SEE How Much PDP Asks Governor Aspirants To Pay In Ekiti And Osun

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have asked their governorship aspirants in Ekiti and Osun states to pay N10m each for nomination form.

*Metuh

Investigations carried out in Abuja on Thursday, showed that the leadership of the party, which met in Abuja on Wednesday, also fixed dates for the conduct of the party’s primaries.

The meeting, which was attended by the members of the National Working Committee of the party, was said to have agreed that each aspirant in the two states would pay N10m each.

A member of the NWC, who confirmed the amount to our correspondent, said that the amount was fixed after much debate.

He said that the amount was the same with what the party charged governorship aspirants in Anambra State last year, adding that there was no way the party would reduce the amount.

He said, “We have asked them to pay N10m each and that is the amount we expect each aspirant to pay from each state.”

Meanwhile, the party has said that its governorship candidates in Ekiti and Osun states will emerge on March 15 and April 5 respectively.

A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja on Thursday, said that sale of forms for candidates in Ekiti State would commence on February 24 and ends on March 3.

Return of forms and screening of candidates are to be done between March 3 and March 10.

Sale of forms to candidates  in Osun State will be between March 14 and 21 while the forms are to be returned between March 25 and 26.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed  June 21 and August 9 for both Ekiti and Osun States respectively.
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APC= Love - Governor Al-Makura Registers On Valentine’s Day

The Nasarawa State governor, Tanko Al-Makura, has called on eligible Nigerians to register in the on-going All Progressives Congress, APC, registration in order to salvage Nigeria from its current situation.

Mr. Al-Makura made the call on Friday after his registration at the Lugu Wambai polling unit of Gayam ward in Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

According to the governor, this was the first time any party in Nigeria would be going digital in its party registration. He said that the APC stood for love of the masses which informed why his registration coincided with the Valentine’s Day celebration.

The governor added that the APC had confidence in Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that was why the presentation of the voter’s registration card was a prerequisite for the party’s registration.

When asked to comment on the early release of 2015 election time-table by INEC, Mr. Al-Makura said he would align himself with the position of his national party’s leadership.

He called on residents of the state to participate actively in the upcoming local government election in the state for the benefit of all.

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Atiku Urges His Supporters Nationwide to Come with Him to the APC

A former Vice President, who has recently officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has urged all of his supporters and loyalists in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties or associations to immediately register with the opposition party.

He made this declaration via a personally-signed statement released by his media office on February 14, 2014, Friday.

“The imperative of change demands a united front and voice.

“Instead of being on the fence, all my supporters should not hesitate to register with APC in order to be part of the historic movement towards revitalising our democracy by making it more results-oriented.

“For my supporters to be part of the much-needed change, they must register massively, as participation is the vehicle to influencing change in every society,” Atiku said.

It would be noted that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is often tagged as a ‘political chameleon’.

He left PDP in 2006 for the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), but he returned three years later.

The ex-VP then again dumped the ruling party on February 2, 2014, citing the party’s failure to abide by the reform programmes it promised, as well as the plan of its leaders to constantly overlook him.

Who knows, probably Atiku Abubakar has finally found a party to stay till the end.
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Jonathan Is A Learner And Needs To Be Assisted - Bafarawa

Two-time governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, is one of the most experienced politicians in Nigeria. He was elected governor in 1999 and re-elected in 2003 on the banner of the APP. He ran for the presidency in 2007 on the plank of the Democratic People’s Party  (DPP) he helped to found.

In an interview with select journalists in his Sokoto residence, shortly after being welcomed into the PDP by President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders of the party, he shared his thoughts on politics, PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan. 

Read excerpts below:

What prompted your defection to the PDP?
Joining PDP was not my decision it was the decision of my people.
In joining PDP, we are looking for a change for the better. I was in the opposition to protest against injustices being done to my people and ensure that justice is done. I was not in the opposition just for the sake of being in the opposition. All I was trying to do was to make sure that things were done the right way because in the constitution of any party, there must be internal democracy.

On whether he has regrets for not joining the ruling party earlier.
Not at all! I have no regrets because I am fighting injustice.  I’m not in politics for the sake of my personal interest. I am in politics to advance the cause of my people positively. When my people saw that there is injustice in the APC, they made up their mind that we should leave and join PDP. It was their decision and I cannot say no to their decision. That is why we found ourselves in the PDP. Therefore, I’m not regretting anything. But now, I have joined PDP and they have seen justice done to me. That’s all I’m looking for — equal treatment. So, I don’t have anything to quarrel about, I am comfortable and I want to work for the party.

His take on the re-election ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

If he wants to re-contest and the PDP gives him the ticket as the presidential candidate of the party, I will definitely work for him. In fact, whoever emerges as the flag bearer of our party, I will work for the person.

His assessment of President Jonathan’s performance in the last four years.

My assessment of President Jonathan’s performance in office will be different from anybody’s assessment because I was once in office as governor.  Sometimes it is not the leader that is weak but those who are giving him support. If someone had people who are not qualified to help him in the running of affairs, he will not succeed even if he has a great vision. The leadership of our great country is not a one-man show; it is a collective responsibility. So, for anybody in government to succeed, you must have people who are capable and knowledgeable to help you do the job.

So, I don’t assess Jonathan as a failure because he needs to be assisted. Nigeria’s problems are not for one person to tackle; it’s a collective responsibility. That’s why we are now in PDP.

If I could not see him when I was in another party, now as a member of the PDP, I have the right to advise him because his failure is my failure while his success is my success.

Jonathan is still in the process of learning; he had experience as deputy governor, governor and vice president. Being a governor of Bayelsa is different from being the president of the country. Within the last four years, he has gained a lot of experience. If he goes for a second term, I believe he will do better than he did in the last four years.

On how President Jonathan can succeed.
If Mr. President wants to aspire for a second term, I believe he has a vision. His first coming was not as president but as vice president. Therefore, the vision of his government is the vision of his boss. Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, if the party leadership is doing its job as it ought to, everybody will succeed because the manifesto of any political party is the working material that is supposed guide Mr. President or the governors. And who is going to supervise them? It is the party leadership. So, if the president or any governor fails, it is not the person that has failed but the leadership of the party.

 
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Obasanjo's Comment: SEE What Jonathan's Camp Is Planning Against Him

Recent comment from President Olusegun Obasanjo’s about President Goodluck Jonathan's promise to spend only one term in office has ignited a freshpanic in the President’s camp.

Obasanjo in an interview in London on Tuesday once again revealed that President Jonathan had promised to to serve only one term and this caused anxiety in the camp of the President, leading to a review meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night.

It was learnt that those at the meeting claimed that Obasanjo has sympathy for the opposition and he might be out for a spoiler’s game in 2015, with a target of pitching Nigerians against the President.

Therefore a consensus was reached on how to checkmate Obasanjo's plans to frustrate Jonathan’s second term bid and they are as follows:

•ignore his tirades unless they threaten national security;

•address only issues and not personality

•sustain the ongoing reconciliation in PDP and consolidate gains made by the party;

•Jonathan should continue to pursue his right to second term in office – in line with the laws of the land and the guidelines released by INEC; and

•leave the electorate to determine the fate of Jonathan in 2015.

A presidency source said: “We have agreed not to dignify Obasanjo with a response because he is not saying anything new. What should be the concern of all is the position of the 1999 Constitution on second term in office, which the President is entitled to."
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/59260.html

Obasanjo's Comment: SEE What Jonathan's Camp Is Planning Against Him

Recent comment from President Olusegun Obasanjo’s about President Goodluck Jonathan's promise to spend only one term in office has ignited a freshpanic in the President’s camp.

Obasanjo in an interview in London on Tuesday once again revealed that President Jonathan had promised to to serve only one term and this caused anxiety in the camp of the President, leading to a review meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night.

It was learnt that those at the meeting claimed that Obasanjo has sympathy for the opposition and he might be out for a spoiler’s game in 2015, with a target of pitching Nigerians against the President.

Therefore a consensus was reached on how to checkmate Obasanjo's plans to frustrate Jonathan’s second term bid and they are as follows:

•ignore his tirades unless they threaten national security;

•address only issues and not personality

•sustain the ongoing reconciliation in PDP and consolidate gains made by the party;

•Jonathan should continue to pursue his right to second term in office – in line with the laws of the land and the guidelines released by INEC; and

•leave the electorate to determine the fate of Jonathan in 2015.

A presidency source said: “We have agreed not to dignify Obasanjo with a response because he is not saying anything new. What should be the concern of all is the position of the 1999 Constitution on second term in office, which the President is entitled to."
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SHOCKER: Bamanga Tukurs Wife Joins APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna state made a big catch yesterday with the registration of Hajiya Asiya Mohammed Bello, the wife of Former PDP chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

This is coming barely a month after her husband was removed as the national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. She registered at Gabasawa Ward in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna North Local Government area of Kaduna State with registration card number 0623374.

Bamanga Tukur and wife's registration form

While showing her registration card which was still in his possession, her driver, Malam Yahaya Gambo said, "It is true that Hajiya Asiya registered today with of the APC."

Also confirming her registration, the supervising officer for the registration of the APC in Kaduna north in Kaduna State, Shaibu Lilly, said, "It is true that our registration officer registered Tukur’s wife and issued her a registration card. This is one of the developments of democracy in Nigeria where you see an immediate past PDP chairman’s wife registering for APC". As far as I am concerned, they might be united as husband and wife but may have different opinions as the far as the political scenario is concerned, it is to show you that it is a falling period for the PDP".

Tukur's wife registration form

Efforts to speak with Asiya Bello at her residence proved abortive as she was said to be busy and will not be available to speak.

According to a close family source to the Bamangas, who craved for anonymity, Asiya is still Bamaga Tukur’s wife and the house she lives also belong to him.

When contacted, the Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Chief Abubakar Gaiya Haruna simply said he was not in Kaduna and was not aware of the matter and so could not speak on it.

He added, "Bamanga Tukur is a Muslim and may have more than one wife, I have been to his house several times here in Kaduna and Abuja but I have not seen any of his wives, so I cannot point at any of his wife because I have never met any of them".
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Obasanjo Exposes The Promise Jonathan Made Over 2nd Term Bid

Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday restated his argument that President Goodluck Jonathan promised to serve just one term.

Speaking to Bloomberg News, a London-based tabloid, yesterday, Obasanjo said during the 2011 election campaigns, Jonathan promised not to serve beyond a single term.

“President Jonathan said, not only once, twice, publicly, not only in Nigeria, outside Nigeria, that he would have one term, and said that to me,” Obasanjo said.

In the interview, Obasanjo challenged Jonathan to be a man of his words while reminding the president of the implication of not keeping one’s vows.

“One of the things that is very important in the life of any man or any person, is that he should be a man or person of his word,” Obasanjo said, adding that “If you decide that your word should not be taken seriously, that’s entirely up to you.”

Effort to reach the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, proved abortive as his phones were switched off.
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"President Happy With What Minister Oduah Has Done For Nigeria" - Maku

Yesterday at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, President Goodluck Jonathan announced that four ministers have been relieved of their duties. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Information Minister Labarn Maku explained the reasons for this move.

Aviation Minister Stella Oduah, who was absent at the meeting, had been reportedly informed of the development by the President. It is not clear if the three other ministers - Police Affairs Minister Caleb Olubolade, Minister of Niger Delta Godsday Orubebe and Minister of State for Finance Yerima Ngama - had been warned in advance.

Olubolade and Orubebe left before the end of the meeting and did not talk to the press. Exiting the Presidential Villa, Ngama spoke briefly to reporters in the Hausa language.

Yesterday's development follows the exit of Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadomhe, on Monday.

Explanation

At the end of the FEC meeting, Information Minister Labaran Maku explained that the ministers were "allowed to go" to pursue personal and political goals.

"The President ... said a number of ministers have been asked to step out of the Federal Executive Council to pursue or further their own interests, some in politics, others private-focused. But mainly what the President did today was to allow ministers who have indicated interest in pursuing further goals in the polity and in the economy and in the life of the country to be allowed to go.

"In announcing the acceptance of their decision to participate further in the polity, the President thanked them very sincerely for the great job they have done in helping the government realise a number of the goals that have been achieved under the transformation agenda," Minister Maku said.

He then added that the President thanked the ministers for their work for Nigeria and was "generally happy" with what they had done to help the administration to realize its goals.

"The President explained that, contrary to this insinuation which came from the social media and were also replicated in some regular media, [Chief of Staff] Oghiadomhe left to pursue further interest in politics,"Maku said further.

"The President made it very clear that the resignation of the former chief of staff has nothing to do with the alleged misdemeanors in NNPC, but rather it was purely a decision of the former chief of staff to withdraw his services to participate in pursuing further interest in politics."

On why Stella Oduah was asked to go, Maku had this to say:

"I have just reported exactly what the President said. Also, don't forget allegations don't necessarily mean guilt, and I think the press should always take sometimes to be patient. But the truth of the matter is that they left because they indicated interest in playing deeper roles in the politics of the country and the President has decided to let them go."
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Why Okorocha Joined APC - Aide Reveals

Chief Martins Ebunola, Special assistant to Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha has said that the governor joined the All Progressive Congress, APC to bring to reality the dream of the Igbos for a presidential or vice-presidential slot in 2015.

While addressing newsmen in Lagos on thecontroversy that trailed statements by the governor at the inaugural meeting of the South East APC, held in Owerri, Ebunola said Okorocha was referring to some Igbo leaders who were working against the political interest of the Igbos.

He said Okorocha did not leave for APC because he had any quarrel with anyone but because he wanted to ensure that the Igbos are not marginalised in the country, while adding that Okorocha has not said he will run for presidency in 2015.

He said, "What is wrong with the progressive efforts of the governor to ensure that an Igbo man was democratically elected as president or vice-president of Nigeria in 2015?"

Ebunola, however, called on the Igbo people and all Igbo-speaking communities in the country to support the APC as the party’s manifesto would further promote the rapid development of Igbo land.
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Dates Set for Ekiti, Osun PDP Governorship Primaries

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed dates for governorship primaries in Ekiti and Osun States, as the ruling party opens nominations for the race.

The primary election for Ekiti State is scheduled for March 15, while for Osun State they would be conducted on April 5.

According to the a timetable released by the PDP secretariat on February 12, 2014, Wednesday, sale of nomination forms for Ekiti commences from February 24 to March 3, while that of Osun starts from March 14 and closes on March 21.

It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Ekiti governorship election for June 21, 2014, while that of Osun holds on August 9, 2014. 
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How PDP Chairman Mu'azu Shames SGF Sen. Pius Anyim

 

Chieftains, delegates and other guests were stunned on February 13, 2014, Thursday, when the newly-appointed National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, specifically urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Pius Anyim, to learn not to sleep during public events.

Mu'azu was speaking when leaders of the party from Ebonyi State visited him and the leadership of the party to pay homage and wish him well following his election.

The group was led by the governor, Martin Elechi, who spoke on behalf of the delegation from his state, which included Anyim, Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and some other political office holders from the state.

But while Mu'azu was replying, he looked over at Anyim, who had already dozed off, and immediately confronted the burly SGF.

“Mr. Anyim, I hope you have not started doing what you like doing best,” Mu'azu said, making the motions of a dozing person.

The laughter that followed from the audience woke up the sleeping SGF.

It was gathered that even as Senator, Anyim often fell asleep on the floor of the House, an action that made the late Chuba Okadigbo, at that time the Senate President, to scold him on one occasion.

Witnesses recall that the scolding followed an instance when Anyim, suddenly woke up from his usual sleep and without knowing the topic being discussed, shouted that he wanted to make contribution.

An angry Okadigbo then asked Anyim whether he knew what was being discussed, to which Anyim just smiled, provoking general laughter among the Senators.