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  • PDP crumbling under your watch as chairman – APC tells Secondus

    PDP crumbling under your watch as chairman – APC tells Secondus

    The All Progressives Congress has called on Prince Uche Secondus, the chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, to focus more on his party, as it has become shockingly rudderless under his watch.

    “Under Secondus, the PDP has never had it this bad with the opposition Party’s stakeholders detached from the party activities as was witnessed with notable PDP leaders boycotting the Party’s 2019 presidential campaigns and the recent Bayelsa State Governorship bribe-for-ticket scandal that indicted Secondus”, the APC said in a statement today.

    The APC was reacting to a statement by Secondus accusing the APC of militarising elections.

    On the contrary, the APC claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been supporting free, fair elections, particularly the 2019 elections as opposed to previous PDP militarized elections.

    “The PDP under Secondus is in wilful denial of the obvious that under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, free, fair and credible elections are the new normal.

    “Voting power is fast returning to the people and the era of stolen and procured votes is fast-fading”, APC said in a statement by deputy national publicity secretary Yekini Nabena.

    “We reiterate that President Buhari’s declaration that the APC could have used the military and other security services to overrun opposition states in the 2019 general election.

    “That it chose free, fair elections is a solid pointer and demonstrates our proven democratic and progressive credentials.

    “Why will the PDP under Secondus not support efforts to ensure the independence of our state institutions such as the Judiciary, INEC and our security services and ultimately deepen our democracy and improve our electioneering system?

    “We call on progressive partisans, particularly in the PDP not to sink with the opposition party which has become clearly disillusioned under Secondus.

    “The Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CENCPC) has created a healthy and progressive political environment in the APC”, Nabena said.

    “He is entrenching internal democracy which is geared towards electing into public offices patriotic countrymen who will put the people first and contribute to achieving the Nigeria we all desire and deserve.

    Nabena said Governor Mai Mala Buni is busy building the APC which defends the fact that power belongs to the people and that during elections, votes must count.

  • Nigeria sailing without direction, captain – Secondus

    Nigeria sailing without direction, captain – Secondus

    The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has decried the dearth of committed and trusted leaders to give Nigeria a good sense of direction.

    Secondus, who said this on Saturday in Uyo during the commissioning of the 1,000 sitting capacity PDP State Secretariat, asked Nigerians to pray for God’s intervention.

    The National PDP Chairman who commended the leadership role of Governor Udom Emmanuel, and attributed the completion of the new state secretariat to his efforts, said it is competing with the national secretariat.

    He stated that the PDP has the best governors in the country as their achievements was a confirmation of their leadership prowess.

    “With a secretariat that is competing with the national secretariat. Your Excellency, that shows the manifestation of your leadership. When you show leadership by example and your followers show faith in their leaders, that means the leader has done well.

    “I can see you are a leader that has shown leadership and your followers are following you with curiosity, and they have seen the works you have shown in Akwa Ibom State.

    “Our country today needs leaders who will be truthful, honest and trusted and by the grace of God you are one of them. The PDP has shown clearly that we have the best governors because of the role call of achievements and the country can confirm what they have seen.

    “Without good leadership, you cannot have this Secretariat. Our county needs a lot of prayers. A country with no direction, without a captain, we need a lot of prayers. You all know what we are going through. We need God’s intervention.

    “We are happy and grateful to the leadership of Akwa Ibom for providing an edifice that will be ranking with, I don’t know the party, is it the other party that?

    “What we must emphasize today is to build institutions. What we must do in this country is to groom young people that will become leaders to take over the leadership. Akwa Ibom has done well in that regard.

    “PDP is becoming stronger and stronger everyday, we have recovered ourself. Anyone from any part of the country can aspire to become anything and realise their dreams in PDP. Akwa Ibom is a state where every other state should follow,” he stated.

    Also speaking, Governor Udom Emmanuel, who said party members where looking up to PDP at the National level to take over governance of the country, noted that the party was still waxing strong.

    Emmanuel explained that the Secretariat was completed with 100 percent direct labour, adding that the outgoing State PDP Chairman, Mr Paul Ekpo has achieved his purpose through the completion of the secretariat.

    He said it would have been unfair if the PDP did not have the secretariat in the state since it has been the only party that has moved the state forward.

    He stated that the Akan Offot – Aka Etinan road with side drains was construted to create access into the secretariat.

    “The party is still waxing stronger. Obong Paul Ekpo has achieved his purpose, God sent him. We’ve experienced unity under his watch.

    “PDP can only get stronger. It would have been unfair if PDP did not put up something like this in Akwa Ibom because this is the only party that has propelled the state.

    “We look forward to the national to deliver Nigeria back to PDP, ” he stated.

    In his remarks, the outgoing PDP State Chairman, Mr Paul Ekpo, commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for mobilising financial support for the completion of the state secretariat.

    He said, “The Governor had promised that I will present this edifice for inauguration as Chairman of the party and today here we are – at a great cost to his personal finance, energy and time.

    “He engaged his friends from within and outside the state who either donated money, material or services deployed to the completion of this beautiful edifice.”
  • Secondus to Obaseki: ‘Your journey to PDP is an act of God’

    Secondus to Obaseki: ‘Your journey to PDP is an act of God’

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus on Friday told the Governor of Edo state Godwin Obaseki should first and foremost consider his entry into the PDP as an act of God as guiding principle.
    Secondus told the Governor that he would soon realize that he did not make mistake in his decision as this is a party of “responsible people who respect and appreciate intellect and work by the rules and constitution of the party.
    “There is nothing to be arrogant about power for anyone who know God and here in PDP we are guided by this fact.
    The National Chairman who received the new member at the National Working Committee, NWC meeting at the party’s legacy House campaign office in Maitama Abuja announced to him that before his arrival they deliberated and approved his application for waiver for him and his deputy.
    Prince Secondus said that as a party that is guided by rules, the application came from his ward in Edo state and was recommended and endorsed by the other various organs of the party in the state.
    A statement from the National Chairman’s media office said he told the Governor that by the waiver he and his deputy can vote and be voted for in the party.
    In his remarks after receiving the waiver, Governor Obaseki thanked God for providing him the opportunity of today saying that he is happy to have made this decision.
    “From what I saw in Benin City today after I joined this party, the increased goodwill, the excitement of the people from all works of life from their balcony, I told myself no wonder…?
    He said that since he made his contact with the party he has realized the difference, he met true democrats with positive disposition and cohesion who listens and tries to understand you.
    “What I have seen here is a far cry from the confusion and commotion from the other side and left me to wonder Why I didn’t have this opportunity before now
    “when I met the National Chairman Prince Secondus, I was shocked at his humility and unassuming dispositions, how he told me he would consult because the decision will come from the people not him but where I am coming from the other side it wasn’t so.
    He assured the PDP leaders of his full cooperation, “what am bringing, am coming with freshness, I am going to lead a campaign at all level to enhance the membership of this party in the state.
    The governor told the party leaders that the challenge ahead for the country is worrisome following the effect of COVID-19 that has disrupted the soci-political and economic live of the World.
    “The road ahead is not going to be easy with the obvious fall in oil revenue which our economy depend on but I want to assure you that with me you have an equipped person with the energy.
    Recall that Obaseki had yesterday joined the PDP in his Ward in Benin City and visited the PDP state Secretariat in Benin City before coming to Abuja to meet with the Nwc to collect his waiver.

  • Obaseki’s Endorsement: Edo PDP begs Secondus to call Umahi, Danjuma, others to order

    Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on the National Chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secondus, to call some top members of the party to order over their endorsement of the re-election bid of the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

    Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, made the call on Sunday, in a letter titled “Edo 2020 Election Under Threat. Saboteurs Within!”

    His concern is apparently over the endorsement of the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by a member of the BoT of the PDP, Senator Daisy Danjuma, in Lagos last week, and Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.

    He described their action as “open treachery, condemnable and smacks of indiscipline and ingratitude” and a threat to the party’s chance to recapture the state from crisis-ridden ruling APC, after almost 12 years in opposition.

    “As you are aware, Edo State is holding its governorship election later in the year. Edo PDP has been in opposition in the state since 2008 and from the opinion polls we conducted, this year, 2020, represents our brightest chance of winning the state back.

    “The party in government is engrossed in a fierce battle of supremacy between the governor, Governor Obaseki and his national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

    “Their “fight” has seriously affected governance to the extent that even the state house of assembly only has 10 out of 24 members seating even though they won 24/24 seats in the last elections. Not fewer than 6 council chairmen have been sacked as well as at least 4 members of state executive council because of their “questionable loyalty”!

    “They have polarized their party beyond recognition. There is a gale of suspension going on in their party as the National Chairman, State chairman and even the Governor, Deputy Governor and the Secretary to the State Government have all been suspended by the rival factions in their party. Their party is therefore now immersed in court cases across the federation.

    “Your Excellency, this background was necessary so that you understand the pains we are going through in Edo when we hear leaders, members of the board of trustees and even some Governors’ uncharitable endorsement of APC’s embattled Governor Godwin Obaseki. The most recent of this is Governor David Umahi’s open endorsement of Godwin Obaseki for re-election.

    “This practice, you will agree with us, is condemnable and smacks of indiscipline and ingratitude. It defeats the spirit of camaraderie that is supposed to exist within a political party. It is a morale-damper and it’s unacceptable.

    “Your excellency, please use your office to call these leaders to order so that this open treachery doesn’t become a norm in our great party.”

  • Wike is PDP’s foremost pillar – Secondus

    National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has described the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, as the party’s foremost pillar.

    Speaking during a birthday visit by the National Working Committee of the PDP to the Rivers State Governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday, Prince Uche Secondus said that Governor Wike had over the years provided a platform for the party to survive.

    He said: “With profound humility and recognition for all your works and support that you have given the party, and being the foremost pillar of our party, on their behalf, we present this token as a symbol of love .

    “Because God is with you, you have nothing to fear. We want to affirm that of a truth, God is with you. God has chosen you as a leader and by the special Grace of God, you will continue to lead.

    “We pray that God will give you uncommon supernatural wisdom and on daily basis, God will protect you and your family.”

    He said that Governor Wike’s support for the party cut across all the geo-political zones of the country.

    “You have helped Nigerians, not only Rivers people. You are reaching out to the north and the south. You are planting and our prayer is that one day, you will reap the good fruits.

    Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa said he agreed with the PDP National Working Committee that Wike is a pillar of the party.

    “I am very privileged to be part of this, because what is happening now could only be ordained by God.

    “I thank the PDP for declaring that Governor Wike is a pillar of the party. I want to confirm that he is truly a pillar of the party.” He said.

    According to him, Governor Wike is a committed party man who works to expand the influence of PDP.

    “My brother Governor is a man of many parts. Many people may not understand him, but I thank God that I know his heart”, he said.

    National Organising Secretary of PDP, Austin Akobundu, also commended Governor Wike as being special to the PDP.

    He prayed God to grant him his heart desires.

  • Buhari’s incompetence tearing Nigeria apart – Secondus

    The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said stated President Muhammadu Buhari’s incompetence in the handling of governance is taking a huge toll on the nation.

    Bemoaning the spate of killings and kidnapping across country, Secondus observed the frightening security situation has continued to raise concerns among prominent Nigerians, including clerics and monarchs.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, the PDP chair said the situation has got to a point where the citizens are raising questions as to whether the country still has a Commander-In-Chief.

    Urging the President to seek quality advice on the security challenges, Secondus said: “While the Presidency continues to argue that there exists government in our country today, what obtains in reality is different.

    “The level of bloodletting occasioned by the barrage of criminalities across the country can only be happening in a country without government.

    “Things got even worse as the remaining goodwill of the people on this government vanished after it arm-twisted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), into tampering with the will of the people in the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

    “There is no evidence of the presence of government in this country as crimes of all kinds are being committed all over the country and Nigerians have never lived in such great fear and trembling for their lives.

    “From Kaduna to Zamfara, Benue to Taraba, Plateau, Lagos to Enugu etc., bloodletting is continuing unabated. Even the President’s home state of Katsina has lost about eight local government areas to bandits, not to talk of the North East.

    “Everyone holding public office must know that one day, they will be held accountable for their actions.”

    Secondus deplored the incessant killings in Kaduna State, where a British humanitarian aid worker, Faye Mooney and others were shot dead by gunmen last week.

    He blamed the heightened insecurity in Kaduna on what he described as “provocative leadership” existing in the state and which he said, is indirectly being encouraged by the Federal Government.

    “The situation has deteriorated to the extent that this country can no longer protect the lives of international aid workers who are here to help us clear our mess.

    “The senseless continuous bloodletting in Kaduna state should be blamed on the type of provocative leadership existing in that state and indirectly encouraged by the federal government.

    “The ‘body bag’ governor in the state does not seem to know how to engender peace among the people, his actions and utterances facilitate, instead of ameliorating the ill feelings among the people,” Secondus said.

    The main opposition party chairman regretted that rather than give teeth to governance and address the pervasive insecurity, the Federal Government has been exerting energies and resources planning nefariously how to undermine democratic institutions.

    Taking a swipe at the President’s leadership style, Secondus said, “After its several attempts to hijack the legislature failed, it turned to the Judiciary ridiculing the revered third arm of the government to the point of removing their confidence.

    “The executive backed humiliation of the head of the Judiciary, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen is a well-designed strategy by the APC administration to intimidate and coerce judicial officers, particularly the Judges and Justices to fall in line and endorse all their undemocratic behaviours that are bound to come to the judiciary for adjudication.

    “My advice to members of the Judiciary, particularly those handling election matters and who are all Nigerians and who are also living in Nigeria is that the country and rule of law should guide all their actions.

    “They should know that providence has placed in their laps the opportunity to make positive history and enshrine justice and fair play in our society, knowing as a fact that no nation grows on injustice and injustice breed crisis”.

  • There may be no elections in 2023 – Secondus

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, during his speech at the opening session of the caucus meeting of the party in Abuja, raised the alarm that there might be no election in 2023 if the military continued to participate during elections as they were allegedly used during the February 23 elections.

    He stated that the alleged involvement of the military in the elections was undemocratic and unconstitutional.

    He said they were committed to going to the tribunal, adding that they might file the case on Tuesday.

    According to him, it is surprising that the National Peace Committee had allegedly kept silence over the alleged intimidation and harassment of Atiku, his acquaintances and some PDP stalwarts.

    He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that Saturday’s elections were free, fair, transparent and credible.

    Secondus said, “On February 23, 2019, how will history judge you (Buhari)? How will the next generation judge you? In fact, there may not be election in 2023, it may just be announcement because if you have the military on your side, you do not need the people, you do not need to campaign. All you need to do is to put the figure on election day and announce. Is that what is going to happen again on March 9?”

    The PDP chairman urged the military to remain professional in the discharge of their duties, adding that they must not allow themselves to be used by politicians.

    He said, “We appeal to the authorities especially our professional military men and women that this has never happened before. They must have a rethink. If they want to participate in politics, they are free to do so.
    I think it happened in Thailand where the military and civilians can contest and share offices. If our constitution is changed to contain that, it is a happy development but whereas the constitution says they are not part and parcel of the process, is that what is going to happen on March 9?

    “The son-in-law to our presidential candidate was arrested without justification; he has been detained and has not been released. His personal lawyer has been detained and the leaders of our country are keeping quiet; the Peace Committee is keeping quiet. Everyone here is keeping quiet.”

    Secondus alleged that Buhari had unleashed a full-blown dictatorship on Nigerians. He said he was hopeful of God’s intervention, adding that with the collective efforts of the people, Nigeria would be rescued.

  • 2019: We still don’t have confidence in INEC – PDP tells EU

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, says the party does not have confidence in the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) especially as the 2019 election year approaches.
    Rather than reducing, he said that the lack of confidence in the commission was getting deeper.
    Speaking when he received a delegation of the European Union Election Exploration Mission to Nigeria led by Niclay Paus, who visited him in Abuja on Wednesday, Secondus said that intelligence available to the party allegedly showed that the ruling All Progressives Congress had concluded arrangements with INEC to manipulate the electoral process.
    Secondus said that what happened during the governorship election in Osun State in September merely underscored the party’s fears that INEC was not ready to be neutral in 2019.
    He said that the party was happy that the alleged main agent of the APC in the commission, who he also said was a relation of the President, Amina Zakari, was redeployed from the Operations Department.
    However, he said the PDP would want her to resign, adding that her continued stay in office would be detrimental to the peaceful conduct of the elections.
    He said, “When we eschewed violence after the electoral theft in Osun State and decided to exercise our right to peaceful protest, the Inspector General of Police directed his personnel to tear-gas us notwithstanding the personalities involved in the protest.
     
    “Such personalities included the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, five state governors, myself, members of the National Working Committee and other critical leaders of the party.
     
    “Our fear is strong that the APC and the administration are not favourably disposed to a peaceful 2019 general elections and we based our position on the multiplicity of induced crises across the country.
     
    “With all the unprecedented bloodletting in the country, the President is not engaging the people and a select group operating as a cabal has hijacked the system.”
     
    Secondus urged international partners of Nigeria, especially the European Union and the United States of America to bring their influence to bear on the INEC to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
     
    He also asked them to show more than passing interests in the activities of security agencies particularly the Police.

  • Secondus warns Buhari, APC, EFCC against humiliating Fayose

    Secondus warns Buhari, APC, EFCC against humiliating Fayose

    …says PDP governors leading Nigeria’s development index
    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the party is proud of its governors and the achievements recorded in their various states.
    Secondus made the expression in his remarks at the send-off ceremony organised by the PDP Governors Forum for the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose on Sunday night in Abuja
    Secondus said that Fayose and every other PDP governors had performed credibly in transforming their states.
    “Ekiti State is not the same anymore. If you go to Ekiti now you can see the best of the roads, one of the longest bridges, buildings infrastructure and development in all facets
    “We are proud of you as PDP governor. We are also proud of other governors of PDP. In fact, for this country, the PDP governors have set the pace for development all over our states.
    “I am proud to say that all over our states around the country, you can see great achievements of our government.’’
    Secondus added that the party was also proud of the choice of the former Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi as the running mate to the PDP presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
    “We are also proud of one of our leaders that had been chosen as our presidential candidate’s running mate, every other thing will be discussed.
    “I believe that my responsibility as the National Chairman is to ensure that the house is coming together and by the grace of God we will be on one page for the Nigerian project.
    The PDP national chairman advised the anti-graft agencies to follow the rules of law and the constitution in trying Fayose after leaving office.
    “Let me say here there are threat of intimidation and frame-up waiting for our brother who has performed very well in Ekiti state.
    “The world is watching, international communities are also watching what will happen to this gentleman that has performed well in Ekiti.
    “So when you invite him and he honours it, he is not a coward. If you tamper with his Human Rights and you detain him the whole world will cry out’’.
    He urged Fayose to join the cadre of Nigerian citizens who were advocating peace and security as well as free and fair elections for our country.
    Obi on his part, also commended PDP governors for performing well in their states, adding that they were owing less and performing better.
    “I could see they need the encouragement,” he said.
    The presidential candidate’s running mate, also commended PDP governors for hosting one of theirs, saying this was the first thing I have witnessed in this country, where a governor was leaving and other governors celebrate him.
    “Usually it is oh you are going you are on your own. It is something worth celebrating.’’
    He also advised Fayose not to be far away from the party.

  • 2019: PDP’s journey to Aso Rock villa has begun – Secondus

    The National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, said by success of the party’s presidential primaries in Port Harcourt, Rivers, the PDP’s journey to Aso Rock villa has begun in earnest.
    Secondus said this in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Ike Abonyi, on Monday in Abuja.
    Secondus noted that all the doomsday predictions that PDP was going to emerge from their national convention swimming in crisis had been proved wrong as “the party was not only more peaceful but more united and determined to take over power’’.
    He said the pacesetting convention was a clear demonstration that the rebranding and repositioning of the party with a view to regaining power was actually on course and in full gear.
    “The support from members and non-members to the reform agenda of the party that culminated in the successful primaries from ward to national levels shows clearly the determination of Nigerians to return PDP to power.”
    Secondus commended members of the party across the country and in diaspora for their support that made the party’s Presidential primaries peaceful and transparent.
    He said by that singular action, the party’s journey to regaining power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) had begun well and “only a matter of time.’’
    Secondus urged all hands to be on deck until the country was rescued.
    He said the peaceful convention would not have been possible without the support of critical stakeholders working on the same page to realise the common goal.
    “Special recognition must be made of those whose yeoman roles made it possible, all those who participated either as aspirants, or as facilitators.’’
    These, according to him, included the Chairman of the National Convention Committee and Governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and members of his committee
    Also was the Rivers State Governor, Neysom Wike and the government and people of the state for their exceptional service and contributions to the party and the successful hosting of the convention.
    He also commended the wonderful roles of all the PDP governors as well as other critical stakeholders and members at all levels as well as the media and the public for their positive interests in the party.
    Secondus appealed to members, who contested for various positions and lost to emulate the Presidential aspirants.
    He urged them to make the necessary sacrifice needed for the eventual success of the party, saying that PDP umbrella was big enough for all in victory.