The Peoples Democratic Party has threatened to review its signatory to the National Peace Accord complaining of remarks by Governor Nasiru el-Rufai of Kaduna State on a national television, regarding members of the global democratic institutions that are working for a peaceful election in Nigeria.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, who is also the Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organization,, said at a news conference in Abuja today, Wednesday that the party took the decision after due consideration of comments, threats and actions by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which are directly inimical to a peaceful, free and fair election.
The party called on the National Peace Committee to immediately summon el-Rufai on his remarks, adding: “this country belongs to all of us and no individual or group, no matter how highly placed, can subjugate other citizens or seek to appropriate any sort of absolutism to themselves.”
The party also called on the National Peace Committee to note the shutdown of all the stadia in Kano state by the state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
“It is necessary to state that the PDP is a party of peace and we are committed to the peace accord.
“We wish to remind the acting IGP that his acceptability among Nigerians across party line was based on the pedigree, which was presented to Nigerians before his appointment.
“This pedigree and exposure placed on his shoulders, the responsibility to be just, firm, equitable and professional in the discharge of his duties.
“We therefore urge him not to allow his reputation to be mired in controversial political activities.”
President Buhari, Tor of Tiv with Gov. Samuel Ortom
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has made it clear that he has no personal grudges against President Muhammadu Buhari.
Governor Ortom spoke to newsmen shortly before President Buhari arrived in the State Capital in continuation of his re-election campaign explained that his decision to give adequate support for preparation ahead of the President campaign visit was in recognition that Buhari is the leader of Nigeria.
He said that making arrangement for the President such as this, was in line with protocol and was beyond party issue.
“Mr President is beyond party. He is the president of the federal republic of Nigeria and whatever he is doing, it is our responsibility to give him adequate protocol.
“He is our president, and is beyond party and so I am doing all the needful.
“There is no special thing I am doing, than what I am suppose to do as governor of Benue State irrespective of party because he remains my president and I respect him.
“I have no personal issues with him; we talk about policies and issues, there is no personal grudge.
“So, I am here to receive him, and I have made adequate arrangement. This State belongs to Mr President. So he has access, he can be here and do whatever he wants to do.”
President Muhammadu Buhari at the APC Presidential campaign rally in Makurdi, Benue State
President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to dispossess looters of the public funds they stole, using such funds to develop more infrastructure across the country.
“I assure you, I am not going to change. I am going to be consistent, I will remain steadfast. Anybody who abuses trust will be exposed and he will be dispossessed of the public funds they stole.”
The President, who spoke to party supporters in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, in continuation of his presidential campaigns expressed joy with the large turn out of the crowd at the Aper Aku stadium, which he said showed that the Benue people believed in what his administration is doing to transform Nigeria.
He said that through the efforts of his government, the country has made tremendous success on improving the economy as well as tackling the challenge of insecurity in parts of the country and the fight against corruption.
“I stand before you to thank you most sincerely for deferring the weather and standing for hours to come and see and listen to us. I am very grateful.
“I am convinced that you believe in what we are doing and that you stand to support us even further. When I came to look for your vote in 2015, I promised three fundamental issues based on our party manifesto. Security, economy and fighting corruption. We will do roads, rail ways and provide electricity with monies recovered from looters.”
This was even as Senator George Akume told the party supporters that President Buhari is one of the few Nigerians who does not like money.
“He had opportunity to make money as Head of State, minister of petroleum and military administrators of north eastern states but did not amass wealth.
“Buhari has managed the economy very well and we are very proud of him. The landmark projects of the government are impacting positively on the lives of the people. “Mr. President, you promised to provide infrastructure and we are seeing it, you are not a man of talk but action- talk and do.”
Senator Akume assured the President that the people of Bunue have cordial relationship with the Fulanis and will sustain the relationship if the candidate of the APC in Benue Emmanuel Jime is voted as governor in the March 2nd election.
He said that President Buhari will record 70 percent of the votes in the coming elections.
Senator Akume said that Benue stands for free, fair and credible election.
Akume called the attention of the President to what’s he called ‘the problem is the militarization of the state, accusing the state governor of livestock guards to intimidate the opposition.
National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole in his remarks, said governors have the responsibility to guarantee security of lives and property and must be seen to compliment the federal government in this regard.
According to him, the candidate of the APC in Benue in the election has the capacity to do so, and improve the lives of the citizens.
“We need leaders who will not blame others for their failures. Nation’s develop when leaders bring ideas to move the country forward.”
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to cause trouble in the country if its Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is not declared winner of the February 16 presidential election as it is clear that he will win the election.
In a statement today, Tuesday, by the National Publicity Secretary and Director of Media and Publicity of its Presidential Campaign Organization, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said: “it is incontrovertible that Nigerians have reached a consensus in rallying behind the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in this election.”
The party warned that any attempt by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) to illicitly deny its candidate the Presidency in the coming elections would be totally resisted.
“Any result that does not reflect the wishes and aspiration of the people will be completely resisted.”
The party accused the Buhari-led administration of deliberately heating up the polity in order to “heat up the polity, inject crisis, undermine the general elections, then carry out their heinous plots to use mercenaries from Niger Republic to unleash mayhem on our nation and blame it on the opposition.”
The statement partly reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) notes the incessant blackmail and threats against the opposition and law abiding Nigerians by the Buhari Presidency, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and surmised that Nigerians will not buckle under any jackboots.
“The PDP also notes the efforts being made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to heat up the polity, inject crisis, undermine the general elections, then carry out their heinous plots to use mercenaries from Niger Republic to unleash mayhem on our nation and blame it on the opposition, having realized that there is no way President Muhammadu Buhari can win in a peaceful, free and fair election.
“The PDP further draws the attention of the international community to the land mines being set on the way of credible elections by the APC, including the clamp down on opposition, foisting of President Buhari’s relation, Amina Zakari, as head of INEC’s collation center, the refusal by President Buhari to sign the amendment to the Electoral Act, the creation of illegal geo-spatial centers and polling units for allocation of fictitious votes for the APC, listing of APC supporters as election officials and the opening of our borders to mercenaries to participate in our electoral process.
“It is now clear to all that the target of the APC is to demonize and cow the opposition, instill fear in Nigerians, undermine our democratic institutions, attempt to subjugate the citizenry and pave the way for the actualization of a self-succession plan for President Buhari.
“The PDP, as a political party with the highest demography of members and supporters, in their millions, across our nation, therefore states in unequivocal terms, that Nigerians will never allow themselves to be blackmailed, intimidated or cowed by the APC into relinquishing their constitutionally guaranteed rights, to freely chose their leaders, no matter the threats.
“The PDP stands with Nigerians, across the board, in demanding for a free, fair, transparent and credible general election. This position must be respected, as the citizens of our country will spare no thoughts in vehemently confronting and squarely resisting, head to head, any attempt by anybody, whosoever he may be, to subvert our electoral process.
“It is incontrovertible that Nigerians have reached a consensus in rallying behind the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in this election. Any result that does not reflect the wishes and aspiration of the people will be completely resisted.
“The PDP calls on international community to note that the consequences of such resistance in a country of over 200 million people, who have made up their minds for a new leadership, is capable of triggering huge humanitarian crisis not only in Nigeria but also in the West African sub-region.
“PDP therefore urges all institutions responsible for the general election to save our nation from collapse by working towards guaranteeing a credible, free, fair and transparent election. This is all we seek.”
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cautioned Nigeria against voting the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, alleging that he will sell the remaining national assets to his friends and cronies.
“They (Atiku and PDP) want to come back and sell our commonwealth. They promised to create two million job for you, and nobody ask them how.
“When you were there with Obasanjo how many jobs did you create? How many times did Obasanjo say Atiku stole PTDF’s money?
“The answer he always gave was that his former boss too stole money. Is this the kind of person you want to vote for?”
In a statement today, Tuesday, the APC chieftain insisted that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku should explanations to Nigerians what how they mismanaged the resources of the Petroleum Trust Development Funds (PTDF), which Atiku superintended over during the regime administration of Obasanjo.
Tinubu said that PDP operatives are responsible for the electricity estimated billing system “saying their actions to share the electricity company into Generation and DISCO caused the hike in the tariff estimated bill.
“What is Atiku response and PDP? He said what is wrong if I share Nigeria resources with my friends? Is that what you want them to come back to do?”
President Muhammadu Buhari has put the security operatives on red alert, with an instruction that they should not allow corrupt politicians to escape from the country after the forthcoming general elections.
The President who gave the directive today, Tuesday at the Presidential campaign rally in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State that the fight against corruption will be intensified to cover those who have not been captured so far, shortly after the elections.
He vowed to continue to deal ruthlessly with corrupt people and to get rid of graft in line with the promise he made in 2015 to sanitize the country.
President Buhari said that he is quite conscious of the promises he made while contesting four years ago, particularly the ones that have to do with corruption, insecurity and resuscitating the economy.
“We are fighting corruption but it has not been easy. But we told the security agencies to keep watch and ensure that those who have cases to answer do not escape justice.
“As part of our promises, we are building roads, rail lines, fighting corruption.
“We introduced Treasury Single Account and increased power supply so Nigerians can have their own businesses.”
Embattled Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has made it clear that he cannot stand for trial before the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar because he is a biased and tainted arbiter.
Onnoghen, who argued, among others, that justice is rooted in confidence, said he has no confidence in Umar’s capacity to do justice in his case.
He accused Umar of being the sole mind behind the ex-parte order on which President Muhammadu Buhari acted to suspend him (Onnoghen).
The suspended CJN, who described Umar as “a tainted arbiter” by virtue of the charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), “for receiving money bribe in the sum of N10, 000, 000.00 in charge No: CR/109/18 in FCT High Court,” argued that it was impossible for the CCT Chair to act with a fair mind.
Onnoghen asked Umar to disqualify himself in respect of the non-assets declaration charge pending against him (Onnoghen) before the CCT.
The suspended CJN made this argument in a motion filed for him yesterday, Monday by a team of lawyers led by Chris Uche (SAN).
The content of the motion seems a direct response to the directive given, on February 4 this year, by the CCT Chairman, to the effect that Onnoghen must attend the next proceedings at the CCT for him to be arraigned on the charge pending against him.
The motion on notice particularly, prayed the tribunal for an order directing “the honourable Chairman of the tribunal, Honourable Danladi Umar to disqualify/recuse himself from further participating in the adjudication of this case on the ground of real likelihood of bias.”
The grounds on which the prayer is made, include that “the Chairman has constructively convicted the defendant (The Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria) sought to be arraigned before him without either hearing from him or his being formally arraigned before him.
“The Chairman authored and signed an ex parte order directing an unconvicted man to step aside on account of a charge not yet before him as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, which is in itself a conviction prior to arraignment and plea/trial.
“The Chairman had directed the Executive arm of government, contrary to the express provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and without reference to the National Judicial Council, the replacement of the office and role of the Chief Justice of Nigeria by his own nominee and appointee in the person of Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad JSC.
“The Chairman, on 23th January, 2019, entertained a motion ex-parte not moved by any known prosecutor, bearing the same title, charge number and purported accused person/defendant, Hon justice Waiter Samuel Onnoghen, CJN, GCON, dated 9th January 2019, which substantially predetermined the guilt of the defendant, without an arraignment.
“Consequent upon the above, the learned Chairman (Hon. Danladi Umar), who purportedly moved, made and signed the order, has put himself in the position of prosecutor, judge and jury to the clear prejudice and bias against the defendant.
“The learned Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (Hon. Danladl Umar) is a tainted arbiter by reason of a criminal charge at the Instance of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for receiving money bribe in the sum of N10,000,000.00 in Charge No: CR/109/18 in FCT High Court by an organ under the supervision of the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, incidentally the prosecutor and complainant in this matter.
“With such sword of Damocles hanging over him, and himself not just recusing himself from a quasi-judicial function, is himself not likely to be a fair arbiter, but instead more likely to trade in the charges against him in quasi plea bargaining in the charge against him and enter summary conviction in this proceedings to please the prosecutor.
“Various comments and decisions/orders made by the Honourable Chairman of the tribunal clearly demonstrate beyond doubt that the Chairman of the tribunal had inclination or predisposition to decide the case in a certain pre-arranged manner without regard to any law or rules of procedure.
“In the course of the proceedings of this case, the honourable Chairman of the tribunal showed acts of partisanship by making decisions/orders and expressing opinions antagonistic to the applicant and on the other hand demonstrated favourable dispositions towards the respondent.
“The partiality of the honourable Chairman of the tribunal is not in doubt as there are manifest cases of real likelihood of bias on the part of the Chairman of the tribunal against the applicant by reason inter alia of the disclosures above.
“The applicant has no confidence in the honourable Chairman of the tribunal to do justice fairly between parties in this case. as he is a man on a mission to please his masters.
“In spite of the fact that the attention of the tribunal was drawn to four different orders of court, the Chairman, in ruling, abandoned two of the orders and kept on emphasizing on the orders from the Federal High Court and the F.C.T High Court alone supported by Member ll.
“The tribunal has by the conduct, comments and pronouncements of the Chairman on the 14th of January, 1019 and supported by Member II on the 22nd January, 2019 has predetermined the motion of the defendant, challenging its jurisdiction before even same can be heard.
“After the rulings of the 22nd January, 2019, the counsel to the prosecution, again urged the honourable tribunal to make an interim order for the defendant to step aside as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and chairman of the National Judicial Council, but the Chairman of the tribunal in open court stated that the prosecutor should exercise patience, because his motion on notice for stepping aside would be heard at the next adjourned date, which caused all lawyers and members of the public present in court to exclaim in bewilderment before the honourable Chairman struggled unconvincingly to correct himself to the effect that what he meant was for the motion challenging jurisdiction be taken first and thereafter the motion for stepping aside.
“The honourable Chairman later rightly informed the prosecution counsel, in open court, that he was not going to make any interim order for the defendant to step aside, because the issue of jurisdiction raised was fundamental and then adjourned the matter to the 18th January, 2019 for the hearing of motions.
“Surprisingly, on the 23rd of January, 2019, a day after the proceedings of 22nd January, 2019, wherein matter was adjourned to the 28th January, 2019, the Chairman and Member 11 purportedly issued an order ex-parte, directing the defendant to step aside as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council and also directed the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to swear-in the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council.
“The Chairman and Member II of this tribunal gave the prosecution/complainant/respondent, through the back door, what they seek by their notion on notice dated 10th January, 2019. Following the said order ex-parte, which was never served on the applicant or the National Judicial Council, the President purportedly suspended the Defendant/Applicant from office on the 25th of January, 2019 and appointed Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council.
“There is a clear case of bias against the Defendant/Applicant from the facts narrated above. The defendant/applicant has become totally apprehensive of the proceedings of the honourable tribunal and cannot continue in the proceedings because it has become palpable that he cannot get justice from the conduct and disposition of the Chairman and Member II.
“The honourable tribunal, especially the Chairman, has constituted himself as the prosecutor and accuser of the defendant/applicant and cannot in good and clear conscience continue to be part of the proceedings and trial of the applicant.
“It is most honourable for the honourable Chairman and Member II to recuse and disqualify themselves from the proceedings so that a person of firm and unbiased disposition can be appointed to preside over the proceedings of this matter.
“The Chairman has constructively convicted the defendant (the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria), sought to be arraigned before him, without either hearing from him or his being formally arraigned before him.”
President Mohammadu Buhari has appealed to Ekiti Obas to support him ahead of the February 16 Presidential election which he is contesting for a second term on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The President told the obas, led to the meeting at Ado Ekiti, the state capital by the chairman of the state council of traditional rulers, Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju: “I am here again to ask for your support which I usually get from you.”
He expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers for the support they gave to the APC in the state, which led to the election of Dr. Kayode Fayemi as governor of Ekiti State during the July 14, 2018 election in the state.
The President recalled that he had enlisted the support of the obas for the Governor, during his meeting with them few days to the election, and that they did not disappoint him as they supported his candidate and are still supporting the Kayode Fayemi administration in the state.
He assured them that Fayemi would perform creditably as Governor, having put up a good performance as Minister in his cabinet, adding that he is impressed by the Governor’s record of performance so far.
President Buhari, who cited the national railway line that was re-designed to ensure it passes through Ekiti State and the dualiasation of Ado-Ekiti- Akure road as some of the federal government projects in Ekiti State, said the state would benefit more in the next four years if voted in again as President.
In his welcome address, Governor Kayode Fayemi said that the APC-led government has a record of putting the people first, adding the people of Ekiti have alreay started enjoying the dividends of good governance in the past three months.
Dr. Fayemi said that regular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions was being given priority attention by his government in line with the President Buhari’s belief that workers should not be denied their wages under n circumstance.
Fayemi who said the Ekiti people fully embrace the change agenda said the party is busy working to ensure that it post 90 per cent of the votes for President Buhari in the February 16 election.
Governor Fayemi who also congratulated President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo over the latter’s escape from the helicopter crash attributed the Vice President’s escape to the fact that God has a purpose for his life.
The spokesperson for the traditional rulers and Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, HRM Oba Adebayo Adewole, thanked the President for his developmental strides in Ekiti State including connecting the state to the national railway project, adding however, that the state would be expecting more in the next four years.
Specifically, the Oba Adewole urged President Buhari to appoint an Ekiti son or daughter to fill the state quota as minister in the federal cabinet.
Present at the meeting were the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osnbajo (SAN); Governors of Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ondo states. Others include the state deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; deputy national chairman of the party and former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; former Deputy Governor, Osun state, Otunba Iyiola Omisore.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello hit the road in Abuja campaigning for the re-election of his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari under the umbrella of the ruling all Progressives Congress (APC), today, Tuesday.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has asked the embattled Chief Judge of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen to spare the nation’s judiciary of trauma by resigning.
In an interview with Channels Television’s Seun Okinbaloyo today, Tuesday, Oshiomhole said: “You can’t fight corruption selectively; Onnoghen should spare the Judiciary the trauma, and resign.”
The APC boss said that it is morally improper for Chief Justice of Nigeria to maintain multiple foreign accounts, adding: “Nigeria’s democracy cannot be stable if the rules are only made for the poor”.
Reacting to a statement by the former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari had returned the nation to the era of dictatorial rule of late General Sani Abacha, Oshiomhole insisted that Obasanjo;s era as President was worse than that of Abacha.
Oshiomhole said: “Obasanjo can’t look me in the eyes and say those things; he is a worse dictator. He was worse than Abacha.”
He said that Obasanjo ruled for eight years and could not fix Nigeria, and “we are saying Buhari should fix Nigeria in three and half years.”
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The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to cause trouble in the country if its Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is not declared winner of the February 16 presidential election as it is clear that he will win the election.
President Muhammadu Buhari has put the security operatives on red alert, with an instruction that they should not allow corrupt politicians to escape from the country after the forthcoming general elections.
President Mohammadu Buhari has appealed to Ekiti Obas to support him ahead of the February 16 Presidential election which he is contesting for a second term on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
