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PDP, Waiting To Implode? By Yusuf Ozi Usman

From the way things are going fast in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it would be a miracle if it doesn’t go asunder after its forthcoming national convention during which time a flag bearer will be elected or otherwise, as Presidential candidate for the 2019 elections in the country.

The party, which has now developed fast into top-heavy structure with influx of sure-footed, self acclaimed political accomplishers, political caterpillars and juggernauts, is not likely to survive, as each of the new entrants, known as defectors, has only one thing in their individual minds: Presidency.

Except Atiku Abubakar who has so far come out with defined direction as to what he would do if elected, almost all the aspirants have joined the race simply for the purpose of grabbing power, may be before they decide what to do with it later. In fairness, Atiku has been well-known to be an advocate of structural adjustment in the polity and lately, he was talking of allocating 21 percent of the federal budget to educational sector, among others.

Even at that, he and his handlers have sounded a note of warning, more than once, that if he doesn’t get the party’s ticket, in their word: “it will be disastrous for the PDP.”

This is the same threatening word, veiled as it looked, that other aspirants have been uttering, even with Senator Ahmed Makarfi already complaining that those coming into the party newly, in form of defection, should not be rated over and above those that have gone through some stress to build it.

Or is it the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, whose main purpose of defecting to the PDP is to struggle to be made the Presidential flag bearer of the party, ditto the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal as well as others.

It is even strange to political analysts and observers to be confronted with the reality that most of the aspirants are those who first moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, ahead of the 2015 general elections, with some of them, like Atiku, describing PDP is irredeemable.

Even though some of the returnees (to the PDP) also did so, mainly because of the confrontation they had with either their governors or the party executives in the states, the point remains that they are being driven by blind ambition, prodded of course, by the political hangers-on, who benefit abundantly from the tomfooleries of the political money-bags.

As a matter of course, it would be interesting to see someone like Atiku throwing his support behind Saraki if eventually Saraki clinches the ticket of the PDP or vice versa, even as Sule Lamido was reported to have already sounded a warning that there is no way Atiku would be entrusted with the ticket of the party. And with the recent scatting remarks by the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo against Atiku, there seemed to be too many fights he (Atiku) needs to put up with on his way to getting the PDP ticket, not to talk of 2019.

There is this fact that even before they go to the delegate to elect who should fly the flag of the party in the 2019 elections, most of them have already concluded that it is either they (as in individual) or the party is torn into shred.

Of course, the recent tiny voice, from Sule Lamido that others will support whoever eventually emerges was nothing but a comforting word that is most likely be swept away by the tide of the campaign and the emotions it would raise.

Of course, all said, what the aspirants ought to be harping on now to convince the delegate to elect them, if it were to be in a civilized democracy, is what they intend to do with power when they get it: how they want to change the socio-political and security narratives and method of achieving the feat. They are supposed to be sources of enriching the debate on how things can be done differently from what for instance; the APC government has been doing, to achieve quick and greater results.

But they are so obsessed with seeking for power that what they know is, it is either them or no one else, and worse still, giving a frightening signs that losing the election to be the candidate will result in disintegrating the largest political party on the continent of Africa.

My prayer, as an observer, truly, is that PDP remains intact to provide solid opposition in the contest for power in 2019 and beyond.

I pray that God will answer the prayer. [myad]

Senate President Had Been PDP In APC Clothing All Along – Lai Mohammed

Alhaji Lai Muhammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that the stumbling block which the Senate President, Bukola Saraki had constituted to the executive since he lobbied himself into the position had not been different from what a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) man on the same seat would have been.

The Minister said: “in fact, we could not have suffered more as an executive in the hands of the legislature (under the leadership of Senator Saraki) if a PDP person had been the senate president.”

Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) today, Sunday, Lai Mohammed said that the foundation for the recent defection by Senator Saraki from the APC to the PDP was laid the moment he emerged Senate President against the wish of the party, which affected the relationship between the executive and the legislature.

According to the minister, since the day Saraki lobbied the opposition party to become the Senate President, the relationship between the executive and legislature had been turbulent.

He described Saraki’s claim about lopsided appointment of Kwara people in Buhari’s administration as unfounded, saying that no fewer than 24 indigenes of Kwara State were given federal appointments, of which he (Mohammed) only recommended two, while the Senate President recommended 20.

Shehu Sani’s Fate Hangs As His Senatorial Zone Breaks Into Factions

Senator Shehu Sani

The Kaduna State Central Senatorial zone which Senator shehu Sani is representing in the red chambers of the National Assembly has been engulfed in turmoil, with a faction of Ward 6, Tudun Wada supporting him and another faction still insisting that he has been suspended from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was coming even as the National body of the party, yesterday, Saturday, over-ruled the Ward executive and lifted the suspension on the Senator.

The leadership of the party in the senatorial zone, comprising the zonal executives, chairmen of the party in the seven local governments of the zone as well as some officials of the state executive, in a statement today, Sunday, insisted that there was no going back on Sani’s indefinite suspension from the party.

The statement was jointly signed by the zonal chairman of the party, Aminu Jibo;  assistant state secretary, Yahaya Baba Pate; zonal  women leader,  Tabawa Inuwa, state assistant publicity secretary, and Salisu Tanko Wusono, among other officials.

“We are the executives of Zone 2, along with the 7 APC Local Government Chairmen of Kaduna North, Kaduna South, lgabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Kajuru. We have been following, with keen interest, the dirty political antics of Shehu Sani, the current Senator representing Zone 2 at the National Assembly, and wish to set the records straight by affirming he is still under indefinite suspension by Kaduna State leadership of our great party” the statement said.

The statement accused Sani of alleged “gross misconduct, including series of damaging media campaign both against  party leaders and the APC government led in Kaduna state.

Part of the  statement reads:

“We would like to express our disappointment over the Senator’s glaring political

desperation that led him into going as far as disparaging President Muhammadu Buhari

in the media, thereby ridiculing the image of this country and its democratic institutions.

We are therefore joining other genuinely loyal members of our great party to advice our

amiable President to be wary of a Senator who so ceaselessly attacked Federal

Government and its policies very frequently.

“We wish to note that despite the huge, dirty media campaign he has launched against the President and Governor El-rufai, the

Senator did not deem it fit to apologise to President Buhari, El-Rufai or the disenchanted people of Zone 2 he is supposedly representing.

“Instead, he has remained more desperate, unrepentant and indeed opportunistic. Clearly, Senator Shehu Sani is today the APC’s biggest time-bomb, as we approach 2019 elections.

“We still question the motive behind Shehu Sani’s sabotage against the $350million

loan meant to give Kaduna State a befitting outlook by the El-Rufai administration…

“Clearly, the Senator rode on the back of President Buhari and El-Rufai to get to the Senate and turned around to stab them on the back, so brazenly. This is the height of

irresponsibility and we dare say it is one of the many reasons that have now exposed him as a regrettable choice for Zone 2 electorate and Kaduna State APC.

“We reject in totality, Shehu Sani’s obtuse politics, fake democratic credentials and

pedestrian approach to law-making that has undermined the hopes and expectations of Zone 2 voters

“We also find unacceptable, the false flag of allegiance he is pretending to be flying in

the guise of an APC loyalist. While he cannot mislead President Buhari, he cannot also pull a blind wool over our eyes, pretending he is with us, just because the 2019 election is approaching”.

Senate Presidency: Very Soon We’ll Separate Men From Boys – APC

Adams Oshiomhole

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to remove the Senate President, Bukola Saraki with its numerical strength in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

The party stressed that there will be no need for it to spend money to unseat Senator Saraki, who it said had gone back to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from where he came.

The acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, in a statement today, Sunday, said that the party would encourage its lawmakers to use their numerical strength to remove the Senate president following the rule of law and due process.
“The hierarchy of the APC has no business spending money to impeach these people because APC still commands the majority in both houses. Since Saraki has gone back to where he came from, he cannot preside over majority APC lawmakers. Therefore we will use our numerical strength to remove him following the rule of law.
“So let the PDP propaganda machine continue to raise false alarm. We will remain focused and ensure that President Buhari is not distracted by charlatans. Very soon we shall separate the men from the boys.”

Reacting to the claim by R-APC Spokesman, Kaseem Afegbua  that APC leadership and officials of the Federal Government are plotting to use illegal means to forcefully re-open the Senate chambers, the party accused opposition of merely weeping up sentiments.
“Afegbua and his cohorts are trying to elicit sentiment and to make futile attempt to dent the integrity of the APC led government.
“The reason why most of them are defecting is because the President Buhari led administration is not sharing money which is the PDP philosophy. So this administration cannot inject tax payers money into impeaching the President of the senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”
The statement said that the APC lawmakers know their rules and that they will apply it accordingly.

President Buhari Greets Ray Ekpu At 70

Ray Ekpu

President Muhammadu Buhari sends greetings to veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Ray Ekpu, who turns 70 tomorrowAugust 6, and clocks 45 years working as a journalist and an administrator.

A statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as rejoicing with the renowned columnist and activist in celebrating the many years of exceptional contribution to national development through his writings, speaking engagements and leadership roles.

The President acknowledged Ekpu’s consistency and forthrightness in speaking and writing the truth to authorities, saying that he deserves special commendation, especially the many times he placed his life at risk in  fighting for democracy and the institutionalization of good governance in Nigeria.

Buhari also acknowledged that Ekpu’s wealth of knowledge, wisdom and editorial skills should serve as a benchmark for upcoming journalists as the future of the industry rests on the indelible tenets of fairness, accuracy and balance.

He prayed to God to grant the prolific writer longer life, good health and more wisdom to serve the nation and humanity

Ebonyi Senator, Ex-Minister, 13 Others Dump PDP For APC

The senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sonni Ogbuoji, an ex-Minister of State for Power and Steel, Goddy Ogbaga and 13 others have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors announced their decision during a rally organized by the state chapter of the APC in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
Addressing the defectors and other party members at the rally held in Abakaliki, the state capital, Oshiomhole commended Ogbuoji and other defectors for what he described as their bold initiative to leave the PDP for the APC.
“We now have an elected senator, Chief Sonni Ogbuoji, who has decided that the PDP’s umbrella is shredded that it can no longer protect anyone. He has now joined the progressives.
“He has watched the determination of the APC-led Federal Government to flush out all crises inflicted on the country by the immediate past administration of the PDP,” Oshiomhole said.
Earlier, in his speech, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, noted that the people of Ebonyi State had resolved to align themselves with the APC and would vote for President Buhari in 2019.
“If the elections are conducted today in Ebonyi State, the APC will clinch all the elective offices at the wards, local government and state levels,” Onu said.

APC National Quashes Suspension Of Senator Shehu Sani

Shehu Sani

The national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has quashed the suspension of Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly which was imposed by the Tudun Wada North (Ward 6) of the party since 2017 and was reaffirmed on July 31 this year.

The acting national publicity of the APC, Yekini Nabena, in quashing the suspension on the Senator today, Sunday, said that the party had directed the officials in Tudun Wada ward to “implement the directive with a view to complementing the peace efforts being made by the national leadership of the party to bring back peace in the party in Kaduna State”.

“The National Secretariat has received the news of the suspension of Senator Shehu Sani by the Tudun Wada ward Chairman and wish to clarify that the purported suspension of Distinguished

Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District is hereby lifted and is confirmed as a bonafide Member and leader of our party,” Nabena said in a statement.

“The Chairman Kaduna State Chapter has been directed to inform the relevant Ward and Local Government chapters appropriately, and also put the necessary mechanism towards complementing the efforts of the national leadership towards ensuring lasting peace and unity in the party.”

The ward leader had imposed suspension on Senator Shehu Sani, vowing not to lift it until the Senator apologises to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State.

“We make bold to say that our decision was based on the provisions of the constitution of our great party. Therefore, Senator Shehu Sani remains suspended,” a statement by Ibrahim Salisu Togo, Chairman of the ward, on Tuesday had affirmed.

“In all fairness to the party and Kaduna State voters, the only pre-condition for lining this suspension on Senator Shehu Sani is for the lawmaker to openly apologize to the leadership of our great party for his various acts of misconduct and disrespectful attitudes towards both his constituents, party leadership and his vicious media attacks against our amiable President, Muhammadu Buhari.

“He should also apologize to the Government and people of Kaduna State for frustrating the $350 million loan meant to develop the State in the areas of Education, health delivery, works and housing, women and youth empowerment among others.” 

Obasanjo Is Enemy Of Everyone Except Himself, Atiku Hits Back

Frontline Presidential aspirant on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has hit back at his former boss, ex President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing him as enemy of everyone except himself.

Atiku, former Nigerian Vice President said: we will continue to wish Chief Olusegun Obasanjo well and we would want to say that nothing can be further from the truth (that) if Obasanjo follows his Christian dictate he would understand that God that he expects to judge him would not expect him to be a permanent traducer of every other person apart from himself. He has enjoyed the benefits of other people; other people must also enjoy his benefits. Obasanjo cannot be an enemy to every person except himself.”

Atiku, who responded to Obasanjo’s vow not to support him for the 2019 Presidential aspiration with a proviso: “God will not forgive me if I support Atiku” prayed that Obasanjo would reconsider his stand in line with the wish of the majority of Nigerians.

In a statement by his 2019 Presidential Campaign Organisation’s spokesman, Segun Sowunmi, Atiku said: “I still believe that in the course of this journey, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo may have to reconsider his stand in line with the wish of the majority of Nigerians, which, in my opinion now, is that of all the aspirants for the office of President, that I have the experience, the democratic credentials, the vision, the workable programme and in sync with what the Nigeria nation needs now and can leapfrog it to higher levels of development.”

The statement goes thus:

“The first is to say it upfront that HE former Vice President Atiku Abubakar holds former President Olusegun Obasanjo in very high esteem, just as he holds every other leader in Nigeria high esteem.

“The esteem that President Obasanjo enjoys is premised on two things; one, being the former president, Atiku also understands that he cannot and should not desecrate anybody that has sat in the office that he aspires to.

“The second is the fact that they had worked together on a joint ticket as president and vice-president towards the 1999 and 2003 elections, for those two reasons, HE the former vice-president does not want to join any issues with him and respects him and understands that as an individual Obasanjo is within his right to have his point of view.

“It is a little bit suspect what Obasanjo means, that God will not forgive him if he supports Atiku. I think that is really a personal relationship between him and his God, and it will be better for him to use his later years to tidy up relationship between himself and his God, instead of hanging his judgement with God on things that concern him and Atiku.

“Having said that, we are completely convinced that the (Atiku’s) decision to run for the presidency is premised on the condition that this country can benefit from the God-given talents and the experience he has garnered.

“There is nothing that has not been thrown in the way of Atiku to cow him, to break him, to harass him, to intimidate him or to just make him uncomfortable. He has demonstrated that he has the tenacity to withstand it and he has the robustness of mind to remain calm.

“We still believe that in the course of this journey, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo may have to reconsider his stand in line with the wish of the majority of Nigerians, which, in my opinion now, is that of all the aspirants for the office of President, that H.E. Atiku Abubakar has the experience, has the democratic credentials, has the vision, has the workable programme and is in sync with what the Nigeria nation needs now and can leapfrog it to higher levels of development.

“All the same, we will continue to wish Chief Olusegun Obasanjo well and we would want to say that nothing can be further from the truth (that) if Obasanjo follows his Christian dictate he would understand that God that he expects to judge him would not expect him to be a permanent traducer of every other person apart from himself. He has enjoyed the benefits of other people, other people must also enjoy his benefits. Obasanjo cannot be an enemy to every person except himself.”

Senator Akpabio Meets Buhari In London

The Minority Leader in the Senate, on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Godswill Akpabio met with President Muhammadu Buhari in London today, Sunday, where the President is enjoying his vacation that will last for 10 working days.
Senator Akpabio, who is also the former Governor of Akwa Ibom under the same PDP, had earlier in the week, held a similar meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria, even before the President flew to London for a rest.
The content of the meetings have not been made public, but there are indications that Senator Akpabio is making moves to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), just as the bigwigs in the APC have been crossing over to the PDP in recent time. [myad]

Surging Crowd That Welcome Wamakko Into Sokoto

Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Aliyu Wamakko stormed Sokoto today with surging crowd welcoming him.

 

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