TheNewsGuru

Tag: PDP

  • PDP convention: Group wants Teejay Yusuf as national chairman, says, he’s reliable, loyal member

    PDP convention: Group wants Teejay Yusuf as national chairman, says, he’s reliable, loyal member

    As the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan approaches, the Northern PDP Vanguard has started drumming support for Hon. TeeJay Yusuf declaring that he is the best candidate for the position of National Chairman.

    The Group, an amalgamation of different associations in the Northern region with allegiance to the PDP believes that the former member of the House of Representatives possesses the right qualities, and fits the profile of who should emerge as the major opposition party’s chairman at the convention.

    In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Abdullahi Dantijo, and Mr. Gideon Bwanshak, President, and Secretary respectively, issued in Abuja on Thursday, after its deliberations, the Group stated that, “going forward, our party needs a person that has character, integrity, discipline, and forthrightness to pilot its affairs for the next four years. With the numerous challenges, and different crises that have enmeshed the PDP, a natural bridge-builder, selfless, and loyal party man should be the national chairman.

    We like to state unequivocally that, after extensive search, and sampling the opinions of many people, TeeJay Yusuf ticks all the boxes. Aside having all these qualities, he has remained consistently defending the values of the PDP; refused, and rejected every overtures to jump to other parties; he has built enduring relationships across-the-board within the party, and beyond.”

    To show its commitment towards the agitation, the Group declared that, “though many party faithful know that Yusuf is not overtly ambitious, but the PDP has gotten to a situation that his remarkable attributes will help tremendously in re-positioning the party as we prepare for the 2027 general elections.

    ” For us, and many others in the party, since we are convinced that Yusuf is the most credible choice, we have begun strategic discussions with party faithful, and different groups canvassing what the PDP will benefit with him as the National Chairman. For now, there have been very positive reactions, and endorsement of this forward-thinking idea.”

    The group also insisted that for the party to adequately rebounce to its former glory,” we need Teejay Yusuf who is known to be detribalised and appealing to the youths of Nigeria.

    “With his massive experience as a youth leader in his university days as NANS Secretary-General, and twelve years in the National Assembly as a dogged, principled, and resourceful lawmaker, he left indelible marks that cannot be easily erased.

    “The PDP, for now needs a national chairman that can turn around the party and lift it to greater heights of excellence, and groundswell acceptance.”

  • Congress: PDP faction in C’River dares Wike

    Congress: PDP faction in C’River dares Wike

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River says the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, will not produce the next state chairman of the party.

    NAN reports that this is the position of the Cross River South Senatorial District of the party following its caucus meeting in Calabar on Wednesday.

    According to Mr Asuquo Ekpo, state’s vice chairman of the PDP, the meeting was convened to deliberate on urgent and important political developments affecting both the senatorial district and the state at large.

    In a communique signed by Ekpo, the party condemned the resolution of the meeting of the faction loyal to Wike held in Abuja, which called for the extension of the tenure of the incumbent chairman of the party in the state.

    He noted that the Venatius Ikem’s led leadership of the state executive was riddled with conflict and divisive tendencies.

    He reaffirmed the caucus commitment to ensure an all-inclusive and rancour-free state congress scheduled for Sept. 27.

    According to him, in line with the national template and resolution of the Cross River special stakeholders meeting, the caucus adopts the existing state party offices allocated to the southern senatorial district

    “The caucus resolved to present a united and formidable front at the forthcoming state congress and recalled the unfortunate experiences of 2023 when the party lost in the South.

    “Consequently, the caucus directed all local government areas in the district to consult widely and put forward their most competent representatives for the Sept. 27 congress.

    “The caucus further reaffirmed its commitment to engage with different local government areas, with a view to accommodating or realigning the zoning as the circumstances may require.”

    He added that the caucus commended the National Woman Leader, Mrs Amina Bryhm, for her bold and decisive steps to ensure stability of the PDP in the state.

    The PDP in Cross River is factioned along the Wike led group and that of the former Vice President, Alh. Abubakar Atiku, who has since defected to the ADC.

  • We will no longer allow anybody to take us for granted – Bala Mohammed to Wike’s camp

    We will no longer allow anybody to take us for granted – Bala Mohammed to Wike’s camp

    Bauchi State Governor and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed has said the party will no longer tolerate those cause problems.

    Reacting to the new set of conditions listed by a group loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the PDP convention to hold peacefully, Mohammed said leaders of the PDP are not cowards.

    The group, which tagged itself as Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, said having met to review the state of the party and assess the critical issues leading to the forthcoming National Convention, agreed with the zoning committee’s recommendations, which was adopted by NEC that status quo remains, but “we further, and very strongly hold that there should be no form of micro-zoning for peace and stability within the party.”

    The group also said the National Chairman of the party should remain in the North-Central in line with the zoning formula of the 2021 convention among others.

    But reacting, Mohammed said, “We cannot continue to keep quiet and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse.”

    The Governor said, “The National chairman has spoken very well. The pedigree and capacity of the Convention Committee leadership is never in doubt because they have been doing it, they have done it before, and we believe we will do it very well.

    “We are with the National Working Committee. We appreciate the sacrifice they are making. But certainly time has come when we must flex our muscles. We are not cowards and we are not afraid of anybody. We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, beyond the arrogance and impunity of some people.

    “We cannot continue to keep quiet and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That is their job. And our job is to make sure we don’t go to slaughterhouses. And we are working as governors and National working committee to ensure that the key word is discipline.

    “We will no longer allow or tolerate anybody to take us for granted. It has to stop. Enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate any longer.”

  • PDP inaugurates 119-member convention c’ttee, warns saboteurs

    PDP inaugurates 119-member convention c’ttee, warns saboteurs

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, inaugurated a 119-member national convention committee and warned individuals or groups working to sabotage the event scheduled for November in Ibadan to steer off its way..

    The 119-members committee is chaired by Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa with Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun as Vice Chairman while Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State will serve as the secretary.

    The PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, performed the inauguration in Abuja, describing it as a step forward towards strengthening and sustaining PDP through the instrumentality of balloting.

    Damagum, said since he assumed leadership that the party had pursued reconciliation, worked to reposition the party’s structure.

    He added that in spite of the challenges facing the party, it remains the leading voice of the opposition and the enduring hope of millions of Nigerians.

    “Not because I enjoy being disparaged, but because at critical moments, I chose restraint, not out of weakness, but as a conscious sacrifice for the survival and stability of our Party.

    “Ironically, many of the destructive voices have come from individuals, who have benefited immensely from the PDP. They sought to sow division and weaken our structures,’’he said.

    Damagum, however, said that PDP was not broken or defeated, but marching forward and better prepared to reclaim power in 2027.

    He tasked the committee to let fairness, equity, justice and unity of purpose be their guiding principles.

    “Let us set aside personal grievances and ambitions that do not serve the collective interest,’’Damagum said.

    In his remarks, the PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, said the forum believed the convention was on course.

    Mohammed said while the governors believe in consensus and accommodation, it would no longer tolerate anybody taking the party for granted.

    “We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, beyond the arrogance and beyond the impunity of some people.

    “We cannot continue to keep quiet and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That is their job. And our job is to make sure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse,’’Mohammed said.

    The Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, cautioned party members against raising tension ahead of the party convention.

    Makarfi said that the tradition of the PDP had always been building consensus, adding whoever was not comfortable with the zoning arrangement should go to the field to test his capacity.

    “Convention is not about 100 per cent, but about overwhelming majority. If you have 100 per cent fine.

    “In that direction, the party has zoned its positions, North, South. North can sit and do what they wish. South can sit and do what they wish.

    “But that should not deny any individual who disagrees by testing his will. Buy the form, go to the field and test your capacity.

    “So, there’s no need raising temperature, because there will be no, and there should be no exclusion. That has been the tradition since PDP was formed,’’Makarfi said.

    The Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Gov. Fintiri, pledged the committee’s commitment to make history in Ibadan by organising credible convention, the way it did in 2022.

    Fintiri, however, said while the committee was ready to accommodate all fears, members should refrain from parading the party on the media for personal interest.

    “We are not going to stop anybody from contesting whatever position that you feel fit to contest, but then you have to do it with decorum,’’ he said.

    He also advised committee members to leave their comfort zones and make necessary sacrifice to make the convention a success.

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike-led eminent leaders and concerned stakeholders of the PDP had set conditions for the party leadership to ensure a valid and successful national convention.

    Some of the key conditions were that the PDP convention must be inclusive and the position of the National Chairman must remain in the North Central zone.

  • PDP rejects planned council by-elections in Edo

    PDP rejects planned council by-elections in Edo

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Edo chapter, has condemned the proposed by-elections into local government councils in the state, describing the exercise as “illegal and unconstitutional”.

    This is contained in a statement by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Chris Nehikhare and made available to NAN on Monday in Benin.

    Nehikhare said the announcement of dates for the by-elections by the state Independent Electoral Commission was in clear violation of a subsisting court order.

    “The body or group of persons parading themselves as organisers of this exercise are unknown to law and lack the authority or powers to conduct elections of this nature,” he said.

    He stressed that there was no vacancy in the councils since duly elected councillors were already serving in the 192 wards of the state with their tenure lawfully expiring in September 2026.

    He accused the state government of breaching democratic norms and judicial pronouncements, saying that the planned exercise amounted to a ”civilian coup” against the people.

    “We view this action as nothing short of a civilian coup against the people of Edo. It is an attempt to seize control of our councils by hook or by crook thereby undermining the will of the people and destabilising grassroots governance,” he said.

    Nehikhare therefore called on the state government to retrace its steps, respect the rule of law, and desist from plunging the state into avoidable political crisis. He stressed the need to protect democracy and the people’s mandate.

  • Gov Mbah has no intention of leaving PDP – Chairman

    Gov Mbah has no intention of leaving PDP – Chairman

    Dr Martin Chukwunwike, Chairman, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu State, says Gov. Peter Mbah has no intention of leaving the PDP for another party.

    Chukwunwike disclosed this in Nsukka on Thursday during an interactive session with the party wards and local government executives in Enugu North Senatorial District.

    He said the clarification had become necessary following speculations in some sections of the media that Mbah was planning to join another political party.

    “Gov. Mbah, the leader of PDP in Enugu State and all of us are still in PDP. The governor has no intention to join another political party.

    “The governor is still flying the flag of PDP, I urge party members in the state and the general public to disregard this unfounded and baseless speculations,” he said.

    The chairman said the party executives were in Nsukka to interact with the PDP local governments and ward chairmen to appreciate their support to Gov. Mbah’s administration.

    “The party is happy that the zonal executives in the North Senatorial District have always given maximum support to the governor and the party executive.

    “Gov. Mbah is transforming the state with huge infrastructures in every political ward.

    “All Enugu State residents are happy, the state has a smart, intelligent and performing governor, who is utilising available resources judiciously and equitably,” he said.

    Mr Fabian Onah, the Zonal Party Chairman of Enugu North Senatorial District, said that Mbah, since assumption of office in the past two years, had done very well.

    He noted that what the governor had done within two years outweighed what some governors did in eight years in the state.

    Onah listed some of the achievements of the governor to include the building of smart schools, Type 2 hospital, construction of roads in all political wards and empowering people, among others.

    “Our governor has done very well, that’s why we have all agreed to reward his good work with second tenure.

    “Gov Mbah should not waste his time coming to Nsukka to campaign for his second tenure because Nsukka people have  benefitted mostly from his administration,” Onah said.

    Chief Ferdinand Ukwueze, the Chairman of Igboeze-South Local Government thanked the state executive for the interactive forum with zonal, LG and ward executives.

    Ukwueze, who is Deputy Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Enugu State, said the people should count themselves lucky to have Gov. Mbah as their governor.

    Earlier, Chief Jude Asogwa, the host chairman and Chairman of Nsukka Local Government, said Nsukka people would continue to support the administration of Mbah because they had benefited immensely from it.

    The highlight of the occasion was the endorsement of Gov. Mbah for second term by the ward and chairmen of the six local governments in the district come 2027.

  • Ex-President Jonathan is still our solid party member -PDP

    Ex-President Jonathan is still our solid party member -PDP

    …insists Gov Makinde is “a poster boy”

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Debo Ologunagba, has said ex- President Goodluck Jonathan remains a member of the PDP and has not resigned from the party.

    Ologunagba stated this on Wednesday while appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he addressed speculations over possible candidates for the 2027 presidential election following the PDP’s decision to zone its ticket to the South.

    While noting Jonathan’s continued membership in the party, the PDP Spokesman declined to comment on former Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, whom he stated had not yet decided on his return to the party.

    “President Jonathan is still a member of this party because he has not resigned. And Mr. Obi is a presidential candidate in the last election for another political party. He has not indicated that he’s joining the party.

    “So, for me, it would be improper for me to begin to comment on that. What I can comment on is our capacity, even as we stand, that we have exceedingly qualified individuals,” he said.

    He also described Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who has been linked with interest in the party’s ticket, as a “poster boy” of the PDP.

    “And you mentioned, specifically, Governor Makinde. Of course, that’s one of our poster boys in this party in terms of performance, in terms of capacity, in terms of being able to galvanise Nigerians. And people see that promise in the country, in that individual.

    “So, for us, we have, in the party today, very eminently qualified Nigerians and governors who are performing. And Nigerians can recognise that,” he stated.

  • The only way Peter Obi can get presidential ticket – Abba Moro

    The only way Peter Obi can get presidential ticket – Abba Moro

    Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro has said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi can secure the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, only if he returns to the party.

    Moro, who is the lawmaker representing Benue South senatorial district, disclosed this on Tuesday while responding to questions in an interview on Politics Today.

    When asked about the possibility of Peter Obi returning to the PDP, the lawmaker said, “But you know, in politics, nothing is certain. I’ve always said that in politics, two plus two is not four, and so, these are matters of interest. And when it comes to existential interest from a community of persons within a geopolitical zone, it is possible.

    “As a party we are yet to speak to Peter Obi; some people are already talking to him, and he stands a chance of getting the party’s ticket if he returns.

    “The conversation is predicated on the belief by such individuals that if Peter Obi comes back and is the most favoured candidate, the most supported candidate, and becomes a candidate, the PDP will make an impact in the 2027 general elections.”

  • JUST IN: 2 PDP Assembly members defect to APC in Ondo

    JUST IN: 2 PDP Assembly members defect to APC in Ondo

    Two members of the Ondo State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Afe and Tope Agbulu, on Tuesday joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Afe, member representing Akoko North-West 2, while Agbulu represents Akoko South-West 2 at the Assembly.

    The letters of resignation of the two lawmakers were read at the plenary by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Benjamin Jayeola.

    The duo cited irreconcilable differences within the PDP in the state as the reason for their resignation.

    Afe stated that he had made a wide consultation with his constituents and major stakeholders before taking the decision.

    According to him, APC, as a political platform, will enable him to deliver more dividends of democracy to his constituency.

    Similarly, Agbulu said that APC is a most viable political platform to serve his constituents, thanking the PDP for its support during his membership with the platform.

    With the defection, APC has 24 out of 26 members while PDP has two members in the Assembly.

    Earlier, the House of Assembly enjoined the state executive council to implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for the staff of the Assembly.

    The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Ondo State Chapter had given a 21-day ultimatum for the implementation of CONLESS by the state government.

    The Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Mr Olatunji Oshati(Ose/APC), said that the non implementation of CONLESS in the state was a matter of public interest, adding that the legislative arm had taken it upon itself to intervene.

    Oshati appealed to Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to consider the agitation of the Assembly staff.

    He added that other states in the South-West had implemented the salary structure for the staff of their respective Houses of Assembly.

    The majority leader, therefore, urged the staff to exercise more patience and allow intervention of the Assembly for a peaceful resolution.

    Similarly, the Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladiji, asked the Assembly staff not to take laws into their hands but allow dialogue instead of confrontation .

    Oladiji, who commended the patience of the staff, assure them that the Assembly’s leadership would discuss with the governor for a resolution.

    He said that the implementation of the salary structure would improve capacity and efficiency of the staff.

    According to him, the legislative arm will continue to protect and defend the interest of the staff.

  • South Presidency: Has PDP not come back to eat its own vomit – Wike’s aide

    South Presidency: Has PDP not come back to eat its own vomit – Wike’s aide

    Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has reacted to the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the party’s presidential ticket to the South.

    Olayinka, in a statement on Monday, said the party’s decision not to zone the ticket to the South for the 2023 polls resulted in its electoral misfortune.

    “Now that the party has realised its mistake of not listening to Wike and the G-5 in 2022, and has chosen to do what they said, three years later, have they not been vindicated now?

    “Recall that the FCT Minister and the G-5 had insisted that the presidential candidate of the PDP and its national chairman must not remain in the same zone, insisting that since Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, from the North had emerged as the presidential candidate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, also from the North must resign to pave the way for a National Chairman from the South.

    “Ayu, however, insisted on not resigning, with Atiku and his group backing him. Aftermath of this was the electoral misfortune the party suffered in 2023, followed by instability after the elections,” Olayinka said.

    The minister’s aide also said that the PDP had realised its mistake but wondered if the party’s decision was not already too late.

    He stated, “Has PDP not come back to eat its own vomit? Sadly, they know the truth. Wike simply said, ‘Take the chairmanship to the South if you want to gain the presidency.’ But they said no, they must take the two, and the PDP lost!

    “They have realised the mistake they made in 2022 and are correcting it in 2025. But is it not too late already, bearing in mind that the only way the zoning can be justified is for the South to conclude its eight years, while the presidency returns to the North in 2031?”

    The PDP on Monday zoned the party’s presidential slot for the 2027 poll to the southern part of the country.

    The party also insisted that the chairmanship position would remain in the North.

    This decision was reached as party leaders held their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

    The NEC also affirmed Umar Damagum as its substantive national chairman.