Showing posts with label PDP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PDP. Show all posts
PDP: ‘This is the best national convention in Nigeria’- Fayose
Ekiti state governor and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Ayo Fayose, has come out to praise the organisers of the national convention, being held by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He made this statement in an interview with the African Independent Television (AIT), at the on-going national convention.
“This is the best national convention ever held in Nigeria. I listen to some people talking about list, I felt ashamed, I felt sad.
He also asked others to toe the line of Atiku Abubukar and return to the PDP.
Dokpesi kicks, says governors have decided winners of PDP convention
Raymond Dokpesi, a chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says governors have hijacked the convention of the party.
Addressing reporters at Eagle Square, Abuja, on Saturday, Dokpesi described the process as unfair.
He said delegates were given a list of candidates to support, and that the organisers of the convention had become helpless.
“Since we started voting about three hours ago, every delegate that is available has been provided with copies of what you have here. They call it ‘Unity List’ and all the names on the list are number one in all the cubicles for voting and this is supposed to be a list prepared by the governors,” he said.
“I have personally approached Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue state, who is involved in the management of the electoral process. He told me that he was taking necessary steps. He even told me that he collected this list from a governor who was distributing it.
“I also approached Governor Okowa of Delta state who is the chairman of the convention committee. He is also helpless. The names you find here is not unlikely what would be announced at the end of the day.
“The chairman of the convention committee said he is aware of the whole thing but there is little he can do. He is overwhelmed… This election has been seriously marred.”
Earlier, Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, said governors reserve the right to support candidates of their choice.
“I have a right to support any candidate of my choice, and I do not see how that can be said to be imposition,” he said.
“Making statements that some people have hijacked the party is not correct, with all due respect, we are not playing sentiments, the people know what they want.”
BREAKING: PDP chairmanship: Adeniran rejects electoral process, says ‘Unity List’ used to rig election
BREAKING: PDP chairmanship: Adeniran rejects electoral process, says ‘Unity List’ used to rig election
Professor Tunde Adeniran, a frontline candidate from the South-West contesting for the national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has rejected the electoral process at the elective national convention of the party which held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, on Saturday.
Adeniran, who outrightly denounced the electoral process ahead of the announcement of results, described it as “fraudulent and unfair.”
The director of publicity to Adeniran, Mr Taiwo Akeju, told journalists at the Eagle Square, Abuja, that his principal “is against the use of a unity list, which he claims was used to rig the process.”
He called on the Board of Trustees of PDP to take over the affairs of the party the interim till such a time a fresh exercise that would acceptable for all is organised.
Handover PDP to BoT – Adeniran
Handover PDP to BoT – Adeniran
A former Minister of Education who was also a contestant for the office of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, has called on the national leadership of the party to handover the affairs of the party to its Board of Trustees.
Adeniran stated this while protesting the outcome of the national covention where national officers were elelcted on Saturday night in Abuja.
The Director of Media and Publicity of Adeniran Campaign Organisation, Taiwo Akeju, who spoke on behalf of the former minister, rejected the entire electoral process.
He suggested that the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee should hand over the party to the BoT to conduct what he described as a credible election.
Akeju said, “We reject the entire electoral process of December 9, 2017. The election has been grossly compromised to achieve a predetermined end in line with the illegal Unity List prepared by Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayodele Fayose and foisted on the entire delegates.
PDP will reclaim its prime position in 2019 — Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in Abuja said that the Peoples Democratic Party had returned from limbo and would reclaim power in 2019.
Mr. Jonathan said this in his address at the party’s a special national convention.
He said the party’s “achievements” while in power would rekindle the confidence of the electorate to vote it back in power in the 2019 general elections.
“The party is indeed back to reclaim its prime position as the party to lead Nigeria to greatness.
“As a human institution, we cannot claim to be perfect and as a political party, our accomplishments up to 2015 are clear for every Nigerian to see,’’ he said.
According to Mr. Jonathan, the achievements of the party while in power are ample evidence to demonstrate that PDP is a party of vision and accomplishments.
Highlighting achievements of the party, he said that elections conducted from 2011 by the government controlled by PDP met globally-accepted standard.
“We succeeded in doing that because of the leverage and the autonomy we gave to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“PDP is a party that wants to place Nigeria in a position to compete favourably with other countries,’’ he said.
On the economy, the former president said that PDP provided “focused leadership” through institutional and sectoral reforms which impacted positively on the country, especially in the last four years of our tenure.
“We tamed inflation at a single digit, maintained price stability, and drove the economy to become the largest in Africa.
“We also made Nigeria to be the number one foreign direct investment destination in the continent,’’ he said.
According to him, in 2012, PDP ensured that prices of food remained stable in spite of flood which affected 50 per cent of farmlands along the flood plains of river Niger and Benue.
Mr. Jonathan said the country was able to regain its goodwill internationally because the PDP pursuedprogrammes and policies that were not only rewarding but were copied by other countries across the globe.
“We can recall that our agricultural transformation agenda transformed key agricultural value chains, boosted local production and created a new generation of young commercial farmers.
“The introduction of electronic wallet checked corrupt practices in the distribution of fertilizer and enabled farmers to get fertilizer like all otheragro inputs.
“In the same vein, the YouWinprogramme empowered a crop of young Nigerians to go into entrepreneurship and in turn employed others,’’ he said.
Mr. Jonathan said although his administration did not block all the loopholes, it came up with “strong innovations” to fight corruption.
According to him, we introduced the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which has helped to reduce corruption.
“Government is run by policies, the creative thinking, brains in the executive council and in the civil servants were harnessed to get to where we are.
“If elected in 2019, PDP will fight poverty and ensure that food prices are reduced,’’ he added, and urged Nigerians to partner the party to restore good life in the country.
Ladoja, Aderemi step down for Adeniran
Daily Trust gathered that the duo have now thrown their weight behind a former Minister of Education Prof Tunde Adeniran.
A former governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje had earlier withdrawn from the race.
Breaking: Gbenga Daniel withdraws from PDP chairmanship race
Breaking: Gbenga Daniel withdraws from PDP chairmanship race
A former Governor of Ogun State and frontline aspirant for the national chairmanship seat of the Peoples Democratic Party, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has withdrawn from the race.
Daniel’s withdrawal from the race was contained in a letter to the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday.
The letter, also copied to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Senator Walid Jibril, reads: “As you are aware, in the last three months when I took the decision to contest for the post of the National Chairman of our great party, I have done what has been described in many quarters as most unprecedented. I traversed the length and breadth of our great country, in all the 36 states and the FCT, meeting with various stakeholders, leadership and party members, and setting up structures not just for my personal aspiration, but also to feel the pulse of Nigerians and test the strength and popularity of our party among the citizens.
“It was another learning curve for me because I discovered that in spite of our widely publicized pockets of internal challenges, many Nigerians are sincerely and justifiably looking for a credible alternative to the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), and most happily, the Peoples Democratic Party is still being looked upon as that credible and acceptable alternative.
“It was a great opportunity for me to spread the message of hope, renewing the confidence of not only our party members but also Nigerian citizens about our great party. I believe that I did what is expected of a loyal and committed party member to inject a new life into the party, refresh and reenergise it for optimum acceptance by the electorate.
“We are a political party, and a democratic one at that. Contest for for offices are expected to be competitive and this is what we have demonstrated sufficiently with the good number of very credible aspirants who have shown interests in all the various offices of our National Executive Committee to steer the ship of our party to victory in 2019. No doubt, we have suffered huge losses, from the control of some 25 States into only 11 states, capped with the loss of the Presidency in 2015. This, to me is the greatest challenge before our party, and regaining this lost glory is more important to me than any aspiration for offices.
“In order to sustain the new found peace and renewed confidence of Nigerians in our party and reduce the veiled but potential line of frictions, I consider it in the best interest the party to voluntarily withdraw from the Chairmanship race so that we can collectively look for and elect good leaders for the purpose of winning elections in 2019.
“Kindly accept assurances of my esteemed regards.”
Daniel’s withdrawal from the race was contained in a letter to the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday.
The letter, also copied to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Senator Walid Jibril, reads: “As you are aware, in the last three months when I took the decision to contest for the post of the National Chairman of our great party, I have done what has been described in many quarters as most unprecedented. I traversed the length and breadth of our great country, in all the 36 states and the FCT, meeting with various stakeholders, leadership and party members, and setting up structures not just for my personal aspiration, but also to feel the pulse of Nigerians and test the strength and popularity of our party among the citizens.
“It was another learning curve for me because I discovered that in spite of our widely publicized pockets of internal challenges, many Nigerians are sincerely and justifiably looking for a credible alternative to the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), and most happily, the Peoples Democratic Party is still being looked upon as that credible and acceptable alternative.
“It was a great opportunity for me to spread the message of hope, renewing the confidence of not only our party members but also Nigerian citizens about our great party. I believe that I did what is expected of a loyal and committed party member to inject a new life into the party, refresh and reenergise it for optimum acceptance by the electorate.
“We are a political party, and a democratic one at that. Contest for for offices are expected to be competitive and this is what we have demonstrated sufficiently with the good number of very credible aspirants who have shown interests in all the various offices of our National Executive Committee to steer the ship of our party to victory in 2019. No doubt, we have suffered huge losses, from the control of some 25 States into only 11 states, capped with the loss of the Presidency in 2015. This, to me is the greatest challenge before our party, and regaining this lost glory is more important to me than any aspiration for offices.
“In order to sustain the new found peace and renewed confidence of Nigerians in our party and reduce the veiled but potential line of frictions, I consider it in the best interest the party to voluntarily withdraw from the Chairmanship race so that we can collectively look for and elect good leaders for the purpose of winning elections in 2019.
“Kindly accept assurances of my esteemed regards.”
Jimi Agbaje officially withdraws from PDP Chairmanship race (Official Statement)
Jimi Agbaje has officially announced his withdrawal from the PDP chairmanship race.
Below is the letter of withdrawal;
Our great party, The Peoples Democratic Party has from inception, adopted certain principles of zoning which have evenly balanced offices amongst the country’s geo-political zones. In line with such zoning and other parameters I have, at different fora, expressed my strong belief that the next National Chairman of our great party should come from the South West.
I am however convinced that with 7 out of all 9 aspirants coming from the South West, this multiplicity of contenders will work to the detriment of our zone when it comes to voting. Delegates’ votes split 7 ways will not produce a chairman from the South West. It, therefore, becomes necessary to prune our numbers down to no more than two.
With less than 24 hours to the convention, I have painfully decided to withdraw from the race hoping that others will join me in bringing down the number such that the South West can have a fighting chance of clinching the National Chairmanship of the PDP.
The support from serving & past governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, women, youth and opinion leaders has been tremendous. While sincerely thanking them for their unflinching loyalty, I empathize with the great disappointment they must feel at this decision. I plead that we all put the overall interest of PDP first.
I pledge my support to whoever emerges as the national chairman as determined at the national convention.
Kindly take this letter as my formal notice of withdrawal from the race for National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Kindly take this letter as my formal notice of withdrawal from the race for National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
PDP Chairmanship: Senators, Reps exchange blows at Akpabio’s residence
Ahead of the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), members of the National Assembly caucus of the party reportedly exchanged blows at the residence of a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, over the choice of the next national chairman of the party.
Akpabio, who is the Minority Leader in the Senate convened a session at his residence in Asokoro District, Abuja Thursday night on how to ensure a free and fair convention.
The session was attended by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Chairmanship aspirant, Uche Secondus amongst others.
A source who was at the meeting told The Nation that the discussion on chairmanship aspirants had barely started when an argument ensued leading to blows.
He said “The Senate Minority Leader convened the session in his house to enable us interact with all the aspirants on their programmes and form our opinion on who to vote for.
“We were barely settling down for the session when some members of the House of Representatives raised issues concerning some aspirants for the office of the National Chairman and others disagreed.
“The development led to shouting match and fisticuffs among some Senators and members of the House of Representatives.
“The rowdy session was witnessed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, and some of the aspirants in attendance, including a leading candidate, Prince Uche Secondus.”
Another source who pleaded anonymity said: “The meeting ended abruptly when some lawmakers started exchanging blows over who should lead the party.
“I think the clash was a carry-over of some political misunderstanding among some members of the National Assembly in some states over the choice of chairman for PDP. But we all bore the brunt of the fisticuffs.”
A member of the House of Representatives, who was hit at the session, said: “I think some of our colleagues at the session were just being overzealous by taking sides. They misread the intent of what we were to do.
“The assumption was that the session was meant to adopt a candidate for the Office of National Chairman of PDP.”
Akpabio’s spokesman, Mr. Jackson Udom,when contacted on the issue said he does not speak on political matters.
“Why can’t you get in touch with the Senate Minority Leader himself? I do not speak on party matters,” he said
PDP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN | South-West leaders compel Gbenga Daniel to step down for Prof. Tunde Adeniran
As the race for PDP Chairmanship tightens, Leaders from the South-West zone of Nigeria are prevailing on former governor Gbenga Daniel to step down for one of its leading candidates, Prof. Tunde Adeniran. Sources revealed.
One of the SouthWest leaders who spoke with our reporter on Friday night in Abuja on a condition of anonymity said, “The SouthWest can’t afford to go into the election divided. The goal is for us to have a consensus candidate that can match Uche Secondus”.
In a plot twist, another source revealed to our reporter that the main reason why Gbenga Daniel is adamant and would not want to step down for a consensus candidate is because, he’s working alongside governor Wike.
“How can an Odudua son work against his region and people because of personal interests? The source asked.
Professor Adeniran according to a PDP stalwart from North-Central is the ideal man for the job. His understanding of internal democracy and experience overtime as a former minister is what the party needs now, the source said.
You would recall that one of the leading aspirants for the People’s Democratic Party Chairmanship, Chief Bode George yesterday withdrew from the race citing desperation on the part of South-South leaders to impose a candidate on the party.
Chief George who announced his withdrawal from the race at a press conference in Abuja on Friday night, raised concerns about the fallout of the outcome of the convention.
Giving reasons for his withdrawal from the race, George said the South West is already cheated with the entrants of aspirants from the South-South.
He stands with the micro-zoning principle of the party, which has been jettisoned by centrifugal forces within the Southern region.
George also accused the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike of undermining members of the PDP in the South West on a national Television when he said the South West has never contributed anything meaningful to the success of the PDP.
As at the time of filing this report, there were speculations that former Oyo governor, Rashidi Ladoja, Jimi Agbaje, Former gubernatorial candidate of PDP in Lagos and Aderemi have all withdrawn from the race for Professor Adeniran.
2017 Convention: PDP elects new leaders ( LIVE UPDATES)
The Peoples Democratic Party is holding its national convention at the Eagle Square, Abuja, today.
Unlike the last convention in Port Harcourt which was doomed by lawsuits that went up to the Supreme Court, today’s event appears less controversial.
Delegates and other party faithful from across the country have been arriving at the nation’s capital for the big event since last week.
About 3,000 delegates — elected and statutory— are expected to vote to fill the positions of the national chairman and several other national offices.
An official list of all the candidates and their targeted offices is expected to be released later today.
The party has been under the supervision of different interim national executives since May 2015 when Adamu Mu’azu resigned as part of the fallout from the 2015 election woes.
Mr. Mu’azu, a former governor of Bauchi State, was confirmed as the party’s national chairman in January 2014.
Nine people were cleared to run in the race for the chairmanship, but some of them have started standing down since last night, amidst controversy over the party’s internal arrangements.
Taoheed Adedoja, Tunde Adeniran, Raymond Dokpesi, Jimi Agbaje, Gbenga Daniel, Olabode George, Uche Secondus, Rasheed Ladoja and Segun Aderemi have spent the last few weeks traveling the country to canvass support.
But Mr. George, a former vice-chairman of the PDP and serving member of its Board of Trustees, stepped down around 8:00 p.m. Friday, citing alleged injustice and disregard for gentlemen agreement amongst the party’s divergent blocs.
It is not immediately clear if he has urged his potential delegates to support a specific contender, but his anger was directed at Governor Nyesom Wike, who has been pushing for Mr. Secondus’ victory.
The PDP reserved the chairmanship for the south after resolving to let the presidential ticket go to the north.
There are indications that more candidates from the Southwest are on the verge of announcing their withdrawal to settle on a consensus from the zone.
Whoever the region picks would slug it out with either Mr. Secondus or Mr. Dokpesi or both at the convention ground.
Reporters from PREMIUM TIMES are at the Eagle Square and will be providing live updates of happenings there:
PDP Convention: Profile of candidates seeking key positions
Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will elect new members of its National Working Committee (NWC) at a convention in Abuja.
The NWC, according to Part V111, Section 29 (1) of the party’s Constitution, consists of the national chairman, deputy national chairman (north and south), national secretary, deputy national secretary, national treasurer, national financial secretary, national organising secretary, and national publicity secretary.
Other officials include national auditor, national legal adviser, national woman leader and the national youth leader.
The new leadership, which will be responsible for the day to day administration of the party, will have a tenure of four years.
Those angling for the position of chairman are a former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; founder of AIT and Raypower, Raymond Dokpesi; a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Bode George; a former Deputy National Chairman and Acting Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus; and a former Minister of Education, Tunde Adeniran.
Others are a former Governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja; a former governorship candidate of the party in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje; a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Taofeek Adedoja and Segun Aderemi.
An earlier article by PREMIUM TIMES reviewed the chances of each chairmanship candidate.
Below are some of the candidates for other positions:
National Deputy Chairman (North)
Inna Ciroma: She is the wife of Adamu Ciroma, a former Minister of Finance. Mrs. Ciroma is herself a former Minister of Women Affairs and a former national woman leader of the PDP thus she is not new to party administration.
The Borno indigene recently resigned her position as the managing director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
On her ambition, Mrs. Ciroma, 63, said she would work harmoniously with governors if given the mandate on Saturday.
She said, “We know we have problems in the party, we need to have people that will now look at the problems we had and see how we can change the way we do things and that is why I am aspiring to be the deputy national chairman of this party so that we can now reposition the party and take the party back to the people, take democracy seriously.”
If elected, she will certainly bring her wealth of experience to reposition the party. She is certain to use her connection to mobilise northerners for the PDP ahead of the 2019 polls. She is also believed to have secured the backing of some BoT members and the two PDP governors in the north.
Abdulmalik Mahmud: Mr. Mahmud is not new to party administration. He is the immediate past chairman of the caretaker committee of the PDP in Borno State. He was also at one time, the caretaker committee chairman of the party in Zamfara State.
Nuhu Koloma: Not much is known about this aspirant. However, it is believed that he is a skilled administrator and mobiliser.
Nuhu Koloma: Not much is known about this aspirant. However, it is believed that he is a skilled administrator and mobiliser.
National Secretary (zoned to North West)
Nenadi Usman: Mrs. Usman, who hails from Kaduna State, is a former Minister of Finance and a former senator, representing Kaduna South senatorial district.
Mrs. Usman said her ambition is borne out of innermost conviction to serve the party in that capacity, adding “I come prepared academically qualified, I’ve served my home state as a teacher, grassroots mobiliser, youth mentor and commissioner, among others.”
The aspirant, who is the only woman gunning for the position, has already secured the nod of some party members under the auspices of PDP Progressive Forum for the position.
The group described her courage to vie for the position as commendable.
“We are therefore excited that she has finally bowed to public plea to contest the position of national secretary of our great party, the PDP, in the forthcoming national convention,” it said.
Mrs. Usman, undoubtedly, parades impressive credentials having been a minister and senator, to man the party’s secretariat.
However, the former minister is going into the race without home support. Only recently, the Kaduna State chapter of the party pledged to give their votes to Mrs. Usman’s opponent, Umar Tsauri, who interestingly is from Katsina State. Regardless, there are indications that some Christian members of the party are still backing her.
Another minus for Mrs. Usman is the corruption trial she is currently facing. The former minister is standing trial, alongside Femi Fani Kayode, over allegations of money laundering and criminal conspiracy.
They were arraigned by the EFCC on a 17-count change of money laundering and alleged diversion of N4.6 billion during the last general elections.
Umar Tsauri: He is a former senator from Katsina State. Mr. Tsauri is coming into the race with a huge public service experience.
He said, if elected, he would contribute his quota towards eliminating the challenges facing the party, including impunity and imposition of candidates.
“I feel that I come on board, I will make sure that PDP is brought in a balanced position just like before, and we will reclaim our mandate from the APC,” the senator added.
Apart from the granite support from his home state, his ambition has received a boost from the Kaduna State chapter which has pledged to give its votes to him. He is reportedly enjoying the support of other chapters of the party, comprising seven states.
“The Kaduna State chapter has resolved to give its 72 votes to Tsauri from Katsina, he is our sole candidate for the position of national secretary,” Felix Hyat, its chairman said while receiving the former senator in Kaduna early this month.
Mr. Hyat explained that they decided to do that because Mr. Tsauri had always supported Kaduna State at the national level.
He said the chapter had met with Mrs. Usman and another aspirant, Abubakar Mustapha requesting them to step down from the race because of the micro-zoning of the positions zoned to the North West. In the micro-zoning arrangement while Katsina is to produce the national secretary, Kebbi will produce the national woman leader and Jigawa the zonal national vice chairman.
Abubakar Mustapha: The 67-year-old technocrat from Makarfi in Kaduna State was the national organising secretary of the party until 2016.
One edge Mr. Mustapha has over the other contenders for the positon is that he has been in the party system for a while, having served as the party’s national organising officer.
As a result, he and his supporters believe he is the right man for the job.
As a sponsored publication recently said, “At a time that the people are disillusioned after the great error of 2015 presidential election and with the political development moving at a very great speed and the voting electorate becoming even more charged, despondent and desperate to make their democratic choice come 2019, the party needs focused, visionary, creative and professional party administrators with proven experience, foresight, integrity like Abubakar Mustapha.”
However, like Mrs. Usman, he does not enjoy home backing.
His state has pledged to vote for Mr. Tsauri. Mr. Mustapha has not let this lie low. He has repeatedly condemned the micro-zoning in the northwest zone and by extension the party.
“I want everybody to be allowed to go and test their popularity and that is democracy. Anything short of this will amount to circumventing what is proper and right,” he said.
NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY (Zoned to North Central)
Kola Ologbondiyan: Mr. Ologbondiyan hails from western senatorial district of Kogi State.
Until recently, 2015, he was the special adviser on media and publicity to former Senate President, David Mark.
A graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, he had worked previously with ThisDay newspaper where he rose through the ranks to become its group political editor, deputy editor of the daily title.
He had covered beats such as the Presidency, National Assembly, State Government Houses and political parties.
Going by this vast experiences, Mr. Ologbondiyan is considered the man for the job by many.
Going by this vast experiences, Mr. Ologbondiyan is considered the man for the job by many.
“I’m the most qualified and competent of all the candidates. So, I can tell that my chances are very bright,” he told PREMIUM TIMES by phone on Tuesday.
At another forum, Mr. Ologbondiyan promised that, if elected, he would use his experience to launder PDP’s image “at this critical time.”
“The party needs the best hands, it must assemble brilliant and tested professionals because the task is enormous,” he said.
“I am joining the race so as to repackage the party in line with the desire for new PDP. I believe that my journalism journey of 25 years, which cruised through news reporting to image and perception manager of the number three citizen for eight uninterrupted years has placed me in the best stead to manage and project the corporate image of the PDP.”
Reports say Mr. Ologbondiyan is receiving full backing from his erstwhile principal, David Mark, and the associates of the former senate president in the party. They are reportedly mobilising for him across the land.
However, the candidate would have to battle with equally outstanding contenders for the positon. In fact, the aspirant will have to share votes of the delegates from Kogi State with fellow journalists, Farouk Audu-Adejoh, and Usman Kabiru, both of who are from the eastern senatorial district of Kogi State.
Farouk Audu-Adejoh: As stated above, Mr. Audu-Adejoh is from the Igala ethnic group, the single largest ethnic group in the district as well as the state.
Mr. Adejoh had worked as a political correspondent of the Punch newspapers, covering sensitive beats such as the National Assembly and the Presidential Villa.
He later worked as the media aide to former Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba. During the administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua government, Mr. Adejoh was a media consultant to the Villa.
He was until April last year Chairman of Olamaboro local government area of Kogi State.
Mr. Adejoh believes he is the right man to speak for the party, not only because of his exploit in journalism and information management/public relations but also because of his long membership of the PDP.
“Of all the aspirants I’m the most qualified because of my track record as a journalist, media adviser and media consultant,” he told PREMIUM TIMES on phone on Wednesday.
“Besides, I believe that, in terms of the membership of the PDP, I am the oldest among the contenders for the position. I became a member of the PDP shortly after it was founded and so I know the party and its issues very well.”
On his plans, if elected, Mr. Adejoh said at another forum “It is time to tell our own story in the PDP, we shall define the narratives. With my election, this hostility created over the years by the ruling party will be changed completely.
“We have decided to change the narratives, harness all mass communication platforms available, use our human resource and create a structure that will determine the party’s image and sell it to the public.”
On Wednesday, the FCT chapter of the PDP adopted Mr. Adejoh as its candidate.
But the home front appears not to be certain yet as the Kogi chapter of the party has reportedly pledged their loyalty to one of the contenders, Usman Kabiru.
Usman Kabiru: He is the third contender for the position from Kogi State. Mr. Kabiru, a lawyer, is not new in the leadership cadre of the PDP.
He was its legal adviser in the north central zone and a member of the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee where he also served in the same position. Having served in those positions, it is believed that he would bring experience to work for the party once more.
Mr. Kabiru, who hails from the eastern senatorial district of Kogi State, said if given the mandate, he would among other things foster strategic media partnerships with selected electronic; print and digital media organisations; create a funded and well-equipped PDP national headquarters social media group to promote active participation in collation and dissemination of information as well as enhance timely interaction between the party headquarters and members.
He also said he would initiate “The PDP Governor Speaks” TV interview series to feature and promote the development efforts of the governors and prominent political office holders; and unveil and inaugurate a “one month, two PDP states” social media tour.
This aspirant is reportedly enjoying the backing of the Kogi State PDP executive and the entire delegates from the state who, last month adopted him as their candidate for the position.
He is also said to be receiving the backing of two former governors of the state, Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada both of whom are his kinsmen.
Mr. Kabiru would however have to contend with the other two aspirants from the state.
Another major challenge for the aspirant is the allegation of misappropriation of Idris Wada Campaign fund in 2015 made against him by a group.
Ben Duntoye: Mr. Duntoye is a former Commissioner for Information and Communications in Kwara State.
He was also the Executive Director, Youth Development and Reformative Initiative and also a former delegate to the 2014 National Conference representing National Youth Organisation.
He was also the Executive Director, Youth Development and Reformative Initiative and also a former delegate to the 2014 National Conference representing National Youth Organisation.
Going by those credentials, Mr. Duntoye is by no means a pushover. He has expressed hope that he would trounce his challengers to win the election.
Mr. Duntoye said if he emerged the spokesperson of Nigeria’s main opposition party, he would use his network built over the years to offer it excellence and professionalism.
He added, “For many who have been following events in the party, you will agree with me that the challenges before the PDP today are new, unprecedented and enormous, prime among which is to reinvent our party and reposition it to her glory.
“Invariably, the task will require a competent matured, rugged and courageous hand with a clear understanding of the challenges and as well, who has capacity and passion to develop commensurate strategies and actions in line with the core objectives of our party.
“In all humility, I am persuaded to say that I am suitably prepared and ready to serve in that capacity.”
Abubakar Suleiman: He is an indigene of Kwara State. Mr. Suleiman was Minister of National Planning in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The former lecturer at the University of Abuja is currently the spokesperson of the PDP Forum of Ministers.
During his formal declaration to contest for the position, Mr. Suleiman, a professor, noted that the PDP deserved a mouthpiece that exudes great personality, a person well known by the media and the general public.
He also said the party’s spokesperson should be one whose activity has the capacity to command media attention and win the heart of Nigerians, a cerebral and a courageous and experienced person with good oratory skills. He said he represents all of these.
He also said the party’s spokesperson should be one whose activity has the capacity to command media attention and win the heart of Nigerians, a cerebral and a courageous and experienced person with good oratory skills. He said he represents all of these.
“To be lacking in these will mean to derail the party once more,” he said.
One edge which Mr. Suleiman, a professor commands over his challengers is the support from the PDP Forum of Ministers, many of who attended his declaration ceremony. He is also believed to be enjoying the support of Mr. Jonathan and some former governors.
However, a major drawback for Mr. Suleiman is the corruption case he is currently facing.
A former petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke allegedly shared $115 million with politicians and influential figures, including Mr. Suleiman during the 2015 general elections.
The money was said to have been shared among the politicians and some INEC officers in exchange for compromising the elections.
National Organising Secretary (Zoned to South East)
Austin Akobundu: He is a retired army colonel and a former Minister of State for Defence in the administration of President Jonathan. He had served as the national vice chairman of the PDP for South East.
Mr. Akobundu appears to be towering above his lone challenger because of the credentials he parades.
He speaks of his ambition, “From my pedigree, I am qualified, having been a national ex-officio, two time national vice chairman, Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and well tutored in party administration.
“I understand the workings of the party. The challenges of the party are clear to me. I know that I have the prerequisite to add value, as well as the experience to join with that of others in addressing the challenges of the party.”
It is speculated that Mr. Akobundu is enjoying the support of many top PDP faithful in the South-east zone.
But Mr. Akobundu has a challenger in another Abia indigene, Emeka Wachukwu.
But Mr. Akobundu has a challenger in another Abia indigene, Emeka Wachukwu.
Emeka Wachukwu: He is a security and communications consultant. Mr. Wachukwu is a strong contender though not much is known about him.
As PDP prepares for its national convention
As PDP prepares for its national convention
LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have not shown that they are strong, clear and decisive in their policies.
What the PDP needs now is to restore the influence of the party to the whole country. But the members have chosen to be a force de frappe in the South-East and South south.
What are the goals of the PDP in opposition? What does it seek to achieve? No party can survive without clear-cut goals.
Some strategists of the party are making plans for the general election in 2019. How they miss the mark.
Politics is not only about winning general elections but about propagating easy-to-understand philosophy to the people, creating people friendly policies and promoting a political culture to secure a national majority.
A new PDP must be created. Away with the old. The old hasn’t passed the test of credibility necessary to win trust and elicit support from the masses.
It is incumbent on the party to recruit party men with unimpeachable character to lead the party, men of integrity who would be accepted by all without protestations.
They need to rebrand the party. The new leaders of the PDP need to travel the Nigerian route with a clear purpose to promote party interests.
The PDP needs to be humble, to sell policies aligned towards political integration, as well as economic and social integration.
The way to get the needed prestige is to win the jousts of ideas and philosophies against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a very clear manner and in a Churchilian way.
They must work with seriousness of purpose, so as to take the masses that they took for granted seriously; to understand these masses and build a strong relationship with them for the future.
Nigeria cannot afford to be a one-party state. In Africa, most rulers of one-party states don’t bother to see the opposition as major stakeholders in the democratic project.
The arrogance is encouraged by the fillip that they will continually return to the Peacock Throne.
Politics is a profession of disagreement. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of politicians with conviction in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s national political path is stormy. Administrators must rise to the occasion and steer our polity to life.
A nation cannot move forward if the city of man continually row without synergy.
Without the power of conviction, men become slavish mercenaries on earth.
After all politicians love to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful. They consciously promote truth as lies and lies as truth.
It is only by making sensible decisions together by working for national not selfish interests that geographical spaces can be reshaped for the future.
- Simon Abah
PDP ratifies plans for elective National Convention
The National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has ratified its plans for the conduct of the party’s National Convention on December 9.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, who briefed journalists on Thursday, disclosed this while highlighting the major decisions made at the 77th NEC meeting held at the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.
He said the National Caretaker Committee of the party submitted reports on the just concluded congresses in the states.
Recalling that the party in its last convention on August 12 decided to dissolve the executive committees in some states and elect replacements, he said this had been done except in Osun State.
The affected states are Lagos, Ogun, Adamawa, Anambra, Kwara, Borno, Kebbi, Kogi and Oyo.
He said over 2800 delegates, consisting special and statutory delegates, are expected to participate at the convention.
Mr. Adeyeye said the NEC approved the composition of the Convention Planning Committee and the amended guidelines for the convention but refused to disclose the names of the committee members till they are published.
He said from the discussions and deliberations at the meeting, he was confident that no member of the party would contemplate holding a parallel convention.
The PDP spokesperson also emphasised the commitment of the caretaker committee to organise a free, fair and credible national convention.
He said during the NEC meeting, aspirants were admonished to be civil in their campaigns, and avoid attacking each other, noting that nobody’s ambition is more important than the party and that after the elective convention they will still come back as party members.
“We are going to organise a free, fair and credible party convention. Nigerians still believes in the PDP,” he said.
“Nobody will have any issue. We are not under any threat that there will be a parallel convention. We are optimistic that we are going to have a successful Convention by the grace of God,” he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the NCC, Ahmed Makarfi, commended the NEC for standing by the committee in the past 18 months.
Mr. Makarfi also urged the aspirants to conduct themselves with decorum and see the convention as a family affair and not a do or die situation.
He said there was need for the party to remain united.
“United we stand, divided we fall. PDP is like Nigeria. It is a diverse political party but it is a united party. What you don’t get today, you will get tomorrow. That is how life is,” Mr. Makarfi said.
The Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dakwambo, who spoke on behalf of the party’s governors, pledged their support for the caretaker committee to conduct the convention.
“PDP Governors are solidly working with the Caretaker Committee and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a free, fair and successful convention,” he said.
The Deputy Senate President,Ike Ekweremadu, also urged the aspirants to various positions to avoid making trouble if the outcome of the convention does not favour them.
“The least we can do in our convention is to be transparent. I assure that we will do everything possible to ensure that the convention is free and fair and transparent. I want to appeal to those who may not succeed and may want to disrupt the party. Those people may be the ultimate victims.”
Shortly before the NEC meeting went into a closed door session, a minute silence was observed in honour of former vice president, Alex Ekwueme.
Mr. Ekwueme, who passed on recently in a London Clinic, was the founding national chairman of the party.
Absent at the meeting were Chairman, PDP Governors Forum and governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi; Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade; Governor Ishaku Darius of Taraba State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
In attendance were Governors Ibrahim Dakwambo, Nyesom Wike, Emmanuel Udom and Ifeanyi Okowa of Gombe, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta states respectively.
Governor of Bayelsa State, Serieke Dickson; and the Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; were represented by their deputies.
Others prominent persons in attendance were former Senate President David Mark; former PDP chairmen, Vincent Ogbulafor, Ahmadu Ali, Okwesilieze Nwodo among others.
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