TheNewsGuru

Tag: National Convention

  • BREAKING: PDP defeats Secondus, Appeal Court okays party’s national convention

    BREAKING: PDP defeats Secondus, Appeal Court okays party’s national convention

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has defeated it’s suspended national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus in court, with a directive to go ahead with its national convention unhindered.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Secondus had approached the Court of Appeal, sitting in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital to challenge his removal as the PDP’s national chairman.

    He also approached the court to stop the party from holding its National Convention as scheduled for 30th to 31st of October, 2021 in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

    However, the Court of Appeal has passed judgement, ruling in favour of the PDP to hold its National Convention as scheduled.

    The three-man panel dismissed the appeal which was filed on October 14, 2021 for lacking in merit.

    The judgement was read by Justice Gabriel Kolawale, and was unanimously endorsed by the other two members of the panel.

    The panel ruled that Secondus voluntarily relinquished his office since he did not challenge his removal at ward and local government levels.

     

     

    Details shortly…

  • National Convention: Appeal Court decides for PDP tomorrow

    National Convention: Appeal Court decides for PDP tomorrow

    The Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State will on Friday decide whether or not the Peoples Democratic Party will go ahead with the conduct of its National Convention this weekend.

    A panel of three justices, headed by the Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, reserved the ruling on Thursday after hearing arguments in the application filed by the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus to suspend the conduct of the convention.

    The convention, slated for October 30 and 31 in Abuja, had been fixed by the PDP’s National Working Committee as part of efforts to resolve the party’s internal crisis.

    The convention is expected to lead to the election of new national officers.

    But this decision did not go down well with Secondus, hence the filing of the application.

    During Thursday’s proceedings, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), counsel to Secondus, argued that refusing to grant his application to stop the PDP Convention can be likened to “pulling off the rug under the feet of the appellant”.

    He said his client will be permanently denied the right to preside over or participate in the convention if the pending applications bordering on his leadership and membership status go in his favour.

    But the submission was opposed by Henry Bello, counsel to the first to fifth respondents, who are the Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party in five Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

    The Chairmen are challenging Secondus’s legal right to resume as National Chairman of the PDP following his suspension from the party in his ward in Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Mr. Bello reading an except of his 24-paragraph affidavit sworn to by the First respondent (one of the LGA party Chairmen), argued that the application to stop the PDP convention by Uche Secondus, was alien to the existing appeals before the court bordering on the leadership and membership of Uche Secondus in the party.

    The opposition by Henry Bello was supported by the lawyer to the PDP, Sunday Ameh (SAN).

    He submitted that Secondus voluntarily handed over the authorities of his office to a subordinate who has been acting lawfully as the National Chairman and is bestowed with the right to preside over the National Convention.

    According to him, “the balance of convenience in the matter is in not granting the application” to stop the convention.

    Also, Donald Dee-Nwigwe (SAN), representing the ninth and 10th respondents, picked holes in the argument by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) that the conduct of the National Convention by the PDP will be a denial of Uche Secondus right to preside over the convention.

    He submitted that, “a Chairmanship position of the PDP is at best a political privilege, not a right” and that the September judgment of a High Court in Rivers State which validated the suspension of Uche Secondus from the party has nullified any such privilege which Uche Secondus seeks to protect through his application.

    Other counsels, including Godwin Obla (SAN), Sebastine Horns, who represented other respondents like the National Vice Chairman, South-South of the PDP, Dan Obih, also opposed the application to stop the PDP convention.

    To further defend his application, counsel to Secondus, Tayo Oyetibo argued that the use of the word “Shall” in the PDP convention bestowed on Uche Secondus, the right, not privilege to preside over party conversations.

    He also submitted that the application before the court is not to “prohibit the convention of the party, but to suspend the convention pending the determination of the rights of the parties”.

  • PDP begins sale of nomination forms ahead of National Convention

    PDP begins sale of nomination forms ahead of National Convention

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will begin the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms on Monday.

    This is coming ahead of its National Elective Convention, scheduled for Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.

    The party disclosed this in its revised, “Timetable and Schedule of Activities for Year 2021 National Convention,” signed by its National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (Rtd.), on Sunday in Abuja.

    Akobundu said that the timetable was approved by the National Working Committee (NWC) in line with the resolution of the 94th National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party that adopted the zoning formula.

    According to the timetable, the sale of nomination forms and expression of interest forms for the national offices will start from Monday, Oct. 11. to Friday, Oct. 15 at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja.

    The timetable also slated the last day for the submission of purchased forms for Saturday, Oct. 16.

    It stated that the forms should be submitted to the party’s Directorate of Organisation and Mobilisation (DOM), for processing and onward transmission to the screening committee.

    It stated that the screening of aspirants for national offices would take place on Monday, Oct. 18, while appeals arising from the screening of aspirants exercise would hold on Thursday, Oct. 21.

    It added that the publication of names of all cleared aspirants has been slated for Saturday, Oct. 23, while the NWC meeting for the adoption of delegates’ list and publication of same will hold Monday, Oct. 25.

    The party advised all aspirants for various party offices at the national level to purchase their expression of interest and nomination forms at the National Secretariat.

    The Chairman, National Convention Organising Committee, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, had earlier on Saturday said that the Oct. 30 for the convention remained sacrosanct.

    Fintiri said:” There is no reason for the date to be changed, in spite the fact that the zoning committee just concluded their job and approved by the National Executive Committee on Thursday.”

    He said that the venue for the convention is Eagle Square, while delegates’ accreditation would take place at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Abuja.

    “The transport committee will work with the appropriate transport companies to secure vehicles for members that will be accredited and be conveyed from the old parade old ground to the Eagle square,” Fintiri said.

    He disclosed that the committee had received budget submissions from all the sub-committees.

    The chairman said that all the submitted lists would be harmonised, approved and funds would be released.

    Fintiri said that the electoral committee would be trained to have the best convention that Nigerians have been awaiting.

    Asked if the zoning decision would be reviewed, Fintiri said that the NEC, which is the highest decision organ of the party, had already taken the final decision.

    “We will abide by it and that is what we are working on, he said”

    On the size of delegates expected at the convention, Fintiri said no fewer than 4,000 to 6,000 would be on ground.

    The Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the meeting said that the PDP had resolved issues regarding zoning for the convention.

    “We have learnt our mistakes, we are not going to play to the gallery the way and manner our distractors or our competitors want us to be.

    “We will always resolve our issues, so zoning is over. We have really gone over this issue.

    “What we are looking forward to is the emergence of a Chairman from the North, who will give us the leadership that we require to form a government in 2023,” Mohammed said.

    On the possibility of consensus candidates for the convention, Mohammed said that democracy was about consensus.

    The Bauchi governor said,” with consensus, electoral process and matters arising within the party thereafter could be reduced.

    “I did say we should have a consensus candidate, but we will not practice imposition,” Mohammed said

  • PDP announces venue for National Convention

    PDP announces venue for National Convention

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has chosen Abuja as the venue for its national convention.

    The decision was reached at the party’s 92nd National Executive Committee meeting which was presided over by acting National Chairman, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi on Saturday.

    The NEC also agreed to reconvene in September.

    Main opposition party PDP has recently been hit by multiple defections as some embittered members call for the resignation of Uche Secondus as National Chairman.

    The embattled National Chairman has been accused of having “no clear road map, blue print or policy programme for the PDP.”

    At least two court judgements have asked Secondus to step aside as party chief while a court judgement obtained in Kebbi said he could continue in the role.

    Secondus was absent at Saturday’s NEC meeting.

  • PDP crisis: Secondus saved as party fixes quick date for national convention

    PDP crisis: Secondus saved as party fixes quick date for national convention

    In their bid to curb the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), major stakeholders in the party reached a resolution to hold its national convention at an earlier date (end of October, 2021).

    The party made the announcement on Tuesday after a closed-door meeting of PDP’s major stakeholders in Abuja.

    At the meeting which was attended by governors, former governors, serving and former National Assembly members among others, the party posited that the National Executive Committee, NEC to constitute a committee to zone national elective and party positions.

    Fortunately for PDP chairman, Uche Secondus, who has been troubled recently by calls for his resignation; resolutions reached by the party today still gives his office a cover until the convention slated for October.

    Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state and chairman of the PDP governors forum, issued a communique on Tuesday after a closed-door meeting of the party stakeholders in Abuja.

    The communique read thus:

    The PDP Stakeholders held a meeting on Tuesday 10th August, 2021, at Wadata Plaza,, Abuja on the recent developments in the PDP.

    There were extensive consultations with all major stakeholders in the Party including the Governors, members of the Board of Trustees, former Presiding Officers and current Principal officers and Leaders from the National Assembly, former Governors, former Ministers, and indeed other leaders of the Party with a view to bringing all tendencies within the Party together in view of the urgent task facing the Party as the only viable vehicle to checkmate the abysmally poor governance of the APC led Federal Government.

    The meeting deliberated extensively on the issues thrown up and resolved as follows:

    a. That the Constitution, traditions and practices of the Party should be strictly adhered to in finding solutions to any problems.

    b. That all parties should sheath their sword in the greater interest of the PDP and the need to RESCUE Nigeria from the avoidable National malaise and drift occasioned by the APC administration.

    c. That all processes leading to an early National Convention in October be immediately activated by relevant Party organs, especially National Executive Committee (NEC).

    d. That the Party should redouble efforts to provide a credible alternative leadership for Nigeria as it still remains the only hope for the Nigerian people for good governance.

    e. The meeting requested the NEC to immediately constitute a Zoning Committee for Party Offices and another Committee for National elective Offices.

    f. The meeting expressed appreciation to Party elders for their commitment and wisdom in handling Party affairs.

    g. We shall overcome and restore peace, security and development once again to Nigeria.

  • APC reschedules congresses, national convention; keeps mum on new date

    APC reschedules congresses, national convention; keeps mum on new date

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rescheduled its congresses and national convention initially scheduled to commence this month (July).

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that there were fears in the state chapters of the party over a possible postponement of the congresses and national convention.

    Confirming the development, the National Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Executive Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni and National Secretary, John Udoedebe in a letter to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said a new date will be communicated to the commission soon.

    However, the party leaders did not state reasons for the postponement of the congresses and convention in their July 6 letter to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and obtained by TNG.

    TNG reports that the initial timetable and schedule of activities by the party’s Director of Organization, Professor Al-Mustapha Ussiju Medaner showed that the congresses would commence with the sale of nomination forms for the ward congress from 1st to end by 7th July, but as of the close of work on Friday, no state has taken possession of the nomination forms for any of the congresses.

    The timetable released by the party fixed inauguration of Ward/LGA Congress Screening/Screening Appeal Committees for 10th July 2021; Ward Congress is billed for 24th July, Local Government Congress is slated for 14th August 2021 and the State Congress will hold on the 18th September 2021.

    TNG reports that the party also recently extended its membership registration/revalidation exercise in four states

  • Only Buhari can fix date for National Convention – APC Governors

    Only Buhari can fix date for National Convention – APC Governors

    Governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have said that the onus of fixing date of the party’s National Convention rests solely on President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Chairman Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State disclosed this on Wednesday night after a crucial meeting of the Forum in Abuja.

    Briefing newsmen after the meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, Bagudu said the chairman of the party’s Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, told the meeting the timetable for Congresses and National Convention are before President Buhari.

    Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanduoehehe, had earlier said Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC Governors and critical stakeholders will determine the date for the Convention.

    Bagudu said: “There is a proposal before Mr. President and once he approves it, the National Caretaker Committee will announce the date.”

    He said the forum considered the timetable proposal by the Committee and made some inputs into it so that the exercise will comply with Electoral Law and the Constitution of the party.

    According to Bagudu: “We considered the timetable and we have made some inputs particularly to comply with the Electoral Law and the party’s constitution. Remember we governors are just one organ of the party (though a very important organ).”

    But when asked if the meeting agreed on a specific date for the Convention, Bagudu simply said: “There is a proposal before Mr. President and once he approves it, the National Caretaker Committee will announce the date.”

    He however added the Forum advised the Caretaker Committee “to ensure that they consult with all, so that at the end of the day, the final output will be such that all party members will be happy.”

    Bagudu further said the Forum passed vote of confidence on the Gov. Buni- led National Caretaker Committee for the progress recorded by the party under its leadership.

    Akpanduoehehe last week told newsmen the Committee had approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the party’s Congresses from ward to zonal level but was silent on the National Convention.

    However a week after directing the party’s Director of Organization, Prof. Al-Mustspha Ussiju Medaner to release the timetable, the party is keeping the timetable for the Congresses to its chest.

    At the December 8, 2020 emergency meeting of APC National Executive Committee (NEC), the party directed the Committee to ensure completion of its assignment and emergence of a new National Working Committee (NWC).

  • APC yet to decide zoning arrangements for National Convention – Caretaker committee

    APC yet to decide zoning arrangements for National Convention – Caretaker committee

    The Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday said the party is yet to unfold the zoning arrangement for the forthcoming National Convention of the party.

    The party described as fake a zoning arrangement being circulated in the social media.

    Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Yekini Nabena in a telephone interview in Abuja dismissed a sharing formula being posted on the social media.

    Nabena said that the Caretaker Committee is yet to discuss the zoning arrangement of all it’s positions as approved by the party’s constitution, adding that critical stakeholders across the country will be involved in arriving at such crucial issue.

    “Zoning arrangement is a very crucial and critical. It requires the engagement of all. Critical stakeholders, wide and strategic consultations will hold before such zoning arrangement is arrived at.

    “The zoning arrangement being circulated on the social media is fake. The Caretaker Committee is yet to decide on that.

    “Our members should disregard the so call APC 2020 Extraordinary Zoning Arrangement for the Forthcoming National Convention. All stakeholders and concerned members will be consulted. Such a critical decision will be released through proper channel and not through the social media.”

    Nabena further said that the Caretaker Committee remained focus on it’s assignment, stressing that “the Caretaker Committee is focused on it’s assignment of ensuring the reconciliation of all aggrieved members as a prerequisite for a national convention.”

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party at an emergency meeting on the 25th of June inaugurated the Caretaker Committee with the mandate to reconcile all aggrieved members and conduct a national convention for the Election of new National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

  • APC expels Zamfara exco 24 hours to National Convention

    The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress has expelled the entire Party executives at all levels in Zamfara State.
    This was contained in a statement signed by the acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, in Abuja, on Friday.
    The decision came barely 24 hours to the party’s national convention scheduled to hold in Abuja.
    The statement read in part” By this decision, all supposed Party factions in Zamfara State stand dissolved.
    “The NWC-inaugurated committee for Zamfara State is to conduct the Governorship and Legislative primaries in the State.
    “Hence, the Zamfara State Governor, H.E. Alh. Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari and the dissolved executives in the state should not interfere in the primary elections in the State.
    “The Governorship and legislative primaries will hold from Saturday, October 5, 2018 – Sunday, October 6, 2018.”

  • Oshiomhole declares for Chairman ahead of NC

    Oshiomhole declares for Chairman ahead of NC

    Immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole will, on Thursday, officially declare intention to run for position of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    TheNewsGuru reports this is ahead of the party’s National Convention (NC) scheduled to hold in June this year.

    Oshiomhole, confirming his decision to formally announce his intention, said he was joining the chairmanship race with a view to contributing his quota to the growth of the APC.

    “It is true that I intend to make my ambition known to our party members and Nigerians. I strongly believe that with the experience I have gathered in my public life, haven served as President of the NLC, governor of Edo State, I have what it takes to take our dear party, the ruling party to the next level,” he said.

    The aspiration of the Edo former governor to replace the outgoing chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun got a boost after he was endorsed by President Muhammadu Buhari.‎

    The declaration ceremony, which will hold in Abuja, is expected to be attended by APC chieftains, including the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, APC Governors and National Assembly members.

    The party has scheduled its local government congresses for this Saturday, May 12, 2018, state congresses will hold on Saturday, May 19, 2018.