspended from the Party.

    ”The PDP states in clear terms that Eno remains the governorship candidate of the party in Akwa Ibom State for the 2023 general elections.

    “He is not suspended from the Party; the NWC has no contemplation in that regard and there are no issues whatsoever to warrant such,” he said.

    Ologunagba said that contrary to the claims in the fake letter, the NWC did not at any time hold any emergency meeting on any matter related to Eno.

    Ologunagba added he did not at any time issue any letter to Eno on any matter whatsoever.

    ”Moreover, there is no issue of violation of rules around our Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State either at the ward, state or national level to warrant any meeting of the NWC or any organ of our party at any level on him in that regard.

    ”The PDP therefore in very strong terms condemns the said fake letter which is clearly the handiwork of enemies of our party whose aim is to cause disaffection and disunity in our Party in Akwa Ibom State,” he stated.

    Ologunagba urged Nigerians, particularly PDP teeming members and supporters in Akwa Ibom, to disregard the said fake letter as Eno was never suspended from the party.

    He said that the party’s NWC had already started investigation into those behind the malicious letter.

    He also stated that the NWC would take firm legal and punitive actions against any individual found culpable in accordance with the law as well as the Constitution of the PDP.

  • PDP lifts suspension on 2 Ekiti members

    PDP lifts suspension on 2 Ekiti members

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lifted the suspension slammed on two of its members in Ekiti State, Mr Funso Ayeni and Otunba Ajayi Samuel.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary on Saturday in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the action was sequel to the adoption of the report of the disciplinary committee of the party, which recommended the lifting of the suspension.

    “By the lifting of the suspension, the status of Ayeni and Samuel as members of the PDP and especially as PDP candidates for Ekiti North Senatorial District and Ekiti North II Federal Constituency respectively in the 2023 general election are fully restored.

    “The NWC urged all members, supporters and teeming members of PDP in Ekiti State to remain united and continue to work together for the success of the party at all levels in the 2023 general election,” he said.

    The NWC had on Jan. 20 approved the suspension of Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu State) and Chief Chris Ogbu (Imo), Ayeni, Samuel and five others from Ekiti State over alleged anti-party activities.

  • PDP releases timetable for fresh governorship pry in Abia

    PDP releases timetable for fresh governorship pry in Abia

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of a fresh Governorship Election Primary in Abia State.

    This followed the death of its Governorship Candidate for the 2023 general elections, Prof. Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne on Wednesday.

    The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Friday, said the decision was pursuant to the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the National Working Committee (NWC).

    According to the timetable and schedule of activities released by the party, notice was given to  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, Jan. 27.

    It also fixed sale of nomination forms for Jan. 27 to Jan. 31, fixing last day for the submission of already purchased forms for Feb. 1.

    The screening of aspirants according to the party, will hold on Feb. 2 and Screening Appeal on Feb. 3.

    It stated that fresh aspirants were permitted to participate in the current exercise alongside those who contested in the earlier primary.

    ”The State Congress (Gubernatorial Candidate Nomination) is also scheduled for Feb. 4,” it stated.

    The party advised all its leaders, critical stakeholders, member and supporters in Abia State to be guided by the statement accordingly.

  • PDP suspends its Ebonyi Chairman over anti-party activities

    PDP suspends its Ebonyi Chairman over anti-party activities

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its Chairman in Ebonyi State, Mr Okorie Okoroafor over alleged anti-party activities.

    Debo Ologunagba, PDP National Publicity Secretary, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the suspension was ratified by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) after an emergency meeting on Friday in Abuja.

    “Pursuant to sections 29 (2) (b) and 57(3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended) the NWC on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) approved the suspension of Okoroafor with effect from Friday, Jan. 27.

    “The suspension was over allegations of anti-party activities and violation of provisions of Section 58 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017),” he said.

    He added that Okoroafor had been referred to the party’s appropriate disciplinary committee for further action.

  • 2023: Why Nigeria needs Atiku – PDP

    2023: Why Nigeria needs Atiku – PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said Nigeria needs its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to rebound its challenged economy.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said this at an interactive session with the media on Saturday in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said Nigeria needed Abubakar because of his practical experience, capacity, broad-mindedness and will power to unite the nation, revamp the national economy, and guarantee security of lives and property in the country.

    He said that from the party consultations across the six geo-political zones of the country, it was clear that Nigerians across board, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and even political affiliations, accepted Abubakar as the best candidate.

    “Abubakar as Vice President to President Olusegun Obasanjo was the Chairman of the National Economic Council.

    “During that period, our nation achieved unprecedented national productivity, we also secured $30 billion overall debt relief from the Paris and London Clubs

    “Nigeria’s economy was revamped to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world with stable exchange rate.

    “Our foreign reserves rose from $2bn in 1999 to $43bn in 2007, while power generation also rose from average daily generation capacity of 1,800mw in 1999 to 4,000 mw in 2007.”

    Ologunagba added that under Abubakar as chairman of the economic council, Nigeria witnessed the liberalisation of the telecommunication industry and the advent of GSM and Internet facilities in Nigeria.

    He added that the country also witnessed a boost in private Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria.

    “More Nigerians opened investments in sectors hitherto controlled by foreigners, including in the downstream and upstream petroleum sectors.

    “Owing to the conducive economic environment, there was increase in Foreign Direct Investment and more Nigerians in the Diaspora returned to establish businesses in the country

    “There was also expanded and consolidated Nigerian banking industry to make it operate and participate effectively in global banking businesses.

    “Nigeria achieved one of the most profitable Stock Markets in the world with an average Return on Investment of over 31 per cent.”

    He added that under Abubakar’s led-economy, the nation also achieved a consolidated Pension System both in the private and public sectors.

    “Under Abubakar as coordinator of the economy, Nigeria achieved economic rebound after military rule. Today Nigeria and Nigerians need Atiku Abubakar to achieve a rebound,” he said.

    Ologunagba said that the party and its candidates, Abubakar and Ifeanyi Okowa, were prepared for an issue-based campaign which would be flagged off on Monday in Uyo, the capital of Akwa-Ibom.

    “The PDP will take our campaign to all the states, local government areas, wards and polling units across the country under the unified campaign structure as approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our party.

    “Our campaign will be people-driven and focused on PDP and Abubakar’s mission to rescue, rebuild and redirect our nation.”

    Speaking on the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination for the 2023 general elections, Ologunagba said that based on recent Federal High Court judgment, the ruling party had no legally valid candidate for the elections.

    “As you are aware, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 nullified the candidature of Gov. Gboyega Oyetola in the July 16 2022 Osun State Governorship election on the ground that his nomination was invalid.

    “This is having been conducted and submitted by Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, in violation of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

    Ologunagba says that for emphasis, Section 183 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that a state governor “shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever”.

    Ologunagba said that the judgment reaffirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of Jegede vs INEC that a violation of any provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), particularly as it relates to Section 183, portend grave consequences.

    “The import of the Sept. 30 judgment of the Federal High Court is that every decision made by Governor Mai Mala Buni as Chairman of the APC is null and void as you cannot place something on nothing and expect it to stand.

    “Consequently, the Congresses as well as the National Convention which produced APC Excos including the Sen. Adamu Abdullahi-led NWC is void

    “In effect the primaries and Presidential Convention conducted by the Sen. Adamu Abdullahi-led NWC, including the nomination of Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu as Presidential Candidate of the APC is invalid, null and void ab-initio.”

  • PDP reveals campaign strategy for 2023

    PDP reveals campaign strategy for 2023

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has adopted a grassroots approach for its electioneering campaign for the 2023 general election.

    The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba said this at the end of the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the party also approved a unified campaign structure for its campaign across the country, for the general election.

    He said that the NWC at its 97th meeting deliberated on issues of urgent national importance as well as the preparations for the 2023 general election.

    “NEC also approved the structure for campaign councils at the states, local government, ward and unit levels, while it unanimously empower the NWC to modify and adjust the structures of the campaign councils as and when the need arises.

    “NEC received and approved the proposed structure for Zonal Reconciliation Committees to be set up to ensure that our party presents a common front ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    “NEC also received and approved the composition of the Manifesto Review Committee to review the manifesto of the PDP ahead of the 2023 general election,” he said.

    The national publicity secretary said that NEC also charged the party faithful to remain united in rallying toward the success of the PDP at the 2023 general election.

    He said that NEC also decried the current state of the nation’s economy and the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) among others.

    Ologunagba added that the NEC unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the party National Working Committee (NWC) led by Sen.  Iyorchia Ayu for effectively managing the affairs of the party.

    He said that NEC also endorsed the resignation of the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Sen. Walid Jibrin and accepted the nomination of Sen. Adolphus Wabara, the Secretary of the BoT, as the acting Chairman.

    “NEC thanked Jibrin for his loyalty and commitment toward the unity, stability and success of the Party at all times and urged him not to relent in his service to the Party and the Nation at large,”he said.

    Ologunagba said that NEC congratulated the party as well as the Osun Governor-Elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke for PDP victory at the July 16 governorship election.

    “NEC unanimously ratified the list of candidates of the party as submitted to the INEC by the NWC,” he said.

  • PDP National Presidential Campaign Council set – Ologunagba

    PDP National Presidential Campaign Council set – Ologunagba

    The National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is set with its 2023 National Presidential Campaign Council list.

    The party National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday night after the party National Caucus meeting in Abuja.

    Ologunagba , who did not disclose details of the list, added that the party was ready for it Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Council meetings scheduled for Thursday, where the list would be approved.

    “The party is set to go and ready for the elections. We are ready for the Thursday BoT meeting and caucus meeting.

    “All issues were resolved and we are happy as a party and we are ready to go because the mission to rescue and rebuild our country is going on in line with the plan of our party.

    “We are set to go. We are ready. The organs of the party are working. You can see that PDP is truly a party.

    “Every decision of this party is in line with the constitution of our party. We go through all processes through the organs of the part in line with all the regulations and the constitution, as provided for.

    “We are doing well. We are happy. We are smiling. We are fine and we are set to go.

    “Tomorrow, we will be going on with our BoT and NEC meeting, the campaign council is ready, in terms of the structures and we are ready to go,” Ologunagba said.

    When asked why many of the party governors were absent at the meeting, Ologunagba said many were on holiday outside the country but were fully represented by their deputies.

    Asked who would be Chairman of the Campaign Council, the party Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, quickly said “it will be made available after the Thursday meeting.”

    Ologunagba, earlier in a chat with journalists, had denied a hint that members of the National Working Committee (NWC) asked Ayu to resign his chairmanship position at the NWC meeting held last Thursday.

    Ologunagba said nothing of such was discussed at the NWC meeting, saying issues discussed were majorly the agenda of the NEC meeting, composition of the National Campaign Council, among others.

    The caucus meeting was attended by PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, his Bauchi and Bayelsa counterparts, Governors Bala Mohammed and Duoye Diri, respectively.

    Others were the Chairman and Secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senators Walid Jibrin and Adolphus Wagbara, respectively; Deputy Governors of Edo and Benue, Philip Shuaibu and Benson Abounu respectively.

    As the end of the meeting, some protesters converged outside the gate of the Akwa-Ibom Governor’s Lodge chanting “Ayu must go”;  “We want justice in PDP” and  “PDP National Chairman – North”.

    Others read: “PDP BoT Chairman-North”; “PDP Presidential Candidate-North”,; PDP Governors Forum Chairman – North” and “Ayu respect yourself”.

  • 2023 poll: Internal dispute won’t affect PDP – Ologunagba

    2023 poll: Internal dispute won’t affect PDP – Ologunagba

    The National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, says the current internal disputes won’t affect the party’s chances at the 2023 General Elections.

    Ologunagba stated this when he spoke with journalists in Abuja, saying that the misunderstanding would soon be resolved.

    He said that the party was working toward unveiling its national campaign council for 2023 presidential election.
    “The PDP is alive. We are active and we are working hard on our mission statement.

    “We are working on our campaign council, in a couple of days it will be unveiled for the people to see.
    “Irrespective of what we are reading in the newspaper, I can tell you that PDP is firm and ready for the 2023 general elections.

    “We tell our members and Nigerians that the PDP is here and the darkness is going and the countdown has started,” Ologunagba said.

    He said that in spite of the internal wrangling, all party members and leaders were committed to addressing Nigeria’s challenges including that of the economy, security, ASUU and others.

    “The key is this, the entire members of this party, leaders and stakeholders agreed on one issue, that Nigeria is the main issue and that we must rescue the country.

    “We all agreed on this issue, including Gov. Nyesom Wike who we considered as an important member of this party,” he said.

    Ologunagba added that the party respected the views and contributions of all Nigerians in achieving its mission.
    He also said that the mass defection of politicians from other parties to PDP was a pointer to the fact that it was connected to the masses.

    “In the last four months you have witnessed a lot of defection into PDP which shows our connection with the people and you saw the impacts on recent elections.

    “Our membership is growing and people are connecting with us.

    “What this signifies is that the PDP is alive to its responsibilities to Nigerians and we are focused on the mission to rescue Nigeria,” he said.

  • 2023 Elections: APC cannot secure 25% of votes in most states – PDP

    2023 Elections: APC cannot secure 25% of votes in most states – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised that the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not bother to campaign in the 2023 general elections, saying it has set out to fail.

    This statement was made by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Ologunagba posited that the APC cannot secure the statutory 25% of votes in most states in the country.

    He said the crowd that attended its recent rallies in Kano and Katsina States are clear messages that Nigerians have rejected the APC ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    According to the PDP, the solidarity its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar was shown in Kano underscores their determination to break through all barriers, vote APC out, and return it to power.

    It added that the mass exodus from the APC into the PDP in most states including President Muhammadu Buhari’s home State of Katsina further confirmed its position that the party has failed Nigerians.

    The Publicity scribe added that PDP remains the only vehicle to rescue and rebuild the country from the misrule of the APC.

    His statement reads in part “the takeover of President Buhari’s campaign office by the PDP in his home Katsina State following the defection of critical APC stakeholders in the State, signals the surrender of the APC and its structure to the PDP in President Buhari’s supposed strongholds.

    “Nigerians have seen through the lies and falsehood of the incompetent, rudderless, insensitive, divisive, bloodthirsty, and terrorism-enabling APC that has brought nothing but misery, economic hardship, hatred, unprecedented disunity, and bloodletting to our nation in the last seven years.

    “Nigerians have seen the APC in its true identity; a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV); a pirate ship of inchoate sailors and strange bedfellows clobbered together for remote personal gains, not for governance and the public good.

    “This is more so, as the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT); the national leader of the failed APC government is no match to PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who has established his capacity to lead our nation out of the wood where Asiwaju and his failed APC plunged her.

    “From all indications, under a credible, free, fair, and transparent electoral process, the APC cannot secure the statutory 25% of votes in most States across the country”.

    The PDP also commended the former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their patriotism in rallying on its platform to rescue and rebuild the country.

  • Delta 2023: We uploaded Oborevwori’s name before closure of INEC’s portal – PDP

    Delta 2023: We uploaded Oborevwori’s name before closure of INEC’s portal – PDP

    The National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba has said the party duly submitted and uploaded the name of Oborevwori Sheriff Francis Orohwedor as the Delta State Governorship candidate onto the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, July 8, 2022.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ologunagba, who made this known in a statement on Saturday, stressed that the name of Oborevwori was duly submitted on the INEC portal before its closure by the Commission.

    The PDP National Publicity Secretary further stressed that three days after the closure of access to the INEC Portal, the party and INEC received a court order directing the substitution of the name of Oborevwori Sheriff Francis Orohwedor with another name.

    “However, given the closure on July 15, 2022, our Party had no access to the INEC Portal,” Ologunagba stated, adding that “the PDP currently has a candidate for the 2023 Governorship election in Delta State”.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to speculations in a section of the social media that our Party had disobeyed an Order of Court with regards to our Governorship candidate in Delta State and that our Party do not have a candidate for the 2023 Governorship election in the State.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP makes it abundantly clear and states in very precise and categorical term that our Party had not disobeyed any Order of Court and we have a valid Governorship candidate for the Delta State governorship election in 2023.

    “However, in the interest and due information of our teeming supporters and the general public, our Party clarifies as follows;

    “In line with the new Electoral Act, submission of names of candidates is no longer physical but by electronic transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Under the electronic process, INEC grants access to its portal to political parties to electronically upload its candidates’ information/particulars; which access for governorship candidates closed on Friday, July 15, 2022.

    “With reference to Delta State, our Party duly submitted and uploaded the name of Oborevwori Sheriff Francis Orohwedor as the Delta State Governorship candidate of the PDP onto INEC Portal on Friday, July 8, 2022.

    “On July 18, 2022, three days after the closure of access to the INEC Portal, our Party and INEC received a Court Order directing the substitution of the name of Oborevwori Sheriff Francis Orohwedor with another name. However, given the closure on July 15, 2022, our Party had no access to the INEC Portal.

    “Subsequently, the PDP and INEC were served with Court of Appeal processes comprising; Notice of Appeal, Motion for Stay of Execution and Records of Appeal filed by the candidate whose name was initially uploaded by the Party onto the INEC Portal.

    “It is instructive to state that under the INEC guideline, the last day for effecting any change of names of candidates for the 2023 general election is September 28, 2022.

    “For emphasis, the PDP currently has a candidate for the 2023 Governorship election in Delta State. If there be any change drawing from the outcome of the judicial processes, such will be duly and appropriately reflected in compliance with the Order of Court. The PDP as a law-abiding Party has always and will continue to comply with Orders of Court in every matter and situation.

    “Our Party therefore urges our members, teeming supporters and the people of Delta State to disregard the speculations and remain focused on the platform of the PDP in their determination to consolidate on the achievements of the Governor of Delta State and our Vice-Presidential Candidate, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

    “The PDP is fully prepared for the 2023 general elections in Delta State as well as across the nation and will emerge victorious at the polls”.