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  • ‘We are back with a bang, never to disappoint you’, PDP assures Nigerians

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has said it is back with a bang and won’t disappoint the teeming Nigerians that prayed for its restoration while its internal crisis lasted.

    This was revealed by the Executive Governor and Chairman of the 2017 Special Non-Elective National Convention, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa while addressing delegates and leaders of the party.

    Okowa noted that the party had been through a lot and has also learned from its mistakes. He noted that if given a second chance come 2019, Nigerians will not regret it.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the former ruling party which held sway in power since the nation’s return to democracy in 1999 was kicked out in the 2015 general election by the then opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC.

    See his unedited speech below:

    ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR, DR. IFEANYI OKOWA, GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE AND CHAIRMAN, PLANNING COMMITTEE, PDP SPECIAL NON-ELECTIVE NATIONAL CONVENTION, ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2017.

    1. I welcome you all to this Special Non-elective National Convention of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.
    2. I begin this short address by thanking the National Caretaker Committee for the confidence reposed in us to serve as Chairman/Members of the Planning Committee for this Special Convention. This noble call to service of our great party is humbling and uplifting, as well as tasking and rewarding at the same time. On a personal note, I reckon it a thing of great joy and privilege to be saddled with the responsibility of heading one of the Committees created to kick-start the process of rebuilding and rebranding our great party, the PDP.
    3. Let me also offer special thanks to all the members of the Planning Committee/Sub-committees for their sacrifice and hard work to make this day a reality. To all of you, I say congratulations for a job well done. I am greatly inspired by your desire, drive and commitment to the PDP course. We look forward to more of your hard work and commitment as we all embark on the journey of recapturing the lost glory of our great party, the PDP.
    4. I must not also forget all the Nigerians who are desirous for the PDP to get its act together and play the role of a strong and vibrant opposition, which is critical for sustainable democracy in the country. The prayers of these Nigerians were answered with the heart-warming Supreme Court judgement that thankfully halted the drift into chaos and bifurcation of our great party. Today, let it be known to all Nigerians who prayed for us during our time of travail that the PDP is back with a bang. We shall NOT disappoint you!
    5. No doubt, the last two years have been the greatest test that our great party has faced. The loss of the 2015 presidential election, the gale of defections that ensued and the leadership crisis that factionalised the party were enough to sink the PDP ship. That the party survived this baptism of fire is an eloquent testimony to the resiliency of its grassroots structure, organisation and appeal. Ours is a party firmly anchored to the grassroots, connected to the people in a unique way that recognises that power truly belongs to the people. We are rebounding back. We must realise that there is a champion in each and everyone of us in the party, and that a collective leadership and partnership, resolved to do things right is all that we need to build the strength to recapture power.
    1. We cannot shy away from the fact that there are lessons to be learnt also. For with our defeat at the presidential election, the loss of many States at the governorship election, and the slide into minority in the National Assembly came the sobering lesson that the PDP had become a victim of its own success. Internal democracy took a backstage, aggrieved party members were disregarded and impunity became the order of the day at various leadership levels in the party. In short, we cut short the hopes of Nigerians with our failure to manage our success. The travail of the last two years, I am persuaded, is our divinely ordained chastisement for this pitfall.
    1. I am convinced that our wilderness experience may well be a blessing in disguise, for two reasons. First, it afforded us the rare opportunity to look inwards and do some soul searching. In life, you do not always have the opportunity for a second chance. But to God be the glory, we have had the marvellous opportunity of understanding ourselves better, identifying our mistakes, suffering the painful consequences of defeat and learning the lesson of a lifetime. The wilderness experience has refined us, sharpened us and made us stronger. Like the saying goes, “sometimes you have to go through the wilderness before you get to the Promised Land.”
    1. The second advantage of our wilderness experience is that Nigerians have had the opportunity of experiencing another party govern at the national level. They can now compare and contrast. As leaders we must read the times and take responsibility. We must condition our hearts for a new beginning. We must root out the past mistakes and model the right attitudes. It is time for self re-examination and a return to what is right. To build a solid team, we must be warm and inviting; the love for impunity and exclusion must cease. There must be integrity and discipline in our democratic system at all levels of party governance, and we must put to fore those things that add value to the growth of our party.
    1. As we gather here today to chart a new course for our great party, we shall do well to stay true to the vision and mission of the founding fathers of our great party.
    1. On this day, we need to reaffirm our commitment to the democratic ideals of internal party democracy, sovereignty of the people, majority rule and minority rights, the rule of law and good governance, respect for civil and political rights, and inclusive participation of all in party administration.
    1. On this day, we must understand that our nation is at a cross road. Therefore, our emphasis must be about building a party focussed on fashioning a better society founded on the principles of fairness, equity and justice. We must commit to making the needs – and aspirations – of the Nigerian people the centrepiece of our party’s democratic agenda.
    1. On this day, we must call for a paradigm shift in our party leadership style. Too often, we have demanded service – and worship – from the very people we have been called to serve. That must change. We need leaders, sincere leaders, strong leaders who understand that power is held in trust for the people and, therefore, must be administered for their good and advancement.
    1. Finally, on this day, we call on all true PDP faithfuls to return home. It’s time to forgive. It’s time to heal the wounds of the past. It’s time to get over the hurts of the past. It’s time to embrace love and reconciliation. It’s time, brothers and sisters, to come back home!
    1. My dear party leaders and delegates, as we move forth into the next few months firmly resolved that we need to bounce back to power in 2019, we must refuse to get distracted from our mission and priorities. We need to stay the course of our goals with planning, passion, pursuit, partnership and perseverance. We are who we think we are, so we must think the best for ourselves.
    1. It is on this note that I welcome our party leaders, delegates and all observers to this Non-elective, but yet very important convention of our party. Obviously, we have set the tone and sent a clear message that our party, PDP is back, strengthened, reformed and refocused to win all elections in partnership with Nigerians.

    Thank you distinguished party men and women, ladies and gentle men for your time and attention.

    1. God bless us all.
    2. God bless the PDP.
    3. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa

    Governor of Delta State and

    Chairman, Planning Committee

    PDP Special Non-Elective National Convention

    August, 2017

  • Alleged N47.2bn, $487.5m loots: ‘Diezani remains innocent until pronounced guilty by the courts’- PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that its members currently undergoing trial by the incumbent administration remain innocent until proven guilty by competent law courts.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the party was reacting to the recent loots allegedly traced to Mrs. Diezani Allison-Maduekwe, the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    This week, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had traced at least N47.2billion and $487.5million in cash and property to the former Minister.

    However, the former ruling party’s spokesperson, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the party would remain quiet on the allegations against Diezani and other members of the party, who were being tried for corruption.

    He made this known at a press briefing at the National headquarters of the party in Abuja on Friday.

    Adeyeye stated that it was wrong for the anti-corruption agency, to organise a media trial for the alleged looters.

    “The only thing you need to do today is to defect to the APC and all your sins would be forgiven. All APC members are saints and others are sinners.

    “How can the EFCC make allegations and convict us by itself? It is the one making allegations and it is the one convicting people.

    “Until a court of competent jurisdiction pronounces the suspects guilty, they remain just suspects and innocent as well. So, we won’t talk about those issues.

    “If there is a genuine case against her or any other person, please go to court and establish that they are corrupt. You can’t just claim that you have found someone with money you suspect was illegally acquired and pronounce such person guilty. You need to go to court and establish it,” he said.

  • VIDEO: Jonathan storms PDP’s Non-elective convention, says ‘party is back on track’

    The PDP Non-Elective Convention is presently holding at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the convention is coming after the party’s 75th National Executive Council meeting at the party’s secretariat in Abuja on Friday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the party unanimously agreed to extend the tenure of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi by four months extension in order to allow time to prepare and conduct an elective National Convention to elect new officers of the party.

    Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, GCON, former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Ayim Pius Ayim, Governor of Ekiti state and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, former Governor of Akwa Ibom state and Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Sen. Walid Jubril.

    Others are; Governors of River state, Chief Nyesom Wike, Taraba state, Arc. Darius Ishaku, Gombe state, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Rear Admiral, John Jonah, Deputy Governor of Cross River state, Professor Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, National Vice Chairmen, State Chairmen, Party stalwarts and other leaders of the PDP nationwide.

    See videos from the convention below:

  • Return us to power in 2019 to consolidate gains of democracy – PDP tells Nigerians

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said on Saturday that it would consolidate the gains of democracy should it return to power in 2019.

    A member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Nicholas Ossai (Delta-PDP), made this disclosure in an interview with the newsmen in Abuja.

    Ossai said that the PDP non-elective national convention would provide a platform to further unite members of the party.

    According to the lawmaker, this is a new era for the country’s political journey.

    “PDP has come to consolidate on the gains it achieved over the years because it has experienced people, and this is the time to come together in order to move the country forward.

    “The regional agitations and economic challenges being witnessed in the country should not continue.

    “The PDP is made up of a highly intellectual political class, that has the capacity to turn things around and manage the country’s economy well,” Ossai said.

    He urged youths to aspire to leadership positions and refrain from activities capable of truncating the nation’s democracy.

    Ossai also advised the youth to explore the opportunity provided by the party’s convention to contribute to national development.

    He said that internal party democracy was crucial to sustaining the party’s growth, adding that PDP would intensify efforts to woo aggrieved members back to the party.

     

     

    NAN

  • Photos: PDP holds NEC meeting, extends Makarfi’s tenure by four months

    …as party prepares for today’s Non-Elective Special National convention

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday held its 75th National Executive Committee (NEC) at the National Secretariat (Wadatta Plaza) in Abuja.


    The Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Makarfi, in his opening remark, thanked members of the party for the overwhelming attendance in just a short notice and called on the Executive Governor of Delta State and Chairman of the 2017 Non-Elective Special National Convention Planning Committee, Sen. Arthur I. Okowa to give report on the preparation so far for the Convention.

    Senator Okowa briefed NEC and declared that all is set for a successful Special Non-Elective National Convention on Saturday, August 12, 2017, in Eagle Square, Abuja by 10Am.

    The former ruling party uniamously agreed that the tenure of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi be extended by four months extension in order to allow time to prepare and conduct an elective National Convention to elect new officers of the party.

    The party also deliberated on issues of parallel Congresses in some states of the federation and resolved that all matters relating to such states should be referred to the Convention for final decision.

    Conflicting issues in the South West especially in Osun, Lagos and Ogun were also resolved to be ratified at the convention.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that meeting was well attended by prominent party members like former Senate President, Senator David Mark, GCON, former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Ayim Pius Ayim, Governor of Ekiti state and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, former Governor of Akwa Ibom state and Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Sen. Walid Jubril.

    Also in attendance are Governors of River state, Chief Nyesom Wike, Taraba state, Arc. Darius Ishaku, Gombe state, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Rear Admiral, John Jonah, Deputy Governor of Cross River state, Professor Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, National Vice Chairmen, State Chairmen, Party stalwarts and other leaders of the PDP nationwide.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the party’s Special Non-Elective National Convention is schedule to hold today (Saturday, August 12, 2017) at Eagle Square, Abuja by 10 am.

  • High-profile defectors will retrace their steps back in 3 weeks – PDP

    …As APC kicks, says ‘we are unruffled’

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said several high profile politicians that left the party’s fold due to its leadership crisis will in the next three weeks retrace their steps back to the party.

    The party explained that it is now better repositioned to function well as opposition noting that all internal rancours had been settled.

    The Chairman of the party’s Special Non-Elective National Convention, who is also the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, stated this in a chat with journalists.

    He said the party was preparing to welcome the expected defectors from other political parties.

    But he did not reveal the identities of the defectors and their political parties.

    He spoke while inspecting the Eagles Square, venue of the convention, saying necessary arrangement had been made in order to have a successful convention.

    He said, “We just came to see what is on the ground, I believe that our people will be safe because we have everything under control, we are not expecting hitches at all.

    “We are doing very well as a party and as a committee. In this kind of planning you will have some challenges here and there but there are solutions being proffered to every one of them and we are confident that we are on the right track and it shall be well on Saturday.

    “I believe that a lot of people who thought that the party was going to implode will realise that we are back and ready to offer what it takes to better the lives of Nigerians.”

    “Many of our members that left earlier due to one form of disagreement or the other will return to their party because the National Caretaker Committee has constituted a Reconciliation Committee as well as a Contact and Mobilisation Committee to reach out to them.

    “From the way things are going presently in this country, I believe Nigerians will realise that PDP is the only alternative that can bring Nigeria out of her present economic challenges. We are expecting high profile defectors in the next three weeks or so.”

    However, the All Progressives Congress said it was not bothered by the PDP’s claim.

    Spokesperson for the ruling party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said, “Three weeks is not forever; we will wait for it to come. We are confident that we will not lose any our valuable members to the former ruling party.”

    He added that the PDP was just making an unsubstantiated claim.

    Also speaking at the venue, the National Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, assured members of the party that the issues relating to the South-West zone of the party had been resolved.

    Makarfi said, “Yesterday (Wednesday), we had a meeting with the leaders from the zone to resolve the issues.

    “As a party, we will continue to work hard not to lose anybody, but we will work harder to bring in more members to the party.”

    Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the PDP national secretariat on Thursday when the committee set up to screen the seven governorship aspirants for the Anambra State governorship election openly expressed displeasure about what it called acts of indiscipline by some of the aspirants.

    The Chairman of the Screening Committee, who is also a former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Waziri, spoke on behalf of the committee.

    He said it was unfortunate that some of the aspirants did not show up at the venue of the screening, even 90 minutes after 9.am when the event was scheduled to take off.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that aspirants who were screened on Thursday included Prince Okechukwu Emeka, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Mrs. Linda Ikpeazu, Oseloka Obaze, Chief Ifeanyi Uba, Senator Stella Oduah and Akolisa Ufodike.

  • Anambra 2017: PDP screens Oduah, Ubah, Ikpeazu for governorship poll

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday screened a serving senator, Stella Oduah; oil magnate, Dr. Patrick Ubah and House of Representatives member, Lynda Ikpeazu for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra.

    Also screened are Mr. John Okechukwu Emeka, Dr. Alex Obiogolu, Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze and Mr. Akolisa Ufodike.

    The screening exercise, which took place at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, however witnessed a mild drama as the screening committee complained about indiscipline on the part of some aspirants.

    The Chairman of the screening committee, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, said it was unfortunate that some aspirants showed up at the venue 90 minutes behind schedule.

    Waziri, a former Minister of Police Affairs, named Oduah and Ubah as the late comers and expressed the committee’s displeasure at their action.

    He urged the aspirants to display the spirit of sportsmanship in the overall interest of the party, saying the PDP has everything to lose if another party wins the election.

    Waziri promised the aspirants justice and fairness in the conduct of the exercise, adding that in line with the PDP constitution, none of the aspirants would be required to pay above the N6 million nomination fees.

    According to him, the party decided to waive the fees for women aspirants to encourage them to take active interest in partisan politics.

    Meanwhile, the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the PDP would be welcoming some of its high profile defectors back to the party in the days ahead.

    Okowa stated this while inspecting the Eagles Square, Abuja, venue for the party’s national convention slated for Saturday.

    He said necessary arrangements had been put in place.

    The governor said: “We just came to see what is on ground. I believe that our people will be safe because we have everything under control. We are not expecting any hitches at all.

    “We are doing very well as a party and as a committee. In this kind of planning, you will have some challenges here and there but there are solutions being proffered for everyone. We are confident that we are on the right track and it shall be well on Saturday.

    The Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, assured members of the party that the disagreements in the South West zone of the PDP have been resolved.

    He said: “In politics there are always issues but what is important is that we sit down and resolve the issues in a civil manner.”

     

  • PDP nominates Ibori into convention committee

    Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, has been nominated into the National Convention Planning Committee for Friday’s Special Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ibori, is No 41 in the main organising committee list. He was, however, absent at the inaugural meeting of the committee on Wednesday.

    Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa is the chairman of the committee.

    Ibori’s media aide, Mr. Tony Eluemunor‎, said that there was nothing unusual for Ibori to be in the committee.

    “It is a privilege given to every former PDP governor.‎ Ibori is a former governor, and he has not left PDP. So there in nothing unusual in his name being included in the list.

    “He was invited to the last NEC (National Executive Committee) meeting but he did not attend,” Eluemunor added.

    He however, said he was not in position to say if the former governor will be at Eagle Square for Friday’s convention.

    Ibori has not attended any public political meeting since he returned to the country last year after he was released from prison.

  • PDP will win presidency back in 2019 – Okowa

    PDP will win presidency back in 2019 – Okowa

    The Chairman of the 2017 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Special Non-Elective National Convention and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the party is set to take over power at the national level in 2019.

    Mr. Okowa stated this on Wednesday at the meeting of the Convention Planning Committee at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja.

    The committee chairman noted that the party has realised areas they didn’t meet up with the expectations of Nigerians and has vowed to make corrections and provide Nigerians with good governance, anchored on accountability, rule of law and improved welfare of the citizenry.

    “Yesterday, we were inaugurated with the task of organising a successful National Convention for our great party. It is our hope that the various committees will set out to work immediately as we have barley few days to go.

    “As an organised party, I’ve confidence in our leaders of the various sub-committees that we will be able to deliver a successful National Convention that we can all be proud of.

    “I trust in your abilities because I have seen a good number of committed party members who are dedicated to the cause of ensuring we return back to power in 2019,”

    “Our party is back alive and with the National Convention, PDP will send a very strong message that will make Nigerians to realise that we are very much ready to take over power come 2019,” he said

    Members of the planning committee including Kelechi Igwe, John Jonah, Deputy Governors of Ebonyi and Bayelsa States, and Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of all the Sub-Committees attended the meeting.

  • PDP to woo Obasanjo, Atiku, Saraki others back its fold

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to invite former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara back to the party.

    Others targeted by the party include Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamakko, Abdullahi Adamu, Danjuma Goje and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

    The party appointed Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers) as chairman and Governor Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) as deputy chairman of a reconciliation committee set up to invite the said politicians back.

    The National Caretaker Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi inaugurated the committee and urged it to deliver on the assignment.

    The party also appointed a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, as chairman of a newly inaugurated Disciplinary Committee. A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara was named as deputy.

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is chairman of National Convention Committee with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido as deputy chairman.

    Makarfi urged the reconciliation committee to extend its assignment to the founding members of the PDP, stressing that the dragnet should be extended beyond those who left the party in 2015.

    Makarfi said those targets should “include President, Vice President, governors and former senate president, speaker of House of Representatives and all other former top ranking members in the party.

    “Everybody that was in PDP at one time or the other should be reconciled with. It is not limited to pre-2015”.

    Makarfi also mandated the committee to reach out to other individuals who have never been in the PDP, with a view to bringing them into the party, without any conditions attached.

    “We cannot foreclose the opportunity for those who stayed behind during the turbulent period,” he said.

    Ikimi assured that former PDP members who defected to the APC would soon be back in the party.

    He said, “APC is now dying and is almost dead. I am aware that they were able to win in 2015 because of members of PDP who defected there.

    “I have it on good authority that key members who left PDP and joined APC are now returning to the party. I would like us to receive them with open hands and we will rebuild the party”.

    The party also suspended the former factional Chairman in Anambra State Ken Emeakayi.

    National Publicity Secretary Dayo Adeyeye who announced the decision, said three days after the dissolution of all factional executive in the state in July, Emeakayi went ahead to summon a meeting of his faction, which was in violation of the decision of the National Caretaker Committee.

    He said the committee issued him a query but rather than respond to the issue, Emeakayi disparaged the national leadership.

    “His reply not only showed disrespect to the National Caretaker Committee, he disparaged the personality of the chairman and the secretary.

    “He issued words of abuse totally unbecoming of a person who claimed to be holding an important office as chairman of a state chapter.

    “We found this to be gross indiscipline. And today, we decided on this matter, in accordance with the provisions of our Constitution.

    “So, the National Caretaker Committee at its meeting today took cognisance of the violation of the Provision of Section 58 (1A, B, C, G, H, I, J, M) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended) by Chief Ken Emeakayi.

    “We took a decision to immediately suspend him for one month, in accordance with Section 57 (3) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended),” Adeyeye said.

    Adeyeye said seven aspirants had obtained the PDP nomination and expression of interest forms for the November 28 Anambra State Governorship election.

    They are Dr Alex Obiogolu, Mr Oseloka Obaze, Prince Okechukwu Emeka, Dr Patrick Ubah, Mr Akolisa Ufodike, Lynda Ikpeazu and Mrs Stella Oduah.