PDP

By Tordue Simon Targema

Secondly, there is the notion of power shift to the South which is shared even among Southern politicians that are not positively disposed to Wike. Indeed, all political stakeholders in the party are unanimous in their conviction that power should shift to the South, as President Muhammadu Buhari is completing a second term, an uninterrupted eight-years Northern presidency come 2023.

This conviction has earned what many in the South would have ordinarily termed ‘Wike’s unnecessary self-centred nagging and ranting’ some form of legitimacy, giving him strong strength to bargain on the negotiation table. Worthy of note is the fact that even though Atiku dreads this negotiation table like a house infested with leprosy, he has no option than to face it, and fillers from the discussions so far indicate that the standard bearer is not finding it funny yielding to the demands of his ego-centric demigod of a rival.

What are the Issues on the Negotiation Table By-the-Way? Fillers from the negotiation table indicate that Wike clearly wants to show Atiku that he is not a force to relegate in the opposition party that he strive hard to sustain from 2015 to date when most party big-wigs including Atiku deserted it for the APC and other political formations. From what is in the public domain so far, few things stand out from Wike’s litany demands.

First and foremost, Atiku must do just one term and return the presidency to the South by the next election season, i.e. 2027. Secondly, Ayu must resign as the National Chairman of the PDP and a new chairperson for the party should emerge from the South West to balance the power structure in the party. Thirdly, Wike will install key ministers in Atiku’s cabinet, etc.

Of course, these are not by any means, too difficult conditions to meet if the standard bearer is determined to unite his house and put forth a formidable campaign team to challenge the ruling APC and other emerging opposition parties. After all, politics is all about concessions.

Already, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar has made his intention to run for just a single term known to the general public, even as such promises hardly hold water in politics if previous experiences in the country’s political landscape are worthy to go by. This is the more reason why Wike requires a concrete commitment to that effect, not just a promissory note that would likely bounce in the bank of equity when the time to cash it is due.

The third condition too is not too difficult to meet, considering that Wike is considered a big name in the party in his zone and likely to pull substantial votes for Atiku in the South. Lest we forget that the ‘Obi-dient’ movement and Tinubu’s effect are critical factors that would collapse whatever structure Atiku has in the South but for the support of strong party pillars in the region like Wike.

Indeed, Atiku needs a formidable team in the South, and no amount of concessions in terms of political appointments will be too big to woo the right people on board, his campaign train. Perhaps, the biggest hurdle right at the moment is for Ayu to accept to resign. As at the last minute, the third-republican political juggernaut is still holding unto his mandate, solidly. In fact, with an air of confidence like one who is firmly in charge, he describes those calling for his resignation from the party’s top seat as ‘small children’ who should not be taken seriously.

Indeed, this boast followed a vote of confidence passed on him by members of the party’s National Working Committee in Abuja, recently which Wike simply dismissed as the same path that Ayu’s predecessor, Prince Uche Secondus followed in his inglorious exit from the party’s top seat. Indeed, all indications point to Ayu’s eventual resignation in no distant time. It is in line with this expectation which seems the only sure path for a likely truce that the Board of Trustees Chairman of the party, Senator Walid Jibrin resigned his position in Abuja recently as a move towards uniting the party.

At the moment, calls for Ayu’s exit have reached advanced stage as all is set for formal commencement of campaigns later in the month. In a South-West stakeholders meeting of the party at Ibadan, Governor Seyi Makinde, one of the key members of the Wike’s camp reiterated their position that Ayu must go.

Makinde described the need to reshuffle leadership positions in the party as the party’s demonstration of commitment towards restructuring which has been its mantra since 2019; although Atiku dismissed this premise and maintained that even if Ayu resigns, a northerner is constitutionally most likely to take over as the party’s henchman given the provision of the party’s constitution.

A power shift in the party, Atiku explained, is only possible in the event of a constitutional review of the party’s constitution which is not likely in the current circumstances. In the meantime, Ayu jets off to Europe on vacation.

Meanwhile, several questions bug the curious mind as follows: is this trip a tactical move to pave the way for peaceful transition in absentia? Is Ayu working on his transition notes to hand over to a new party chairman upon return from vacation in line with the demands of Wike’s camp?

Is His Excellency Atiku Abubakar willing to sacrifice Ayu and broker a truce with Wike, or he is ready to call off Wike’s bluff and dare the consequences? By-the-way, does he has adequate time right at the moment to fully contemplate his options before formal commencement of campaigns later in the month?

The composition of the campaign team with Wike’s camp relegated to the background is a pointer to this line of thought. But if previous experience is anything to go by, then His Excellency Atiku Abubakar is threading on a treacherous ground.

Recall the revolution in the PDP that led to the emergence of the new-PDP which eventually joined forces with the APC in 2014, thereby forming a formidable opposition party that sent the PDP to the debris in 2015 general elections. Apparently, this history is about to repeat itself with the Wike’s puzzle. Coincidently, Just like2015, the current travail of the party starts from Rivers State.

One is, thus, curious to pose: is history repeating itself in the PDP camp? Can the Wike factor cost Atiku the price that former President Goodluck Jonathan paid in 2015 for ignoring Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi? Wike’s puzzle is certainly a hard one for Atiku to crack, and until he is able to crack it successfully, it remains a clog in the wheel of what seems his final shot at Nigeria’s top job.

How best he cracks this puzzle and steers the party to victory remains to be seen, as other political movements are restlessly cashing into the crack in the party to consolidate their holds on the South-South zone which, hitherto, was PDP’s stronghold.

Tordue Simon Targema writes from the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Taraba State University, Jalingo. Email: torduesimon@gmail.com

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Federal High Court in Zamfara State has invalidated the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) primary election that produced Alh. Dauda Lawal as the state gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general election.

Alh. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, former federal lawmaker, who contested against Dare in the primary election, took the case to the court seeking justice, adding that there had been many irregularities in the election.

However, the court, preceded by Justice Aminu, invalidated the election and ordered that fresh primary election must be conducted to ensure justice and fairness to all parties.

Barrister Ibrahim Ali, counsel for the plaintiff, while speaking to journalists shortly after the judgement, said, “The court looked at the merit of the matter and decided the case in favour of the plaintiffs.”

He added, “Our prayers were that the primary elections conducted by a committee led by Adamu Maina Waziri be nullified by the court and order be given by the court for the conduct of a fresh election in line with the PDP’s constitution and guidelines. All our prayers have been granted.

“The judgment was well evaluated because we proved our case beyond reasonable doubts and we are happy with the decision of the court.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Chairman of Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Walid Jibrin has resigned his position in the opposition party.

According to reports, Jibrin resigned at the National Executives Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
He said he resigned to make things easier for the party.

“I am stepping down as the chairman of BoT. I am stepping down to make it easier for all of us,” he said at the party’s NEC meeting on Thursday

This is coming amidst internal crisis that has bedevil the opposition party.

Many southern stakeholders in the party are also calling for the resignation of the chairman of the party, Ayorchia Ayu.

Hon. Ibrahim Tafashiya, the PDP candidate for Kankia Zone in the State House of Assembly for the elections in 2023, has been rescued by police in Katsina State.

According to reports, terrorists kidnapped the lawmaker on Saturday.

The police command’s spokesman, Gambo Isah, stated that the command acted as soon as it received the distress call and intervened quickly.

He added that the PDP candidate was saved by the Kankia Divisional Police Officer, SP Ilyasu Ibrahim, who led the cops under his authority to approach the thugs and engaged them in a bloody gun duel.

In the same vein, the Katsina Police Command reported that it also freed Salisu Gide, the Isa Kaita College of Education’s Registrar, who had been kidnapped along with his wife.

However, “Unfortunately, the police team was unable to rescue his wife from the assailants,” he lamented. But still, the command is still doing its best to secure the nation and free all those in captivity.

By Aliyu Nuhu

Already party stalwarts are beating their chest to celebrate the achievements of the party. They called it Africa’s biggest party (not greatest).

One of the major achievements they continued to hammer was the introduction of GSM communication technology.

The big for nothing party is only talking of GSM as if Nigerians are getting the service for free! The truth is we had GSM because the technology caught up with us. When digital satellite TV came to us, the government of the day didn’t see it as an achievement. PDP and its leaders don’t have an iota of shame.

For the 16 unbroken years they succeeded in turning Nigeria into a one party state. Infact they underdeveloped Nigeria.

Security has never been worse in their time and today’s insecurity was planted by PDP.

Power generation even at peak of rainfalls was a dismal 4400mw after billions of dollars investments.

During their terrible reing there was endemic poverty, unemployment and diseases.

Meanwhile even as the party held on to power for 16 unbroken years there were 6000 abandoned projects that will need N1.5trn to complete. Billions were spent on such projects without result.

Just take a calculator and sum up our capital budgets for 16 years and compare with what PDP left on ground to give you an idea of the crimes of PDP.

Each government jettisoned the projects of the previous government to re-award or start another, forgetting that development must be anchored on continuity and consistency.

The worst of PDP has not yet been seen yet with industrial scale looting that took place in the last government still under investigation. Nigeria was never so brazenly raped like those inglorious years of Jonathan. The man simply opened the treasury vaults and allowed hyenas to feast on it. At times they didn’t even wait for oil proceeds to make it to the treasury. They stole the oil from source and hocked it to international black market.

Between the past presidents and their families, the leadership of National Assembly and their members, Ministers and governors, PDP was able to steal well over 60 Billion dollars from Nigeria and still counting.

PDP made us the most corrupt nation on earth, forget the Transparency International ranking us better figures these years we are the number one most corrupt country in the world no thanks to PDP. Nigeria is the indisputable champion of corruption and graft in the world.

And PDP slogan has been “things shall always get better”.

Better for them as from all counts they are the sworn undertakers of Nigeria and it’s poor citizens.

When they told us to tighten our belts they loosened theirs.

We have seen it before, somebody in the size of Boni Haruna went to government house to emerge with the tommy of James Ibori.

And they said we should be patient, that results of their ingenious hard work will materialise in the year 2020. We are in 2021 now and APC that is made up of PDP members is even becoming our heartless undertaker, nailing our coffin finally.

When we thought APC has come to set things right we realize we are just dealing with the same brand of oppressors. Today APC chairman Abdullahi Adamu was a former PDP chairman, an endorsement that both parties are just different sides of the same coin.

By Muhammad Aminu

The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has donated N50 million to Kantin Kwari textile market in Kano following a flood that affected the market.

The Star earlier reported that Kano has been witnessing torrential rainfall in the last few days that has led to floods in many parts of the metropolis, including the Kwari textile market.

The presidential candidate announced the donation Monday while welcoming former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to the PDP.

He sympathized with the businessmen and women who were already suffering from an unfriendly business environment with economic hardship.

According to him, Shekarau’s defection is a win for the people of Kano State, the PDP and the country.

The former Kano State governor argued that Atiku was the most qualified candidate to get Nigeria working again come 2023.

Atiku was in Kano since Sunday alongside his running mate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former Minister of Transportation, Senator Abdullahi Umar Idris, among other party chieftains.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, a former governor of Kano State, has formally rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Shekarau joined the PDP on Monday in Kano after leaving the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman, and other PDP members met with the former governor.

Shekarau joined the NNPP from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and left it two months later.

Shekarau, a senator for Kano Central, previously served as Kano’s governor for two terms and as Nigeria’s minister of education.

He also contested for president of Nigeria in the 2011 general elections.

By ImamMalik Abdullahi Kaga

It’s recently come to the knowledge of most Nigerians (non-residents of Borno State) about the underpayment in the educational sector and a few cases in the health sector, too, in Borno state. This didn’t surprise me as I see bunches of flares trending. If you are sycophant or unpatriotic, you’ll be mum or deny this unfolded truth.

Zulum is indefatigably hardworking and devoted himself to Borno and Bornoans. He has, laboriously, much-needed efforts that deserve accolades, especially in curbing the Boko Haram crisis. A plethora of encomiums were given on his leadership and are still. Compared to the past administration, the status quo of security deserves a ‘must’ commendation. But this, howbeit, will not let us be mum.

As a resident and information hunter, I’ve had numerous encounters with local government teachers, and one common lamentation I got from all is underpayment. Of course, I don’t mean all are underpaid, but most (not underpaid ones) will not deny the grievance of their counterparts, so they tell.

A few months ago, I wrote about the unconstructive criticisms of Alhaji Mohammed Jajari, the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, towards the incumbent governor. Jajari revealed the flaws bedevilling the state’s educational sector, which captivated the attention of Zulum and Gusau, his spokesman. The indigenes of the southern part of Borno state are on ‘no retreat’ choice to vindictively vote against Zulum cometh 2023 election. (You may denounce this).

Zulum’s administration is blessed with media adepts ready to either publicise the factual account of his efforts or hype his documentary, which will make many Nigerians credulous enough to believe whatever they publish. I think this is not limited to Zulum and his media but every politician.  

I’m calling on those who deny or are discordant with this truth to believe that Zulum is a human. He is not above fallibility as it’s the attribute of all humankind, especially leaders. I also call on the government to intervene urgently on this terrifying and terrible issue because education is the cornerstone in today’s life.

ImamMalik Abdullahi Kaga wrote from Borno State. He can be reached via abdullahiimammalik@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Aminu

Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has debunked reports that he dragged the People’s Democratic Party PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar to court over alleged manipulation in the PDP presidential primaries.

Reports said Wike alongside PDP stalwart Newgent Ekamon sued PDP, Atiku Abubakar and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Gov. Wike told Journalists in Abuja on Friday, 12th August, 2022 that he does not know the lawyers that filed the case and they did not represent him.

“I don’t know anything about the so called suit. I did not ask anyone to file any suit for me,” he said.

According to the purported suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, the plaintiffs were said to have hinged their claims on the grounds that the PDP primary conferred undue advantage on Atiku which aided his emergence as candidate of the PDP in the May 28 and 29 primary.

The Rivers State first citizen described the suit as the handiwork of mischief makers who want to use him to score cheap political goals.

“I don’t know the lawyers. Am I a kid to be filing a suit at this time. I had 14 days after the primary within which to have filed any suit. I didn’t do that then, is it two months after primary I will file a suit?,” Wike queried.

He added that “just yesterday they came up with the claim that I ordered my Chief Security Officer to pull down PDP flag in Government House. This is all false, it’s all propaganda. Some people are trying to use me to win the election. Please disregard all these lies”.

By Babatunde Qodri

The heated arguments for and against Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s joint ticket started when the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) paid a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State. The party’s flag bearer hinged his decision on the expedient need to perpetuate the stay of the ruling party in power. But, laudable as it may seem to APC lovers, Nigerians outside the ruling camp have faulted the decision citing likely consequences.

However, this short piece was inspired by a passionate conversation between one of my mentors and me. He frustratingly shared his view on the joint ticket, stressing that it is at variance with the country’s mood, especially regarding religion. According to him, the ticket became inevitable for the ruling party bent on winning elections without minding the implications for the people. He added it’s unarguably a design for electoral victory and will be tested at the polls. I agree with him.

Nigeria is a religiously polarized entity managed by politicians who deploy religion as a tool for political advantage. In a glaringly fragile country like ours, one would expect that every political decision should be underscored by the religious sensibilities of the people, at least for peace. But instead of politicians to consider this, they go about politics that stands detrimental to the country. This is what the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket suggests.

This is not to pander to the sentiments of some religious bigots whose outcry is rooted in what they stand to benefit from the calculation. Instead, it’s instructive to note that every political calculation that disregards the need for balance must be challenged. Of course, nations of the world develop without recourse to some silly religious sentiments. However, we need to be reminded that Nigeria, giving its very foundations, has been tied to religion, a consideration that political players must pay attention to.

Some might want to remind me of the June 12 1993, presidential election. Others might also talk about the 1979 election involving Azikwe-Audu and Awolowo-Umeadi combinations. Even in Nigeria of those innocent years, this presidential election ended in favour of Shehu Shagari, who used Alex Ekweme as his running mate. Nigeria is dreadfully divided along religious lines, thanks to our putrid politics. What about those who have justified the Tinubu-Shettima ticket based on competence? I have this answer for them.

Nigeria is a generously blessed country. We have Muslim technocrats who can do well in politics, so there are intelligent Christian politicians. The late President Musa Yar’adua, during his brief time in the office, used Goodluck Jonathan while Jonathan partnered with Namadi Sambo. These running mates did all they could in the course of serving their principals. If not for a decision made in response to the threat posed by influential candidates such as Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP) and Rabiu Kwankwanso (NNDP), what else explains the hypocrisy of the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket? Whatever it means to you, this decision would negatively affect the country in the following ways.

There would be an ethnoreligious tension in the country. There is no denying that ethnicity is inevitably bound to religion here. Our politics is deeply situated in religion and ethnic affiliations. Hence, people vote for a party based on how much such attunes to their religious and ethnic sentiments. And any political decision that trivializes these fundamentals might be thrashed away, and the country journeyed into needless rancour.

Plus, the ticket will hamper the chances of the ruling party in 2023. Some have argued that it’s not a threat since most votes come from the North, a region that overwhelming installed Buhari’s regime. Those people need to be told that such a point is stale in the context of reality today. Is this nice for the country in the long run? 2023 isn’t far.

Finally, a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a country beset by systemic killings and other vices inspired by religious sentiments isn’t an excellent idea. If our politics continue to disregard the fundamental polarity of Nigeria in terms of region and religion, then I am afraid the result won’t be friendly at all. However, all this is a reflection of Nigeria’s political retrogression. We need a new order where people will be convinced by neither region nor religion as the basis to choose who should lead them. I hope we get there soonest.

Babatunde qodri wrote via babatundelaitan@gmail.com.