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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party

  • PDP berates Tinubu over ‘rats and poisoned holy communion’ comment

    PDP berates Tinubu over ‘rats and poisoned holy communion’ comment

    The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has lambasted the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over comments perceived to be uncomplimentary.

    Recall that Tinubu while answering questions from journalists on how he would tackle climate change if elected Nigeria’s president, likened the situation to a ‘rat and poisoned holy communion’

    He said “A question of how do you prevent a church rat from eating poisoned holy communion.”

    The video has since gone viral on social media.

    “We are a poor nation. They say firewood is not for fetching. They say we need to plant more trees and they are not giving us money.

    “We need to tell the West if you don’t guarantee our finances and work with us to stop this, we are not going to comply with your climate change”, Tinubu said.

    Concerned Nigerians have dragged the former Lagos governor on social media asking him to retract his comment on Holy Communion and apologize to Nigerian Christians.

    In its reaction PDP via a statement issued by the spokesperson of the party’s Presidential Campaign Management Committee, Dino Melaye, tackled Tinubu saying the comment depicted an insult to Christians.

    Dino posited that after ignoring the Christian faith and fielded a Muslim-Muslim ticket, the APC presidential candidate has further “rubbed insult on injury by calling in the Holy Communion into an unrelated conversation”.

    He said, “the APC presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, plunged into new depths of desecration when by an unguarded and unrelated flow of thought he despised the body of Christ by profaning the sacrament of communion and besmirched the church.

    “Having overlooked Christians in his choice of a running mate, he further rubbed insult on injury by calling in the Holy Communion into an unrelated conversation”.

    Dino said  Asiwaju’s response to the question on climate change, exposed his ignorance of what climate change means.

    The statement reads, “Furthermore, he fell out of tune with world leaders in ways that betrayed a lack of understanding of what the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr called the “Fierce Urgency of Now”.

    “It would have been honourable for Tinubu to simply admit that he didn’t know what climate change is. Again, that exposed his limited understanding and poor preparation for governance.

    “Any leader of any great nation who does not understand the basics of climate change, especially with the ongoing flooding in Nigeria and the economic conflict arising from farmers and herders, has no business aspiring to lead our dear country at this moment.

    “Besides, Nigerians who have been in doubt about the presence of mind and the physiological capacity of Tinubu to preside over the affairs of Nigeria should now be convinced that he is not fit.

    “For a moment, his thought processes tripped and he launched into another issue entirely. Nigerians could imagine if what happened in Kaduna had happened on the world stage. As I said earlier, Nigerians can not afford to gamble with the next election.

    “An Atiku presidency will not only be at home with global issues anywhere and anytime. He would build bridges and partnerships to address contemporary and emerging issues with pace, purpose, and patience.

    “He will collaborate with others to contain the causes and effects of climate change and more importantly, he will work for structures that will help Nigeria to build resilience and adaptation to climate change, particularly in climate-smart agriculture and other strategic initiatives”.

  • 2023: Thugs attack PDP supporters in Kaduna campaign rally

    2023: Thugs attack PDP supporters in Kaduna campaign rally

    Persons suspected to be political thugs have attacked supporters of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar at the ongoing campaign rally in Kaduna State.

    Atiku confirmed the attack via a post on his verified social media handles on Monday.

    Recall that few days ago, thugs attacked supporters of the party in Zamfara State leading to the death of at least one person, while several others were injured.

    Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the president Buhari to address the security situation in the country to prevent a re-occurrence of such incident.

    “I have just received emergency reports of attacks on PDP supporters by thugs sponsored to scuttle the ongoing PDP campaign rally in Kaduna State. This is undemocratic and against the Peace Accord all parties signed up for just a few weeks ago.

    “I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns, just as with the elections themselves, are kept free, fair and safe”.

    Casualties recorded during the attack could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

  • I never collected N1 billion from anyone – Ayu replies Wike

    I never collected N1 billion from anyone – Ayu replies Wike

    The embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu has issued a statement denying ever collecting N1 billion from anyone as claimed by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Friday’s media chat in Port Harcourt.

    Ayu also warned aggrieved party members to leave his family out of the milieu of the party.

    Ayu reacted to allegations levelled against him by Wike, assuring that the party account will be made available to party members in no distant time.

    The PDP National Chairman said as the father of the party he decided to be quiet for peace to reign.

    Ayu also appealed to all aggrieved members of the party to leave his family out saying. “I felt I should encourage reconciliation. But where it touches on my integrity, which even my own family members are brought into play.

    “I appeal to aggrieved people to desist from trying to malign my character or bringing my family into party affairs.

    ” I never collected 1 billion from anybody. And the 100 million that was donated by one of the governors was judiciously used for the purpose that it was given”.

  • Police to sanction officer for carrying Atiku’s wife’s bag

    Police to sanction officer for carrying Atiku’s wife’s bag

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has frowned at one of its personnel attached to Titi Abubakar for carrying her bag at an occasion.

    Titi is the wife of Atiku Abubakar, former vice president and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate.

    The female police officer was pictured carrying a handbag at the commissioning of a campaign office Titi opened for her husband ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi explained that the officers are supposed to respect and adhere to professional ethics.

    Adejobi responded to a Twitter user @Fifi_Ify who said the officer was turned into a maid.

    “When a private citizen can turn our uniform force member into her maid, why won’t the police forget their primary duty and only dance to the tune of the elites?”, she wrote.

    The police spokesperson condemned the act he called “absurdity”, adding that it is not acceptable.

    “We have commenced necessary action on this. We will fish her out and get across to the principal.

    “The AIG Special Protection Unit has been contacted to assist us get the woman police. Gradually, we will sanitise the system.

    “How can an orderly carry a bag for her madam. I am sure the madam will have a PA, and that is the PA’s job”, he added.

  • PDP set to appeal Court ruling nullifying primary elections in Ogun state

    PDP set to appeal Court ruling nullifying primary elections in Ogun state

    The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP on Wednesday said it will appeal the Federal High Court Judgment that nullified the state primary elections in Ogun State.

    Recall that the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta  presided over by Hon. Justice O. Oguntoyinbo ordered the PDP in the state to conduct a fresh election to nominate candidates for the 2023 general elections.

    The party expressed dissatisfaction over the ruling in suit No. FHC/AB/CS/83/2022 delivered on September 27, 2022.

    The PDP said the appeal had become imperative after its NWC evaluated the judgment during its meeting held on Tuesday at the PDP National Secretariat.

    In a statement by its spokesperson, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, on Wednesday, the party said it had directed its legal adviser to commence necessary actions.

    “In his judgment, Hon. Justice Oguntoyinbo held thus “I hereby Order that fresh primary elections be conducted by the current Ogun State Executives of the 2nd Defendant Peoples Democratic Party for the nomination of candidates for elective positions i.e House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senatorial and Governorship elections within 14 days.

    “After a comprehensive review and extensive consultations with Party leaders and critical stakeholders particularly in Ogun State, the NWC has resolved to appeal the Judgment.

    “Consequently, the NWC has directed the National Legal Adviser of the Party to commence all actions necessary to appeal the judgement.

    “The party urges all candidates of the party in Ogun State, all critical stakeholders, party members, and teeming supporters to remain focused and not allow themselves to be distracted as the PDP rally Nigerians to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect the nation from the misrule of the sitting government,” the statement read.

  • PDP’s Ayu bows to pressure, brands Wike party’s greatest asset

    PDP’s Ayu bows to pressure, brands Wike party’s greatest asset

    Embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, has eulogized Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike, branding him PDP’s greatest Asset amid the crisis bedeviling the party.

    Ayu confessed that Wike has helped rescue the party since time immemorial.

    The PDP National Chairman disclosed this through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Yusuf Dingyadi, in a chat with journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    He said: “We are trying to see that everyone is giving a fear hearing. As we speak, the local reconciliation committee is meeting with party members at the state level to discuss issues and find solutions to those issues.

    “For example, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is one of the great assets to PDP. He is a leader, governor, and somebody who has helped to rescue PDP since time immemorial.

    “Since Ayu took over as the chairman of the party to date, he has made tremendous progress in building the party in all 36 States including the FCT Abuja.”

    Wike has been aggrieved with PDP over the refusal of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to pick him as his running mate.

    Subsequently, Wike has called for the resignation of Ayu laying claims to internal zoning arrangement of the PDP.

  • 2023: Atiku is the healthiest of all presidential candidates – Aliyu

    2023: Atiku is the healthiest of all presidential candidates – Aliyu

    Former Governor of Niger State  and a Chieftain of the  Peoples Democratic Party Member, Babangida Aliyu mocked the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, over the bike exercise session video that surfaced online yesterday, saying the PDP presidential candidate is the healthiest.

    Aliyu posited that Tinubu doesn’t need to share a video of himself riding a bike to prove he is fit to be president

    Aliyu said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar remains the healthiest of all the presidential candidates.

    Recall that Tinubu had shared a video of himself on a treadmill on Sunday evening, saying that he was fit as a fiddle and debunking that he fell ill and ran abroad for treatment.

    Tinubu’s absence at some important events, especially the peace pact, had sparked speculations that he rushed out of the country and put his campaign flag-off on hold to look after his health.

    But Tinubu, captioned his video as: “Many have said I have died; others claim I have withdrawn from the presidential campaign. Well… Nope. This is the reality: I am strong, I am healthy.”

    Meanwhile, speaking at the Ogun State PDP Secretariat in Abeokuta on Monday, Aliyu took a swipe at Tinubu, saying “a medically fit presidential candidate needs no proof by sharing video clips on social media.”

    Aliyu insisted that “Atiku is the healthiest of the presidential candidates in this country.”

    Aliyu alongside former Governors, Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano and Boni Haruna of Adamawa had stormed Abeokuta on behalf of Atiku.

    Others at the event were, a former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi; the Ogun PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu; his running mate, Adekunle Akinlade, among other Southwest PDP leaders.

    Aliyu expressed confidence that an Atiku presidency would reclaim Nigeria from the Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements.

    Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu is a senior civil servant who was elected governor of Niger State, Nigeria in April 2007. He was reelected on 26 April 2011

  • Court nullifies Ogun governorship primary elections, orders fresh one

    Court nullifies Ogun governorship primary elections, orders fresh one

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital on Tuesday, nullified the guber primary elections conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    The court ruled that a fresh primary election should be conducted by the party, ruling that the primaries conducted were not in compliance with the Electoral Act.

    The party had on May 25 conducted the primary election which produced two factional candidates, Adebutu and Sowunmi as the flagbearers of the party.

    However, three members of the party, Taiwo Olabode Idris, Kehinde Akala, and Alhaji Ayinde Monsuri, subsequently dragged the party, Adebutu, and INEC to court, challenging the authenticity of the delegates’ list used for the conduct of the primary election.

    The plaintiffs, Taiwo Olabode Idris; Kehinde Akala, and Alhaji Ayinde Monsuru, in an Originating Summons filed by Dr. Kemi Pinherio SAN, had approached the Court seeking an order nullifying or setting aside the Special State Congress or indirect primary election held by the party on the 25th of May, 2022 to choose the candidate which the party intends to nominate or sponsor at the 2023 Governorship election in Ogun State based on the list of delegates who were not democratically elected at the ward congress.

    They also prayed for an order of the court directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard or refrain from giving effect to the results of the alleged first defendant indirect primary election, conducted in May, based on the list of ad-hoc delegates who were not elected at the ward congresses constituted by the party for that purpose.

    Reacting to the judgment, the counsel to the plaintiffs, Thaddeus Idenyi, said the court nullified the election “because it was conducted using a list of ad-hoc delegates who were not elected.”

    “The implication of the judgment is obvious, the PDP will have to put their hats together and then conduct a fresh primary as ordered by the court.

    “This time around, the court was specific that they have to use the list that has been certified by INEC because after the primary, those lists were submitted to INEC as parts of its report of covering those ward congresses held, so the court has now said that is the list which must be considered in the conduct of the fresh primaries, so the PDP had to just put their house together and use those lists to conduct a fresh primary,” Idenyi added.

    When contacted the Publicity Secretary of PDP in the State, Akinloye Bankole, said the party would study the judgment before it will take any step on it.

  • PDP VS APC: Atiku warns Tinubu, others to stop interfering in other party’s affairs

    PDP VS APC: Atiku warns Tinubu, others to stop interfering in other party’s affairs

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has warned All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to focus on their party and stop being nosy about issues in PDP.

    Recall that the Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressive Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, mocked the PDP over its lingering internal crisis.

    APC said “Once again, another bid for the presidency of our country by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is slipping away. This is unraveling before our very eyes even before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) blows the whistle for the electioneering campaign. His party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in disarray. The signs are just too ominous for Waziri Adamawa with the report by the Economic Intelligence Unit predicting another trashing for him in the forthcoming polls.

    “After violating his party’s code for power rotation between the north and south and grabbing the PDP ticket without a modicum of sensibilities about our national ethos, Alhaji Atiku is now faced with the karma of his inordinate ambition”.

    In his reactions, Atiku  through a statement by his Media Adviser and Publicity of his Presidential Campaign Council, Paul Ibe described Tinubu and his APC teammates as busy bodies.

    Atiku advised the APC to solve the problems confronting the country rather than poke its nose into the affairs of another party.

    The statement reads in part, “Well, since the APC Presidential Campaign Organization seems to have woken up from their state of hibernation, it is good to remind them that there are pending questions about the social and educational history of their candidate that Nigerians want answers to.

    “We shall be kind enough to remind the APC that when, in the next few days, campaigns begin in earnest, Nigerians will require answers to some weighty character questions about their candidate and, rather than expend precious time on what is never their business, should use the remaining few days judiciously.

    “Secondly, whatever is happening in the PDP is a conversation among leaders of the party and that, in itself, is a reflection of the PDP, as a living and engaging political party. The conversation in the PDP is all about consensus building, which in itself is a major ingredient for peace and unity.

    “The PDP, as a truly democratic party, understands that democracy is a lively concept because it allows for people to express their opinions and, it is within that understanding that everyone becomes part of the process.

    “The same, of course, cannot be said of the APC where what exists is at best graveyard peace. It is on record that in the seven years and more that the APC has been in power and with the attendant hardship that the party has foisted on the ordinary people of Nigeria, the candidate of the APC, former governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu had not for one single time stood on the side of the people.

    “And, that is so for the obvious reason that the presidential candidate of the APC considers his poorly conceived presidential ambition more important than the adversity that his party has unleashed on a vast majority of Nigerians. We wish to remind the APC that its presidential candidate has to own the failures of the party in the last seven plus years. He should also know that Nigerians will not reward their failure with nothing less than a resounding loss in the election.

    “Tinubu and the APC ma lu’le! It is important to let Tinubu and his paid agents know that what obtains in the PDP is not the mundane stoicism that the APC is known for.

    “Indeed, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar has established credibility before the masses of this country that he is one patriot who can be counted on to stand by the side of the people – even when the times are hard”.

  • PDP Crisis: Dele Momodu appeals to Wike’s camp

    PDP Crisis: Dele Momodu appeals to Wike’s camp

    Veteran journalist and publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, has lent his voice on the lingering crisis bedeviling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

    Recall that some chieftains of the party have pulled out of the 2023 campaign team of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the party’s presidential candidate.

    Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike and his sympathizers have announced they will not be part of the PDP campaign team ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    The development was disclosed shortly after a meeting early Wednesday morning in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    It was gathered that members of Wike’s team, during the meeting, vowed not to play any role in Atiku’s campaign ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    They insist that the party’s National Chairman Iyiorcha Ayu should resign from his position as a condition for them to partake in its activities.

    However, in his reaction, to the development, Momodu, posited that situation will definitely calm down in the end.

    The Ovation Magazine publisher, made this known during an interview on Arise Tv Morning programme on Thursday.

    He also appealed to Wike, who he described as his friend and brother, not to destroy what he had worked so hard to build, adding that he should not carry it too far.

    “Well, I believe that things will calm down eventually. We will continue to appeal to aggrieved members of the party. As a journalist you know that no matter what happens, no news can remain permanently on the front burner and that is the reason I have been appealing to my very dear friend, my good brother, governor Nyesom Wike, that, look, don’t carry it too far.

    “It is months after the presidential primary, people are still angry, people are still aggrieved, which is very unfortunate. And it is important to know something, is it possible for Atiku to unilaterally remove Dr. Ayu? The answer is no.

    “So those who are aggrieved should continue to engage the party and should not say things that would destroy the party because every day you attack your party, what you intend to do is to weaken the party so if tomorrow we remove Ayu and the party is dead so what have you gain?

    “So for me, we must continue to engage in dialogue that is the whole basis of democracy. I think our candidate has done very well. He travelled to London to engage directly with governor Wike and his friends and his supporters and that is the right thing to do. He’s done that. And what I thought they would do was come back home to Nigeria and continue the engagement. But every day, there is a new threat against the party.

    “I am worried, especially for a man who has done enough for the party. Governor Wike has been the coastal boy of PDP. He is easily the best governor in Nigeria in terms of performance and delivery of the dividends of democracy to his people and to Nigeria. He should not destroy what he has worked so hard to build.” He said.