Government

Saraki, Ahmed, Ibeto Finally Defect to PDP

Published

6 years ago

August 1, 2018

Saraki, Ahmed, Ibeto Finally Defect to PDP

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continued to stew in crisis Tuesday as Senate President Bukola Saraki, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, finally left the party and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Saraki’s defection ended weeks of speculations about his political future even as leaders of the APC, including President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, redoubled efforts to persuade him to stay back in the party he helped to form in 2013.

But the Senate president, who first announced his exit on his Twitter handle, followed by a statement signed by him, said their interventions came a little too late, explaining that fifth columnist had done too much damage before they stepped in.

But in an ironic twist, the APC rose from its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting Tuesday night, issuing a query to the departed Saraki on alleged anti-party activities.

“We told you these people are irredeemable jokers,” a Saraki supporter said to THISDAY Tuesday night, “They are querying someone who is no longer under their control.”

The party may issue more queries as the Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, too moves over to the PDP Wednesday in Sokoto.

A reliable source said he would be doing so with 23 of the 30 members of state House of Assembly.

Ahmed was the first to opt out through a statement by his media aide, Dr. Muideen Akorede, in the afternoon in Ilorin, saying that his people’s aspirations and expectations were no longer realisable in the APC.

Saraki in a lengthy 20-paragraph statement said he was forced out of the party by fifth columnists.

According to him, some national leaders of APC who were opposed to resolving the crisis within the party through dialogue served as fifth columnists which led to his leaving the party eventually.

His words: “There are some people in the party leadership hierarchy, who did not think dialogue was the way forward and therefore chose to play the fifth columnists. These individuals went to work and ensured that they scuttled the great efforts and the good intentions of other leaders of the party. Perhaps, had these divisive forces not thrown the cogs in the wheel at the last minutes, and in a manner that made it impossible to sustain any trust in the process, the story today would have been different.”

Saraki said it took him a long time to quit the party, adding: “If anything at all, I have tarried for so long and did all that was humanly possible, even in the face of great provocation, ridicule and flagrant persecution, to give opportunity for peace, reconciliation and harmonious existence.

“Perhaps, more significantly, I am mindful of the fact that I carry on my shoulder a great responsibility for thousands of my supporters, political associates and friends, who have trusted in my leadership and have attached their political fortunes to mine. However, it is after an extensive consultation with all the important stakeholders that we have come to this difficult but inevitable decision to pitch our political tent elsewhere; where we could enjoy greater sense of belonging and where the interests of the greatest number of our Nigerians would be best served.”

Further justifying his defection and taking full responsibility for this decision, he emphasised that it was a decision “that has been inescapably imposed on me by certain elements and forces within the APC who have ensured that the minimum conditions for peace, cooperation, inclusion and a general sense of belonging did not exist”.

“They have done everything to ensure that the basic rules of party administration, which should promote harmonious relations among the various elements within the party were blatantly disregarded. All governance principles which were required for a healthy functioning of the party and the government were deliberately violated or undermined. And all entreaties for justice, equity and fairness as basic precondition for peace and unity, not only within the party, but also the country at large, were simply ignored, or employed as additional pretext for further exclusion,” he said.

He, however, gave kudos to both Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, for their efforts in ensuring that he remained in the party.

Saraki announced that he was returning to the PDP that he left four years ago, which has learnt from his past mistakes.

He said: “For me, I leave all that behind me. Today, I start as I return to the party where I began my political journey, the PDP. When we left the PDP to join the then nascent coalition of APC in 2014, we left in a quest for justice, equity and inclusion; the fundamental principles on which the PDP was originally built but which it had deviated from. We were attracted to the APC by its promise of change. We fought hard along with others and defeated the PDP.

“In retrospect, it is now evident that the PDP has learnt more from its defeat than the APC has learnt from its victory. The PDP that we return to is now a party that has learnt its lessons the hard way and have realized that no member of the party should be taken for granted; a party that has realised that inclusion, justice and equity are basic precondition for peace; a party that has realised that never again can the people of Nigeria be taken for granted.

“I am excited by the new efforts, which seeks to build the reborn PDP on the core principles of promoting democratic values; internal democracy; accountability; inclusion and national competitiveness; genuine commitment to restructuring and devolution of powers; and an abiding belief in zoning of political and elective offices as an inevitable strategy for managing our rich diversity as a people of one great indivisible nation called Nigeria.”

Announcing his own defection, Ahmed’s media aide said: “Following due consultations with the people, and in response to calls by major stakeholder groups in the state, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, today defected to the PDP,” adding: “Having realised that the APC can longer serve as a platform for achieving the aspirations and expectations of his people.”

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Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Government

I Knelt Down, Begged Wike for Peace to Reign in Rivers – Fubara Reveals Amid Tension

Published

7 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

Amid the growing political tension and upheaval in Rivers State, Governor Sim Fubara, has revealed that he has done everything possible for him to prevent the current panicking situation in the state.

According to him, he practically knelt down for his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike and begged him to let go of their feud, but the former governor rebuffed his pleas.

While speaking on a television political programme, Fubara went into memory lane on how he had strived to please the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, saying he (Fubara) kept all understanding with Wike.

The governor said he has been showing understanding in order not to expose the state to violence but added that the minister thwarted his good intentions for the state, hence the violence that has enveloped Rivers.

According to him, “There is nothing I have not done on this earth for peace to reign. I can tell you the number of times I have knelt to beg that let’s allow this issue to go. I have done everything.”

He therefore urged Wike, his predecessor, to allow peace to reign in the state by letting go of Rivers State.

Fubara stated that the current troubling situation in the riverine state has gotten to a point where Wike needs to let go and allow peace in the state.

Investors King had reported that Rivers was thrown into crisis on Monday, a day after the swearing-in of 22 winners of the controversial Saturday local government elections in the state.

The swearing-in of the chairmen from other political parties other than the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, had enraged Wike’s camp as hoodlums began attacking local government council secretariats, burning office equipment, files, chairs and tables, and equipment.

Disturbed by the ugly development, President Bola Tinubu had directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to secure Rivers State’s local government secretariats following the arsons.

Meanwhile, Olabode George, former deputy national chairman of the PDP, urged Wike to allow Fubara to work.

In a statement, George said asked Wike to leave Fubara alone and allow him to fastrack dividends of democracy for his people.

Government

One Feared Killed, Property Destroyed as Hoodlums Set Rivers LG Secretariats Ablaze

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

In an alleged move to prevent the newly elected Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State from resuming offices, hoodlums went on a rampage across council secretariats in the state, setting them ablaze and destroying property.

At least, one person was reportedly killed as sporadic shooting rented the air in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of the state on Monday after some hoodlums stormed the premises.

Recall that protests had rocked some local government areas over the order of the police to unseal the Secretariats of the 23 LGs of the state which have been under lock and key since July.

Sequel to the relocation of police personnel stationed at the 23 council offices, it was gathered that the new chairmen, who had been sworn in by the state governor, Sim Fubara, made attempts to resume their offices on Monday.

However, there was tension as some protesters armed with guns and dangerous weapons besieged the secretariats and started torching the building and other property in sight.

They started shooting while people started running in different directions.

In a similar pattern, violent protests occurred at other LGs where some youths took over the council headquarters in Emuoha and Ikwerre LGs.

In Ikwerre LG, protesters who invaded the secretariat in Isiokpo set fire to a section of the secretariat, preventing the workers from assessing the place.

It was gathered the situation prevented the newly sworn-in Chairman of Ikwerre from going in to inaugurate his councilors.

Gunshots were heard at Ikwerre LG Secretariat in a video obtained by Investors King as some people were screaming for help amid the fire.

A source said the police later moved in to quell the riot while the fire was put out, though some parts of the council headquarters were damaged.

In Emuuoha LG, protesters prevented the newly sworn-in chairman from assessing the council headquarters in Isiokpo.

The protesters claimed that the candidate of the Action Peoples Party which they termed an unpopular and unknown party does not have what it takes to win the just concluded election.

The protesters were said to have blocked the main entrance to the secretariat.

They were said to have taken control of the administrative building, saying they would not allow the Chairman, David Omereji, to assume office.

Their supporters insisted that they recognised the immediate past KG Chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd, as the duly elected chairman and demanded that he be allowed to complete his tenure as extended by the state House of Assembly.

The PDP Emohua Council Chairman, Morrison Jim, addressed the public, reaffirming the party’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

He said despite not participating in the recent election due to a court order, the PDP remained strong and united.

Earlier on Monday, protesters invaded the Eleme LG secretariat and set it on fire, destroying several buildings and cars, including a police vehicle inside the council premises.

Government

Wike’s Camp Dares Fubara After Swearing in LG Chairmen From Another Party as PDP Govs’ Forum Reacts

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), loyal to the FCT Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has declared fresh ‘war’ against the state governor, Sim Fubara for swearing in the newly elected local government chairmen from another party.

The local council election, held last Saturday, saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) winning 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured one.

Additionally, the APP claimed victory in 314 out of 319 councillorship seats across the 23 local government areas (LGAs) of Rivers State.

Following the election, Fubara swore in the newly elected council chairmen on Sunday. It is understood that after losing control of the PDP to Wike, Fubara’s supporters shifted their allegiance to the APP.

Reacting, PDP Publicity Secretary, Kenneth Yowika expressed the party’s intention to take legal action, stating that the camp didn’t recognize Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony.

Yowika emphasised that the party had long maintained that the election was illegal, citing a Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu, which prohibited the conduct of the council election.

He stressed that the state government’s decision to proceed with the election was a violation of that judgment.

Reiterating the party’s stance on adhering to the rule of law, he described his camp as law-abiding, promising not to engage in physical confrontation with the governor.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, has said that his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Fubara has proven himself a true democrat.

Mohammed said Fubara has against all odds, pushed through with decisions and actions to deepen democracy.

Mohammed further said Fubara has done so by being proactive with an open mind and deploying his democratic instincts with strategies to carefully deliver democratic governance at the local government level, irrespective of party allegiance or consideration.

Mohammed, who is also the Governor of Bauchi State, made the remark shortly after he witnessed the swearing-in of 23 democratically elected Rivers State Local Government Council Chairmen at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt on Monday morning and sent to newsmen.

The PDP Governors’ Forum chairman affirmed that Rivers State is a PDP State, even if the just sworn-in local government chairmen and councilors are of different political parties.

He bemoaned the situation, describing it as the problem that they have found themselves both as a party and as governors.

However, Mohammed said Fubara, who is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is still an avowed member of the PDP even though other parties constitute the body of elected officers at the local government level.

Mohammed pointed out why it is inadvisable to ignore a sitting governor at the sub-national level because of the role he plays and the following he commands.

This is why, he insisted, the effrontery to undermine the office and person of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State is largely not acceptable.

Responding to how soon the PDP will resolve its festering crisis and achieve the desired unity, Governor Mohammed assured that it may seem prolonged but quickly added that true reconciliation was in view.