Politics

Atiku In Fresh Move To Resolve PDP Crisis

Published

2 years ago

November 26, 2022

Editor

The need to give the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, adequate time to correct “a big anomaly” in the party before the February polls is the reason five aggrieved governors elected on the platform of the party are open to reconciliation, Saturday PUNCH can authoritatively reveal.

The governors, Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia states are demanding the resignation of National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, on the grounds that the party cannot have a presidential candidate and its chairman from the same regional bloc.

Although they (aggrieved governors) have successfully inaugurated their respective campaign councils, the governors alongside their loyalists have been consistent in their stand that reconciliation is possible in the interest of the party if only the right thing is done.

The governors, this medium learnt, did not have personal axe to grind with Atiku and were said to be considering working with him if only Ayu would tender an unreserved apology to them given his failure to keep his promise that he would quit his post if a northerner emerged the PDP presidential candidate.

A source who works closely with one of the aggrieved governors told Saturday PUNCH that “the governors are aware of the implication of teaming up with a presidential candidate of another party. They are not blaming Atiku much even though they believe he could have done more.

“The problem is Ayu who made a promise but reneged on it. I think things would change if the man (the national chairman) can be diplomatic in his speeches. It takes nothing from him to just apologise to these governors for peace to reign,” he said.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that following the group’s declaration of readiness to embrace peace recently, Atiku called on his loyalists to reach out and negotiate with them in a bid to have them return to the fold of the campaign council.

Confirming this development, the Media Adviser to the former Vice President, Mr. Paul Ibe told our correspondent that the PDP presidential candidate had already activated a mediation team to work at brokering peace between the two parties.

He said, “When the aggrieved governors said they were open to reconciliation, we issued a statement in which His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, welcomed the idea and reiterated his commitment to mediation. As we speak, a lot of engagements are going on but we don’t want this to be a media thing.

“Talks are ongoing and we are very sure this crisis will be over and everyone, including the G-5, will come on board and join the campaign council before the February election.”

Meanwhile, an associate of Governor Ortom who does not want his name in print has blamed what he called the arrogance of Ayu in the crisis that had lingered for months.

According to him, the crisis would have been over by now if the former Senate President had been humble enough to reach out to the aggrieved party and talk less.

He said, “Ayu is the reason the party is still talking about reconciliation efforts till now. Governor Ortom called him and said, ‘Chairman, you should be happy that I am part of the G-5’. He promised to take him round to see his colleagues. But Ayu’s utterances have made reconciliation difficult. The man is too arrogant.

“He speaks as if he is the only one that went to school. You know he once called the governors children, who were not there when they formed the party. When he attends public functions, he speaks in a manner no party leader would talk. APC chairman, Abdullahi Adamu will not speak of their governors like that no matter how much they disagree with him.

“Are the governors ready to sheathe their swords? I will say yes. However, the national chairman should be mindful of his utterances. As an elder, he must learn how to stay calm.”

The Board of Trustees of the party empanelled a seven-man committee to wade into the crisis a few months ago.

Their recommendations that Ayu should commit to quit after the elections was neither accepted by the chairman nor the Wike-led group.

Also, the resignation of ex-BoT chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, to pave the way for the emergence of Adolphus Wabara failed to assuage the governors who insisted that Ayu’s seat must go to the South.

Similarly, the reconciliation efforts by former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, have not been able to calm frayed nerves.

All these prompted Atiku to move on with his campaigns even as some of his loyalists have continuously insisted that only Ayu could decide what to do with the promise he made while canvassing for votes before the convention that brought him to power.

PUNCH

Politics

Edo Guber: Oshiomhole Advocates Peaceful Election As APC Inaugurates Campaign Council

Published

2 days ago

June 14, 2024

Editor

The Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday inaugurated its governorship Campaign Council with the charge to members and supporters of the part work for the victory of the APC candidate.

Inaugurating the members of the campaign council which is made up of 36 directorates, a former governor of the state Senator representing Edo North at the red chamber, Comrade Asams Oshiomhole, expressed confidence on the caliber of persons in the council.

He opined that the APC is poised to dethroning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power in Edo State democratically, adding that “the APC is fielding a candidate with minimum words but maximum wisdom.

He said: “We are going to win this election democratically. We are campaigning for peaceful election and that is what democracy is all about.

“The campaign is operation win your unit, ward, local government and senatorial district. Talk to your uncle, nephew, neighbour who is a member of APC, and who has a son who is in APC.

‘We want to win this election democratically without violence. We are campaigning for peaceful change of government. That is what democracy is all about”, he submitted.

Speaking also, the Director-General of the campaign council, Sen. Matthew Urhoghide, thanked the party for the confidence reposed on the council.

He tasked members of the campaign council to work assiduous for the victory of the APC candidates, noting that “we have a job to do as we are fighting th replacement that the governor wants to impose on us”.

While appealing to aggrieved members of the party to shield their swords and work for the success of the party in the election, Sen. Urhoghide, admonished the APC candidates to shun any avoidable distraction from friends and relatives.

Earlier in his brief address, the acting State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, expressed confidence ob the composition of the campaign council.

He said that the state has never been polarised as obtainable currently, arguing that the state government has brought more hardship to the people than the way he met them.

On his party, the APC governorship candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, promised to bring inclusive governance to the people.

Those who attended the inauguration include former deputy governors of the state, Hon. Pius Odubu, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, Gen Charles Airiavhere.

Others were former speaker of the state house of Assembly, Hon. Justin Okonebo, Hon. Gani Audu, Hon. Chris Okaebe, former APC chairman, Col. David Imuse (rtd), Hon. Osaro Obazee, Mr. Lawrence Okah, Edo State APC Secretary and Hon. Frank Ilaboya.

Politics

Ondo Poll: INEC Publishes Candidates’ Final List, Fixes Date For Campaigns

Published

3 days ago

June 13, 2024

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday released the final list of candidates for the Ondo State governorship poll.

The agency also fixed June 19, as the date for the commencement of public campaigns for the election scheduled to take place on November 16, 2024.

Seventeen political parties fielded candidates, but notably, no female candidates were among the governorship candidates.

However, one candidate from the African Democratic Congress is a paraplegic.

According to the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the commission’s publication followed the replacement of candidates by two political parties, the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Social Democratic Party, which conducted fresh primaries by the June 10 deadline.

Additionally, five parties; African Action Congress, the Action Democratic Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Peoples Redemption Party, and the Zenith Labour Party replaced their running mates only.

The final list, available at INEC’s Akure office and online, includes detailed information on the candidates’ age and academic qualifications.

“The Commission is pleased to announce the publication of the final list of candidates for the Ondo State Governorship Election. Following the initial primaries, the Commission published the personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates in the State and Local Government offices.

“In line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, two political parties conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates and their running mates by the deadline of June 10, 2024. The parties are the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Social Democratic Party, while five only replaced their running mates. They are the African Action Congress, the Action Democratic Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Peoples Redemption Party and the Zenith Labour Party.

“Overall, seventeen political parties are fielding candidates for the election. No political party has nominated a female candidate while one candidate nominated by the African Democratic Congress is a person with disability (a paraplegic). The final list also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age and academic qualifications.

“The list has been published at our office in Akure and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” Olumekun said.

As public campaigning begins on June 19, 2024, INEC has emphasised the need for civility and adherence to legal guidelines, urging parties to avoid incitement, violence, and voter inducement.

The national commissioner added that campaigns will run until midnight on November 14, 2024, just two days before the election on November 16.

He said, “With the publication of the final list of candidates, the next activity is an electioneering campaign. As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaigns by political parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before that day.

“Therefore, political parties are now permitted to start the campaign in public from Wednesday, June 19, 2024, and end at midnight on Thursday, November 14, 2024, as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

“As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the Commission once again reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity.

“For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum.”

Politics

Release Young People Arrested During ENDSARS Protest, Shehu Sani Appeals To Tinubu [VIDEO]

Published

4 days ago

June 13, 2024

Editor

Senator Shehu Sani has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to pardon the young protesters arrested and still being detained over the #EndSARS protest in 2020.

In 2020, some Nigerian youths had taken to the streets to protest against police brutality and the situation in the country. The protest led to attacks on police stations, formations, and officers across the country.

While some of the arrested protesters were released, others are believed to continue being held up in various police stations.

While speaking at the Democracy day Presidential dinner held at the State House Conference Centre Abuja, Sani said those who took part in the protest should also be considered as champions of democracy.

Watch video below: