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  • Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate – Jerry Gana

    Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate – Jerry Gana

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prof. Jerry Gana has said that the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi would defeat any candidate if he chooses to return to the main opposition party.

    Speaking on Arise News, Gana expressed the confidence that Obi would defeat any contender in Nigeria’s northern states if he contested on the PDP platform.

    Obi said he was still a member of the Labour Party and had vowed to remain in the party for the meantime while working with the African Democratic Congress, ADC-led coalition.

    He left the PDP in May 2022 to pursue his bid under the LP.

    “The PDP is on the ground. I’m a researcher, and I research opinions. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate because our people are very fair-minded and just.

    “We are reaching out to Peter Obi. Because I’m leading a search team and there are many brilliant people. Peter may be good, but we have somebody better. So, we are searching.

    “We made a mistake in 2023. If I were Atiku, I would say, ‘Peter, it is now your turn; I would give you a vice-president,’ but he didn’t,” he said.

    Adding his voice to the discussion on Thursday, a former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Jacob Mark said the former Anambra governor was free to return to the party if he so wished.

    He insisted that the PDP was the best bet for Obi to win the 2027 presidential election.

  • Peter Obi will defeat any candidate in the North under PDP – Jerry Gana

    Peter Obi will defeat any candidate in the North under PDP – Jerry Gana

    Jerry Gana, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed his belief that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, would be able to defeat any candidate in the northern states if he returns to the PDP.

    Gana stated that the former governor of Anambra will accomplish this because Northerners are fair-minded and just.

    During a Wednesday appearance on Prime Time, a program on Arise Television, Gana noted that some potential opponents might choose to remain silent rather than challenge the PDP in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.

    He said this is because the PDP has become “so good, fascinating, and real.”

    He stated that efforts are still on to woo Obi back to the party.

    “The PDP is on the ground. I’m a researcher, and I research opinions. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate because our people are very fair-minded and just.

    “We are reaching out to Peter Obi. Because I’m leading a search team and there are many brilliant people, Peter may be good, but we have somebody better. So, we are searching,” he said.

    Gana also said the opposition party made a mistake about the circumstances that led to Obi’s exit from the PDP.

    “We made a mistake in 2023. If I were Atiku, I would say, ‘Peter, it is now your turn; I would give you a vice-president,’ but he didn’t,” he said.

  • Anglican cleric reveals recipe for peace in marriage as Jerry Gana, wife mark 50th wedding anniversary

    Anglican cleric reveals recipe for peace in marriage as Jerry Gana, wife mark 50th wedding anniversary

    Venerable Tiwatope Elias-Fatile, the Vicar of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja, has advised couples to always show respect to each other to enable them to stay in peace always.

    Elias-Fatile gave the advice in a homily at a Thanksgiving Service to mark the 50th wedding anniversary of Prof. Jerry Gana and his wife, Lucy.

    Gana was a Minister of Information and a former presidential aspirant in the build up to the 2023 general election.

    He said that many marriages collapsed because the husband and the wife failed to respect each other.

    “Husband and wife must respect each other; there is no marriage without challenges, but how you navigate those challenges determines how it survives.”

    The cleric said that the celebrants had survived their challenges because of the strategy of “respect” for each other.

    Elias-Fatile went down memory lane to narrate how Prof. Gana met his wife and urged Nigerians to always put God first in all they do including marriages.

    “Their family is an enviable Christian home, worthy of emulation; they are best of friends and respects each other,” he added.

    Former Military Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, described the couple as “excellent match.’’

    Gowon said that the couple had been good in whatever they did.

    “And that means that couples should emulate them and do excellently in whatever they do,” Gowon said.

    Dr Ike Neliaku, who is a friend to celebrants, said that the love between the couple was exceptional, as there had not been any scandal whatsoever in the 50 years of their marriage.

    “It is remarkable for someone to be married for 50 years without issues and no scandal; it demonstrates the character of the man and the wife; this is the model of what marriage should be.

    “It means that we still have men and women of honour who understands marriage as a sacred institution that should be held very strongly.

    “It is very important for men to marry their wives, likewise for women to marry their husbands; you don’t just see anybody and because of one minute love, you declare yourselves compatible as husband and wife.

    “It is not always easy for any man who has not married his wife; it is important for young people to be sure before they take that leap.

    “This is where counsel and guidance from those who are experienced come in handy, and more importantly, you cannot have a successful marriage outside of God. God is central to every successful marriage,” he said.

    Neliaku, who is the President of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), also advised couples, especially the young ones, to always respect each other rather than adopting tolerance.

    “When you tolerate someone, it means you’re managing, but when it is respect, there is something deep in you that will make you to respect that person,” he said.

    In his remarks, Gana described his wife as an embodiment of beauty and respect. According to Gana, his wife is gentle, kind and forgiving.

    “If she has not been forgiving me, this marriage would have been ruined long time ago, but she is so gracious, loving, kind, gentle and forgiving.

    “She is also a prayer warrior. She prays for me always so that I will succeed; she is always praying for me and the children and God answers her prayers.

    “That is why I appreciate her tremendously and if I am to marry a thousand times again, I will marry this lady.’’

    He urged young couples to be patient with one another to make their marriages last long.

    “The young people are too impatient; before you know it, they are going for divorce.

    “This is our 50 years; and gives us another 50 years, we will still be happy together because we are patient.

    “Every little thing the young people want to scatter their marriage; life is not like that; again, tomorrow is greater, so don’t ruin your today because tomorrow is greater,” he said.

    Former Governor of Adamawa, Mr Boni Haruna, and some lawmakers were among dignitaries, family and friends that graced the occasion.

  • I’ll appeal tribunal judgment, says Jerry Gana son

    I’ll appeal tribunal judgment, says Jerry Gana son

    Joshua Audu-Gana, the member representing Edati/Lavun/Mokwa Federal Constituency of Niger State, in the House of Representatives, says he will appeal the judgment of the election petition tribunal.

    Delivering judgment on Monday, a three-member tribunal headed by Sylvester Godspower agreed with the submissions of the petitioners.

    The tribunal invalidated votes in the 26 polling units of the constituency, thereby reducing the votes of Gana to 46,494 while those of Gbatamagi were reduced to 39,159.

    Speaking to newsmen, Audu-Gana said:”while the tribunal has ruled for a rerun in some polling units in my constituency, I remain a member of the House of Representatives until all judicial processes are exhausted”.

    The tribunal ordered for a rerun in 23 out of 482 polling units of the constituency affecting 14, 411 PVCs collected in the area.

    “Well, this is not what we expected but this is democracy and we remain confident that our time in the House of Representatives is far from over.

    “I understand the exuberance of the media to attract readership. But it is established that the judicial process does not end at the tribunal.

    ” Therefore, I am focused on discharging my legislative responsibility to the good people of Edati/Lavun/Mokwa Federal Constituency, while also defending the mandate freely and creditably given to me by my constituents at the Court of Appeal.

    “I am confident that this judgment by the tribunal will not stand.

    ” I urge the good and hardworking people of Edati/Lavun/Mokwa Federal Constituency to keep the faith and be rest assured that their mandate will not be taken away under any guise.”

    Audu-Gana  of the PDP, was declared the winner after polling 47,942 votes to defeat Abdullahi Gbatamagi, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), who garnered 40,003 votes.

    But the APC and its candidate, Gbatamagi, lodged a petition at the tribunal through their counsel, Johnson Usman, to challenge Gana’s victory.

    The petitioners alleged that the election was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

    They added that the margin of win was less than the permanent voter cards (PVCs) collected in the polling units where elections did not hold or were cancelled.

  • Tribunal fires Prof Jerry Gana’s son from House of Reps

    Tribunal fires Prof Jerry Gana’s son from House of Reps

    The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal on Monday, sacked the son of Prof. Jerry Gana, Rep Joshua, from the House of Representatives.

    Rep Joshua Audu Gana was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Edati/Lavun/Mokwa Federal Constituency of Niger State in the Feb. 25 general elections.

    Gana, who won the election with 47,942 votes as against 40,003 votes scored by the candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr Abdullahi Usman Gbatamagi, was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Dissatisfied with the declaration, the APC and its candidate, Gbatamagi, through their Counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, challenged the return of Gana.

    The petition is via a petition number:EPT/NG/HR/06/2023 on the ground that the election was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 in that the margin of win was less than the permanent voter cards (PVCs) collected in the polling units where elections did not hold or were cancelled.

    Delivering the judgment on Monday, the three-member tribunal headed by Justice Sylvester Godspower agreed with Mr Usman’s arguments.

    The tribunal proceeded to invalidate votes in the 26 polling units of the constituency, thereby reducing the votes of Gana to 46,494 votes while that of Gbatamagi now stood at 39,159 votes, leaving the PVCs collected in the affected polling units at 14,411.

    The tribunal consequently set aside the Certificate of Return issued to Joshua Gana by INEC and ordered the commission to conduct a supplementary election in the 26 polling units within 90 days of the judgment with a view to determining the winner of the election.

  • Wike is not challenging outcome of PDP presidential primary – Gana

    Wike is not challenging outcome of PDP presidential primary – Gana

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Jerry Gana, said Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers is not challenging the outcome of the party’s presidential primary.

    Gana, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the party said this in a statement he issued to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

    “Our attention has been drawn to some fake news, making it necessary to issue this firm statement.

    “News in the media that Wike has commenced legal proceedings challenging the outcome of the 2022 PDP Presidential Primary, is totally false.

    “We unequivocally state that Wike has not and will not challenge the outcome of the just concluded PDP Presidential Primaries in Court.

    ”He has long moved beyond such an action to focus on matters of how best to ensure victory for the PDP in the forthcoming elections. ”

    Gana also described as false reports alleging Wike had instructed the removal of the ceremonial PDP flags and insignia from the Government House and Governor’s Office.

    He said: “This again is totally false and misleading. The Rivers State Governor never gave such instructions.

    “It appears that some forces within and outside the party are expressly opposed to the reconciliation moves between Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Wike.

    “Such malicious efforts will surely fail by the grace of God.

    “Let me assure all party faithfuls and supporters that we are strongly determined to ensure the success of the current reconciliation process.

    “Building a stronger and more united Peoples Democratic Party is our priority as we move towards the 2023 General Elections.”

  • Ex-presidential candidate, Jerry Gana, three others return to PDP

    Ex-presidential candidate, Jerry Gana, three others return to PDP

    Former Information Minister Jerry Gana, Amb. Esther Audu, Humphrey Abah and Adakole Ijogi, all former members of the PDP, formally rejoined the party and were re-admitted on Saturday in Makurdi.

     

    The ceremony took place at the party’s North Central Zonal Congress at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.

     

    Speaking on behalf of the returnees Prof. Gana, the former chairman of then federal orientation agency, MAMSER, said they were delighted to be back into the party, which he co-founded and was its first National Secretary.

     

    MAMSER was an acronym for Mass Mobilization for Self-Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery.

     

    It was an exercise in political orientation in Nigeria undertaken by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida as one of the recommendations of the Political Bureau headed by Dr Samuel Cookey.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Prof. Gana defected from the PDP to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2018 to contest the presidential election on its platform.

     

    Gana described the PDP as the “party of purpose, discipline and a party that has all the potential to be able to move the country forward”, adding that Nigerians were relying on the PDP to rescue the country from “darkness”.

     

    “Nigerians expect you to take over the governance of this country for good governance to ensure the peace and security of this country.

     

    “I, therefore, urge the PDP to mobilise and be united to rescue Nigeria and restore good governance, ensure security of lives and property and instill confidence in the minds of all Nigerians,” he charged.

     

    He said that the security and protection of lives was the real essence of governance and urged the Federal Government to protect Nigerians.

     

    Gana thanked the leaders of the party for re-admitting them into the party that they were privileged to form.

     

    “We are happy to be back,” he said, as he thanked Sen. David Mark and others who variously led the reconciliation delegation to them and ensured their return to the party.

     

    The ex-Minister noted that during the reign of the PDP, five of the six states comprising North-Central were under its control while at the moment only Benue remained under the control of the party.

     

    He, therefore, harped on the need for party members to work hard and reclaim the remaining states in the zone.

     

    “Now that we are back, we will do our best to mobilise, rebuild and reunite the party to take up the mantle of leadership come 2023,” he said.

     

    In his remarks at the Congress, a former President of the Senate, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, expressed joy that one of the founding members of the party, Prof. Jerry Gana, had finally returned to it.

     

    He said with the new crop of leaders in the party, victory in the 2023 polls was assured.

     

    “Now that the people of Nigeria have tested a second wife they now know how beautiful the PDP is.

     

    “Now with the return of Gana, the PDP will get back on track in 2023 and the whole of North Central will be governed by the PDP,” Ayu said.

     

    He gave the assurance that the party was coming up stronger and better to take over the governance of the country in 2023.

     

    Receiving the returnees on behalf of the National Chairman of the party, Gov. Samuel Ortom said their return would make the party stronger.

     

    Ortom said that the PDP would take advantage of the shortcomings of the ruling APC to regain power in 2023.

    He said that the leaders of the party in North-Central would work hard to return the PDP to power in all its states.

     

    He charged the new leadership of the party in the zone to imbibe equity, fairness, as well as protect and preserve the constitution of the party.

    “There will be no more `godfatherism’ or imposition of the candidates in the PDP, the decisions of the people will prevail,” Ortom said.

  • Jerry Gana reacts to S’Court ruling affirming Donald Duke as SDP presidential candidate

    Jerry Gana reacts to S’Court ruling affirming Donald Duke as SDP presidential candidate

    Presidential aspirant under the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prof. Jerry Gana, has said he was disappointed by the Supreme Court’s judgment that declared a former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, the authentic presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party.

    While Duke emerged the candidate of the party, a lower court nullified his nomination and declared a former Minister of Information, Prof Jerry Gana, as the candidate.

    Not satisfied with the judgement, Duke approached the Court of Appeal which upturned the lower court’s judgement and declared him the candidate.

    Also not satisfied, Gana approached the Supreme Court.

    The apex court, however, on Friday upheld the appellate court’s decision and declared Duke the party’s candidate.

    The Director-General of Gana’s campaign team, Dr Ike Neliaku, in a statement on Sunday titled “Before the Curtain Draws” said the apex court was not supreme because it was infallible but only because it was the final court in the country.

    According to him, time would reveal the consequences of the judgment.

    He said members of the team would continue to uphold their collective principles for the emergence of a new and credible political order in Nigeria.

    He said although the beginning might have been tough, victory was assured.

    The statement read, “As disappointed as we may all feel, it is important to remind ourselves of the saying that the Supreme Court is not supreme because it is infallible but only because it is the final court of the land.

    “It is only time that will reveal the grave consequences and implications of that judgment.

    “We wish to most sincerely acknowledge the support, solidarity, goodwill and faithfulness demonstrated by numerous party members, friends and associates across the nation, for standing with us throughout this journey. It is deeply encouraging to find many men and women committed to the ideals of integrity in politics and governance.

    “We salute the courage and bravery of these distinguished compatriots. We will continue to invest in these virtues, insisting that, contrary to the majority opinion of today’s men, the end does not necessarily, and must not, justify the means.

    “By God’s grace, within this period, we have grown and bonded into one big and formidable political family, with structures across the country. We shall continue to march on and flourish, under the leadership of Prof Jerry Gana, CON.

    “Together, we will continue to resolutely uphold our collective principles and vision for the emergence of a new and credible political order in Nigeria. The beginning may have been tough, but with tenacity of heart and sincerity of purpose, victory is assured.

    “We are grateful to God for giving us the strength, grace and courage to have come this far. As in the proverbial saying, ‘weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.’

    “We hope to soon convene a consultative meeting to jointly review and decide our collective future.”

  • 2019: Gana dares Falae, set to launch SDP presidential campaign

    2019: Gana dares Falae, set to launch SDP presidential campaign

    The Prof. Jerry Gana Presidential Campaign Team, known as G19, says it is going ahead with its planned commencement of Gana’s 2019 election campaign.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja on Dec. 14, declared that Gana and not Mr Donald Duke, was the rightful Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2019 election.

    Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf had held that the regulations contained in the party’s constitution were binding on every member and must be obeyed.

    The judge held that the zoning and rotation formula as contained in the party’s constitution stipulated that both the chairman of the party and the flag bearer should not come from the same zone.

    However, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Olu Falae, on Friday appealed to all members of the party not to attend any of the events being scheduled by Prof. Gana and his Presidential campaign committee pending the outcome of the appeal in the earlier judgement.

    In a swift reaction to Falae, Dr Ike Neliaku, the G19/Gana Campaign Director-General, said: “ the Gana Presidential Campaign train is set to leave the station tomorrow December 29 (Saturday), and will run swiftly to redeem the time and arrive its destination successfully and unhindered.

    “Therefore, all the media organizations and guests invited to the Media Presentation are joyfully expected to be at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja by 11.30 a.m.,” neliaku said in a statement in Lagos.

    He said that they were prepared to win the election and help other serious candidates of the party to win their elections as well.

    “We did not seek the party tickets to become merchants, traders and transationalists, we are too serious a community of people to engage in such.

    By the grace of God, we are running the race to win and determined to secure resounding victories for the Party.

    “ Considering the unmitigated embarrassment and sliding fortunes of the party in the last three months, I wonder if it is not time for the majority of party faithful who love the SDP to arise and rescue her from the tyranny of the minority who have received a mandate from outside of the arty hierarchy to muscle and cage the elegant stallion,” he said.

    The DG explained that following the High Court Judgment in favour of Prof. Gana as the 2019 Presidential Candidate of the SDP, and in the spirit of “our avowed commitment to Party Constitution, Gana wrote the National Chairman on Dec. 17 to inform him of the judgment and sought audience on Dec. 19 to brief the National Working Committee (NWC) on the agenda and roadmap of his campaign thrust.

    ” The National Chairman, through the Deputy National Chairman South, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, responded on December 18, conveying his inability to be in Abuja as requested.

    “On December 19, Prof Gana personally submitted his nomination form to the Party which was received by the Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr Abdul Isiaq and other members of the NWC on behalf of the party for onward transmission to INEC, in line with the court Judgment and order.

    “Dr Isiaq announced at the public occasion that the party will obey the court order. To our surprise, we understand that the national chairman, at the last minute, instructed the party not to proceed with the form to INEC, which is a flagrant disobedience to the court judgment.

    “After waiting for about 10 days without any information from the national chairman on moving forward, and being under tremendous pressure to commence campaigns in the light of limited time, Prof Gana wrote a second letter dated Dec. 27.

    The letter notified the National Chairman of his intention to unveil his campaign vision to the Media on Dec. 29, and meet with Stakeholders on Jan. 5, 2019.

    While expecting the national chairman’s response to the letter, our attention was this afternoon drawn to a press statement reportedly issued by the national chairman, on the subject matter of our letter.

    “To say the least, we are shocked at the national chairman’s sudden shift of position, after making commitment to both our candidate and other legitimate stakeholders, that as Social Democrats he and by extension, the party, were obliged to obey the court judgment and orders; and would expectedly work with the position of the court.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the reliefs granted in consequence of our case by the FCT High Court are all declaratory, which could only be vitiated by a contrary judgment of an appeal court.

    “It speaks volumes that our National Chairman would prefer an Appeal process, yet to commence and determined, in total disregard to a subsisting valid judgment and order by a court of competent jurisdiction.

    ”We have consulted with other leaders of the Party who represent about 90% of both the NWC and the NEC of the Party, and arrived at the conclusion that the views of the National Chairman are not in tandem with the majority.

    “ Unequivocally as the DG of G19, we will rather stand with the Rule of Law, which is a cardinal element of our campaign thrust and our great party,” he added.

  • 2019: Donald Duke loses as court declares Jerry Gana SDP’s presidential flag bearer

    2019: Donald Duke loses as court declares Jerry Gana SDP’s presidential flag bearer

    An FCT High Court in Maitama on Friday declared, a former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, the winner of the presidential primary election of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted on Oct. 6.

    The party had declared a former Governor of Cross River, Mr Donald Duke, the winner of the election and its flag bearer for the 2019 General Elections.

    The party said that Duke polled 812 votes while Gana had 611.

    However, Gana went to court seeking that it would declare him the winner in line with the zoning and rotation formula of the party’s constitution.

    In his judgement, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf held that the regulations contained in the party’s constitution were binding on every member and must be obeyed.

    He held that the zoning and rotation formula as contained in the party’s constitution stipulated that both the chairman of the party and the flag bearer should not come from the same zone.

    “In this instance, the party’s Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, is from the South and Duke is from the South too; the law is clear; there is nothing to write in-between.

    “The law has crystallised that political parties should abide by the regulations which they have made by themselves.

    “The claimant laid sufficient evidence to have the judgment in his favour; it is a clear violation of the party’s constitution; the court cannot wave right over illegality,” he held.

    The judge, therefore, declared Gana the winner of SDP presidential primary election conducted on Oct. 6.

    He also declared Duke’s 812 votes null and void, and ordered SDP to forward Gana’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s flag bearer for the 2019 presidential election.

    In addition, he ordered that Duke should stop parading himself as the party’s flag bearer for the elections.

    Gana had joined SDP, its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae; National Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam; Chairman, SDP Presidential Screening Panel/ Deputy National Chairman, South, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Duke and INEC as defendants in the suit.

    Gana sought a declaration that Duke was not eligible to stand as a candidate in the party’s presidential primaries held on Oct. 6, in Abuja.

    He also sought a declaration of the court that he ought to have been declared the winner of the SDP presidential primary election, having polled the highest valid votes in the said election.

    The former minister wanted an order of the court declaring him the validly elected flag bearer of the party for the 2019 General Elections.

    Gana also sought a perpetual injunction restraining Duke from parading himself as the SDP presidential candidate for the elections, among other reliefs.

    He had argued that under Article 15(3) of the SDP Constitution, the office of the national chairman of the party and the presidential candidacy shall rotate between the northern and southern parts of the country.