Politics

PDP slams APC for mismanaging Lagos’ resources

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lauded Lagos residents for their tolerance and resilience since the country returned to democracy in 1999, slamming the ruling All Progressives Congress for mismanaging this state’s resources.

“Lagos state is blessed with both natural and human resources, apart from the fact that it is the commercial nerve centre of the nation, and the state has little or nothing to show for it,” PDP’s spokesman in Lagos, Akeem Amode, said this in a message to commemorate the Democracy Day anniversary on Monday in Lagos.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari had declared June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day instead of May 29, instituted by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, in honour of late Chief MKO Abiola.

The declaration followed many years of agitations by civil society groups that Mr Abiola must be immortalised.

Mr Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, died in detention for alleged treason.

Mr Amode, in the message, said there was no doubt that Lagos had yet to enjoy the real dividends of democracy, which Abiola and the June 12, 1993 elections stood for.

“For us in the Lagos State PDP, we believe that the residents of the state deserve more than they are experiencing under the ruling party,” said the statement.

The opposition party added;

“This is a state that ought to set the pace for others in education, health and other infrastructure based on her huge income. By now, Lagos should have been the cynosure of all eyes and built into a city compared to notable cities of the world such as Dubai, Johannesburg and others.”

Mr Amode promised that residents would begin to enjoy their wealth once the PDP takes over power in the state through the election cases before the court.

Lagos has been in the vice-grip of the ruling party (under various names) since 1999 both in the executive and legislative arms of government, with widespread claims that the APC has the ears of the judiciary in the state and at the national level.

Politics

Tribunal’s refusal for live broadcast not a setback for us – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the presidential election petition tribunal’s refusal to allow a live broadcast of its proceedings.

The opposition party which is challenging the victory of Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, stated that the decline is not a setback.

Eyitayo Jegede, counsel to PDP, who spoke to journalists after the proceeding on Monday, May 22, said they are already preparing their pre-hearing report.

Jegede said;

“There is no setback here. The court, in its wisdom, decided that the subject of our application on the live streaming and open telecast did not, in any way, connect with the merit of our petition.

“The petition is separate; it is ongoing. The application did not succeed to have the televised version of the proceedings. As far as we are concerned, we are now set for hearing.

“Tomorrow, we will be here by God’s grace for the pre-hearing report that will determine the progress of the petition and the time the petition will be heard and concluded.”

On if they are still confident the PEPT will give them justice, Jegede said;

“For us, we are prepared for hearing.”

Politics

Atiku to call 100 witnesses to testify against Tinubu

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Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that no fewer than 100 witnesses are ready to testify against President-elect, Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The petitioners intend to call not more than 100 witnesses.”

Chris Uche, Mr Abubakar’s lawyer, told the Court on Saturday morning.He further revealed that he and the respondents have agreed on the number of witnesses to take the stand as well as the minutes to be allotted to each witness.

“The parties have all met and considered and agreed on the witnesses and duration of the examination of witnesses and the examination in chief, cross-examination and re-examination and we have also agreed to streamline the number of witnesses as well as the duration of each party to call witnesses subject to ratification by the honorable court,” Mr Uche told the Court.

According to him, it was proposed that 30 minutes be allocated to the star witnesses of the respondents which include INEC, Mr Tinubu and his party, APC.

“We also proposed 30 mins for evidence in chief and 30 mins for cross-examination of the star witnesses for the respondents,” disclosed Mr Uche.

He added that the petitioners “are suggesting that there should be no cross-examination of a respondent witness by a respondent” stressing that “the petitioners intend to call not more than 100 witnesses.”

Meanwhile, Haruna Simon Tsammani, the chair of the five-member panel of justices, adjourned the case to May 22, following Roland Otaru’s request to adjourn the matter for the consolidation of petitions from the Labour Party and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Mr Otaru, a lawyer on Mr Tinubu’s legal team, requested adjournment because of the absence of the team’s lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun.

The Court has scheduled Monday, May 22, for the ruling on the application to livestream proceedings.

Politics

PDP wins 22 Bauchi assembly seats, APC 8, NNPP 1

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won 22 out of the 31 Bauchi House of Assembly seats in the March 18 state parliamentary elections.

This is contained in the list issued by Aliyu Shaba, INEC’s deputy director of voter education in Bauchi, on Tuesday.

The list also showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won eight seats while the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) clinched one in the state.

In the results announced by the INEC, the constituencies are Duguri Gwana, Abdullahi Dan-Bala – PDP; Kirfi, Umar Habibu – PDP; Bauchi – Jamilu Dahiri – PDP; Zungur Galambi, Yusuf Ahmed – PDP, Dass, Abdullahi Ahmed – PDP, and Bogoro, Musa Nakwada – PDP.

Others are Lame Toro, Lawal Garba – PDP; Toro Jama’a, Saidu Hamza – PDP; Ningi, Abubakar Sulaiman – PDP; Ningi Bura, Tanko Bura – PDP; Hardawa Misau, Babayo Akuyam – PDP; and Dambam Dagauda Jalam, Mohammed Garba – PDP.

The PDP also won Ganjuwa East, Ladan Mohammed; Ganjuwa West, Adamu Kawu; Katagum Zaki, Bello Maiwa; Sakwa Zaki, Wanzam Mohammed; and Itas Gadau, Abdullahi Yusuf.

Similarly, the Disina Shira constituency was won by Hodi Jibir – PDP; Shira, Hassan Auwal – PDP; Giade, Adamu Abubakar – PDP; Madara Chinade, Katagum, Ala Ahmed – PDP, and Gamawa, Sarkin-Jadori Bello – PDP.

The APC won Azare Madangala Katagum, Saleh Zakariyya; Udubo Gamawa, Lele Mohammed; Pali Alkaleri, Garba Aminu; and Darazo, Sulaiman Darazo.

Dauda Lawal of APC also won the Sade Darazo state constituency; APC’s Yahaya Maikudi for Chiroma Misau; Abdul Rishi for Lame Toro – APC; and Abdulrasheed Adamu for Lere Bula – APC, while Mubarak Haruna of NNPP won in Jama’are constituency.

The Ninth Assembly has no female members.

Politics

Labour Party, PDP file petition against APC’s Oluranti-Adebule and INEC

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The PDP and its candidate for Lagos West senatorial district, Sunday Adewale (alias Aeroland), have filed a petition against former Deputy Governor Idiat Oluranti-Adebule, over alleged non-qualification to contest the senatorial election.

The petitions were pasted on the wall of the Rosaline Omotosho Courthouse, Ikeja, the venue of the elections petitions tribunal.

Mr Adewale, in the petition, marked EPT/LAG/SEN/04/2023 and dated March 18, filed against Ms Oluranti-Adebule, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC as first to third respondents, alleged that she was not qualified to contest the election.

He said the former deputy governor was not qualified to contest at the time of the election and was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes.

The PDP flag bearer stated that Ms Oluranti-Adebule did not possess the educational qualification to contest the Lagos West senatorial district election held on February 25.

The petitioners also alleged that the third respondent (INEC) did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 in the conduct of the election.

Mr Adewale and PDP said in the form requiring Ms Oluranti-Adebule to state the schools she attended, with dates, the APC standard-bearer only indicated she graduated in 1982 without stating the primary school attended.

Also, Moshood Salvador and the Labour Party are challenging the declaration of Ms Oluranti-Adebule as the election winner.

The petitioners alleged multiple thumbprinting and ballot stuffing during and after the election.In the petition marked EPT/LAG/ SEN/01/2023, Mr Salvador alleged that the election was marred by violence, intimidation, fracas, threat, ballot box snatching, over-voting, and mutilation of results from polling units.

Mr Salvador added that the second and third respondents engaged in multiple thumbprinting and ballot stuffing during and after the election.

He explained that the entirety of the Lagos Central senatorial district election was invalid because of substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Electoral Guidelines and the 1999 Constitution.

The Labour Party candidate added that the first respondent failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Electoral Guidelines during the election, claiming there was no due accreditation of voters.

He also said the election result was not electronically transmitted through the BVAS machine.

Entertainment, Politics

Funke Akindele deletes all politics-related posts on her Instagram page

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Actress Funke Akindele who was the running mate of PDP governorship candidate in Lagos state, Abdulazeez Adediran, has deleted all posts relating to politics and the PDP on her Instagram page.

All photos from her campaign rallies as well as other political engagements during the electioneering process are not present.

The PDP lost to the incumbent governor and APC candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in the Saturday, March 18 election.

Politics

I’m happy to sacrifice my political career for Tinubu’s presidency- Seyi Makinde

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has said he was glad to sacrifice his political career for the emergence of Bola Tinubu as president-elect of the country.

Mr Makinde added that he was not bothered, even, if he had to sacrifice his career for the country to be restructured for fairness and equity.

“I am glad to be part of those who have made efforts to redraw the electoral map of Nigeria.

“If I have to choose between my political career and doing what is right, just and equitable, I will choose to forgo my political career,” he said on Sunday during an interview on a radio station in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Mr Makinde, who would be contesting for a second term in office this weekend, had supported Mr Tinubu for the presidency at the last minute.

Mr Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the February 25 poll after defeating his main challengers, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).

A member of the PDP, Mr Makinde worked against Mr Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, in the February 25 presidential election.

Mr Makinde was one of the G-5 governors which included; Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), who failed to declare open support for Mr Abubakar.

Before the election, the aggrieved governors resolved not to work for Mr Abubakar’s presidential bid unless the PDP national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, a northerner, was replaced by a southerner for geo-political balancing of power.

After weeks of actively plotting against Mr Abubakar through his alignment with Mr Wike and other members of the so-called G-5, Mr Makinde suddenly sent out a statement on the eve of the election that said voters should back members of the PDP, but without mentioning the party’s presidential flagbearer.

“So, if you still have any undecided voters on your list, this is the time to call them up and help them decide to vote for the PDP from top to bottom in Oyo State,” Mr Makinde said.

Party loyalists, however, dismissed his appeal as insincere, with many of them now saying they would work against his second term from within the party as a payback for his alleged betrayal that contributed to Mr Abubakar’s shortcomings at the February 25 presidential election.

Politics

Atiku rejects presidential election results, calls Tinubu drug baron

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Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has rejected Saturday’s presidential election results, saying the exercise was the “worst in the history of the country.”

Mr Abubakar, who addressed journalists in Abuja Thursday evening, revealed that the outcome of the election, which favoured Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), would be challenged in court.

“I have come to the conclusion that the process of the election was grossly manipulated…it is the worst in the history of our country’s democracy and the results must be challenged in court,” Mr Abubakar declared.

Mr Abubakar’s address comes a few hours after Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), also rejected the weekend exercise.

Mr Obi specifically said that the election exercise was “marred with irregularities”, stressing that he won the presidential election and would provide the evidence for Nigerians to see.

“We won the election, and we will prove it to Nigerians,” Mr Obi told reporters during a world press conference held in Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Wednesday, declared Mr Tinubu the winner of Saturday’s presidential election after he polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat Mr Abubakar.

Mr Abubakar scored 6,984,520 votes to come second, while Mr Obi came third after polling 6,101,533 votes.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, also subsequently issued Mr Tinubu a “Certificate of Return” the same day.

Politics

Benue South endorses Atiku for president ahead of Saturday’s election

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The PDP in Benue South senatorial district has endorsed presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for Saturday’s presidential election.

This is contained in a statement by Paul Mumeh, media aide of former senate president David Mark on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement said the decision was taken after a meeting in Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of the Idoma people.

It said the decision by the party was based on the premise that their interest would be better served under an Abubakar presidency.

It explained that the party members distanced themselves from those campaigning for candidates of other political parties.

According to the statement, they said they could not be members of the PDP and be seen to be working for candidates of other political parties.

“They urged all party members not to be distracted by the antics of a few but should go all out to vote for candidates of the PDP in the February 25 and March 11 elections.

In the statement, Mr Mark urged PDP members to be faithful to the party because jumping from one party to the other would make no sense, adding that political parties are vehicles for achieving one’s political ambition and must be held sacrosanct by obeying the rules and regulations.

According to Mr Mark, politicians who jump from one party to another are people without conviction or do not know what they want.

The senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, urged the party members to remain steadfast.

The senatorial district comprised the nine local government areas of the Idoma land.

Politics

FCT: PDP, LP lose scores of members to APC

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Barely 48 hours to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party have lost scores of members to APC in the Federal Capital Territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the defectors were received into the fold of APC on Wednesday in Abuja.

The National Coordinator, National Mass Movement for Better Orientation, Dr Hawa Iyatu-Bagu, a frontline Tinubu support group, said the development was an indication of APC’s victory in the February 25 elections.

Iyatu-Bagu said that the organisation had been in touch with the defectors for a very long time, saying, ”today those that accepted the truth have decided to follow the winning team.

She said, “We have been going around canvassing for votes and most of them here are only the leaders because if all of them will be here, this place cannot contain them.

“So, we now ask their leaders and some of them to come here and make it public about their decision to dump PDP and LP and declare their readiness to vote for Tinubu and Shettima.

“With this development and what we have seen so far in the course of our campaigns across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, Nigerians, especially the women are ready to vote for the duo.”

The coordinator also stated that the youths were ready to ensure the landslide victory of Tinubu, assuring the defectors of equal treatment.

According to her, the APC presidential candidate will reciprocate any gesture to be done to him with quality leadership.

Also speaking, the Deputy National Coordinator of NAMMBO, Ibrahim Umar, lauded the Tinubu support group for attracting the defectors into the fold of APC.

Umar, said that the chances of Tinubu winning the presidential election were very bright, adding that Nigerians were eager to vote for Tinubu and Shettima.

Earlier, Mr Titus Musa, former PDP Youth Leader in Gwarinpa Ward, Abuja Municipal Area Council, who led defectors said they decided to defect to APC to vote Tinubu.

He said;

This is due to his record of excellent service in Lagos and his contributions to national development.

We are convinced with the APC manifesto titled, the Message of Hope. APC is the way to go and Tinubu has something to offer Nigeria.

Politics

Mass defection hits Lagos PDP as 500 members join APC

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At least 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos ahead of the national and state elections coming up on February 12 and March 11.

Receiving the defectors at Alausa, Lagos, on Monday, the director-general of the Independent Campaign Council of the APC, Tayo Ayinde, said their defection would enhance the ruling party’s electoral victory.

The defectors were led by the PDP women leader, Aolat Olatunde, and others at Ward C comprising Alausa, Olusosun and Oregun.Mr Ayinde, also the Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, congratulated the new members of APC for their decision and assured them of fairness and equal treatment with old members.

He promised to work with all party members to ensure victory for the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, and for other party candidates in the state.

He urged other political party members to come to the ruling party because of the massive development embarked upon by the current administration.

He said it was obvious that there had been massive development across the nooks and crannies of the state.In her remarks, Ms Olatunde said the personality of Mr Tinubu attracted her and others to the APC.

“Tinubu is an enigma who has assisted a lot of people irrespective of their tribal, political or religious affiliations, and I also benefitted from him when he was the governor of Lagos.

“We can also see the good works of Sanwo-Olu. These and many other reasons prompted our decision to join the APC,’’ she said.

Politics

Tinubu is behind widespread hoarding of cash by Nigerian bankers – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expresses optimism that the hopelessness and anguish brought upon our nation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration will be a thing of the past when the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, assumes office as president come May 29, 2023.

The PDP decries the excruciating pain and distress being faced by Nigerians arising from their inability to access the new naira notes occasioned by the reported nefarious activities of corrupt APC leaders who are compromising the system to intercept and hoard the new bank notes for their selfish vote-buying plans ahead of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

Nigerians recall the widely-applauded patriotic intervention by Atiku Abubakar that led to the extension of the initial cash swap deadline; an accomplishment which not only demonstrates Atiku Abubakar’s commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians but also his experience, capacity and integrity to stand for the people and get the system to work for the public good.

Our Party is however saddened that the cash crunch had persisted due to the sabotage of corrupt APC leaders, including the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who are alleged to have masterminded the intercepting and hoarding of the new notes for their selfish agenda.

The PDP is therefore disgusted by the hypocrisy being exhibited by the APC presidential candidate, who, despite his alleged role in the cash scarcity is pointing accusing fingers at others and seeking to exploit the ugly situation to incite unsuspecting Nigerians with the view to disrupting the 2023 general elections.

Asiwaju Tinubu and his apologists in the APC are aware that he has no chance in the election and thus are devising all manner of shenanigans to overheat the polity, derail the electoral process and force an undemocratic situation upon our country.

Nigerians now know the truth and hold Asiwaju Tinubu and the APC directly responsible for the anguish they have been subjected to in the face of this excruciating cash scarcity; another reason they will deal Tinubu a humiliating blow with their votes at the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

The PDP calls on President Buhari to protect Nigerians by going after these felonious APC leaders as well as the saboteurs in the system who are reportedly working with the APC Presidential Campaign to mop up cash meant for distribution to our citizens.

Our party stands with Nigerians; the artisans, traders, drivers, “keke” and “okada” riders, labourers, food vendors, students and all hard-working citizens at this time of distress.

The PDP charges the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to be mindful of the sufferings being experienced daily by Nigerians and demands that the bank takes urgent measures to arrest the unbearable situation by ensuring adequate protection and effective monitoring of cash distribution process.

Among other measures, the CBN should immediately provide dedicated mobile banks and special cash points in areas of need particularly in the markets and rural areas of our country.

Using such facilities to dispense low amounts in markets and rural areas will drastically reduce the pain and anguish being experienced by Nigerians at this time.

Politics

I’ll restructure Nigeria within six months if elected, Atiku vows

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar says he will ensure Nigeria is restructured within six months of his administration if elected.

He said this at the PDP presidential diaspora campaign grand finale held in Abuja.

Mr Abubakar, who was represented by former National chairman of the PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, said that sufficient research work needed to achieve restructuring in Nigeria had been concluded.

Mr Nwodo is the Deputy Director, Research and Strategy, of the PDP presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

He said that Nigeria worked better when every region controlled its natural resources.

The former vice president recalled that existing socio-economic developments were put in place when regions controlled their resources.

“When we are talking about restructuring by Executive Order, in the first six months, this country will not be what you are seeing today.

“This has been worked out and I’m just waiting to be sworn in on May 29 and the plans will be rolled out.”

He said that Nigeria was a great country, adding that all that it required was good leadership.“We will provide that kind of leadership,” he declared.

Mr Abubakar further said that if elected, he would rescue Nigeria from all indices that had portrayed it in bad light.

He listed his five-point agenda to include education and security, saying that he would restore security to the country by nipping in the bud factors responsible for rising violence.

Earlier, Director, Directorate of Diaspora Groups, PDP PCC, Professor Isa Odidi, had said that Nigerians in Diaspora believe that Mr Abubakar would articulate and implement the Diaspora Policy Framework to help capture, harness and channel their expertise to the country.

“Atiku’s government will do more to remove obstacles and create opportunities for Nigerians in the Diaspora to engage in economic development of Nigeria.

“We all unequivocally support Atiku/Okowa for President and Vice President of Nigeria,” he asserted.

Politics

You’re part of Buhari’s failure, PDP tackles Tinubu

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tackled Bola Tinubu, saying he should not exonerate himself from the anti-people policies of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

This came a few hours after Mr Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the Buhari regime of using the fuel scarcity and recently-introduced naira notes to block his chances in next month’s poll.

“Let them increase the price of fuel, only them know where they have hoarded fuel, they hoarded money, they hoarded naira; we will go and vote and we will win.

Even if they changed the ink on Naira notes,” he said on Wednesday at his campaign in Abeokuta, Ogun state “Whatever their plans, it will come to nought. We are going to win. Those in the PDP will lose (won ma lule).”

But in swift reply, the opposition party, in a statement, said Mr Tinubu was only trying to hoodwink Nigerians and blame others for fuel scarcity currently being experienced nationwide.

“It is unfortunate that Tinubu is trying to hoodwink Nigerians by seeking to exonerate himself and blame others in the Buhari led-APC administration from the biting fuel scarcity in the country, when in reality he (Tinubu) is known to be behind the insensitive and anti-people policies that have brought so much calamity to our country including the current persistent fuel scarcity,” Kola Ologbondiyan, spokesperson for the PDP said in the statement obtained by Peoples Gazette.

The two-term former governor of Lagos state would be facing 18 other presidential candidates among which are Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP), and Rabi’u Kwankwaso (NNPP), even as Mr Buhari has repeatedly promised to allow a level-playing field during the next month’s election.

Speaking further, Mr Ologbondiyan specifically took a swipe at the former Lagos governor, saying that blackmailing Mr Buhari would not help Mr Tinubu win the election.

He stressed that politician who has always won elections by relying on bullion vans has now become troubled over the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monetary policy to redesign the naira.

“How can Asiwaju Tinubu accuse an administration he had been a part of since 2015 of trying to sabotage the 2023 elections except he is making revelations to Nigerians about their plans? It is imperative to state that Nigerians, who are prepared to trek distances to cast their votes are the patriots who have been at the butt of pains which the government Asiwaju Tinubu installed has foisted on them.

“In any case, from the songs of lamentation of Tinubu, it is clear that his Presidential life ambition has collapsed,” the PDP spokesperson added.

Politics

PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Admits Using Fasawe, Andy Uba To Syphon Billions Of Naira In Federal Contracts During Tenure As Nigerian Vice-President

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has been caught on tape admitting his involvement in a complex conspiracy that for years took advantage of federal contracting expenditures.

This was disclosed in a viral audio shared by Atiku’s former aide, Michael Achimugu where the former vice-president was narrating how he took charge of setting up onshore shell businesses to serve as a conduit for syphoning significant sums from public works contracts for himself and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo was Nigeria’s President between 1999 and 2007 while Atiku was the Vice President.

Atiku also revealed how their government designated some funds stolen during the process to political allies to fund their party’s activities without traces.

He said,

“What happened was when we came into office and I advised the president against open corruption.

“I told him to give me three people you trust and I will prepare three companies in which they will be subscribers or rather the directors.

“So that if there is any contract that we give they will act like consultants and they are given a fee. That fee is what we use to fund the party.”

Mr Abubakar specifically stated in the audio that Obasanjo gave him the name of Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, Andy Uba as well as another politician from Borno State whom he said died in a plane crash to serve as fronts.

“I now incorporated companies and put them as subscribers. One of the companies was Marine Float,” he added.

The PDP presidential hopeful further admitted to having collected N100 million bribe from Mr Joshua Dariye, a former Plateau State governor, which was paid directly to Marine Float, one of the three firms he registered.

Dariye was convicted of criminal misappropriation and criminal breach of trust and was found to have looted N2 billion in public funds during his time as governor between 1999 and 2007.

Atiku continued:

“When the governor sent donations, he sent it to Marine Float. It stayed in Marine Float. One of the subscribers of Marine Float was Otunba Fasawe.

That was where the N100 million went to. It did not go to Atiku Abubakar. It went to Marine Float. Marine Float was a special-purpose vehicle,” Mr Abubakar said, adding that that was the way he “handled it”.

Mr Abubakar said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission later probed Marine Float accounts “very well” but still “found nothing” linking him to its fraudulent activities.

In 2007, Nigerian senators accused Atiku Abubakar of diverting more than $100m (£51m) in public funds to private interests.

A Senate inquiry recommended that Atiku should be prosecuted for syphoning off money to companies he was connected to.

The Senate launched the investigation after the then-president, Obasanjo, forwarded charges made by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency against Atiku.

In a report presented to the Senate, the investigating panel said it agreed with the findings that Atiku helped divert $145m from Nigerian government accounts to banks.

However, nothing came out of the investigation and findings made by the panel.

Politics

Police confirm attack on PDP campaign office in Gombe

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Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, Oqua Etim, on Monday December 12 confirmed the attack on a campaign office of Jibrin Barde, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Gombe State by suspected thugs.

Addressing newsmen over the incident, Etim appealed to political stakeholders to guard the peace in the state and not create tension while carrying out their political activities in the state.

He said;

“You have seen the pictures; yes the attack happened and we will get full details before going public.

“We have started investigation because the attack happened in the night and it is too early to give details now.

“So just give me a little more time and we will get you the details.”

Politics

Court nullifies Zamfara PDP governorship primary again

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The governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which produced Dauda Lawal-Dare as its flagbearer was on Tuesday, November 8, was nullified again by a Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

Justice Aminu Bappa also ruled that PDP will not field any candidate for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

This is coming two months after a court nullified the previous primary that elected Lawal-Dare following a suit filed by Ibrahim Shehu and two other aspirants challenging the credibility of the primary.

Politics

I wasn’t consulted – Mimiko rejects inclusion in PDP presidential campaign council

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Former Governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko has rejected his appointment as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council committee in the state.

In a statement released on Wednesday October 26, by John Akinduro, his special assistant on media, Mimiko said his consent was not sought before he was appointed.

The former Governor also said that he supports agitations for restructuring of the party’s leadership architechture.

The statement read;

“Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been inundated with calls and messages from the general public, and his political friends and concerned individuals around the nation; and in particular, his teeming supporters across the length and breadth of Ondo State, seeking clarity on fake news making the rounds since yesterday that he had ditched Governors Nyesom Wike, Seyi Makinde and their colleague governors, and abandoned the agitation for regional equity within the PDP; and in particular, making a party member of southern extraction its national chairman before the 2023 electionr.

“The report and the list that triggered it are fake and a deliberate attempt to muddle things up and smear Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

“It must be stated with emphasis that Dr Mimiko was neither consulted by anyone nor consented to his inclusion in any Ondo state PDP Presidential Campaign Council list.

“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, Dr Mimiko is unwavering in his commitment to the principle of equity, fairness and justice through which he believes a credible push for a PDP victory is possible.

“He fully subscribes to the agitation by his colleagues and other stakeholders in PDP and the generality of Nigerians that the PDP structure must reflect Nigeria’s diversity if it genuinely wants to unify a visibly divided country.”

Politics

Wike says PDP must apologize to Nigeria over Atiku asking Northerners not to vote for Igbos and Yorubas

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Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has said that the Peoples Democratic Party must apologize to Nigerians over its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s advice to Northerners last weekend.

Atiku while speaking at an event organized by Northern Elders last weekend, had said that Northerners only need a President from the North, and not an Igbo or Yoruba.

He said;

“I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country. I think what the average northerner needs is somebody who is from the north, who also understands the other parts of Nigeria, and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country.

“This is what the northerner needs. He (the northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin”.

However speaking in Port Harcourt on Monday October 16, shortly after arriving from Spain, Wike said while he doubted the possibility of Atiku making such a statement at a critical time of the nation’s history, such disposition of the presidential candidate would justify his fight for equity, justice and fairness in the PDP.

The Nation reported that the Rivers state Governor also asked the PDP to urgently address the issue and appeal to Nigerians otherwise people would begin to see the party as one that lacked justice and equity.

Lifestyle, Politics

Former PDP secretary Olisa Metuh asks the party to issue a disclaimer against Reno Omokri’s posts

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Former secretary of the PDP, Reno Omokri has asked the Peoples Democratic Party to issue a disclaimer against former presidential aide, Reno Omokri’s posts.

Metuh made the call while quoting Reno Omokri’s post targeted against supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Omokri had written;

You rage against Tinubu. You insult his ethnicity (who are the most accommodating people in Nigeria and perhaps Africa). You accuse him of using MC Oluomo. You say Obi is far better than Tinubu. You say Obi will turn Nigeria into paradise. Yet, you remain in Lagos and refuse to leave Lagos for the paradise that Obi created in Anambra! The only reason I am against Tinubu is because as a drug lord, he can be blackmailed by foreign intelligence services. Otherwise, he performed as Lagos Governor. If you maintain that Obi did better than Tinubu, prove it by packing your kaya and relocate to Anambra!

Reacting to this, Metuh stated that while Omokri is not a member of the Presidential Campaign team, his closeness to PDP’s Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his open support for the party may mislead people to believe his posts represents the views of the Party.

He also said that while the former presidential aide had agreed on issue-based campaign, he is reneging on the promise he made.

Metuh wrote;

The time has come for the Peoples Democratic Party to issue a disclaimer to Reno Omokri’s posts.

Whilst he is not a member of the Presidential Campaign team, his closeness to the Presidential candidate and his open support for the party may mislead people to believe his posts as representating the views of the Party.

There is no way any responsible or respectable democrat can condone such insensitivity. We did not join politics to mock or disparage any set of individuals, least of all a whole tribe.

The founding fathers of the PDP had noble ideals and its ideals and values should not be desecrated by any individual, on the altar of a false strategy to engineer hatred against any tribe or stroke an ethnic contest.

I spoke with Reno yesterday morning and he agreed on issue based campaign only, this is a complete negation of that promise.We all should insist on an issue based campaign.

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