PDP

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, has pledged to dredge the River Niger, assure that the Onitsha Port is functioning, and revive the economy of the South East.

Atiku made the pledge to party supporters yesterday in Awka, the capital of the Anambra State.

When he met with Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, hours before the start of the campaign, he stated that Soludo had made some of these requests.

Atiku was quoted as saying, “On our arrival today we visited their governor Prof. Soludo, and he said to me. I know you are going to work but make sure that all the federal roads that pass through Anambra State are reconstructed.

“And I promised him, I’m going to do that, he said ‘make sure that you control our erosion, because Anambra is the erosion headquarters of the world. Erosion is destroying our farmlands, is destroying our houses and everything have.

“This is a very gigantic project. And I promised him I’m going to do that, and you know I have worked with Soludo before, he is a first-class patriotic Nigerian.

“You have an excellent governor. He also appealed to me that Onisha port this time around we are going to dredge River Niger and Onisha port will function.

“We are also going to help Anambra industrialize the state so that the state will create as many jobs for our young men and women.”

By Mubarak Shuaybu Shelleng

Before, Adamawa, as a sovereign state, was counted among the most underdeveloped states in Nigeria. Many transitional administrations we had in the past failed to deliver their mandate in providing basic social amenities to the teeming populace.

The incumbent governor of Adamawa state, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, was accurately counted among the few that impeccably excelled in delivering the security, education, health, and infrastructural needs of the state in his first four years in office. Something that is least expected from him. But the man surprised many by changing the narrative in running a system that touched the life of a common man in every nook and cranny of the state.

Unfortunately, none of the past administrations followed the right blueprint on how a committed and effective government should operate the way this current administration is doing.

Interestingly, it’s become a surprise to many that this current administration has succeeded in leaving no single stone unturned when talking about the provision of social amenities and workers’ welfare. A welcomed development that everyone, irrespective of their political parties, is applauding. If truly one has it in mind that we want Adamawa to develop and compete with other states in terms of infrastructural, political, and socioeconomic aspects, then this administration is moving on the right channel.

It’s now general knowledge that little or none among those that voted Fintiri into power regret their action, except those that are not interested in what is called ”Good governance” but focused more on stomach infrastructure. 

More often than not, those who truly had a dream of seeing progressive Adamawa through governance are usually not concerned with political affiliation, religion, or region, among other factors that characterize us as individuals. Rather individuals’ capacity to deliver, based on track record and physical projects, need no further political analysis. Political Candidates that will lead with utmost patience, a high sense of responsibility, and sincerity of purpose. 

Besides, very few among the most sophisticated and critically equipped minds think and analyze issues while keeping their personal biases and prejudice in interpreting and analyzing things that have a direct effect on societal wellbeing. Others find it difficult to think. Thus, remain with no option but to follow the Bandwagon.

The experience, they say, is the best teacher, and with what Adamawa state has been going through for years, regardless of the political party, one can be able to judge fairly on the kind of administration that instantaneously impacted positively the life of all and sundry.

Therefore, it’s high time we learn to turn a deaf ear to self-centred politicians who are influenced by the number of greedy sycophants surrounded with, seeking cheap political gains.

One is at every liberty to criticize or defend a particular divergent political view. But we should not deny the fact that some state governors have performed wonderfully well.

Truth is bitter and difficult to comprehend, but lies are sweet and travel faster than one could ever imagine. Though, understanding the complex game of politics is not for all but a few.

Mubarak Shuaybu Shelleng writes from Yola, Adamawa State.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, has fired the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, for blaming President Buhari over the lingering security issues in the country.

Mohammed added that it was under the watch of PDP that Boko Haram insurgency started in 2009, adding that the party more or less nurtured the insurgents to the monster it later became.

Abubakar was reported to have expressed surprise over the continued presence of Boko Haram during his campaign outing at the weekend.

He said: “Let me quickly react to the statement credited to His Excellency, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has reportedly expressed surprise at the existence of Boko Haram.

“The former Vice President was quoted as saying he could not honestly understand the Boko Haram phenomenon, and wondered why Boko Haram continues to operate.

“Well, I think His Excellency didn’t need to look far to get the answers to his questions. He should simply ask his party, the PDP, under whose watch the Boko Haram insurgency started in 2009. For six years until 2015, when our administration assumed office and inherited Boko Haram, the PDP more or less nurtured the insurgents to the monster they later became.

“Alhaji Atiku should ask his party why it allowed Boko Haram to operate freely, bombing cities, motor parks, schools and other soft targets unrestrained. Alhaji Atiku, who was then residing in Abuja before porting to his new abode in Dubai, should ask his party, the PDP, while it allowed Boko Haram to bomb the police headquarters, the UN Complex, a shopping mall and motor parks in Abuja with so much ease.”

He added: “His Excellency may want to know that today, thanks to our patriotic troops, military objectives have almost been achieved in theNorth East, the home region of Boko Haram, thereby creating conditions for Stabilization Operations to take place.

“Despite the very large Joint Operational Area, Boko Haram Terrorists have been cleared from most of their strongholds while remnants are being restricted to the Tumbus/island around the Lake Chad that are difficult to access.

“The former Vice President may want to know that both kinetic and non-kinetic activities employed by the military have seen the terrorists surrendering in droves, thereby freeing large spaces for normal socio economic life to resume.

“The good news this year is that a bumper agricultural harvest is assured, as farmers were able to carry out extensive farming, which has not been possible since the beginning of insurgency/terrorism in the North East.

“While on the campaign trail and throwing political jabs, we advise His Excellency Alhaji Atiku to note the popular idiom that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones,” he added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Reports coming from Gombe State Monday have disclosed how hoodlums attack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign office in the state.

The Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Mr Oqua Etim, confirmed the attack to journalists and said it occurred last night.

He said the campaign office belongs to the state’s governorship candidate, Jibrin Barde.

Etim confirmed that, “Yes the attack happened and we will get full details before going public.

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

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

He also called on the political stakeholders to avoid chaos while carrying out their political activities.

Etim urged the youths to stay away from engaging in any acts that could breach peace, law and order.

“As you are aware we recently arrested and paraded some hoodlums causing disturbance in the metropolis,” he added.

By Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani

In a democratic setting like ours, leaders are expected to set guiding principles from which followers are expected to learn good conduct and moral behaviour. Sadly, the Bauchi state government is setting a bad precedent, which won’t augur well for the unborn generation.

I was compelled by a video going viral on the internet at the instance of the Bauchi state governor, his commissioners, and top government appointees watching as a car painted with the pictures of APC presidential candidate Bola Ahmad Tinubu, the Bauchi State APC governorship candidate, Ambassador Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar rtd. CFR and his deputy, Aliyu Musa Barden Gabas, were destroyed while they were watching with admiration.

Electoral market volatility makes them susceptible to negative campaigns since “voters have loosened their ties with their party.” Not only that, the people of Bauchi are tired of the misrule of the PDP, yet they resort to diverting attention to their abysmal failure. Education is comatose, infrastructural decay, salary has now become a privilege, pensioners are crying wolf etc.

 As patriotic citizens of Bauchi, we strongly condemn the ruling party’s abysmal attitude. However, it’s expected that they set a pace for the younger generation while noting that Bauchi, as a civilised state is much aware of the happenings in the city. What we desire is a rancorous-free campaign, and we, therefore, urge the APC not to tear the line of the ruling party; let us emphasise to our supporters to shun violence in whatever guise while, at the same time, mobilising people to turn out in mass to vote for the APC at all levels.

As a people-focused grassroots party, APC has continued to champion the cause of issue-based politics while snubbing every temptation by the PDP to lower our standards by joining them in their infamous style of uncouth politics fraught with crass incivility. To put the records straight, Sadique had never been found wanting in such negativity.

As the leading opposition in Bauchi state, we are conscious of our responsibility to be law-abiding and concentrate on the issue-based campaign. We shall do everything possible to discharge that responsibility with total commitment to the rule of law and the sanctity of our nascent democracy. Often, we call on Bauchi State not to be deterred by the lawlessness of the PDP; it’s imperative to use our PVC and send them out of Ramat House because this irresponsibility has no place in our nascent democracy.

The many ills that bedevilled our state include corruption, economic underperformance, abject poverty, and a dysfunctional educational system derived from the action of the ruling PDP. How does a government that benefited from the freedom of expression and association to rise to the highest echelons in the state become so insensitive and uncaring to free campaigns? 2023 we need a purpose-driving and visionary government with a mission to transform the state for the benefit of all and sundry. With Sadique as the 2023 governor, the above is assured. 

Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani writes from Galadima Mahmoud Street, Kasuwar Kaji Azare, Bauchi State.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress, has continued to be criticised over his failure to show up at the ARISE Townhall interactive sessions attended by other presidential candidates on Sunday.

Tinubu has been challenged for being unprepared and incapable of withstanding the rigour and the complex nature of the session.

The main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said Tinubu decided to avoid the debates intentionally because he had nothing to tell Nigerians.

However, addressing some young Nigerians in London, Tinubu said the debate was not an issue, adding that he could have debated from morning till night.

He added, “I am ready to debate with you from morning till night… and I’m speaking in London, not in Jigawa. It is great that you are alive to tell the story, just giving the assurance never to give up…

“Broadband creation, the energy that you talked about.. if they’ve taken our advice.. at the beginning of democracy in 1999, we brought in investment. 

“My Deputy then is here.. and then so many other innovative things….,” he said.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Yakubu Dogara, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, has rejoined the main opposition party a few days after endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar for president. The defection is the latest political move by the lawmaker in his consistent opposition to the same-faith ticket of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

On Monday, the former legislator was welcomed into the party at a rally in Lagos State for the presidential race.

Note that this is coming just 48 hours after Dogara and several irate northern APC officials expressed their support for the former vice president’s presidential candidacy.

This is not the first time the former speaker changed his party, as it’s less than a year since he dumped PDP for APC at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president and presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claimed that Nigeria had veered off its path toward unity and prosperity under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement released by his campaign group on Sunday, Atiku said that for Nigeria to be great, it must be inclusive and united.

He continued by saying that a nation needs strong leadership that is willing to carry out the mission if it is to be united.

In the former vice president’s words, the approaching general elections are a rescue operation to save the country’s spirit.

The statement partly reads, “The ruling party, APC, has taken us adrift, and we are far off the course to the purpose of unity and prosperity.

“That is why you and I must work assiduously together to ensure that we recover Nigeria.

“Saving the soul of Nigeria must begin with denying the APC your vote in 2023. They have failed us woefully and must be punished for that.

“But it’s not enough to vote out the APC. We must coalesce into the PDP – the only viable party that has the capacity to dislodge the failed ruling party”.

By Kabiru Danladi Lawanti, PhD

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the ban on the 2023 elections campaigns, attention has now shifted to analysing candidates’ policies and programmes. In Gombe State, like in many states, the governor seeks a second term. Governor Inuwa Yahaya of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is facing a tough battle with People’s Democratic Party’s Alhaji Jibrin Barde (Danbarde), a former banker turned politician. Danbarde was the first runner-up in the 2018 APC primary and was defeated by the incumbent Governor, Inuwa Yahaya. However, he defected to PDP in 2021, ascribing his action to bad governance in the state.

As the 2023 elections fast approach, the two leading candidates are gearing up to face each other again, not at primaries, but in the murky waters of campaigns and the general election in 2023. Already political permutations and predictions have started flowing from those in support or against the two candidates. With the reconciliation between the Governor and his erstwhile friend turned political enemy – Alhaji Danjuma Goje, many predicted that Inuwa Yahaya would have an easy sail in 2023. Coupled with incumbency and support from a political heavyweight in the state, the Governor seem to have no serious challenge going into the elections.

Things took a new turn some weeks ago when Goje appeared to have scrapped the earlier reconciliation efforts by the APC reconciliation committee weeks before the party’s National Convention. Instead, Goje remains as unpredictable as the weather in recent times. Some political pundits on conventional and social media believe Goje may support Danbarde in 2023. This was very clear when he insisted that all candidates seen as Inuwa’s supporters were to be dropped for his anointed candidates during the primaries. It took the intervention of some party stalwarts at the state and national levels to agree to allow these candidates to participate in the primaries.

However, for politicians, especially those who look to the future of who becomes Governor in 2027 in the state, support for who becomes the Governor in 2023 will be based on the odds for those contesting in 2027. For instance, since the return to democracy in 1999, Gombe state has had four governors, including the incumbent, Inuwa Yahaya. Three of these governors came from the Gombe North Senatorial District. These are Abubakar Habu Hashidu (Dukku LGA), Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe LGA). Only Danjuma Goje came from Gombe Central (Akko LGA). On the other hand, Gombe South has never produced a governor, though all the deputy governors were from that senatorial district.

Suppose the other Senatorial Districts decided to support the PDP’s Danbarde, and eventually, he becomes the Governor. In that case, it means Gombe Central and Gombe South have to wait for another eight years to have a chance to present a candidate for the number one office. This is also tricky because they may decide to support Inuwa Yahaya, with the understanding that APC may consider zoning the Governorship position to either Gombe Central or Gombe South. Can Gombe South buy this mouthwatering offer and support Inuwa? Others think that Gombe South has nothing to lose on whoever becomes the Governor in 2023, as far as the Governorship position is concerned, because they are assured of the position of Deputy Governor for any election year. It is a tradition maintained by all Governorship candidates in both parties since 1999. 

This may leave only the Gombe Central Senatorial district with a serious dilemma. Already the district’s political heavyweights have started their permutations. Most believe that supporting Danbarde means handing over the number one seat to Gombe North for 18 years. Dankwambo 8 years, Inuwa 8 years and Danbarde 8 years. Therefore, support for Inuwa Yahaya in the forthcoming elections is like a national duty if any of their sons is aiming for the Governorship seat in 2027. The two local governments that made up the senatorial district are crucial and strategic in the state’s political equation. With the state’s highest number and registered voters, they had the highest voter turn-out in the 2019 general elections.

Whatever decision the politicians and the electorates take in the forthcoming elections in 2023, they should remember that it can either make or mar their chances of producing the next Governor in 2027. Therefore, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, Alhaji Usman Bello Kumo, Abubakar Mu’azu, Barrister Idris Umar Abdullahi and other politicians from the district need to look beyond their disagreements and think ahead for the senatorial district. This may sound like another push for regional considerations, but some of these choices usually guide rational choices in politics. While no one can doubt the good performances of Inuwa Yahaya in the last four years, Gombe Central’s support for him goes beyond his perceived performance and anticipation for a more common public good. Therefore, the votes from this senatorial zone should/must be used to negotiate a power shift to the senatorial district.

This is politics.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Things appear to be continuously falling apart in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the party has been unable to resolve its internal crisis.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State had on Thursday subtly endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi. This has inarguably caused more division in the party.

Governor Wike while playing host to the Labour Party presidential candidate and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed in Porthacourt on Thursday, pledged logistics supports for Peter Obi’s campaign.

“Each time you want to campaign in the state, let me know, all the logistics support, we will give to you,” Wike told Obi to the cheers of Obi’s supporters.

Wike who is strong stalwart of the PDP, had fallen out with the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, after he lost the party’s primary election to the latter in May this year.

Three months to the 2023 general election, Wike and four other PDP governors are requesting for the resignation of the party’s national hairman, Iyorchia Ayu. They were reported to have said they will not support Atiku Abubakar if their request is not granted. Unfortunately, neither the party chairman nor the presidential candidate is ready to accede to their demands.

Wike and his allies had argued that it is against equity to have the presidential candidate of the party and the national chairman of the party from northern part of the country.