The Eagle Gate

Tag: PDP

  • INEC IS RIGHT; IT IS END OF THE ROAD FOR RIVERS APC IN THE 2019 ELECTIONS

    INEC IS RIGHT; IT IS END OF THE ROAD FOR RIVERS APC IN THE 2019 ELECTIONS

    A few days ago, INEC categorically and publicly said that it will not change its decision to exclude Rivers State chapter of APC from participation in the 2019 general elections for the offices of Governor, National and Assembly membership. From the state of existing Court judgments, INEC was on firm ground.

    A good point to start would be the first of the legal fireworks initiated by relevant parties.

    1.     Suit No: BHC/78/2018

            Ibrahim Umah vs. APC & Ords.

    This suit was commenced at the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt. The Plaintiffs therein sought several reliefs. They include that Magnus Abe’s group were entitled to participate in the APC primaries, a declaration setting aside the purported primaries by the Ameachi group, injunction restraining APC from conducting any Local Government Congress based on the ward congress election purportedly conducted on May 5, 2018, declaration that the purported ward and Local Government and State congress conducted by APC in Rivers State on May 12th, 19th, 20th and 21st 2018 respectively and anything done there under are entitled to be set aside etc.

    INTERLOCUTORY ORDER

    While this case was pending, the Plaintiffs secured an interlocutory/interim order to restrain APC from proceeding with the scheduled congresses pending the determination of the matter. In spite of this order the APC went ahead with the primaries but appealed against the said interlocutory order in Appeal No: CA/PH/198/2018 to the Court of Appeal. In the cause of prosecuting this Appeal, APC applied through one of its Counsel to withdraw the Appeal by filing a Notice of withdrawal. Another Counsel of APC approached the Court of Appeal to continue with the Appeal. The Counsel to the Magnus Abe group opposed this strongly and argued that the Appeal ought to be dismissed. The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt allowed and overruled the Abe group and continued with the Appeal. Abe’s group then appealed to the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC. 1070/2018.

    CONTINUATION OF RIVERS STATE HIGH COURT TRIAL

    While this appeal was pending in the Supreme Court, the Rivers State High Court presided over by Hon. Nwogu delivered judgment on 10th October, 2018 in suit No: BHC/78/2018; Ibrahim Uma &Ords v. APC. The Court decided in favour of Ibrahim Uma & Ords restrained APC from conducting any primaries upon the ward congress which the Court found to have been conducted in contravention of extant laws and party Guidelines. The Court nullified all the nominations for election to the offices of Governor, National and State Assemblies on the ground that they were conducted in breach of extant court order restraining the conduct of same

    It would appear that the only appeal lodged against the Rivers State High Court judgment is the one against the order of interlocutory injunction made by that Court. No appeal was lodged against the substantive judgment itself. For all intents and purposes the Rivers State High Court judgment remains valid and unchallenged.

    SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT IN SC. 1070/2018

    On 8th February, 2019, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the Appeal filed by the Abe group against the failure of the Court of Appeal to dismiss the Appeal filed by the Ameachi group, same having been withdrawn by the filing of Notice of withdrawal at the Registry of the Appeal Court. The Supreme Court held as follows at page 19 of its judgment

    It is my considered opinion that this appeal must be given a decent burial. The appeal having been withdrawn is deemed to have been dismissed. This is what the lower Court failed or evaded for reasons stated above.

    The Supreme Court’s judgment therefore strongly protected the interlocutory orders of the Rivers State High Court restraining the conduct of primaries by APC on the basis of a flawed ward congress. In any case, the said High Court gave its final judgment which eventually nullified any purported primaries for contravening valid court orders.

    2.      SUIT NO: FHC/PH/CS/149/2018

            PDP vs. INEC & APC

    Once PDP found out that the Rivers State High Courts had given judgment nullifying any purported primaries, by APC and further restraining the party from conducting any upon the flawed ward congress, PDP quickly approached the Federal High Court and sought several reliefs. They include; a declaration that all primaries conducted in Rivers State by APC, having been set aside by a competent Court, APC was not entitled to nominate or sponsor any candidate for 2019 General Elections. They sought injunction against INEC from according any recognition to purported APC candidates.

    The Federal High Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice J.K Omotosho, found for PDP and granted the reliefs sought. The Court pointed out that it was important to obey Court orders and that the defect of non-compliance was fatal.

    3.      APPEAL NO: CA/PII/38/2019

            PDP vs. INEC & APC  

    APC filed an appeal against the said judgment of the Federal High Court in the Court of Appeal. It also filed an application for stay of execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court. The said application is still pending but has been fixed for hearing same in February, 2019.

    4.      SUIT NO: FHC/PH/CS/144/2018

             Magnus Abe & Ords vs. APC & Ords

    Magnus Abe and Ords instituted the above suit against APC and Ords seeking amongst others an order of Court that they have been duly nominated to contest the various elections in 2019 general election. They also sought an order to nullify the nomination of the candidates of Ameachi’s group and an order for INEC to recognize them as the nominated candidates. In the end, the Federal High Court declared that Magnus Abe’s group were not validly nominated by APC, having failed to prove that the primaries that produced them were validly conducted. The Court held that the primaries that produced them were conducted during the pendency of Suit No BHC/78/2018, between Ibrahim Umah & Ords vs APC. The Court also held that the Magnus Abe’s group failed to show that their primaries were conducted by the national body of APC.

    The Federal High Court went further to restrain INEC from recognizing any candidate of APC contesting for the various offices in the 2019 general elections. The Court nullified the nomination of any candidate by APC for election into the said offices as earlier nullified by Nwogu .J, on 10thOctobetr, 2018 in Suit No: BHC/78/2018, Ibrahim Umah & Ords vs APC.

    5.      APPEAL NO: CA/PH/39/2019

            APC V. SEN. MAGNUS ABE & ORDS

    APC appealed against the said Federal High Court judgment in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/144/2018. It also filed an application for stay of execution against the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on 7th January, 2019.

    TWIST IN THE APPLICATION

    In what appears to be a costly mix-up, APC’s counsel in their prayers for stay of execution filed on 5th February, 2019, directed their relief against the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/PH/149/2018; PDP v. INEC & APC which was not the subject of this appeal. The subject of this appeal was Suit NO: FHC/PH/CS/144/2018, Sen. Magnus Abe & Ords v. APC & Ords. In spite of this costly mix-up which should have led to the striking out of such application, the Court of Appeal granted the application for “Stay of Execution as Prayed”. What the Court of Appeal granted in reality were prayers in connection with another appeal between APC and PDP.

    REACTION TO COURT OF APPEAL’S MIXED-UP ORDERS

    In reaction the mixed up order of the Court of Appeal, PDP filed an application before the Court of Appeal in Appeal NO: CA/PH/38/2019; APC V. PDP & INEC praying that the Hon. Justices should recuse themselves from further hearing the appeal or participate in the hearing and determination of the said Appeal on the basis of the mixed-up order of stay of execution and a previous application made to the president of the Court of Appeal on 30th January, 2019 for the re-constitution of a fresh panel of Appeal. The said application filed on 6th February, 2019 is pending before the Court.

    CONCLUSION

    In conclusion the judgment in suit No: BHC/78/2018; Ibrahim Umah & Ords vs. APC delivered on 10th October, 2018 by the High Court of Rivers State nullifying the nominations by APC for 2019 elections remains valid and unchanged. The judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/CS/149/2018, PDP vs. INEC & APC delivered on 7th January, 2019 restraining INEC from recognizing any APC candidate and also nullifying all APC nominations remain valid as it has not been set aside on appeal. In addition, no valid stay of execution has been granted to warrant INEC to act on it. The judgment in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/144/2018; Sen. Magnus Abe & Ords vs. APC & Ords which restrained INEC from recognizing any candidate of APC for 2019 elections remains valid. No valid order for stay of execution has been made against it. In any case, for INEC to validly recognize APC candidates for all positions in 2019 elections, all existing judgments must be set aside on Appeal or validly stayed.

    So far, this has not been so. It appears that nothing can be done about the Rivers State High Court judgment in Suit No: BHC/78/2018 Ibrahim Umah & Ords vs. APC which has no appeal against it and there cannot be one anymore having regards to the period allowed by law to appeal against same. It can therefore be safely concluded that the iron curtain has been closed on APC with respect to fielding candidates for 2019 general elections with respect to Rivers State.

    My humble opinion

    Dr. Ehiogie WEST-Idahosa

  • Throw PMB’s Candidacy Away

    Throw PMB’s Candidacy Away

    Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi

    Aree! Abeokuta ilu Egba, Nigeria oni gba gbe re!! “Abeokuta the home of Egba people Nigeria will never forget you.

    Here in Abeokuta the defeat of PDP was spiritually sealed by the decision of one of illustrious sons of the soil, Balogun Owu, Aremu Okikiolu, Olusegun omo Obasanjo by tearing his party membership card a symbol of his bond to the party, with that action every nation loving Nigerian was shown what to do and that they indeed did.

    Yesterday it was NEXT LEVEL indeed, as Asiwaju gbogbo omo Odua, the only National leader of APC, led by national example what all nation loving Nigerian must do. His Excellency, Senator, Bola Hamed Tinubu threw the party flag away. The collective symbol of the party was thrown to the ground by no person other than the Jagaban himself.

    If you still don’t know what to do with PMB’S candidacy on Saturday 16th February 2019, then you are not a free born, bona fide son or daughter of Odua. The very man who led us into the APC alliance and brought APC to repute. Has shown us what to do. Leadership is premised more on actions than in words. On Saturday, it is do as I did, throw him away and embrace another. May wisdom be given to all nation loving APC members particularly Yoruba sons and daughters. PMB’S defeat is sealed and waiting for delivery on Saturday. Congratulations Nigeria! Make it good riddance to bad rubbish. Jagaban has spoken, we all must show our loyalty to The Leader. Your fellow Egba son and lover of the nation.

  • SHALL WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY? – Jude Idehen

    SHALL WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY? – Jude Idehen

    Hon. Jude Idehen is contesting for the seat of House of Representatives Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

    We have consulted widely across all 20 wards of Egor and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas and analyzed the challenges facing our nation and constituencies. We have a robust blueprint based on the PDP manifesto to serve as a springboard for our constituency, placing her on a sunlit path of holistic development and material prosperity, and our Nigeria into a land where truth, justice and liberty reigns. These ingredients will satisfy our thirst and quest for unity and progress that for far too long have eluded us.

    I shall be part of those that will use the chambers of the Nigerian National Assembly to prepare a new bed for our country. 

    Ours is a genuine road map, within which are enshrined precise foundational, yet indispensable principles that are key to peace and progress in a pluralistic society like Nigeria. 

    We must transform our constituency and protect her citizens from the present unacceptable condition.My cardinal principles are enshrined in an agenda code-named the “RESCUE” mission. The “RESCUE” mission offers measurable commitments that will be implemented with passion, single-mindedness, incisive competence and experience. The RESCUE mission is an acronym for:

    R– Rule of Law

    E– Exact True Federalism

    S– Secularity

    C– Constitutionalism

    U– Unity

    E– Empowerment and Constituency projects

    Rule of Law 

    It is no news that successive administrations have made attempts to forcefully unite Nigerians employing centralism and coercion. It is also true that the repeated failure to do so implies the necessity of a new strategy to unite our nation. Justice is the most potent instrument with which a nation can stay glued and in perfect harmony and co-existence. Unfortunately, we are citizens of a country where justice is often denied, sacrificed, continually perverted and habitually mocked. It is almost only in Nigeria that because of the lack of accountability, nepotism, and gross impunity, giant camels, even if they are carrying hippopotamuses on their backs, easily pass through the eye of a needle. There can be no lasting peace or progress in any nation until its public officials are fully accountable to the people and answerable to the law. 

    Hence, we must wage a peaceful revolution for the supremacy of the rule of law in all facet of our polity. I will be one of the arrowheads of this peaceful revolution.

    Exact True Federalism

    As dictated by our constitution, the Federal Government is a monstrous octopus; its tentacles will continue to be a clog on the progress and unity of our people. Our constitution must devolve far greater power from the central government to the federating units of Nigeria. Dispersing power will help secure our freedom, increase citizens’ participation as well as structural, functional and institutional effectiveness. We must wake up and summon that uncommon courage and creativity to err on the side of subversion and on the compulsion to rule a multi-ethnic country in a militarist unitary fashion. Restructuring is key.

    Secularity

    Theology is the mother of all philosophy; people ultimately become whatever they theologize. Nigeria is a heterogeneous nation and Nigerians must be free to believe or not believe in God. Those who choose to believe in God must be free to worship Him or Her in whatever way they choose so long as their own freedom does not impinge on the freedom of others. Religion should not become a contrivance for heating the polity and sowing strife as it has for far too long strained our politics and divided our people. Nigeria is a secular nation and I will work hard to enforce this.

    Constitutionalism

    Forged and foisted on us by a cabal of military adventurers, our present constitution is incoherent and inapplicable in several regards. Conscious effort must be made and deliberate steps taken to replace it with a testament that emanates from the sovereign wishes of our people. The present arrangement, having been sown on the winds of certified fraud, has had us embroiled in endless controversies and turmoil. We must summon the courage and ingenuity to provide for ourselves a constitution that will reflect our hopes, assuage our fears, and minimize our conflicts. Such a constitution must be freely negotiated. Hence, I will work hard for a freely negotiated constitution emerging via a Sovereign Conference like that of 2014 and any other. 

    Unity

    Truly, Nigerians are trapped in ethno-religious sentiments. In addition, a ‘them-versus-us’ dichotomy is a nagging thorn in the Nigerian flesh. We often fail to listen to and empathize with the anguish of one another. Why is it so difficult for all of us to see the flagrant injustice inflicted on our oil-producing areas, the incessant terror and killings in many parts of the country? We must not all be Bini, Ogoni, Ijaw, Yoruba or Fulani before we can identify with a just cause. Let us stop perishing or stagnating together in the floods of needless conflicts. Let us bring down fences of segregation and invest in constructing bridges of understanding. We can collaborate to hasten the infrastructural development of our Northeast; we can terminate the injustices meted to our south-south, and accelerate the educational development of our Northwest. Southwest and the Southeast can be structurally unchained and thus, develop at whatever pace that suits them. As a legislator, I will work hard to sober reflection, gentle persuasion, robust analysis and essential compromise in the National Assembly.

    Empowerment and Constituency projects

    Youth empowerment is a process where young people are encouraged to take charge of their lives. They do this by addressing their situation and then act to improve their access to resources and transform their consciousness through their beliefs, values, and attitudes.

    Achievements of Hon. Jude Ise-Idehen as member, Edo State House of Assembly Representing Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area 2007-2015

    EDUCATION:

    He renovated over 6 blocks of classrooms in Oregbeni Primary School in ward 2 

    He provided tables and chairs in Ogbesun primary school in ward 3 

    He built 3 blocks of classrooms with headmaster’s office in Ewomodu Primary School in ward 4

    He built 3 classroom blocks for Umelu Secondary School, Umelu in ward 5 

    He built 3 classroom blocks at Evboriaria Primary School in ward 6 

    He renovated 6 classroom blocks in Enikaro Primary School in ward 7

    He provided tables and chairs for Urura Secondary School in ward 4

    SECURITY:

    He renovated the Police Station in Ologbo. Over the years, Ologbo has been the bedrock of crime and violence, and this made the community volatile and insecure. By renovating the police station, he motivated the police officers and spurred their enthusiasm to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

    ELECTRICITY:

    He provided over 10 transformers across the 10 wards in Ikpoba-Okha constituency.

    At Evbomoma Village in ward 9, the indigenes sought his intervention in assisting them with street lights, which he promptly provided.

    SOCIAL WAREFARE:

    While at the state house of assembly, he sponsored a bill for hospitals to always treat bullet wound victims without prior requirement of a police report. 

    He also renovated several health centres in Ikpoba-okha Local Government Area.

    He also supported orphanages and the homeless indigenes with shelter, books, clothes and finance, powered by an NGO (IYOBOSA HELPING HAND) that was overseen by his wife, Mrs. Gabina Ise-Idehen.

    He has managed to create a relationship with the Muslims and Christians alike by providing beverages, food stuffs such as yam, rice, and rams for the Muslims during their fasting seasons.

    He gave small scale business grants to the women in Ikpoba-okha Local Government Area. 

    He also empowered the youths by giving them resources like cell phones and recharge cards to start call centre businesses as well as capital for other start-ups.

    WATER:

    During his first and second year in the state house of assembly, all the wards were provided with borehole facilities, from ward 1 to ward 10. 

    Over 25 boreholes were sank in the various communities

    BILLS OPPOSED:

    Land Use Bill: As member Edo State House of Assembly, he strongly opposed the passage of the Land Use bill introduced by the then state government to oppress the poor.

    Iyamho University: He also opposed the establishment of the Edo state University Iyamho stressing the need to first upgrade and standardize the current tertiary institutions in Edo State such as the College of Education Ekiadolor, College of Agriculture Iguoriakhi, Ambrose Ali University Ekpoma, and the Michael Imodu College of Physical and Health Education, Afuze.

  • ONNOGHEN’S SUSPENSION; LET THE RULE OF LAW PREVAIL

    ONNOGHEN’S SUSPENSION; LET THE RULE OF LAW PREVAIL


    Is the CJN exempted from the presumption of innocence guaranteed by our laws? Is the CJN’s appointment not clothed with statutory flavor? If you cannot sack a clerk in a Government Department outside the provisions prescribed by his terms of employment/ public service rules, I wonder why the CJN should be removed from office like a feather from a chicken! If it’s that simple, there would have been no need for constitutional provisions in that regard! Why then did Baron Montesquieu and his likes labour to develop the political theory of separation of powers? Why is it now an elementary feature in the constitutional democracy of most countries of the world?

    According to Dylan Matthews in his article dated 5/10/18 and titled; IMPEACHING A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE IN THE UNITED STATES;

    “Impeachment and removal of a federal judge, including a Supreme Court justice, requires meeting a high political bar. Just as with presidents, a majority of the House must approve an indictment to impeach, and a two-thirds supermajority of the US Senate must convict for the judge or justice to lose their office.”

    I am surprised that a lot of people continue to refer to the allegations against the CJN without considering the procedure prescribed by law to deal with certain category of persons accused of any infraction of the law. I have argued on many occasions that the law itself is a prisoner of procedure. It is illogical to focus on the substantive law which creates, defines and regulates the duties, liabilities and rights of persons while disregarding the procedural law for enforcing civil and criminal law. This does not add up. For example, can you safely convict a man for an offence having not taken his plea before trial? I think not.

    I am still at a loss as to how a court of law or an inferior Tribunal like the Code of Conduct Tribunal can grant an ex-parte order on a date unknown to all parties, following a purported ex-parte application in respect of a subject matter which the same body adjourned to a future date for arguments to be taken from the respective parties as agreed in open court.

    Why would an inferior Tribunal not obey the restraining orders of separate superior court of records which restrained it from continuing with the proceedings before it? Nothing in the Constitution makes CCT a superior court of records and the Supreme Court affirmed this in Saraki vs FRN (2016) 3 NWLR( Pt. 1500) 531.

    Why will the CCT not respect the proceedings pending before the court of appeal to which appeals from CCT lie?

    In the operational system of the rule of law, the courts and judges remain the tonic from which the law itself is nourished. Let me fizzle out any doubt about the power of the courts by referring to the words of the legendary American Supreme Court judge and scholar, Oliver Wendell Holmes, jrn. The learned jurist in his work; The Common Law, (1881) had this to say;

    “The decisions of judges, viewed over time, determined the rules of conduct, the legal duties, by which all were bound.”

    He did not stop there. In his work; The path of the law (1897), he went further to say that;

    “[T]he prophecies of what the courts will do in fact, and nothing more pretentious, are what I mean by the law.”[20]:458.

    Against this background, can it be said that the CCT was right to have disregarded pending litigation in the courts of our country which have constitutional duties to determine disputes between persons and Government? The answer in my opinion is no.

    No sensible person can be opposed to the lawful trial of anyone, no matter how highly placed if there is an allegation of infringing the law against such a person. The very strong point being made here is very simple; where there is a constitutional method set out for sanctioning a judicial office holder which has over time being recognized by the courts of law, such judicial officer cannot be removed by any other means other than that prescribed by law.

    In the circumstances, the CCT was wrong to have made the ex-parte order under reference. If the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation facilitated this type of order, then it acted infra dig. The President was also wrong to have acted on it. The proper thing to do now is for the aggrieved party to get the court of Appeal to set that unlawful ex-parte order aside forthwith and let the status quo be returned in our national interest. That would not stop the Government from prosecuting the CJN upon the charges brought against him as long as they do so appropriately.

    God bless Nigeria!

    Dr. West-Idahosa.

  • ONNOGHEN’S CASE; PROF. SAGAY GOT IT WRONG:

    ONNOGHEN’S CASE; PROF. SAGAY GOT IT WRONG:

    The views expressed by Prof. Sagay on this matter is in the public domain. In disagreement with those views, the following opinion is herein expressed.

    The CJN is specifically a judicial officer and a public officer in general. If he breaches his oath of office contained in the 7th Schedule, which includes compliance with the 5th Schedule of the Constitution dealing with declaration of assets, he is guilty of misconduct as a judicial officer. No question about that. In which case, he ought to face NJC first before being tried by any other body. By the powers vested in NJC by the 3rd Schedule, it can deal with all matters relating to broad issues of policy and administration. NJC ,has pursuant to its powers, made very elaborate rules to deal with all sorts of misconduct by judicial officers. CJN cannot be an exception to those rules as he is a judicial officer.

    Such matters include compliance with extant laws, code of conduct of judicial officers and matters bothering on administration of justice. However, non-related crime is excluded. A non related crime is one that does not flow from the occupation of office as CJN. For example, murder, arson etc. Unequivocally, the duty to declare asset as CJN flows from occupation of that office. A good question to ask at this stage is whether Hon. Justice Onnoghen would have been ordinarily required to declare his assets, if he did not occupy the office of CJN or that of a Supreme Court judge? The answer in my view is no. The argument that asset declaration is for all public officers and that it is therefore unnecessary for NJC to wade into it, is illogical and ought to be rejected.

    The provisions of the 3rd and 5th Schedules of the Constitution are not in conflict. There is nothing in the 5th Schedule which precludes NJC from lodging a complaint of breach of the code of conduct against a judicial officer to the Code of Conduct Bureau. The provisions of the said two Schedules of the Constitution under reference ought to be read together and not in isolation of each other. This is necessary as a breach of the code of conduct is also a judicial misconduct. Whether the allegation against a judicial officer is one of bribery or failure to abide by the oath of office, it is within the competence of NJC. No rocket science is needed to appreciate this.

    It has been suggested that if NJC were to dismiss a judicial officer for misconduct, the officer ceases to be a public officer and cannot be prosecuted for breach of code of conduct applicable to public officers. This is most misconceived. The material period in the application of statutes for purposes of imposing sanction for such breaches is the period when the infraction occurred. If the offender was in public service when he committed the breach, then subsequent dismissal from service cannot preclude him from facing trial before the code of conduct for such breach. Certain misconduct can attract both a trial for breach of the code of conduct before the Tribunal and dismissal in accordance with due process. Why are the likes of Dasuki and other former officers still standing trial on allegations of corruption? Are they still in public service?

    Prof. Sagay is entitled to his opinion, but on this occasion, the one he rendered appears patronizing and cannot be the correct position of the law in view of existing judicial decisions of courts of superior records in similar matters.

    Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa.

  • Secondus, Saraki on why Atiku Will be the next President

    Secondus, Saraki on why Atiku Will be the next President

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and the Senate President who is also the Director General of Atiku Presidential campaign committee Dr Bukola Saraki have said that the Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar and the party must regain power to save Nigeria democracy.

    The duo spoke in Abuja when they inspected the party’s Presidential campaign office in Maitama preparatory to the start of the nationwide campaign.

    Conducting the Senate President round the campaign complex, the National Chairman said that the rebranded and repositioned party is ready to go to Nigerians with issues when the campaign begins.

    According to a statement from his media office signed by Ike Abonyi, the National Chairman said that the party hopes to have a very successful electioneering just like their just completed primaries that was climaxed with the landmark National Convention.

    The Senate President said that everything is set for the party to conduct one of the best Presidential campaigns in history as Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the party.

    Dr Saraki said that every hand must be on deck to see off the All Progressives Congress, APC, to save our democracy and rescue the country.

    The Senate President was accompanied on the inspection of the campaign office by members of the National Working Committee of the party and other critical stakeholders of the party.

    Signed

    Ike Abonyi
    SA Media

  • Saraki Assures Of Atiku’s Victory…Inspects Campaign Council’s Headquarters

    Saraki Assures Of Atiku’s Victory…Inspects Campaign Council’s Headquarters

    The Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council and Senate President Bukola Saraki has assured that, given the mounting support by Nigerians, the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is coasting to victory in the February 2019 Presidential election.

    Senator Saraki stated this while inspecting the Legacy House headquarters of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Saraki, who was conducted round various offices at the Legacy House by the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, promised to effectively harness and coordinate all efforts and lead the party and our candidate to victory in the elections.

    Since the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as PDP Presidential candidate, there has been renewed hope among Nigerians towards actualizing their collective quest to rescue our nation from the misrule of the incompetent, divisive and deceptive President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    Already, Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy has reunited Nigerians across board and reawakened our collective consciousness towards the restoration of purposeful leadership and national productivity, irrespective of ethnicity, religion and political affiliations.

    The PDP therefore urges Nigerians to continue in mobilizing for the election and be ready for an issue-based campaign that offers solutions to the myriad of security, economic and social problems the Buhari administration has plunged our nation into.

    Signed:

    Kola Ologbondiyan
    National Publicity Secretary

  • PROF. IWU’S DAUGHTER SUES PDP & INEC OVER FLAWED PRIMARIES FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEAT IN IMO STATE:

    PROF. IWU’S DAUGHTER SUES PDP & INEC OVER FLAWED PRIMARIES FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEAT IN IMO STATE:

    Prof. Iwu’s daughter, Mrs. Ijeoma Ann Nwafor has instituted a law suit against PDP, INEC and Hon. Nwawuba over what she described as a contravention of the PDP Constitution and Guidelines for Primaries during the conduct of the primaries of PDP for Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru Federal Constituency Seat on 6th October, 2018 at Owerri. In Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/18 filed on her behalf at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Lawfirm of West-Idahosa & Co, the plaintiff in an Originating Summons is asking the Court to nullify the primary election for the said Federal Constituency. In addition, the plaintiff is also seeking an order of court to restrain INEC from recognizing Hon. Nwawuba as the candidate of PDP for 2019 general elections for the said constituency.

    Also contained in the reliefs sought by the plaintiff is an order to compel PDP to order fresh primaries as well as an order to compel INEC to extend the time within which PDP can conduct fresh primaries for the said constituency. The matter has been fixed for hearing on October 31st, 2018, before Hon. Justice A. Chikere.

  • THE NYESOM WIKE FACTOR IN PDP’S FINAL DISINTEGRATION

    THE NYESOM WIKE FACTOR IN PDP’S FINAL DISINTEGRATION

    It is necessary to write this story now if PDP as a party must get it right in the up coming presidential election.

    There is a famous saying that pride goes before a fall. Many have learnt that lesson over the years. There are those who believe that history can be changed by doing the same thing to solve like problems even when it failed in the past.

    We also have another typical Nigerian problem, those who believe that money overrides wisdom, integrity and intellect. We have also seen how power corrupts and blinds, it can take a person from “we” to “I” excluding others from decision taking.

    Governor Nyesom Wike was former Governor Rotimi Ameachi’s boy, whom after been helped saw the need to step on the toes of his predecessor. We all viewed the battle between the two. Wike had to go all the way to the supreme Court just to retain his office.

    It wasn’t long before the party was faced with another saga which concerned Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Wike had approached him to rescue the party and brought him in as the interim chairman serving out the term of his predecessor. Having achieved their purpose they proceeded to dump Sheriff which ended up in many court battles. Succeeding in removing Sheriff from office, in came Makarfi who sat as the caretaker Chairman until a convention was conducted and Secondus was elected as the National Chairman of the PDP.

    Now, since the contest within the party started, we have read many grumblings and reckless statements from Makarfi which gives many of us the impression that perhaps he was promised the ticket for the presidency if he played ball and help get rid of Sheriff.

    The bad decisions made by Governor Nyesom Wike does not end there. He fails to see the need to work with the leaders of party and other governors to come up with the best solution going forward into the presidential election scheduled for next year. He prides himself as the richest state’s Governor. Hence, the convention must be held in Port Harcourt and he supports Governor Tambuwal. No issues there, everyone has a preference. The problem is when such a preference is forced on the party. The other problem is when the PDP NWC and it’s leaders are rubbished, removed from a position of objective umpire, by the National Chairman of PDP, Secondus by holding them hostage at the Ibadan Airport for 4 hours forcing them to wait for Governor Tambuwal to campaign to the delegates there.

    I trust that Governor Nyesom Wike is aware that if the PDP fails to secure the presidency in 2019 the he will definitely not return for a second term.

    They say what an old man sees sitting down, a child cannot see it standing on a mountain. A word is enough for the wise. We are sure he will learn from the failing of his friend in Ekiti who thought he alone could do it all.

    The wise listens to good counsel. Wike, please don’t lead the people’s hope for a new Nigeria into shambles.

    God bless Nigeria. God bless PDP.

  • Removal of Acting DG SSS May Be the Last Straw

    Removal of Acting DG SSS May Be the Last Straw

    PRESS STATEMENT
     

    Removal of Acting DG SSS May Be the Last Straw
     

    The attention of the Southern and middle Belt Leaders Forum has been drawn to a clandestine plot to remove the Acting Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mr. Matthew Seiyefa from office by a cabal in the Buhari presidency.
     
    We ordinarily would have ignored this report but for the clannishness, sectional proclivity and exclusive handling of the security architecture of the country by President Buhari in the last three years.
     
    He had defied all protestations from all well-meaning Nigerians in making appointments into all key and sensitive security positions in sectional and kith and kin affairs in a very insensitive and you-can-do-your-worst manner that until the recent sack of Daura 16 out of 17 service chiefs were from his corner of the country. It is equally not surprising to us that since the President returned from his holidays in London he has not made a comment on the invasion of the National Assembly by the DSS in his absence which led to the Acting President, Prof. Osinbajo rightly removing the former DG, Lawal Daura confirming speculation that he is not happy with the removal.
     
    The plot to remove the Acting DG is said to be hinged on the professional reorganization of the service by him which the cabal is now interpreting as removing APC elements in DSS for PDP apologists, a clear indication of the divisions this administration has caused in every facet of our life as a nation.
     
    Facts at our disposal however show that what the Acting DG has done is a good example of how to run a diverse polity which this administration has ignored in the last three years.
     
    It was said that under Daura, every need to organize the service along federal character and fill existing vacancies were ignored as he concentrated on nepotism in running DSS and keeping a coterie of those who have retired or have passed retirement in service and many of them having nothing to contribute. The service rule says such people can only be taken on contract if they have special skills.
     
    The Acting DG reportedly noticed that there were three other Directors from the South-South apart from himself and decided to relieve 2 of them so that a Director could be brought in from the South West that had nobody on the management and another person from the North West.
     
    There were about 40 senior officers who were due for retirement or pre-retirement leave whom he had found competent replacement for in a fair manner and according to the service rules.
     
    The Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari is said to have given instructions that the DG should ask all the newly promoted to go back to their previous positions, a directive that ought to have come from the National Security Adviser if there was the need for any. Now the plot is to remove Seiyefa himself.
     
    All these confirm the politicization of a purely security outfit and the denigration of all institutions by an administration that has shown scant regard for the due process.
     
    We call on President Buhari to immediately call his Chief-of-Staff to order so that he can withdraw the obnoxious directive and allow the agency to run professionally.
     
    We also warn of the consequences of further alienating sections of the country by the administration particularly the Niger Delta where the Acting DG is from and the South West whose only representation on the Management of DSS has now been reversed.
     
    The rest of the country has lived with the insensitivity of Mr. President in handling the security architecture in the last three years with equanimity. It may be necessary not to overstretch it by removing the Acting DG and stopping the professional reorganization in the DSS because it is not in tandem with the ethnic domination script of Mr. President.
     
    It may turn out the proverbial last straw!
     

    Mr. Yinka Odumakin
    South-West
     
    Senator Bassey Henshaw
    South-South
     
    Prof Chigozie Ogbu
    South-East
     
    Dr Isuwa Dogo
    Middle Belt