2015: PDP endorsement hangover

How it started

The National Executive Committee, NEC, of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the end of its 66 th meeting held on September 18,at the NEC hall of the party’s national secretariat, endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole candidate of the party for the February 2015 presidential election.

The endorsement came ahead of the  national convention fixed for December6 where it would be ratified at Eagle Square, Abuja.

NEC is  the party’s highest body, explained that the move became imperative because no serious party would change a winning team like President Jonathan, whose cabinet, it claimed has performed with its transformation agenda that helped to change the face of Nigeria.

At the meeting, the governor of Niger State and Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, spoke on behalf of all PDP governors of their decision to endorse the President as PDP’s sole candidate.

There was, however, a mild drama  when Aliyu, in  his attempt to convince NEC that the decision was unanimous, asked Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State to bear witness. Lamido, who sat directly opposite the President, stood up, looked directly at Jonathan, smiled and did a thumbs-up without uttering a word. The hall burst into a thunderous ovation in celebration of Lamido’s seeming acceptance of Jonathan’s candidature with shouts of ‘PDP, PDP’. The Niger governor boasted that Rivers, Nasarawa, Kwara, Sokoto and Adamawa States would be brought back to the party in next year’s election.

The governors’ position received the stamp of approval of party stakeholders because as leaders of the PDP in their respective states, with the power to influence delegates, the governors remain the most potent caucus in the PDP. Even judging from the past and their actions, governors decide who becomes the presidential candidate or the National Chairman of the PDP.  So, it was not surprising to everyone that organs of the ruling party like the BoT; National Caucus and NEC had to adopt the decision to give Jonathan automatic ticket.

Immediately after Aliyu, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ruling party and a member of its Board of Trustees, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, who spoke for the BoT, said members unanimously voted for Jonathan’s continuity and as the party’s sole candidate because of the need for him to further consolidate on his achievements.

President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, who doubles as the Chairman of the National Assembly, then took the microphone and told the meeting members that, as an advocate of continuity especially for a performing sitting President, the National Assembly PDP Caucus, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, agreed that Jonathan should not only continue, but should be the only candidate to be presented at the convention by the party for the 2015 presidential election.

For the PDP women, Ambassador Justina Eze, who presented the resolution of PDP women that the President should continue and be the party’s candidate because of his concern for women, said there  was no vacancy in Aso Rock.

After these speakers, a, former Acting National Chairman of the PDP and past Minister of Defence, Dr.  Haliru Mohammed Bello, moved the motion to give the endorsement constitutional backing.

A former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, seconded the  motion.

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, than the motion into vote and the NEC unanimously adopted it.

When it was his turn to speak, the elated Jonathan, who accepted the endorsement, said that he was humbled, overwhelmed and promised not to disappoint the PDP governors, the leaders, stakeholders and members of the party.

Implication

The party took a decision it has never taken thus shutting out other prospective presidential aspirants, using the platform of the PDP for the 2015 polls. In this case, the party will raise only N22 million from the sale of forms from one person – Jonathan – unlike in the past where many aspirants came up inspite of the zoning arrangement of the party.

Buttressing the decision to endorse the President as the PDP’s sole presidential candidate, Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio, declared that the governors took the decision to enable him address the problem of insurgency in some parts of the country, food insufficiency and other issues.

Akpabio, who described the action as a well calculated exercise and democracy in action, stressed that the decision became imperative to save the President of distraction with the primary election, just as he said that the opposition was rattled by  the action of the PDP governors, the National Caucus, the Board of Trustees, BoT and the National Assembly “to sacrifice  their individual ambitions and rally behind the President who has “ performed exceedingly well.

Governors fight back

Meanwhile, indications have emerged that the governors may not be comfortable with the decision they jointly took on the President’s endorsement for re-election as those serving second term had hoped they will also have automatic approval to get in their godsons as successors and automatic ticket to go to the Senate.

Another issue is whether other PDP governors and members of the National Assembly seeking re-election are entitled to automatic tickets, in line with the continuity principle extended to Jonathan. Little surprise, a crisis has erupted between the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and the PDP governors who want something from the pact that led to the Jonathan endorsement.

Reacting to the development, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, ruled out automatic re-election tickets for first term governors and National Assembly members, arguing that the NEC decision was limited to the president.

Corroborating Metuh, the NWC rose from its meeting, penultimate Thursday, warning the governors, zonal and state Chairmen to jettison such idea of having any anointed candidate ahead of the November 29 primary election where the PDP gubernatorial candidates would emerge.

This provoked outrage amongst the governors who endorsed Jonathan on the understanding that out-going governors would be allowed to nominate their successors, while those seeking re-election would get automatic tickets. As is always the case with all houses of cards, the PDP now has to face its own internal contradictions.

Of the 19 PDP governors, those who are not rounding off their various tenure in office and want to come back for second term are Murktar Ramalan  Yero of Kaduna State; the Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar; Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe; Henry Seriake-Dickson of Bayelsa; Capt. Idris Wada; Adamawa State governor, Bala James Ngilari,  among others.

Besides Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa,  other governors of the PDP who will be leaving office in 2015  have got the machinery of the party and some persons in their states to anoint them for the Senate. They are Akpabio; Gabriel Suswam of Benue; Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi;  Theodore Orji of Abia; Sullivan Chime of Enugu; Ibrahim Shema of Katsina; Isa Yuguda of Bauchi; Jonah Jang of Plateau and Aliyu.

The governors aiming for the Senate are at war with their serving senators. In Enugu, Governor Chime is at war with Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Governor Theodore Orji of Abia wants to replace Senator Nkechi Nwaogu; Suswam wants to block Senator Barnabas Gemade from coming back; Akpabio at war with Senator Aloysius Etok; Aliyu wants to remove Senator Nuhu Zagbayi who was elected August 30 during a by- election to replace the late Senator Awaisu Kuta; Governor Jonah Jang is coming and, once he comes, Senator Gyang Pwajok would go.

As these governors plan to move from their various Government Houses to the Senate, they have their anointed sons to take over from them.  Like in Enugu State, member, representing Udenu/ Igboeze- North in the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has been endorsed by Chime as his possible successor.

In Akwa Ibom, Akpabio is said to have settled for the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, while Martins Elechi of Ebonyi State has endorsed the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, in Delta State, and in Bauchi, Governor Yuguda may not have made up his mind on who should succeed him between the former PDP Acting National Secretary and Chairman, Governing Board of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Dr. Musa Babayo, and former Minister of State, Health, Dr. Muhammed Ali Pate.

Deadlocked meeting

Not happy with the development, the governors called for a meeting with the PDP National Chairman, Muazu, to confront him with their displeasure over the stoppage of the endorsement of their candidates ahead of the general elections and their own candidature for the Senate by the NWC.

The meeting held at the Asokoro residence of Muazu. The governors told the party leader, a former governor who understands the politics about the forthcoming primary elections for aspirants of the party, that they were not happy with the decision of the NWC to announce the cancellation of all endorsements.

The Wednesday meeting between the governors and the PDP National Chairman  ended in deadlock. It was gathered that the governors and Muazu could not reach a consensus on the issue of endorsement, automatic tickets for the governors who were rounding off and warming up to go to the Senate, their  preferred successors as well as automatic tickets for first term governors.

Following the deadlock, the governors and Muazu are expected to meet again.

“While we believe that the governors are our field commanders, we cannot say in the same breath that our senators are no more useful and should be discarded; so we have outlined some acceptable conditions that will guide both the governors and the senators, because especially the governors, they cannot have everything to themselves without consideration for others”, a top PDP official told Sunday Vanguard.

“We are going to tell them politely that if a governor wishes to go to the senate, fine, but such cannot be the one to anoint a successor”.

Knowing the implication of a meeting of this nature ending in deadlock, it is hoped that the President and Muazu would find a way of arriving at a compromise. The party knows the power it has given to the governors by making them leaders of the PDP in their states ; it is also hoped  that the governors will realise that they cannot have it all. Yes, the governors should have a say on who succeeds them, but that should not be done in a dictatorial manner, also knowing fully well that politicians from their states have sacrificed for the party, and taking anyone outside them, the governors must carry them along.

There is nothing wrong about aspiring to move from the Government House to the Senate, but the national leadership of the party must be seen to be firm, serious with what it says at all times, not saying this today and doing another thing tomorrow. The NWC must listen to all, but this must not be under duress or be coerced by a powerful bloc within the party especially now that the PDP has not fully recovered from its past and now that it wants complete a genuine reconciliation with the inauguration of the National Zonal Integration Committee.

Jonathan's Report Card: 'Jonathan's Best Performing President Since Independence'

Jonathan's Report Card: 'Jonathan's Best Performing President Since Independence'

01 Nov 2014

Font Size: a / A

President Goodluck Jonathan

*Presidency Insists 2015 presidential election would be no contes‎t

It was an evaluation time for President Goodluck Jonathan as the Presidency Friday assessed the performance of previous Nigerian leaders since independence and concluded that even though they did well within the circumstances they found themselves, none of them achieved half of what President Goodluck Jonathan has done in four years.

Senior Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who made the assertion during a four-day Public Affairs Forum organized in Abuja to highlight the achievements of the present administration, also  hinted at the campaign strategy the administration will adopt towards the 2015 presidential election.

Okupe described as "nonsense" claims that the transformation agenda of the federal government exists only in the media, regretting rather that not much had been done to sell the good performance of government to the Nigerian people.

Naming the various Nigerian past leaders, the Presidential aide remarked that they contributed immensely to the development of the country to their best ability as he observed that each of them had his own achievement. More following...

PDP prints only one presidential form, denies Balewa’s son, Abiola’s wife

ABUJA- EFFORTS by son of Nigeria’s late prime minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Abdul Jelil to purchase his expression of interest and nomination forms to challenge the decision of the National Executive Committee, NEC to participate in the Presidential primary election was frustrated, just as the doors were closed behind him.

The PDP yesterday asked Jelil Tafawa Balewa who has dared the PDP’s decision by storming the National Secretariat with his supporters to pick the forms having paid the mandatory N2 million for expression of interest and N22 million for Nomination form totally, N22 million to come tomorrow, Thursday, the last day for the sale of forms to aspirants.

Also yesterday, the PDP denied another presidential aspirant, Mrs Zainab Duke- Abiola opportunity of purchasing the forms to contest the Presidential election, even as the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Okechukwu Nnadozie, Vanguard gathered was on hand to receive Balewa.

Zainab Duke- Abiola, wife of acclaimed winner of the 1993 Presidential election, late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.

Both Balewa and Mrs Abiola disclosed that they were told by the national leadership of the party that the Presidential forms were printed for only one person and that was President Jonathan, the party’s sole candidate.

According to Mrs Abiola, she paid N2million as a female aspirant and that she was in the race because this was a democratic dispensation, just as she said that it not a question of insisting, adding, “I have receipt from PDP. The consequences is that you are given what you paid for I asked and they told me they printed just one nomination form. I haven’t seen where it is written that PDP should print one form National Organizing Secretary and the national chairman told me. I asked for the only form printed, but they said you know who the form was printed for and I said I don’t know. It’s a representation of fact and figure and I’m not asking for my money back. Every four years, there’s vacancy in Aso Rock. The constitution guarantees inalienable rights and no one can stop me. ”

It would be recalled that NEC had at its 66th NEC meeting endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s sole Presidential candidate of the party whose candidature would be ratified at the December 6 National Convention.

The party had also said after the endorsement that all law abiding members of the party must adhere strictly to the decision of PDP by not picking presidential nomination forms to kick against the decision of the organs of the party.

Speaking with Journalists at the National Secretatiat after he was denied opportunity, Balewa, a medical doctor said that having consulted widely, he was convinced that Nigerians have been yearning for a new leadership capable of fulfilling the high expectations and aspirations of the majority in Nigeria.

According to Dr. Abdul Jahlil Tafawa Balewa, he paid the required N22m, displayed a Zenith Bank teller with account number 1012436478.

Balewa who noted that he went to see the National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha and the National Secretary, Prof. Wole Oladipo said, “I have paid for my forms, I was however told that they don’t have the forms ready. No matter, I am still here, I will send some of my people here on Thursday to come and pick the forms. People came from Bauchi and from different parts of the nation to support me. We have signature of over 40million Nigerians that want a change. I am in the PDP, I have always being in the PDP, I have no intention of leaving the PDP, but I have every intention of making my country a better country, a country that we will all be proud of.

“I went to see the Secretary, I also went to see the Organising Secretary and they said the form was not ready. I am a party person, so I don’t want to put any doubt in thinking that maybe the presidential form is not ready. We have so many gubernatorial forms and so many people picking those up and very few of us, just the president and I for the presidential race, so why two forms will not be ready is a little bit worrisome but my party will do what is right.

“I think those who endorsed the president is a body and the body has organs. These organs are little parts of the body, I am appealing to the body polity and I am going to run. Those organs do not always represent the masses that follow my part and i am addressing myself, the party and its entirety, I am sure I will do well. I did not wait until the last hour, you have to remember that i am not pushing myself to run, I have enough to do in life, it is civil society groups and other groups that came to me and said it is my type of person that need to lead this country. So, I have never fronted for anyone, I am running and unlike most of the other aspirants that bring in so many people from the party, for me, all the people that came with me are just ordinary Nigerians that are looking for change in their lives. So, no matter when I take the form, it is never too late as long as I do it at the right time.

“What will be you next line of action if you don’t get the forms on Thursday as you have been told? Well, I want to think that my party is a leader in wanting to teach other Nigerians exactly what to do, so if there should not be anyone here on Thursday, it means there are people that should be doing a particular job that will not be doing their job that day and those are the types of people we don’t need in this country and I will make sure will not be in my administration. Concerning what I am going to do after Thursday, we will cross that bridge when we get there. I paid for it by myself, nobody paid it for me because I believe very strongly in what I am doing and I love this country with all my heart. I paid 22million for it.”

Reacting however, the national publicity secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, who denied knowledge of the situation, said: “I have to find out exactly the true position because I am not aware now, you are just informing me.

“Please it is good to balance stories in this season of elections, I will want to confirm from the National Chairman and the National Organising Secretary, the true position. I do not want to believe the report of an individual or group as against the elected leaders of our party who are the custodians of our party constitution.”

When asked if the party would be willing to sell forms to other presidential aspirants, he said: “I will send you to the National Organising Secretary on the issue of forms. All the publication is being handled by the office of the National Organising Secretary not the National Publicity Secretary.

Also yesterday, Senator James Manager representing Delta South was at the party’s Secretariat to pick expression of interest and nomination forms to return to the Senate, just as he is out to challenge Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who wants the position. Senator Manager picked his forms through proxy. Mr. Government Tarabri picked for him

Also at the secretariat yesterday was the Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Emmanuel Aguaravwodo who picked his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the Delta State 2015 Governorship election. Confirming his purchase of form, the PDP Deputy National Organising Secretary, Okechukwu Nnadozie said he picked forms to contest for the governorship election.

It would be recalled that Senator Emmanuel Aguaravwodo was elected to replace the late Senator Pius Ewherido.

Senator Ayo Arise was also at the Secretariat to pick forms to return to the Senate.

2015: Tafawa Balewa’s son to drag PDP to court over presidential forms

AHEAD of December 6 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP where President Goodluck Jonathan, the sole presidential candidate of the party for the 2015 Presidential election would br ratified, son of Nigeria’s late prime minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Abdul Jelil who was denied the Presidential forms has vowed to drag the leadership of the party to court to seek redress.

Addressing Journalists yesterday in Abuja, Abdul Jelil Balewa who boasted that the party cannot expel him because of insistence that he would contest the party’s presidential primary election inspite of PDP’s endorsement of President Jonathan as the sole candidate, however stressed that he has been a PDP member since 1998, adding that things cannot be done with impunity.

The aspirant said that he would also petition the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu for locking him out of the race with excuses that the party printed only one Presidential nomination form because of the decision of the party to endorse Jonathan at the 66 th National Executive Committee, NEC meeting.

Abdul-Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa

He said, “ it is most unfortunate that PDP which is the largest political party in Africa had to descend so low to deny one the right to vote or be voted for. I went to PDP secretariat to pick forms and they decided to run in a circle. I saw the Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, I want that ticket because I know I have a lot to offer Nigeria. My team is ready to work immediately.

“I will not leave this party, I will do everything that is in the constitution, I have started the process of ensuring that I get justice; I will send a petition to the national Secretariat.”

On whether he would go to Court, he said, “I will do everything within the law to ensure that I contest.”

On whether if he is expelled, he said, “ we must be careful with what we are doing, the world is watching the party, the party must be careful, things cannot be done with impunity any more. “   It would be recalled that attempt by Balewa to purchase his expression of interest and nomination forms to challenge the decision of the National Executive Committee, NEC to participate in the Presidential primary election was frustrated on Tuesday as he was asked to come back on Wednesday or Thursday.

Jelil Tafawa Balewa paid the mandatory N2 million for expression of interest and N22 million for Nomination form totally, N22 million, but could not get the forms.

Also recalled that the PDP had on Tuesday denied another presidential aspirant, Mrs Zainab Duke- Abiola opportunity of purchasing the forms to contest the Presidential election.

Zainab Duke- Abiola, is wife of acclaimed winner of the 1993 Presidential election, late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.

According to Mrs Abiola, she paid N2million as a female aspirant and that she was in the race because this was a democratic dispensation, just as she said that it not a question of insisting, adding, “I have receipt from PDP. The consequences is that you are given what you paid for I asked and they told me they printed just one nomination form.

I haven’t seen where it is written that PDP should print one form National Organizing Secretary and the national chairman told me. I asked for the only form printed, but they said you know who the form was printed for and I said I don’t know. It’s a representation of fact and figure and I’m not asking for my money back. Every four years, there’s vacancy in Aso Rock. The constitution guarantees inalienable rights and no one can stop me. “

It would be recalled that NEC had at its 66th NEC meeting endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s sole Presidential candidate of the party whose candidature would be ratified at the December 6 National Convention.

The party had also said after the endorsement that all law abiding members of the party must adhere strictly to the decision of PDP by not picking presidential nomination forms to kick against the decision of the organs of the party.

Tambuwal drags PDP, Mu’Azu, Ihedioha, IGP, INEC, AGF to court

Dissatisfied with the abrupt withdrawal of all his security aides barely 48 hours after he defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the embattled Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday, dragged his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The suit was also endorsed by the APC, which was cited as the 2nd plaintiff in the matter.

Joined as 2nd to 7th defendants in the legal action were the PDP Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’Azu, the House of Representatives, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the acting Inspector General of Police, Sulaiman Abba, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN.

The plaintiffs, prayed the high court to compel the defendants to within 30 days of the service of the Originating Summons on them, appear to explain the rationale behind the sudden withdrawal of all the security details hitherto assigned to the Speaker.

Moreover, Tambuwal, who personally perfected the filing of the suit at the court registry around 1.30pm yesterday, also urged the court to go ahead and determine “Whether the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th defendants can declare the seat of the 1st plaintiff in the 3rd defendant (House) vacant and call upon the 6th defendant (INEC) to fill the seat of the 1st plaintiff when the 1st plaintiff has neither resigned nor withdrawn his membership of the 3rd defendant or when the 1st plaintiff has not been duly removed from the 3rd defendant in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“Whether upon a calm view and proper construction of the provisions of section 68 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and having regard to the decisions of this court in the cases of PDP and 1 Or. Vs Hon. Rasak Atunwa and 20 others, suit No FHC/IL/CS/6/2014, delivered on the 26th of June 2014 and the case of Ibrahim Magaji Gusau and 2 Others vs Hon Lawal Mohammed Zayyana and 30 others, Suit No FHC/S/CS/4/2014, delivered on the 3rd day of July 2014, can the seat of the 1st plaintiff become vacant upon his membership of the 2nd plaintiff (APC) for which the defendants can act to withdraw his rights and entitlements as member and speaker of the 3rd defendant”.

Upon determination of the questions, the plaintiffs, beseeched the court for eight separate reliefs, which are; “A declaration that the decisions or threatened decisions of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th defendants purporting to or planning and or attempting to declare the seat of the 1st plaintiff in the 3rd defendant vacant as a member and Hon. Speaker thereof, is unlawful, unconstitutional and ultra vires the powers of the said the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th defendants.

“A declaration that the 1st plaintiff remains a member and the Hon. Speaker of the 3rd defendant until the expiration of his current term of office on the 5th day of June, 2015, notwithstanding the membership of the 1st plaintiff in the 2nd plaintiff unless the 1st plaintiff is removed in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“A declaration that by virtue of the decisions of this Court in the case of PDP and 1 Or. Vs Hon. Rasak Atunwa and 20 others, suit No FHC/IL/CS/6/2014, delivered on the 26th of June 2014 and the case of Ibrahim Magaji Gusau and 2 Others vs Hon Lawal Mohammed Zayyana and 30 others, Suit No FHC/S/CS/4/2014, delivered on the 3rd day of July 2014, and the fact of the 1st plaintiffs membership of the New PDP that merged with the 2nd plaintiff, the membership of the 1st plaintiff in the 2nd plaintiff is legal and constitutional and within the purview of the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended and afortiori the 1st plaintiff remains a member and the Hon Speaker of the 3rd defendant until the expiration of his current tenure of office on the 5th day of June 2015, unless the 1st is removed in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“A declaration that the withdrawal, threatened withdrawal or purported withdrawal of the security details of the 1st plaintiff at the instance, orders or prompting of the defendants when the 1st plaintiff has not been removed from office as the Hon. Speaker and member of the 3rd defendant is unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, an act of self help and a flagrant violation of the 1st plaintiff’s constitutional rights to life and security and same constitutes a denial of the said rights as well as privileges, perquisites associated with and pertaining to his office as Hon. Speaker and member of the 3rd defendant.

“An Order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants herein either by themselves or agents, proxies or otherwise howsoever from taking any steps or further steps to abrogate or diminish or take away or interfere with or infringe the 1st plaintiff’s rights and privileges as the Hon Speaker and as a member of the 3rd defendant, before the expiration of his term of office on the 5th day of June, 2015.

“An order of injunction restraining the defendants whether by themselves, their agents, proxies or otherwise howsoever from taking steps to remove the 1st plaintiff from office s the Hon Speaker and member of the 3rd defendant or in any manner whatsoever taking any steps or further steps to abrogate or diminish the 1st plaintiff’s rights and privileges as the Hon Speaker and member of the 3rd defendant, before the expiration of his term of office on the 5th day of June, 2015.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 6th defendant from accepting any nomination of candidates or otherwise organizing or conducting a bye-election for the purpose of replacing the 1st plaintiff or taking over his seat as the Hon Speaker and member of the 3rd defendant before the expiration of the 1st plaintiff’s current tenure of office which expires on the 5th day of June, 2015.

“An order of mandatory injunction compelling the 5th and 7th defendants to restore to the 1st plaintiff his security details and all other rights, benefits and privileges appurtenant to members of and the office of the Hon Speaker of the 3rd defendant”.

The suit which was entered on behalf of the plaintiffs by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Jubril Okutepa yesterday, is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.

Meanwhile, in a 40-paragraphed affidavit that was personally deposed to by Tambuwal himself, he told the court that PDP had “in the course of time became factionalized and metamorphosed into the PDP and New PDP and has remained factionalized in my home state, that is Sokoto State”.

He maintained that he was not elected Speaker of the House of Reps on June 6, 2011, by reason of his membership to the PDP but as a member of the House, adding, “I was a member of the New PDP until it merged with the 2nd plaintiff; and by reason of the merger, I subsequently became a member of the 2nd plaintiff”.

Aside attaching a copy of his membership card of the New PDP as Exhibit DD, Tambuwal, said his decision to defect to the APC was based on prevailing circumstances in his home state.

He alleged that PDP, acting in concert with the IGP and other members of the PDP, have been threatening to cause the House of Reps to declare his seat vacant and withdraw all his rights and benefits “including my security details”.

“That I know that when I subsequently became a member of the 2nd plaintiff, the 1st, 2nd, 5th and the 7th defendants began to intimidate, harass, and use self help against me; and they purported to declare my seat vacant.

“That I know that in further demonstration of the unconstitutional conduct, the 5th defendant withdrew all my security details and thereafter issued a press statement justifying the said withdrawal by citing provisions of the constitution.

“That I know that in particular the 1st and 2nd defendants have been threatening to use their contacts to ensure that my seat in the 3rd defendants is declared vacant so that the 6th defendant would organize a bye-election to fill it.

“That I know that on 28th day of October 2014, the 1stband 2nd defendants threatened to forcibly remove me from office as the Speaker of the 3rd defendant. That on the 30th day of October 2014, the 3rd and 4th defendants began to strategize on how to unlawfully remove me from office as the Speaker of the 3rd defendant.

“That I know that on 30th day of October 2014, the 5th defendant at the behest of the 1st – 4th defendants withdrew my security details thereby exposing me to danger of bodily harm all in their bid to forcibly remove me from office.

“That in the circumstances, I have become apprehensive that the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and the 7th defendants will use unlawful means to make good their threats if this Hon. Court does not intervene to stop them.

“That I make these depositions conscientiously and in good faith and in accordance with the Oaths Act”, he averred.

Although Tambuwal came to court yesterday with a convoy of APC members, no single security detail accompanied him.

In a written address he attached in support of the suit, Tambuwal, insisted that “membership of a political party that has majority is not a prerequisite for being the Speaker of the 3rd defendant”.

He argued that section 50(1) (b) simply provided that there shall be “a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of the House from among themselves”. He further contended that section 50(2) provides that the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House shall vacate his office, “If he ceases to be a member of the House of Reps, otherwise than by reason of a dissolution of the House; When the House first sits after its dissolution; and if he is removed from office by a resolution of the House by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members.

“We most humbly urge this court to find that none of the situations envisaged by section 50(2) of the 1999 constitution occurred”, he added.

In another development, a constitutional lawyer, Mr. Tunji Abayomi, yesterday, approached the high court with another suit challenging the legality of the action of the acting IGP in withdrawing security details attached to the Speaker.

Abayomi, in his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/802/14, prayed the court to issue a temporary order directing the return/restoration of the security aides of the Speaker pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He is equally seeking an order of court, restraining the AGF and the IGP from interfering or further interfering howsoever, with the rights and privileges whatsoever attached to the office of the plaintiff as Speaker, pending the determination of his suit.

People that are manure should really understand that politics need wisdom and not stupidity. It is absurd for Tambuwal to dump PDP for APC as the fourth citizen of a nation like Nigeria and still expect that he can remain the Speaker of the House of Representative. No wayyyyy

Uduaghan swears in HOS, Special Advisers, Perm Secs

DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday sworn in a new Head for the State Civil Service (HOS), three special advisers and 12 permanent secretaries.

Mr. Patrick Origho took oath of office as the HOS, while Chief Uche Ugbomah, Mrs. Georgina Evah and Mrs. Lilian Ofili were sworn in as special advisers to the Governor .

Governor Uduaghan explained that the appointment of the special advisers was aimed at strengthening his administration’s drive of finishing strong.

He advised them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in his administration’s quest to bequeath a peaceful and prosperous Delta State that would not be dependent on oil revenue alone.

Dr. Uduaghan advised civil servants to be loyal, diligent and conscientious in the discharge of their duties to enable them attain the zenith of their profession.

According to Governor Uduaghan, the choice of Origho as HOS was based on several considerations ranging from seniority, wealth of experience and tract record of performance.

“The position of Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries are political and from the first day you are appointed into the civil service, if you want to attain the highest position, you must be loyal, diligent, don’t refuse posting because a lot of things are considered while making Permanent Secretaries and Head of Service. “I know that God guided me in making this appointment of Sir Origho from the three names recommended to me by the out-going Head of Service.”

He explained “In considering an individual for appointment into the position of Head of Service, due consideration is given to personal integrity, wealth of experience and proven record of performance,” the Governor reiterated, while enjoining Origho to justify the confidence reposed in him by working to achieve the goal of the state government.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/uduaghan-swears-hos-special-advisers-perm-secs/#sthash.VmPeBJGC.dpuf

PDP rakes in millions as final candidates emerge

It has been a very busy and hectic period for the National Organising Secretary, but one striking consolation is that it is a period of Naira rain for the PDP, a period a former National Chairman of the party would say ‘Oja Ata’.

According to the 39 page document,  the Expression of Interest Form Code PD002/P went for N2 million which should be obtained from the PDP National Secretariat or such other places as may be designated by the National Executive Committee of the Party, just as the Nomination form Code PD003/P was purchased for N20 million, totalling  N22 million.

Governorship aspirants picked the  Expression of Interest form Code PD002/G for N1 million and N10 million to get the nomination form Code PD003/G, totalling, N11 Million.

Why I want to govern Delta in 2015 – Omo-Agege

A Senatorial Aspirant purchased the Expression of Interest form for N500, 000.00 and Nomination form for N4 million; an aspirant to the House of Representatives got the Expression of Interest form for N500,000.00 and nomination form for N2 million while for the State House of Assembly, an aspirant paid  N200,000.00 for the Expression of Interest form and N1 million for the Nomination form. In all these, female aspirants in line with the tradition of the party will not pay for the nomination forms.

With all the collections made from sale of forms, 15 % of the nomination fee shall be remitted to the State Chapters of the party and 5% to the Zone.

One interesting aspect in the picking of forms is that of Stakeholders, leaders, Elders of the party are coming together to purchase  forms for aspirants. A case that played out was when Indigenes, leaders, Stakeholders and elders of PDP from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT led by Ambassador Ayuba Ngbako purchased expression of interest and nomination forms for the Senator representing the FCT and Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda to return to the Upper Chambers in 2015.

Also at the National Secretariat to pick his forms to contest the Imo State Gubernatorial election was Senator Ifeanyi Ararume who disclosed that it  was a collective decision by all PDP Stakeholders in the State to chase out governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, adding, “I am here to pick up my nomination form and expression of interest form for the governorship race in Imo state.

“I served the nation at the highest law making body for eight years, 1999 to 2007. If I pick ticket now, this will not be the first time I am picking the ticket and I believe that the people of Imo state will look at every aspirant and pick the best to represent them because Imo state deserves good governance

For Delta State, the list is long, we have former Speaker, House of Assembly, Victor Ochei; Chairman, Senate Committee chairman on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Ovie Omo- Agege; Tony Chucks Obuh; immediate past Special Adviser to the President on performance monitoring and Evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye; Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Emmanuel Aguaravwodo;  Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Olorungun Kenneth Gbagi; Mrs Esther Uduehi; Andrew Warri, among others who have picked their forms to contest for the Delta State PDP governorship primary election.

Ararume

Also at Wadata Plaza to pick her forms to contest the Akwa Ibom State governorship election was, the representing Akwa Ibom South in the upper Legislative Chamber, Senator Helen Esuene who stressed that what should be paramount was having the blessings of the people and not those of the governor.

Besides Esuene, PDP PDP has Hon. Okpolupm Etteh; Nsima Ekere, Umana Okon Umana, Obong Bassey Albert, Ime Bassey Albert,  Benjamin Okoko,  Udom Emmanuel, Barrister  Asukwo Okpo, Engr. Larry Esin,  Engr. Michael  Onofiok, Barr. Ekpeyong Etekim, among others as aspirants.

For Oyo State, the PDP has former Governor Christopher Alao-Akala; former Chairman, Oluyole Local Government Council, Hon. kehinde Olaosebikan; Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Professor Soji Adejumo, Senator Teslim Folarin, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Elder Wole Oyelese, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan; Dr. Gbola Adetunji, Dr. Babalola Owolabi.

For Lagos State, the PDP aspirants include Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Dr. Segun Ogundimu, Chief Tunde Daramola, Mr. Ade Dosunmu, Engineer Adedeji Doherty and Mr. Jimi Agbaje.

In Ogun, the governorship aspirants in the PDP include Sikirulai Ogundele, Kayode Amusan, Ishaq Akinlade, Segun Adewale, Anthony Ojeshina, Rafiu Ogunleye and   Sina Kawonise.

From Katsina State,  PDP aspirants include Ibrahim Muhammad Idah , Umar Abdullahi Tsauri Tata, Alhaji Sunusi Dan Bello Na Adiyalle, Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya, Ahmad Aminu Yar’Adua, Eng. Nura Khalil, Arch. Musa Sada, Musa Adamu Funtua and Nasiru Umar Dutsima.

In Sokoto, the PDP aspirants are Deputy Governor Mukhtari Shagari; Senator Abdallah Wali, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada and Alhaji Yusuf Sulaiman, just as in Borno State, the PDP aspirants are   Alhaji Gambo Lawan and former Governor Mohammed Goni.

Ndoma- Egba

In Kebbi, the governorship aspirants in PDP include Deputy Governor Ibrahim K.Aliyu, Sen Mohammed Magoro, Sen. Tanko Ayuba, Bala Na’Allah, Gen Muhammadu Dan’Hanne Isah, Alhaji Zubairu Turaki, Mansir Shehu Mansa, Alh Hussani Adamu, Bala Kaoje, Alh Sama’ila Sambawa and Elder Ishaku Daudu.

At the National Secretariat to pick his forms was former National Chairman of PDP, and Senator representing Benue North East senatorial district, Senator Barnabas Andyar Gemade who wants to  return to the upper legislative chambers in 2015, with a vow to floor Governor Gabriel Suswam who is interested in the position at both the primary and general election.

According to him, he would do all that was within his reach to make the race uncomfortable for Suswam if he insists in contesting and emerging the candidate for the position during the primary election for 2015 general poll, adding, “I am the current senator representing Benue North East District and I am going back in 2015. That is why I have come here. I think political contest is a democratic one and the winner will always remain who receives the greatest support from the public.

Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State was also at Wadata Plaza to get the forms  for his re- election into the Kassim Ibrahim House.

Besides Yero, in Kaduna, PDP aspirants include Jimmy Nabaida Dung, Hassan Felix Hyat, Air Commodore John Bako Ajeye (rtd) and Senator Haruna Zego Aziz.

In Nasarawa, those in the PDP gubernatorial race include the immediate past Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku; former Governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma, Senator John Danboyi; serving Senator Solomon Ewuga, Dameshi Barau Luka, retired Col. Jibrin Bala Yakubu, Michael Abdul, Shaibu Kore and  Musa Oseni.

Alao-Akala

In Bauchi,  the PDP aspirants include  Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi; Senator Babayo Garba Gamawa; Dr Musa Babayo; Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate; Barrister Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija;  Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Alamin, Alhaji Mohammed Nadada Umar, Alhaji Magaji Udubo, Senator Abubakar Maikafi, Barrister Haruna Umar, Senator  Baba Tela and Alhaji Shehu Gabam, just as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Senator Bala Mohammed who weighed the options, refused to tender his letter of resignation to join the array of aspirants from the State.

Those contesting for the PDP ticket in Zamfara State are the former Governor, Alhaji  Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, Rep. Bello Mutawalle, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu and Alhaji Bashir Adamu.

Former Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Sam Ode was there and he picked forms to run for the Benue State governorship election where he promised to build on the present level of governance of Gabriel Suswam with Agriculture, Food security,  Education, industrialisation, welfare of the people, among others forming his major priorities.

At the National Secretariat to pick his forms to contest the Kwara State governorship election was the immediate  past Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, Prof. Shuaibu Oba Abdulraheem, saying that  Saraki dynasty died with former Senate Leader, late Dr. Olusola Saraki.

Oba said, “ I have decided to join the race on the platform of the PDP in Kwara State principally to join and support Mr. President in the transformation agenda. Also, to do my quota to the best of my ability to bring the dividends of democracy to my people, to do all things that are righteous, dignified, to bring people out of squalor, poverty, ignorance and disease and to show that good governance does not need to be expensive, it is only bad governance that is expensive, we want to be able to demonstrate that to the people.”

For Kwara PDP, we also have the Chairman, Lubcon Oil, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim; Senator Suleiman Ajadi Makanjuola, Mr. Dele Belgore, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Architect Kale Belgore; Senator Simeon Ajibola; Mr. Ben Duntoye, Engr. Sunday Babalola;  Chief John Dara;  Chief Yekeen Alabi; Mr. Bio Ibrahim and Malam Shuaib Abdullahi.

•Senator Ifeanyi Okowa flanked by his wife and Professor Sam Oyobvbaire during his governorship declaration in Asaba, Delta State.

Also there to pick forms to contest the Imo State Governorship election was the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, saying that, “the failure of government in Imo State in the last few years required a drastic change in the leadership of the State.”

Ihedioha  who accused the Imo government of giving less priority to issues that affect the people, disclosed that his main motive for joining the governorship race was to redress what he termed, the imbalances in infrastructural development of the State particularly the area of education, just as expressed satisfaction for his services in the legislative arm of government, adding that the legislature has played very strategic roles in stabilising democracy in the country.

Also from Imo State are Prof. Jude Njoku; Senator Chris Anyanwu, Mr Bethel Amadi, Charles Onyeagbako, Humphrey Anumudu, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Lady Clara Njoku, Chief Charley Amanze, Engr. Emma Ojinere, Chief Chris Brown Amadioha, Chief Charles Onuoha, Dr. Ngozi Olehi, Chief Ken Ojiri, Barr. Ken Njemanze and Chief Benjamin Nzimako.

In Niger State, PDP has Deputy Governor Ahmed Musa Ibeto, Sen. Nuhu Aliyu, Alhaji Moh’d Bawa Rijau, Alhaji Matane, Dr. Mustapha Abdulsalam, Engr. Mustapha Bello; the Chief of Staff to Governor Babangida Aliyu, Umar Mohammed Nasko; Alhaji Mohammed Babangida; Col. Isa Kontagora, rtd  and Saleh Sahabi to contest for the 2015 Niger State governorship primary election.

Interestingly, governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has also purchased forms to contest for Niger East Senatorial district where former Deputy Governor and a member at the just concluded National Conference, Senator Nuhu  Shem Zagbayi who was elected in August during the by- election following the death of Senator Awaisu Kuta.

Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mulikat Akande, also picked her expression of interest and nomination forms at the National Secretariat,  boasting that she will succeed the present speaker, Aminu Tambuwal. The defeated Zamfara State governor in the 2011 governorship election, Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi also picked forms to contest the election, saying the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will not repeat the mistakes of the past.

As the exercise continued, more aspirants were at the National Secretariat for the forms.  Former  Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Waziri Maina was there to pick the  forms for the fourth time to contest the Yobe State  gubernatorial election.

Waziri  who served at the just concluded National Conference, described himself as a perennial loser who had picked forms in 2003; 2007; 2010, failed and here again in 2014, just as he expressed optimism that he would win this time, adding,  ”Good governance requires entrusting the state to educated person with reputation in the civil service”.

Other PDP aspirants from Yobe include the former Minister of State, Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama and Alhaji Ibrahim Talba.

The immediate Minister of State, Education, Nyesom Wike also picked his forms to enable him contest the Rivers State Governorship election. Though the forms were purchased for him by a group under the aegis, PDP Stakeholders in Rivers State, led by former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara.

Also in Rivers State, Senator Lee Maeba who represented Rivers South East in the Senate; Prince Tonye Princewill; Elemchukwu Ogbowu and Nimi Walson- Jack are there.

In Plateau State, PDP’s aspirants include Deputy Governor Ignatius Longjam, Senator Victor Lar, Mr Jethro Akum, John Clark Dabwan, Engr. Jimmy Chetto, Sir Fidelis Tapgun, Arch John Alkali, Haruna Dabin, Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, Prof Sonni Tyoden, Mr Samson Jidauna Dimka, Godfrey Miri, Sen Gyang Pwajok and Bishop Musa Wuyep.

The immediate past Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs and former minister of state for power, Arc. Darius Ishaku picked his forms to contest the Taraba State PDP governorship primary election, saying it was the turn of Taraba South.

In Taraba, besides Kente and Ishaku, other PDP aspirants are Acting Governor Garba Umar, Agbu  Kefas and Ezekiel Irimiya, just as  Senator Joel Ikenya and  Senator Emmanuel Bwacha may have dropped their gubernatorial ambition to support Ishaku who has the backing of Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, rtd.

In Benue State, the PDP aspirants include the immediate past Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom; the Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani; former Vice Chancellor, Benue State University, Professor David Ker;  Terhemba Tarzoor, Hingah Biam, Sam Ode, Dave Iorhemba, Engr. Roseline Ada Chenge, Barrister Harris Paul Ogbole, Tivlumun Nyitse, Barr. Alex Adum, Mike Aondoakaa,  Terhemba Shija, Peter Chieshe, Mathias Oyigeya, Andy Uwuokwu, Eugene Aliegba, Felix Atume;  Prince Simon Aondona, Simon Anchaver, Engr. David Nongo, Samuel Utov and Madam Veronica Shimave.

The immediate past Minister of Health,  Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu picked forms to contest the Ebonyi State Gubernatorial primary election, just as Senator Paulinus Igwe did same and in Abia State, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, among others picked the forms.

President Goodluck Jonathan at a meeting with the PDP governors had insisted on the presentation of popular candidates, warning that the Party cannot afford to lose any state to the opposition. We wait as events unfold.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/pdp-rakes-millions-final-candidates-emerge/#sthash.mVEKY92f.dpuf