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Tag: National Chairman

  • PDP mocks APC over choice of Adamu as National Chairman

    PDP mocks APC over choice of Adamu as National Chairman

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has mocked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the choice of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the party’s National Chairman.

    The PDP in a statement signed by Debo Ologunagba, its National Publicity Secretary, stated that how Adamu was arraigned in Court on 149-count charge of alleged fraudulent award of contracts and stealing of public funds estimated at N15 billion.

    The main opposition party described the APC national convention as a jamboree and that the national convention was a convention of lies, celebration of illegality, corruption and arrogance in failure, adding that any leadership birthed through such process can only be overtly corrupt, debauch and illegal.

    The statement reads: “It is clear that with the combination of the corrupt, deceitful and rudderless Buhari-led APC government and the illegitimate Abdullahi Adamu-led party leadership, corruption, economic hardship and rudderlessness in the APC government will worsen in our country in the remaining one year of the APC in government.

    ALSO READ || National Convention: APC wears PDP look ahead of 2023 general elections

    “The composition of the APC national leadership is a clear confirmation that President Buhari has never been committed to the fight against corruption as well as his willingness to further open our national vaults to ravenous treasury looters in the APC.

    “The PDP challenges members of the illegitimate APC national leadership, particularly Sen. Adamu to come clean on corruption charges against them.

    “The new APC Chairman should inform Nigerians why he was not courageous enough to submit himself to trial at the Federal High Court, Lafia, Nasarawa State rather than hide under technicalities. Senator Adamu should therefore come clean to Nigerians on the said case before parading himself as a saint.

    “It is therefore pathetic to see Sen. Adamu showboating on stage to impress his puppet master by attempting to denigrate other Nigerians and our great Party, the PDP.

    “Our Party has only pity for Sen. Adamu and does not intend to confer him an undue relevance with a response. Sen. Adamu should however be conscious of the fact that time does not run against the State in criminal matters. He should therefore not have any illusion that being an APC Chairman will avail him a perpetual cover.

    “Moreover, it was appalling to see APC leaders come out one after the other at their national jamboree to spew out lies and false performance claims on the economy, infrastructure and security even in the face of biting economic hardship, high cost of living, excruciating fuel emergency, lingering crisis in the education sector and escalated insecurity that was happening real time and simultaneously when the ridiculous claims of achievement were being made.

    “Is it not shameful that while APC leaders were lying on stage in Abuja, terrorists were busy attacking the Kaduna International Airport, located in an APC controlled state?

    “In any case, the PDP restates its cautions that the purported APC National Working Committee (NWC) does not have the legitimacy of office as the process that produced it under the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) remains unconstitutional and flawed.

    “The PDP cautions aspirants intending to participate in the 2023 general elections under the APC to note that they are on a journey to nowhere with the APC”.

  • As Adamu emerges APC’s National Chairman, Shittu steps down from race of National Secretary

    As Adamu emerges APC’s National Chairman, Shittu steps down from race of National Secretary

    Just as Sen. Abdullahi Adamu emerged as All Progressives Congress, APC, consensus National Chairman on Saturday, the former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, has stepped down from the race of the party’s National Secreatary.

     

    Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State formally presented Adamu to the convention last night.

    Delegates were scheduled to vote for the next national women leader.

     

    FIVE FACTORS ON UNITY LIST:

    It was gathered that the governors’ list was a product of intense lobbying, meetings and consultations over three days.

    The governors were said to have been guided by the following five factors in compiling the Unity List:

    • Protecting the interest of the legacy parties that formed APC.
    • The need to respect the desire of members and leaders for unity.
    • A sense of belonging and party cohesion.
    • To have a solid and vibrant National Working Committee (NWC) which can help Senator Abdullahi Adamu whose age may slow down.
    • Building a bridge between current governors/leaders and latter ones at the party level from 2023.
    • Winning the 2023 polls begins with getting it right with the right party structure.

    On the Unity List are: Senator Abdullahi Adamu, (National Chairman); Senator Abubakar Kyari, (Deputy National Chairman, North); Emma Eneukwu, (Deputy National Chairman, South) ; Senator Iyiola Omisore (National Secretary); Festus Fuanter (Deputy National Secretary); Mustapha Salihu (National Vice Chairman North-East); Muhazu Bawa Rijau (National Vice Chairman North-Central) and Suleiman Mohammed Argungu National Organising Secretary).

    It also contains Salihu Lukman (National Vice Chairman, North-West); Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, (National Vice Chairman South-East); Dr. Victor Giadom, National Vice Chairman South-South); Isaac Kekemeke (National Vice Chairman South-West); Barr. Ahmed El-Marzuk (National Legal Adviser); Bashir Usman Gumel (National Financial Secretary) and Uguru Mathew Ofoke (National Treasurer).

    Chief Eneukwu was National Vice Chairman (South East) of the party under the Chief John Oyegun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole leadership.

     

    SIGNATORIES OF UNITY LIST:

    The National Unity List was signed by APC governors and leaders including Simon Lalong of Plateau State; Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State; Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State; Ben Ayade of Cross River State; Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State; Professor Abubakar Zulum of Borno State; A. A. Abdulrazaq of Kwara State and Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.

    Other signatories were Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Nweze David; Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State; M. B. Abubakar; Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State; and Abu Bello of Niger State.

     

    STEP DOWN CANDIDATES:

    Some of the candidates had announced that they were stepping down from the race at the convention venue before the arrival of House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Vice President Yemi Oainbajo and President Muhamadu Buhari.

    Mr. Adebayo Shittu, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele and Prof. Abideen Olaiya withdrew from the race for national secretary to pave the way for Senator Iyiola Omisore.

  • APC denies zoning its chairmanship to North Central

    APC denies zoning its chairmanship to North Central

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied zoning its national chairmanship to the North Central.

    Sen. James Akpanudoedehe, the National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this on Monday in Abuja when he spoke with newsmen.

    Akpanudoedehe was reacting to a media report that the party had zoned the position to the North Central, adding that the issue of zoning was not part of the mandates of the CECPC.

    “I have the mandate to report that whatever decision the CECPC takes and to the best of my knowledge the committee has not discuss zoning,’’ he said.

    He added that with the party`s national convention slated for February 2022, it was expected that party members would come up with different zoning speculations.

    “People are just flying what will favour their interest, all I know is that the caretaker committee has not discussed or reached a zoning decision,’’ he said.

    Also Sen. Victor Lar, Media Director, Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff Campaign Organisation, said that the report was laughable describing it as figment of the imagination of those who planted it.

    Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff, a two term governor of Borno, was a frontline aspirant for the APC chairmanship.

    “We find the purported story as very laughable because the organs of the party that are supposed to communicate that kind of information are not the ones communicating it.

    “For that reason, we will take it with a pinch of salt.

    “Again, the APC as a party has never adopted zoning, therefore, the story of it zoning the national championship to the North Central can better be described as a figment of the imaginations of those who planted it.

    “We find the report as the very poor scheming of people who are scared of contesting the position with Sheriff,’’ Lar said.

    He said it was obvious that Sheriff’s hard work and his manner campaign had unsettled other aspirants.

    This, he said, was especially because he had gained unprecedented support from party members and critical stakeholders from across the country.

    Lar added that the race for the APC national chairmanship was an open contest, saying that the best candidate should be allowed to emerge.

    He said this was necessary for the party to be galvanised for victory in the 2023 general elections.

    He said that Sheriff- a two term governor of Borno remained the best candidate for the APC national chairmanship.

    On the approval given by President Muhammadu Buhari for the party`s National Convention to hold in February 2022, Lar said there was need for the National Executive Committee (NEC) to meet and rectify the date.

    “Though we had commended the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) for taking the initiative to meet with Buhari on the need for the party’s National Convention to be conducted.

    “The decision to hold the convention in February 2022 has to be taken by the party’s NEC. The president does not have the constitutional powers to call for a meeting;

    “Neither do the governors elected on the party’s platform. It is only the party’s NEC that can take such decision as regards to when its national convention will hold.

    “The February date must therefore be rectified by the party’s NEC to make it constitutional,“ he said.

    Lar appealed to APC members and Sheriff`s teeming supporters to remain calm and focused.

    “We are on course and victory is certain.

    “I want to assure that Sheriff will work amicably and with open heart with everyone, irrespective of religion and tribe when he becomes the party`national chairman by God’s grace and with their support,” he said.

  • What Sen. Ayu said immediately after becoming PDP National Chairman

    What Sen. Ayu said immediately after becoming PDP National Chairman

    Senator Iyorchia Ayu has been elected as the new National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to head the party’s newly elected members of its National Working Committee (NWC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Ayu became the National Chairman of the PDP at the party’s national convention, which began on Saturday October 30 and lasted till Sunday October 31 at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

    Ayu, the newly elected National chairman of the PDP has said the party is ready to take back power from the ruling All Progressives congress (APC).

    The PDP chairman promised to unite Nigeria and move the country ahead.

    “The PDP is back. We are determined. The other one is a contraption. PDP did it before, we will do it again. This is a quit notice to the other party. We are taking back the country. We will develop the country.

    “In two weeks time, you will see the power that will come back in PDP in every state. A small group of people decided to divide Nigeria. We will unite the country and move ahead to develop this country,” Ayu said.

    TNG reports Ayu emerged national chairman of the PDP as a consensus candidate to replace Prince Uche Secondus, who was suspended from the party.

    Ayu is taking over the leadership of the main opposition party alongside 20 others elected into various positions within the PDP NWC.

    See full list of the 21 new members of PDP NWC below:

    1. National Chairman – Iyorchia Ayu
    2. Deputy National Chairman (North) – Umar Damagum (Contested)
    3. Deputy National Chairman (South) – Taofeek Arapaja (Contested)
    4. National Secretary – Samuel Anyanwu (Unopposed)
    5. National Treasurer – Ahmed Mohammed (Unopposed)
    6. National Organising Secretary – Umar Bature (Unopposed)
    7. National Financial Secretary – Daniel Woyegikuro (Unopposed)
    8. National Women’s Leader – Professor Stella Effah-Attoe (Unopposed)
    9. National Youth Leader – Muhammed Suleiman (Contested)
    10. National Legal Adviser – Kamaldeen Ajibade (Unopposed)
    11. National Publicity Secretary – Debo Ologunagba (Unopposed)
    12. National Auditor – Okechuckwu Daniel (Unopposed)
    13. Deputy National Secretary – Setoji Kosheodo (Unopposed)
    14. Deputy National Treasurer – Ndubisi David (Unopposed)
    15. Deputy National Publicity Secretary – Ibrahim Abdullahi (Unopposed)
    16. Deputy National Organising Secretary – Ighoyota Amori (Unopposed)
    17. Deputy National Financial Secretary – Adamu Kamale (Unopposed)
    18. Deputy National Women’s Leader – Hajara Wanka (Unopposed)
    19. Deputy National Youth Leader – Timothy Osadolor (Unopposed)
    20. Deputy National Legal Adviser – Okechukwu Osuoha (Unopposed)
    21. Deputy National Auditor – Abdulrahman Mohammed (Unopposed)
  • Secondus: Court dismisses suit challenging National Chairman’s suspension from PDP

    Secondus: Court dismisses suit challenging National Chairman’s suspension from PDP

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed an application challenging the suspension of Mr Uche Secondus from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A panel of three justices led by Justice Haruna Tsammani struck out the suit on Tuesday during its sitting in the Rivers State capital.

    The PDP had filed the application at the appellate court to test the validity of Secondus’ suspension from the main opposition party.

    In its judgement delivered on September 10, a high court in Rivers affirmed the suspension of Secondus from the party at his ward in Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.

    During proceedings on Tuesday, the new counsel to the main opposition party, Sunday Ameh, told the court that upon going through the processes, he did not find the need to continue with the application.

    Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the argument on the application seeking to stop the PDP from conducting its National Convention this weekend.

    The argument on the application was adjourned till 12pm on Thursday following an application for joinder by interested parties.

    It is, however, not clear if the court would make any pronouncement on the adjourned date.

    The PDP had fixed October 30 and 31 for a special convention to elect new national officers in Abuja, as a means to resolve the internal crisis that rocked the Secondus led National Working Committee of the party.

    But Secondus is not pleased with the decision to conduct the convention which would abruptly end his tenure that was due to expire in December.

    The suspended PDP National Chairman later filed an application as part of the processes in the ongoing litigation over his suspension from the party, to stop the party from holding the convention.

    Following the suspension of Secondus, Mr Yomi Akinwonmi has been serving as the PDP National Chairman in an acting capacity.

     

  • PDP screens 33 candidates for national chairmanship, other positions

    PDP screens 33 candidates for national chairmanship, other positions

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has screened 33 candidates seeking election into the office of the national chairman and other various positions in the party’s national convention.

    The aspirants were examined on Wednesday in Abuja by the screening committee led by a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke.

    According to him, the committee hopes to finish the exercise within a day to enable enough time for the appeal committee to do its job.

    Adoke, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), vowed that the committee would not succumb to external influence to force an aspirant out or in for the contest.

    The PDP governorship candidate in Ondo State and SAN, Eyitayo Jegede, is the deputy chairman of the committee.

    The screening exercise took place a week after PDP leaders from the North held a consensus meeting ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled to hold on October 30 and 31.

    The meeting held on Wednesday last week at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja was convened to trim down the number of candidates contesting in the convention.

    Former Senate President Iyorchia Ayu had emerged as a consensus candidate for the chairmanship position when party leaders in the north-central region previously held a similar meeting.

    On September 9, the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) set up a national zoning committee to zone national offices to be contested by all party members.

    The mandate of the committee, however, did not include zoning of the offices of the president, vice president, as well as other executive and legislative offices in the country.

    Three weeks after it was inaugurated, the committee announced that the next PDP national chairman should come from the North, where that the current offices being held by officers in the South should swap places with the offices currently in the North.

    According to it, this is in line with the PDP Constitution on zoning and rotation of party and national offices in the interest of justice, equity, and fairness.

    The recommendations of the committee were later ratified by the PDP’s NEC.

  • 2023: National Chairman, Amaechi Support Group tours Innoson Motor Factory

    2023: National Chairman, Amaechi Support Group tours Innoson Motor Factory

    From Chuks Collins, Awka

    The Chairman/CEO of the Innoson Group, Dr Innocent Chukwuma has expressed delight at the 2023 presidential aspiration plans of the incumbent Minister of Transportation, Chief Chibike Amaechi.

    This was made public during a courtesy call on Dr Chukwuma at his Nnewi Corporate Headquarters by members of the Amaechi Support Group(ASG) led by the National Coordinator, Evangelist ThankGod Didia who paid him a courtesy visit while on an excursion visit to the Nnewi-based Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing plant.

    Evangelist Didia who flew in from Abuja alongside some national officers of the ASG met the industrial giant alongside the group’s Anambra State chapter led by the state Coordinator, Hon (Mrs) Chinyere Ibezim.

    Receiving the group, Chief Chukwuma after briefing by Evangelist Didia commended them for coming, and noted that the Minister who he described as eminently qualified, need to be fully supported and encouraged. He said he was ready to play his part well to ensure that the vision was actualized, and that his doors were always open to all.

    According to him, “Anambra state is home to Chief Amaechi; we will give him our maximum support and backing. He is our brother and a worthy son in-law.”

    Addressing the Anambra chapter on a friendly note charged them to “upgrade and fortify your transportation and vehicles in line with the name, image and status of our Honourable Minister and what he represents…”

    Didia had earlier told him that the visit was part of the nationwide consultations with leaders and captains of industries who are key players in different sectors of the nation’s economy.

    He said, “we are here to identify and consult with you as one of the national leaders who are making giant strides and global impact. You have not disappointed our people at all. We are very impressed with what we have seen. Please keep it up.

    “We also use this opportunity to relate with you on our effort to see His Excellency, Chief Chibike Amaechi become the next President of Nigeria.

    “You are one of the leaders of the Igbo nation that must be consulted so as to show the way forward when the time comes..”, the national chairman noted.

    Mrs Ibezim who is the Anambra State ASG chairman while commending Chief Chukwuma said that his kind words to Chief Amaechi’s 2023 project was a very big moral booster and encouragement to Nigerians.

  • BREAKING: PDP NEC approves zoning national chairmanship slot to north

    BREAKING: PDP NEC approves zoning national chairmanship slot to north

    The National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the recommendation of its committee to zone the position of national chairman to the North.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, briefed journalists about the decision after the NEC meeting, which was held in Abuja on Thursday.

    Based on the decision, all positions in the party currently occupied by people from the South will go to the North and those occupied by people from the North will go to the South.

    The PDP NEC also retained the scheduled date for the party’s convention.

    It is scheduled to take place on October 30 and 31.

    More details later

     

  • BREAKING: PDP zones national chairmanship slot to north

    BREAKING: PDP zones national chairmanship slot to north

    The National Zoning Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its national chairmanship slot to the northern region of the country.

    This decision was contained in a communique issued on Thursday following the meetings of the committee held in Enugu and Abuja.

    “The decision of the PDP Zoning Committee is in line with the Constitution of the party on zoning and rotation of party and national offices in the interest of justice, equity, and fairness,” the statement read.

    “Consequently, the current offices being held by officers in the southern zones of the country, namely South West, South East, and South South zones, should swap places with the offices currently in the northern zones of Nigeria, namely North West, North East, and North Central zones.”

    The committee is headed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, while Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Mahdi Mohammed, are deputy chairman and secretary respectively.

    Constituted on September 9, it was given the mandate to zone national offices to be contested by all PDP members at the party’s forthcoming national convention.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the party’s National Executive Committee had announced October 30 to commence the exercise.

    However, the mandate of the committee does not include zoning of the offices of the president, vice president, as well as other executive and legislative offices in the country.

    The committee stated that its decision to zone the party’s offices does not in any way affect the executive and legislative offices in Nigeria.

    It explained that the zoning of offices within the PDP has traditionally been between the North and South of the country.

    The committee thanked the party’s leadership, especially the National Executive Committee for finding its members worthy to serve the PDP in that capacity.

    “We shall pass on our recommendations to the National Executive Committee of the party through the National Working Committee of the party,” the communique added.

  • 2023: APC needs “rugged“ national chair – Sheriff

    2023: APC needs “rugged“ national chair – Sheriff

    Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno and an All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairmanship aspirant, has said the party needs a “rugged“ national chairman to manage its affairs ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    He said this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja on his aspirations and plans for the APC if he emerged the next national chairman, pointing out that he was not new to the party.

    He said if he was elected as the APC’ s next helmsman at its forthcoming national convention billed to hold before the end of 2021, he would meet the aspirations of all party members.

    “I am bringing in my experience as somebody who knows the terrain of Nigeria. I am bringing my experience as a two-term state governor.

    “I will be bringing in my experience as a leader of the National Assembly. I am coming to the table as someone who understands the terrain and as someone who has ran political parties in different aspects.

    “I am not a newcomer. I am not a novice. I was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), one of the legacy parties that formed the APC.

    “I am bringing to the table my knowledge of who and who worked hard to make sure that we succeed and who and who left because they were angry.

    “I will go to their houses and bring them back. So, I am bringing a package that will meet the aspirations of every man and woman of this party,” he said.

    Sheriff said he had been going round the country, making consultations and discussing with leaders of the party of his intentions and aspirations.

    He noted that the APC as a political party was about six –and-half years, saying that it was a combination of different political parties.

    Sheriff said the APC needed someone who had served in different capacities, adding that there was need to build bridges across the country.

    He said though the APC was only six years in government, its aspirations was to be in government for the next 30 to 40 years.

    He, however, noted that achieving such an aspiration would not come on the platter of gold, but with hard work and dedication of party members.

    The two-term former governor said he was reaching out to party leaders, the youth, women and other groups within the party.

    He said the essence was to tell them that they must come together to get the APC to rule for the next four decades by the grace of God.

    “To do that you need a rugged captain, you don’t need a captain that will capsize the ship.

    “A ship has to be navigated by a knowledgeable person who knows the waters and I believe I can do that for our party if given the opportunity by party men and women who are the decision makers.

    “There are so many people in the field but you can look at everybody and see where you can put your deposit. We don’t want a bank that will collapse after a short period,” he said.

    Sheriff, described as a strong-willed individual, said he would continue to consult the party’s critical stakeholders, visiting them in their homes until everybody was consulted.

    He said contrary to speculations, he had consulted with the people of Borno, his home state, including Gov. Babagana Zulum.

    “Maybe, it is just a perception, but I discussed with all the stakeholders in Borno about my ambition. I talk to them one on one.

    “I have gone and discussed with the governor, who is the leader of the party in the state about my ambition and aspirations.

    “You don’t go out without talking to your home base, in that respect, I have been talking to all of them,” he said.

    He added that speculation that he was not in talking terms with some of the party’s stakeholders in Borno was not correct.

    He maintained that he had no problem with anyone, adding that he had been carrying all the party’s critical stakeholders along in his aspirations.

    According to him, you don’t for whatever reason, help people and start fighting them.

    “I was a governor for eight years, I have been in Senate several times. I am not looking for any of these positions again because I have already gone past them.

    “I’m not looking for anything that someone from Borno is looking for, therefore we will work together to achieve this position for all of us,” he said.

    Asked if he was sure of being accepted as APC next national chairman by its governors, Sheriff said he had been visiting and consulting with the governors as the party’s leaders in their states to sell his candidacy to them.

    “They are leaders of this country in all aspects of life. Anybody who can run a state, elected by his people to become a governor must be respected.

    “Therefore, I am sure every governor will like his party to always win and will want to see a chairman that if the opposition see, they know that they cannot play with the party.

    “Every governor will be interested to work with somebody that he can relate with and somebody that is one of them.

    “I am one of them. I was a governor and by that s automatically I am one of them. I don’t think I have any problem with any governor.

    “I respect them that is why I visit them. I don’t go and see them in Abuja. I go to their states to talk to them because they are the leaders of the party, they are leaders of their states,” he said.

    He said that he did not have any problem with any governor and would not have problems working with any of them because he had absolute respect for them.