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Tag: pdp chairman

  • Court discharges ex-PDP Chairman, 4 others of conspiracy, breach of peace

    Court discharges ex-PDP Chairman, 4 others of conspiracy, breach of peace

    An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Monday, discharged and acquitted a former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr Ropo Adesanya and four others standing trial in a case of conspiracy and breach of peace.

    The defendants, James Dada, 49; Jegede James, 65; Jegede Ebenezer, 72; Chief Matthew Fabamise, 65 and Oluwaropo Adesanya, 67, were arraigned before Magistrate A.O. Adeosun on Sept. 4, 2023 on a three-count charge of conspiracy, threaten violence and breach of peace.

    Delivering judgment, Adeosun held that “the prosecution has not adduced evidence to link the defendants with the commission of the offences in count II and count III, while count I, which borders on conspiracy, also fails.

    “On the whole, after a careful and most anxious consideration of the evidence, I have come to the conclusion that the prosecution has failed to discharge the onus placed on them.

    “Consequently, each defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted on counts I, II and III,” the judge ruled.

    The prosecutor, ASP Johnson Okunade, had told the court that the defendants committed the offences on April 21, 2023 at about 07:00 p.m. in Ijan-Ekiti.

    He said that the defendants conspired among themselves to commit felony.

    Okunade said that a case of threatened violence against the complainant, Major Olajide Ijadare, was reported at the station, while the defendants also conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.

    According to him, the offences contravene Sections 421, 69 and 181(1)(d) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

    The complainant, in his testimony, said, “I know the defendants very well; we were born together at Ikesan, but they ganged and conspired against me because of a traditional installation.

    “They lured the fourth defendant and Chief James Dada when we wanted to install Oba Orun. The second and third defendants, however, mobilised their sons with dangerous weapons, money, gun, illicit drugs and hard liquor.

    “The defendants incited their sons to burn tyres at the venue of the installation ceremony, apparently to ensure that the installation did not hold.

    “They also broke bottles, carried cutlass, shouting that they would shed blood if we go ahead to perform the installation.

    “They threatened to kill me and cut my head. As a result of this, I invited my security officer to put a call to the Nigerian military men around to come to our aid in order to prevent breakdown of law and order,” he stated.

    The prosecution called five witnesses and said that the defendants did not offer any evidence in their defence.

    They, however, made a statement, denying committing the offences levelled against them in their statements.

  • Northern leaders announce choice of consensus candidate for PDP Chairmanship slot

    Northern leaders announce choice of consensus candidate for PDP Chairmanship slot

    The northern leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have picked Senator Iyorchia Ayu as their consensus candidate for the party’s chairmanship position zoned to the region.

    This comes after the PDP leaders held a consensus meeting in Bauchi on Wednesday ahead of the party’s national convention.

    It suffered a setback as some stakeholders in the party were reported to have shunned the meeting.

    Chairman of the Convention Organising Committee and Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, then adjourned the meeting to Thursday where the leaders chose Senator Iyorchia.

    The PDP leaders from the northern region had met to trim down the number of candidates contesting for the office of the national chairman of the PDP and other positions in the forthcoming convention.

    Last Thursday, they agreed to set up a 20-man committee that would streamline the number of contestants from each of the zones in the region.

    Party leaders in the north-central region had held a similar meeting on Tuesday where Professor Iyorchia Ayu emerged as a consensus candidate for the chairmanship position in the convention to be held later in October.

    On September 9, the PDP leadership set up a national zoning committee to zone national offices to be contested by all PDP members.

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

  • JUST IN: Rivers PDP ward suspends national chairman Secondus

    JUST IN: Rivers PDP ward suspends national chairman Secondus

    The Peoples Democratic Party Ward 5 in Ikuru town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has suspended the embattled National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus.

    Secondus is a prominent politician from Andoni in Rivers State. He was a former Chairman of the PDP in Rivers and a former National Organising Secretary of the party.

    The Ward Chairman of the Party, George Christopher, announced this at the party’s extraordinary meeting at the party’s Secretariat at Ikuru town, Andoni Local Government Area.

    The chairman said eleven executive members out of the 17 endorsed Secondus suspension from the party.

    Christopher said the national chairman had not attracted development to the area despite his high political profile and inability to manage the party

    Christopher stated, “The Ward executive of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ward 5, Ikuru town, and the leaders met on the 31st of August, 2021 issues that affect the party.

    “Suspension of Prince Uche Secondus was done by the Ward executive after a duly constituted Ward meeting called by the Secretary on the instructions of the Chairman, according to the Constitution of our great party.”

    Also speaking, former chairman of Andoni LGA and chairman, Disciplinary Committee in the Ward, Benson Alpheous, noted that Secondus was suspended for disobeying the party’s decision for him to step down as national chairman.

    “Until further notice, our brother, Prince Uche Secondus remains suspended. I want to thank you for coming and again, reaffirm the suspension of Uche Secundus.

    “For now, until you hear from us again, Prince Uche Secondus remain suspended,” he added.

    Efforts to reach the State Chairman of the PDP, Desmond Akawor, for his comments concerning Secondus’ sacking were unsuccessful.

    Also, attempts to reach Secondus proved abortive.

  • VIDEO: PDP Chairman, Secondus, others stage #BringBackOurBoys protest in Abuja

    VIDEO: PDP Chairman, Secondus, others stage #BringBackOurBoys protest in Abuja

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus is currently leading a protest demanding the rescue of the abducted students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State.

    The protest which is tagged #BringBackOurBoys is holding at the PDP liaison office in Maitama.

    The protesters who include young boys and women displayed placards with various inscriptions condemning the abduction and the failing security situation in the country.

    They insisted that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration must rescue the boys from their captors, and reunite them with their parents.

    Details later…

  • Ex-PDP Chairman charged with stealing laptop, tea condiments

    Ex-PDP Chairman charged with stealing laptop, tea condiments

    A former Chairman of the Plateau chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Yakubu Chocho, and 3 three others were on Thursday docked before Kasuwa Nama Upper Area Court I, Jos, over alleged criminal conspiracy, mischief, and theft.

    The three other accused persons are a cleaner, Mrs Helen Yakubu, a Guard, Mr Samka Gyol and a Carpenter, Mr Adamu Garba, all of whom pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge labeled against them by the police.

    Helen and Samka work in the State PDP office located on No 20/22, Yakubu Gowon Way, Jos, where items, including Laptop, Golden pen and tea condiments belonging the to Party’s Director of Admin, Mr Ishaku Chuntai, were stolen.

    Mr Daniel Longwal, the Police prosecutor, told Malam Lawal Suleiman, the Upper Area Court presiding Judge, that on Aug. 11 the 4 accused persons conspired and broke into the office of the Director of Admin and stole his Laptop, Gold pen and tea condiments all amounting to N135,000.

    Longwal also alleged that Chocho gave the order for the changing of the lock of the office of the Director of Admin of the party which resulted in the theft.

    “My Lord, the accused persons criminally conspired to cause mischief and theft of a Laptop of N125,000, Gold pen of N6,000, and Tea condiments of N2,500, an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 53, 273 and 231 of the Penal Code of Plateau State.

    “They conspired and broke into the office of the Director of Admin, Mr Ishaku Chuntai within the PDP office on Aug. 11,’ he alleged.

    The Prosecutor quickly applied for an adjournment since the accused persons had not pleaded guilty to the charge.

    But the defense counsel, Mr Panshak Dakyen, said even though he was against the application for an adjournment, he had an application for bail for the 4 accused persons.

    The Judge, however, granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N50,000 each and a surety each in like sum.

    The case has been adjourned to Sept. 30 for definite hearing.

  • BREAKING: PDP chairman resigns, joins APC

    The Imo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Charles Ezekwem, has resigned his position as chairman and subsequently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    In his resignation letter dated January 25, 2019, Ezekwem said his decision to abandon PDP was based on the approval of his supporters and the prevailing circumstances facing his party.

    In the resignation letter personally signed by him, Ezekwem said among other things: “In view of the prevailing circumstances within my party, vis-a-vis my present standing as the state chairman of the PDP, in Imo state and after due consultations with my family and with the approval of my supporters.

    “I hereby tender my resignation as state chairman of PDP, Imo state and as a member of the party in the ward of Okigwe LGA, which has been duly communicated to the ward of Okigwe LGA.

    “I thank the teeming population of Imo state PDP, who thoughtfully elected me as their state chairman.

    “I sincerely regretted the inconveniences the party faced. I thank the party for the support they gave me and the opportunity to serve in that capacity.”

    Ezekwem’s resignation followed the defection of the Deputy National Auditor of the PDP, Regis Uwakwe to the APC following the victory of APC and Senator Hope Uzodinma at the Supreme Court penultimate week.

    Nine members of the Imo State House of Assembly defected from their parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing various reasons for their defection.

    Four members left the Action Alliance (AA), two defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) while three defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  • BREAKING: Suspected assassins kill PDP chairman in Delta

    Suspected assassins have reportedly shot dead the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ward 4 (Olomu Ward 1) in Ughelli South council area of Delta state, Mr. Paul Onomuakpokpo.

    According to reports, the incident occurred about 7pm on Wednesday, along Ogoni Road, near the palace of Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom.

    The victim said to have died on the spot received several bullets from his assailants.

    His vehicle, a Toyota Camry, also bore bullet marks.

    Details surrounding the killing were still sketchy as at the time of filing this report.

    It was however learnt that the hoodlums fired sporadically into the air and ensured that the victim died before leaving the scene.

    Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has confirmed the development.

    The commissioner of police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa said, “it is true. The corpse has been deposited in a morgue. And we are investigating the matter.”

  • #NigeriaDecides: Unknown gunmen kill former PDP chairman

    A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Monwon Etete, has been shot dead.

    He was killed by yet to be identified gunmen in his hometown of Andoni on Saturday afternoon while voters were waiting for the commencement of elections.

    The murder of Etete, who is now a member of the All Progressives Congress, has sent panic across the entire community.

    Details shortly…

  • JUST IN: Abductors of Plateau PDP chairman, son demand N100m ransom

    The abductors of Plateau State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Damishi Sango, have demanded a ransom of N100 million for his release.

    The former Minister of Sports was kidnapped on Wednesday by unknown gunmen. Also abducted with him are his son, driver, a prominent chieftain of the PDP in Plateau State and another victim that is yet to be identified.

    The Publicity Secretary of PDP in Plateau State, John Akans told our correspondent that the kidnappers have contacted the family and have demanded N100 million ransom.

    He said, “The kidnappers have contacted the family of Damishi Sango and are demanding for N100 million. The family spoke with him and he assured them that he is safe. None of the five persons including, his son, have been released.

    “They are still in the captivity of their abductors. From what they demanded, we are waiting to see whether they will come down from tomorrow. I’m on my way to Abuja.”

     

    Details later…

  • BREAKING: Wild jubilation as Supreme Court declares Makarfi as authentic PDP Chairman

    BREAKING: Wild jubilation as Supreme Court declares Makarfi as authentic PDP Chairman

    Supporters of the PDP in Abuja and across the nation have erupted in jubilation as the 5 man panel of Supreme Court justices declared Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    ‎The ruling was decided by a five-man panel of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in the appeal which was filed by the Makarfi faction.

    As if they had an inkling of the judgment possibly favouring their faction, some of the party’s big wigs throng the court, but mostly those loyal to the Makarfi faction.

    Among those on the Makarfi’s side, who were already seated at the Supreme Court, when the ruling was given, included Governors of Ekiti and Rivers states, Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike,‎ a former Vice-Chairman of the party (South West), Chief Bode George, and the present occupant of the position in the faction, Chief Eddy Olafeso.

    Also in court was a former National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, a former Governor of Kano State and former Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau,

    Others include, Ben Obi, founder of African Independent Television, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Dayo Adeyeye, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, and Tom Ikimi.

    As the news of the ruling was announced, the entire body of supporters of Alhaji Makarfi were besides themselves as the erupted into a spontaneous jubilation.

    Reports from across the country indicate that in all the states where the PDP has strong following, there is an on going jubilation by members of the party.