₦airaland Forum

Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu said
yesterday that President Goodluck
Jonathan should not be blamed for the
country ’s problems.
Oba Akiolu , who spoke while receiving
the president at his Iga Iduganran
palace , said fighting corruption was the
responsibility of every Nigerian .
“ What will be , will be ; God Almighty will
give the best person the opportunity to
lead this country .
“ Mr. President , God knows the best . I
am happy . What I want are free and fair
elections.
“ I am happy that Mr . President directed
INEC to ensure that voters’ cards are
distributed to every eligible member of
the electorate , ’’ he said.
He urged INEC to ensure distribution of
voter cards , saying that Lagos had more
than six million eligible voters .
The monarch urged that security agents
should not be unfairly used against any
citizen during the general elections.
According to him , both the Peoples
Democratic Party ( PDP ) governorship
candidate , Jimi Agbaje and his All
Progressives Congress ( APC)
counterpart , Akinwunmi Ambode, are his
children .
He said he had presented Mr . Ambode’s
candidature for God ’s blessing at the
2014 Hajj in Saudi Arabia, but noted that
God would always have the final say.
The Oba was confident that Nigeria
would be more united after the elections.
Oba Akiolu accused former President
Olusegun Obasanjo of not treating Lagos
well during his administration and
leaving many problems unsolved in the
country .
Jonathan , who was accompanied by
Vice President Namadi Sambo , PDP
chair Adamu Mu ’azu and other leaders,
visited the Oba before their campaign .
Jonathan said his administration had
revived rail transport system, improved
road network, created jobs and
implemented policies aimed at economic
advancement , among other
achievements .

Cracks in the relationship between the
Bayelsa State Governor , Seriake Dickson
and President Goodluck Jonathan on
one hand , and the First Lady, Dame
Patience Jonathan , on the other hand ,
deepened on Thursday.
Dickson berated their loyalists led by a
former deputy governor of the state ,
Werinipre Seibarugu , and former Special
Adviser on Special Projects , Remi Kuku ,
for allegedly sowing seeds of discord in
the PDP family in the state .
The governor ’s attack on Seibarugu ,
Kuku , and other loyalists of Jonathan
was coming barely five weeks to the
February 14 presidential election .
Jonathan ’s loyalists and supporters in
the state now operate under the aegis of
the Transformation Ambassadors of
Nigeria ( TAN ) under the chairmanship of
Seibarugu .
Kuku is the Deputy National Co -
ordinator of the First Lady ’s non -
governmental organisation, Women for
Change and Development Initiative
( W 4 CDI ) .
Last Monday , Dickson sacked Kuku and
the Commissioner for Local Government
Affairs , Marie Ebikake , from his cabinet
in very controversial circumstances.
The governor , who spoke through a
statement on Thursday in Yenagoa
signed by his Chief Press Secretary,
Daniel Iworsio - Markson, accused the
former deputy governor , Kuku and “ their
cohorts ” for creating political divisions
in the state , especially among the
women .
He flayed them for engaging in divisive
tendencies to “mostly to serve their own
selfish interest and personal
aggrandizement other than the
Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria ,
TAN ”.
He described them as “some desperate
and self - seeking politicians promoting
the politics of disaffection and needless
divisions in the state ”.
He also described “ their antics as
childish and most deplorable , especially ,
for people claiming to be working for the
success of the PDP ” .
“ While operating under the aegis of the
Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria ,
TAN , they rallied senior members of the
previous administration in the State to
engage and promote the politics of
subversion and needless divisions
amongst the women and other groups,
who were mobilized to attend and
honour the President on the occasion of
the traditional marriage of his niece .
“ Mrs . Kuku did not only create division
among the women, but displayed total
disrespect for senior officials of the
Bayelsa State Government by her
actions and this can no longer be
condoned in a disciplined set up like the
restoration government ” , Dickson said .
He warned them and their fellow
politicians to desist “from every form of
subversive and divisive tendencies,
capable of threatening the existing
peaceful , harmonious , united and
conducive environment created by his
administration ” .
The governor cautioned that while
politicians and groups were free to set
up campaign structures to promote their
personal , political aspirations and
canvas for votes from the electorates,
they must do so within the confines of
the law .
Dickson , according to the statement ,
called on the security agencies to be at
alert in order to nip in the bud any
attempt by Werinipre , Kuku and “their
cohorts ” to cause trouble in the state .
“ It is worthy of note that since the
commencement of the Governor
Dickson - led restoration government , the
administration has strived to galvanize
and mobilize the state to function as a
single unified and progressive entity , one
with visible and distinctive landmarks of
solid development in virtually all sectors
of the state ’s economy .
“ All of these were done despite the
subversive and unpatriotic tendencies of
those who do not mean well for the
state , coupled with the dangerous
propaganda and blackmail of the
opposition .
“ Of recent , these subversive tendencies
have almost been taken to a
treasonable level ”, the statement added .
It continued : “To this end , we wish to
state as follows : That there is a lawfully
and legitimately constituted government
in place with a mandate to ensure and
provide for the security , safety and
stability of the state , and as such , we
will not condone or allow anybody , no
matter how highly placed , to get away
with acts of subversion .
“ As our government has shown since
inception , we allow room for political
opposition to thrive , but we have always
insisted that , those who engage in
opposition politics must do so , within
the confines of the law .
“ We , therefore , call on citizens of our
state to be weary of the divisive and
subversive tendencies of some persons,
who have all in the name of politics, set
out to create and carry actions , that are
intended to cause divisions in our state .
“ Finally , we want to sound a clear note
of warning to all, that in the interest of
peace , even as the elections draw near,
that this state is bigger than every one
of us and nobody, no matter how highly
placed , will be spared from facing the
wrath of the law , if found wanting ”, the
statement added .

so Gej can lie like dis

if Buhari could pul dis crowd in d home state of jonathan,i think jonathan should honourably resign to avoid disgrace.

if GMB could pulled dis kind of mamoth crowd in bayelsa.i think Gej should forget this contest nd honourably resign to avoid disgrace.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2008338_img20150108141149_jpegfd03ff96b9a74bb692be228058860e20

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GEJ should not boder himself campaining because election has already been won by d GMB.

if u like dont vote for him.ur vote cannot stop him from winning.

GMB

nonesense post

dey cant even win their polin boot

dey ar just dreamin.dey just want to chop pdp money

u ar dreaming.no body can stop GMB for wining d election

Buhari all d way.opinion poll has already put GMB in win position.GMB poled 1236 wich is 96% of d poll.while GEJ got 105 which is just 8% of d pol.Peoples general is just waiting for May 29 2015 to be sworn in as president of d federal republic of Nigeria
.

leave him alone.he is ordained by God

Truth can only be hidden some time but it cannever die

so he realy sign one term agreement.front page please

lier who owns police,is it not jonathan,?

how many times have u pay tax

what a mess in d first lady camp

why are u advising him to rig election.

Story story!

Say the truth and stop covering up

APC has come to stay whether u likes it or not.

Akpabio is Finished in the hand of the first lady

God knows what we don't know,hear what we don't hear.The same God will Judge every one by his character.each and everyone of us shall die one day and account for all we did on this earth.May God save us(amin).

Apparently piqued by the defection of 37 members elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the leadership of the PDP yesterday met with its governors and the

caucus.

The national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and his deputy, Uche Secondus first met with the governors at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge.

The meeting, which was held behind closed doors had in attendance

Akpabio

Godswill

Governors

Ibom), Liyel Imoke (Cross

Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe);

Gabriel

(Bayelsa);

Dickson

(Benue) among others.

Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,

House

Anyim,

Pius

Anyim

Aminu Tambuwal, his deputy,

Leader,

House

and

Ihedioha;

Mulikat Akande-Adeola among others.

Rising from the meeting

governors, Tukur led other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to meet with the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives.

The meeting, which was held

Borno Room of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel was still ongoing at 10.35 when this report was still being filed.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its Chairman, Bamanga Tukur have faulted the decision of its 37 members in the House of Representatives to defect to the opposition All progressive Congress (APC).

It claimed that there is an order by the Federal High Court that parties to the suit by the lawmakers maintain status quo.

In a letter yesterday, the PDP and its Chairman asked Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, to direct the 37 lawmakers, whose defection from the party was made public on Wednesday, to revert to the status quo, and by implication, remain in the party.

The party has also filed an application before the court, seeking among others, a declaration that the defection of the lawmakers was null and void.

The letter was signed by Tukur and lawyer to the PDP, Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN).

It was their contention that since a Federal High Court in Abuja had on Tuesday ordered parties in the suit seeking to restrain the PDP from declaring the lawmakers’ seats vacant, to maintain the status quo, the lawmakers’ decision to announce their defection on the floor of the House was a violation of the court’s order directing parties to maintain the status quo.

“We have today filed a motion on notice, which has already been served on your office seeking to overturn the purported movement of the 37 of the plaintiffs to the APC. It is in the light of this that we enjoin you to act in obedience to the order of court and direct the plaintiffs to revert to the status quo ante bellum.

“Anything contrary to this will send out the wrong signals to Nigerians and the world that the Federal Legislature has no regard for the law and the constitution which they have sworn to uphold.

“The action of the plaintiffs, if not contained, may lead to a state of anarchy, which is not good for our democracy, constitutionalism, rule of law and the polity.”

They cited Section 68 (1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution which relates to when a member of the House of Representatives, who defects to another party, may be allowed to retain his seat and argued that the conditions prescribed by the Constitution were not met by the defecting lawmakers.

“It is crystal clear from the above legal authorities that the mandatory criteria have not been complied with by the plaintiffs,” they said.

In the application filed yesterday, the PDP particularly prayed the court for an order declaring the defection on December 18, 2013, by 37 of the plaintiffs from the PDP to ACP as null and void and contrary to the order of this court made on Tuesday, the 17th day of December, 2013.

It also praying for a mandatory order of the court directing the 37 legislators to revert back to the status quo, pending the hearing of the plaintiffs’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

In the alternative, it wants the court set aside its earlier order directing parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the motion for interlocutory injunction.

Some of the lawmakers had sued the party and some others and sought to among others, restrain the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President from declaring their seats vacant in the event of their defection to another political party.

Hearing in the case has been fixed for January 22, 2014.

IT was a grim verdict yesterday on the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by one of its governors.

The ruling party is dead, waiting to be buried, declared Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

Lamido, one of the founding fathers of the PDP in 1998, was one of the Group of Seven (G7) aggrieved governors who challenged

Bamanga Tukur and joined the Kawu Baraje-led New PDP.

Five of the governors – Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers),

Murtala

Kwankwaso

Ahmed (Kwara) – have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Lamido

Babangida Aliyu stayed back in the PDP.

Lamido said he would not leave PDP because doing so is like leaving a house he built.

But

latest development in the troubled party especially the defection on Wednesday of

members to the APC and declared the PDP dead.

“We

construction of what appears to be the final collapse of our dear party, the PDP, under the inept and slowpoke National Working

Bamanga Tukur,” he said, adding: “I am short of words to express my pain. It is agonising to see the party built in every home, in every village, town and cities all over Nigeria with lots of sacrifice being destroyed.”

Urging

action, Lamido said: “Is it too late for the ‘leader’ of the party to intervene and save our party?”

He,

democracy must not be truncated”.

But Tukur insisted yesterday that he would not step down as demanded by the governors elected on the platform of the party because the process being adopted is illegal.

Tukur, who spoke at a breakfast session with reporters in Abuja, said those after his sack were trying to ambush the process.

He said: “I was lawfully elected into the position by the party; so why should I be removed

That is why I challenge them to allow the rules prevail.

“Yes, I have also heard that the party’s National

meeting has not held for a long time, but I will also remind the public and the party that even at the state levels, there are executive councils and they have not also held meetings in the past years, even in the states of those that hold against me the NEC meeting issue.

“The NEC does not exist on its own; it derives from the states and the states should be in order before we put the national

order.”

Tukur said the party, after the defection in the National Assembly, would begin another round of reconciliation.

He added: “There is never a time any party would rule out the importance of reconciliation, and that is what I have been doing and many of the people you hear kick against the leadership of the party

meetings with me.

“But when one is bent on something, I have

engineer this problem don’t relent in inciting others against the party.

“But I promise you and I am sure the final

bring an end to the problems and most, if not all, the members that left would be back.

“What the public doesn’t also know is that new members and blocs have not ceased to join the PDP.

“However,

members that I am not the problem of the party and they should feel free to tell me what I have done wrong and, as a family, we would sit down and find a way out of it.”

He went on: “In a situation where people have a mindset on an issue, it is difficult to reconcile with such persons and that is what is playing out. I cannot tell you I am not disturbed by the development in the party. It hasn’t been a healthy one because much as we believe that the party still enjoys good standing among the electorate, we know the strength of a party

commands.

“I have viewed the issues in the party and I know for sure that it is not getting better but I can assure you that I can take any lawful condition the aggrieved members come up with to make sure peace reigns in the party. I have heard it many times from outside and the media that I am the problem of the party, but I challenge you to have audience with the aggrieved members of the party and ask them if I have not had private audiences with them.

“Whenever they are with me, I ask them from a sincere mind what exactly I have done to be the problem of the party, and I can swear to you that none of them ever

constitute is.”

In Tukur’s view, the problem may be that he disagrees

governors

electorate. “Some governors do not like that. My agenda is to reform the party and

candidates and imposing them on the people,” he said.

Explaining

misunderstood by the public, Tukur said his

started

governor and state party chairman must not

accordance with the stipulations of the party’s constitution.

“Why should a sitting governor decide who should succeed him at the end of his

consultation

votes must count at the elections?

“It was the effort to change the negative status quo ante that created the protest, which led to the existing crisis,” Tukur said.

source:The Nation

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal to declare vacant the seats of 37 Reps that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The 37 members elected on the platform of the PDP had, on Wednesday, defected to the APC with many others waiting in the wings to follow suit.

A statement issued on Thursday by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the members ought to lose their seats for renouncing the membership of the party.

The statement said: “Since the affected members have renounced their membership of the PDP, we call on the presiding officer in the House of Representatives to declare the 37 seats vacant without any further delay.

“This action shall be in adherence to our grand norm, which is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

Metuh dismissed claims by the defectors to the effect that they had obtained a court injunction restraining the relevant authorities from declaring their seat vacant, saying they must have misinterpreted the court’s injunction.

The statement said: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to claims by 37 defecting members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the PDP to the APC that they obtained an injunction restraining the leadership of the National Assembly and the party from declaring their seats vacant in line with provisions of the Constitution.

“We have, after a careful review, discovered that this claim is false. For the avoidance of doubt, the order of the court clearly says that status quo be maintained, which means the affected members shall remain members of the PDP.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in section 68 (i) (g) clearly spells out the consequences of cross carpeting when there is no division in any party. We wish to re-emphasise here that the courts have pronounced, and INEC has concurred that there are no factions in the PDP.

“Nigerians are eagerly awaiting this call to duty as this will go a long way in demonstrating our commitment to the rule of law.”

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party will not sit idle and watch its members defect enmass to the All Progressives Congress which is on the verge of claiming the majority slot in the National Assembly.

According to the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the party is not just worried about the new twist in the political calculations but also concerned that it could affect the electoral fortunes of the party in the coming elections if not halted.

He said the leadership of the party has therefore resolved to vigorously pursue its reconciliation efforts between the party and aggrieved members.

Tukur, who spoke at a no-barred-hold session with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, said fresh strategies are to be adopted to accommodate views of members and ensure that all possible democratic processes are exhausted in getting the members back to the fold.

Asked if the mass defection of key party members to the APC was indicative of the failure of the half-hearted reconciliatory efforts under his leadership, Tukur explained that it was obvious that some party members were simply adamant and appeared unresponsive to the redeeming change he had planned to introduce as a leader.

Aside the five governors who recently defected to the APC, 37 members of the party in the House of Representatives also crossed over to the APC on Wednesday while 22 others in the Senate have also signified their readiness to dump the PDP.

Tukur said the leadership is not unmindful of the fact that the gale of defections may turn the ruling party into a minority voice in the legislative chambers.

He said the party would prevail on the aggrieved members not to follow the multitude to do anything against their conscience, adding that the PDP remains the preferred party of most Nigerians in spite of the crisis.

He urged members of the party to place patriotism above selfish reasons in whatever they do, explaining that the present crisis within the party was based on his decision to fully democratize the party machineries.

He said: “”I am worried by the development. I am persuading them not to defect. Have they tested what is on ground? Did they consult with their people who elected them and got their consent? We are going to get in touch with them and reignite the reconciliation efforts.”