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Tag: PDP

  • We’ll sue Senator Effiong for defecting to APC – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom state, has said it will sue the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South, Nelson Effiong and ensure he relinquishes his seat in the senate following his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress on Thursday.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the state PDP’s spokesman, Ini Ememobong and made available to newsmen on Thursday night, where the party maintained that it will be challenging Effiong’s continued stay in the Senate since he was elected into the red chamber on PDP’s platform.

    Recall that Effiong had in a letter sent to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, announced his defection to the ruling party, claiming that PDP is a sinking party he doesn’t want to be associated with any longer.

    The PDP, however, says his decision will be challenged in court.

    The statement reads, “The State Chairman of the Party, Obong Paul Ekpo, has directed the Legal Department of our Party to commence the process of recovering the mandate freely given to Nelson Effiong and manifestly mismanaged and corrupted by him.

    “The People’s Democratic Party Akwa Ibom State has received with mixed feelings the announcement of the defection of Senator Nelson Effiong, who was elected on the platform of our great Party to represent the people of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

    “The Senator who had been in the eye of the storm recently for his below par performance in and out of the Senate, cited the division at the National Level of the party as his reason for defecting adding that “any politician worth his salt will not stay back in a Party that is sinking like the PDP.”

    “The State Chairman of the Party, Obong Paul Ekpo has directed the Legal department of our Party to commence the process of recovering the mandate freely given to Nelson Effiong and manifestly mismanaged and corrupted by him.

    “We, however, note that his actions and statements are indicative of a drowning man, who in his speedy descent into an abyss, holds on to any straw within sight and seeks to take with him anything willing to follow.

    “The People’s Democratic Party is not and cannot be a sinking party, even Nelson Effiong recognized so during the last enlarged stakeholders meeting of the Party held in December 2016, where he spoke glowing about the party.

    “We urge our party faithful , especially those from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, to remain calm and continue to support the party, knowing that we will do everything within the ambit of the law to reclaim the Party’s mandate.

    “We agree with Abraham Lincoln’s postulation that “nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.”

    “As a party, we gave Nelson Effiong the power to speak for his people, but his character showed up and now the whole world can judge him.

    “We must continue to hold fast to our strength and convictions conscious that “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”-Martin Luther King jnr.

    “We are certain that this season of political trial will soon pass.”

  • PDP will wrestle power from APC in 2019 – Fayose

    Newly installed chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has said that the PDP will regain its mandate from the All Progressives Congress, APC come 2019.

    Fayose made the remark, shortly after his counterpart from Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson announced him as the new Chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, on Friday in Abuja.

    Speaking on his new role, Fayose said he accepted the responsibility to work as chairman of the Forum.

    The governor promised to work with stakeholders, including the National Assembly, to restore the glory of the PDP.

    According to Fayose, “I take this responsibility at a time the party needs somebody to stand up. I am sure you all know that we will do it to represent Nigerians well.

    “It is a call to pull the walls of Jericho down; it is a call to make a difference.

    “I want to assure you that within the next few months, the mobilisation, the consultation will be so effective and there will be a new beginning for our party – different and enriching.

    “I will take over from where he stopped. Come 2019, we will take over again; we are going to come back again.”

    Earlier, Dickson while making the announcement said, “As an integral part of the discussion, the governors of our party, among ourselves, as well as those who were unavoidably absent, unanimously appointed a new PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman.

    “In line with the tradition of our party, we agreed to appoint our colleague, the most senior governor in PDP, Ayodele Fayose, the governor of Ekiti as new Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

    “You are all aware that he is a committed party man, doing a wonderful job in his state. He is well experienced and committed to the ideals of our party.

    “We have all unanimously appointed him as the new Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum to coordinate the affairs and activities of our forum and to work and collaborate with other structures of our party,” Dickson said.

  • Uproar as another PDP Senator decamps to APC

    The National Assembly was almost thrown into chaos Thursday (today) as another a senator representing Akwa Ibom South, Nelson Effiong, cross-carpeted from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    The lawmaker announced his defection to the ruling party on the floor of the red chambers at plenary.

    Effiong, who cited party crisis as his reason for defection, said,“Over the past one year this party has disintegrated; because of the crisis in the party, I have decided to resign from the PDP and join the APC.”

    In his reaction, the senate Minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, frowned at the decision, saying the lawmaker has automatically lost his senate seat because he became a senator under the platform of the PDP.

    ‎Akpabio warned that the party will contend Effiong’s continued stay in the senate in court.

    Recall that a senator from Ondo South, Omoyele Omogunwa, had in November 2016, defected from the PDP to the APC.

  • PDP is government-in-waiting – Makarfi

    PDP is government-in-waiting – Makarfi

    The Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) on Wednesday said it was not just an opposition party but a government-in-waiting.

    Chairman of National Caretaker Committee of the party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, stated this when he received syndicate reports of the Strategy Review Committee led by Prof. Jerry Gana in Abuja.

    He said that PDP would become the ruling party in 2019 if its members did the right thing.

    “It is in the interest of Nigerians that opposition exists and is strong.

    “Nigerians will not expect opposition that behaves in unruly manner; one that will be there to talk down on government all the time.

    “I think we should not be unreasonable in our opposition.

    “We should use our brains so that when we criticise and bring out alternative ways of doing things, we will convince Nigerians that we are better set of people to rule Nigeria.

    “But, if we show that there is no difference, Nigerians will say `no, they are birds of the same feather’.

    “That is why we must criticise, using our brain to actually connect with Nigerians so that we can convince them that we are what we say we are,” Makarfi said.

    On reconciliation in the party, the chairman said that the party’s leadership must not withdraw from any opportunity to ‎reconcile with its members.

    “We must not close door for reconciliation and negotiation but we must reconcile based on strong position. A unified judgment by Court of Appeal will place us in good stead.’’

    He added that it was only the judgment from the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt that the party was waiting for in moving forward.

    “We are waiting for judgment that will restore hope.

    “How the court will restore that hope is for the will of PDP members to be respected, and we are giving the legal right for us to go ahead to build a virile party.’’

    Markarfi, however, urged the party executive and its organs at the state and local government levels to continue to work while waiting for the court’s decision on its leadership.

    He commended the committee for its efforts towards the repositioning of the party, recalling that the committee was self-funded “and this is the kind of sacrifice that PDP needs to rise and fly again’’.

    ‎Presenting the report earlier, Gana said that the committee would submit its final report at the end of January.

    Gana said that the committee also planned to have a brief session with PDP governors and the National Assembly caucus before the submission of the report.

    “This is to inform them on some of the issues and recommendations that are contained in the report.

    “This is also to accommodate any input they can bring forward so as to bring everybody on board,’’ he said.

    The Gana’s committee was set up in November, 2016, to evolve ways to reconcile the party leadership crisis and reposition it to win future elections.

     

  • I am not defecting, I stand firm with PDP, Ekweremadu tells APC

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has said he is not contemplating leaving the Peoples Democracy Party, PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC or any other political party for that matter.

    Ekweremadu stated this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Political Affairs, Hon. Okey Ozoani.

    The statement reads in part: “Senator Ekweremadu is not contemplating leaving PDP. He is more concerned about fixing the country’s biting economic and security conditions and other challenges than saving his job as the Deputy President of the Senate.

    “It is his view that Nigeria has to first exist for us to have political parties to belong to or political offices to occupy. Studies have shown a direct relationship between economic conditions and survival of democracy.

    “The primary responsibility the Constitution places on our government is to cater for the wellbeing of the citizens as well as security of their lives and property. When such are threatened, everyone should necessarily get serious and preoccupied with contributing his or her quota to salvaging the country.

    “Besides, he is most grateful to his colleagues for the confidence they continue to repose in him and the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki. He is grateful for the solidarity that the Senators have continued to accord them”.

    Hon. Ozoani, while appreciating Ekweremadu’s supporters and well meaning Nigerians who have continued to contact the Office over recent media reports, assured them that there was no cause for alarm. He urged them to continue to pray for the Senate leadership, the Senate, the National Assembly, and indeed the government and the entire nation.

    “By strength alone shall no man prevail. Therefore, let us get down on our knees and continue to present the government and the country before God”, Ozoani added.

    Recall that Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamafara Central) on Wednesday, 11th January 2017, moved a motion asking the Deputy Senate President to cross over to the ruling All Progressive Congress.

    Recall also that the PDP had earlier warned that attempt to impeach Ekweremadu because of he belongs to the opposition party will cause anarchy in the country.

     

  • 2019: Nigerians looking on to PDP for salvation, emancipation from APC – Former ministers

     

    Some former ministers of the federation under the aegis of Forum of Former Ministers, FFM, has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, remains the only credible platform that could save Nigeria from the hardships they are made to face under the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC government.

    According to the forum, Nigerians were now looking up to the former ruling party for salvation.

    Former governor of Jigawa State and chairman of the forum, Sule Lamido said this when he led other members on a solidarity visit to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Thursday.

    Lamido reiterated the dertermination of members of the opposition not to succumb to intimidations aimed at shutting them from speaking on national issues as it concerns the welfare of Nigerians.

    While also urging governors of PDP in the country to ensure that the party did not die, Lamido said they should build it into a virile structure.

    In Lamido’s words: “We are with you in your travails. We support you all the way. We know that you are under siege by anti-democratic forces.

    “No matter the tyranny of the oppressor, the voice of the people must be heard. That was the case of Rivers State during the Rivers Rerun Elections. Nigerians are looking on to the PDP for salvation and emancipation from the APC. Our governors must stand together to be our rallying point”.

    Governor Wike in his response said the crisis in the party would soon be a thing of the past, adding that Rivers State would continue to remain a strong hold of the PDP.

    “We will continue to stand firm and defend democracy. For us, we have made up our mind. Our family is PDP. We are prepared to pay the price. We are determined to work for the PDP at all times. Don’t have sleepless nights. The PDP will remain strong in Rivers State. We will continue the struggle against anti-people forces and we shall continue to win”, he said.

    In attendance for the solidarity visit are; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former Jigawa State Governor, Dr Sule Lamido, Former Minister of Education and Former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Former Minister of Youth Development and Former Adamawa State Governor, Mr Boni Haruna, Former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, Former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Former Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada.

     

  • Stop dragging us into your war against security agencies, Rivers APC tells Wike, PDP

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC has called on Governor Nyesom Wike and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP not to drag it (APC) into its alleged war against security agencies.

    This was made known in a statement released exclusively to TheNewsGuru.com by the party secretariat in the state on Thursday.

    The statement reads in full: “Despite our determined efforts and resolve to stay clear of Gov. Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] war against Nigerian security agencies, the governor and his party [PDP] appear very determined to drag the All Progressives Congress [APC] into the fray of what seems to be a war they cannot win.

    The APC notes with shock that Rivers PDP in a statement signed by Jerry Needam on behalf of the PDP State Chairman, Felix Obuah, is accusing the Nigeria Police of becoming the security arm of APC. This is a joke taken too far by every decent standard in politics.

    We recall that in the same press statement PDP accused the Nigeria Police of arresting 21 ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, who took part in the legislative re-run election in the State.

    While the APC will not attempt to speak for the Nigeria Police, we wish to state that the PDP is simply crying wolf and this is typical of them and therefore not surprising to many. We do not see why the PDP should be too worried that ad-hoc staff of INEC or indeed anybody is invited by the Nigeria Police to assist it on any issue. How that becomes a source of worry for the PDP is baffling to us. Could it be a confirmation of our long-held suspicion that PDP smuggled their members into the INEC ad-hoc staff list in order to do their bidding? Or could the investigation of the ad-hoc staff possibly lead to the unravelling of possible extent and dimensions of compromise of INEC officials by Gov. Nyesom Wike and the PDP hence the apprehension and false alarm?

    The APC is convinced that the camp of the PDP is presently thrown into confusion because the invited ad-hoc INEC staff are likely to confess and name those who compromised them over the December 10 rerun election and that is the reason behind the panic mode Rivers PDP and Gov. Wike have suddenly found themselves in.

    We wish to remind the governor and his party that clear conscience fears no accusation because the truth will ultimately prevail. The purported arrest and transfer of 21 ad-hoc INEC staff to Abuja by the Police, even if true, should not elicit the sort of animated frenzy that has become evident of the governor and PDP in Rivers State. Or could it be that that INEC and their staff in Rivers State have become the election administrative arm of Rivers PDP? We ask that we may know.

    We call on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies not to be fazed by Governor Wike’s antics and empty threats for those are his stock-in-trade without which he may never function true to type,” the statement concludes.

  • Any attempt to impeach Ekweremadu as DSP is call to anarchy – PDP

     

    Opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has said any attempt by senators elected under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to impeach Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu because he is not a member of the party (APC) will lead to anarchy in the country.

    The party was reacting to comments made by Senator Kabiru Marafa, where he called on Ekweremadu to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to retain his seat.

    In a statement on Thursday released by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, PDP said any attempt to remove Ekweremadu was a call for anarchy.

    The statement said: “Fortunately, there is no section or clause of the Nigerian Constitution (1999 As Amended) that provides that one must be a member of the Ruling Party before he/she can be elected into any position in the Senate or the House of Representatives.

    “Equally, it is very distasteful and uncharitable for any senator to stand on the floor of the Hallowed Chamber and ask his colleague to violate the Constitution by cross-carpeting from his own party to join the ruling party. Note that it is Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not Senate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “It is indeed laughable for Senator Marafa to cite the internal issues in the PDP as a reason for Senator Ekweremadu to decamp. For the umpteenth time, let us reiterate that there is no faction in the PDP. A party is only factionalised when its organs are in disarray but this is different in the PDP where all the organs are intact behind the National Caretaker Committee under the chairmanship of H. E. Senator Ahmed Makarfi, CON. A mere rebellion by a small interest group within the Party cannot be referred to factionalisation of the Party.”

    The PDP added: “In view of the above, any member of the PDP using the current leadership disagreement caused by the Rebellious Group led by the former Borno State Governor, Senator Sherrif to decamp is doing so at his or her peril. Senator Marafa or any other member of the APC has no power to make such demands on a member of the PDP.

    “Let us remind Senator Marafa that Senator Ike Ekweremadu was elected as Deputy President of Senate by majority votes from both the PDP and APC senators. Any attempt to remove Senator Ekweramadu for being a member of the Opposition Party and not because of a constitutional breach or incompetence is a call for anarchy.

    “The current situation in the Senate where the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President are from different parties should not continue to appear strange to Senator Marafa and his likes in a democratic system.

    “For instance in the Second Republic, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Umezeoke was from opposition NPP while the Senate President was from the Ruling Party, the NPN, and both of them worked harmoniously with the cooperation of the Executive in moving the Country forward.

    “Finally, we call on our members in the National Assembly to remain strong and united behind the Deputy Senate President with the determination not to allow the APC truncate our hard earned democracy through their undemocratic tendencies.

    “To the APC lawmakers in the National Assembly, do not forget that Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must work together to protect her in order to advance our democracy.”

     

  • 2019 elections will be a battle between Nigerians and those in authority – PDP

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has said the 2019 general elections will be a battle between Nigerians and those in authority that are unnecessarily making life difficult for them (Nigerians).

    The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Dayo Adeyeye, therefore, called on Nigerians not to see the 2019 election as a PDP problem, but a Nigerian problem.

    Adeyeye, who is a member of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP Caretaker Committee, spoke during a post-national convention press briefing in Port Harcourt.
    In his words: “The 2019 (election) is a battle between those in power and those that want to wrest it from them. It is a battle between Nigerians and those who are making life difficult for them; it is a battle to save the country.”

    Adeyeye stated that Nigerians were aware of those behind the crisis rocking the PDP, pointing out that those seen on the stage were mere puppets.

    “Some members allowed themselves to be used by some people that are in authority.

    “Some of the people you see are mere puppets, but those pulling the strings are behind. Nigerians know those who are causing the crisis in the PDP,” he added.

  • PDP workers demand re-opening of national secretariat

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Staff Welfare Forum has demanded the `immediate and unconditional re-opening’ of the party’s National Secretariat by the Police.

    The employees made the demand on Tuesday in Abuja during a peaceful protest in front of the national secretariat.

    The Secretary of the Forum, Dan Ochubaiye, said the appeal became necessary in order to enable the party discharge its responsibilities.

    “It may be recalled that no court in the country gave the order for the lock-down of the PDP National Secretariat by the Nigerian Police Force.

    “We, therefore, demand the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Secretariat to allow the staffers to enter their offices for routine party activities.

    “It is only fair and just for the staffers to be allowed into their legitimate offices while the Police are duty-bound to provide adequate security for them as provided in the Nigerian constitution.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that party’s national secretariat has remained locked-up for eight months.

    The shutdown of the secretariat followed the lingering leadership crisis rocking PDP after its parallel non-elective conventions held in Port-Harcourt and Abuja in May 2016.

    Mr. Ochubaiye also expressed concern over the delay in resolving the party’s lingering leadership crisis.

    “The PDP staff welfare forum while appreciating the Judiciary again appealed to them to speedily dispense justice as concerns pending PDP cases before the court in order to save our democracy from gradually degenerating into a one party state.

    “The forum frowned at the incessant petitions by a party in the case and described it as a delay tactic to subvert justice.

    “The staff of the secretariat believe that the delay is only beneficial to the petitioner, who clearly is being sponsored by the (opposition) ruling party.

    “The staff of the PDP National Secretariat hold the Judiciary in high esteem and believe in it to remain unbiased and dispense justice that will maintain the sanctity and independence of the rule of law and the court.’’

    The employees, according to Mr. Ochubaiye, however, restate their loyalty to the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.

    “We call on all the organs and stakeholders in the party to urgently support the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee in all ramifications.

    Mr. Ochubaiye, who did not disclose if PDP staffers were being owed salaries, said the situation of the employees was unfortunate after the party lost the last general elections.

    “While commending the National Caretaker Committee for its efforts so far, the staff welfare committee commiserates with the families of its members that lost their lives during this uncertain period.

    “It is the belief of staff that the demise of the staff was largely avoidable.’’

    Contributing, a senior staff of the party, Samson Imafidon, said the demand for the reopening of the secretariat was informed by the need to start work in the new year and put an end to idleness.

    “We are not people who will be comfortable at home even when you are paid salaries. We want to work.

    “We are responsible staff our duty is to work for the party. Even if we are paid the whole money we needed and then we are not working, we are not comfortable at home and this is a new year.

    “So, we felt it was unreasonable for anybody to think that we are comfortable at home and not working even when we are paid at the end of the month.

    “We want to work and that is why we are here.”