Politics

CRISIS IN LEADING POLITICAL PARTIES***PDP’S Ayu Battles To Survive Bribery Allegations

Published

2 years ago

September 30, 2022

Ochuwa Ibrahim

CRISIS IN LEADING POLITICAL PARTIES
***PDP’S Ayu Battles To Survive Bribery Allegations

***Adamu/NWC Disagree on Memo Over Campaign Council composition.

By Politics Editor

Both chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Adamu and the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Iyorchia Ayu are battling to survive divisions amongst their members of the National Working Committee, NWC.

While Iyorchia Ayu is fighting hard to defray allegations of bribing his Committee members with large sums of money under the guise of paying them accomodations allowances, Abdullahi Adamu is battling to own up or disown the memo written to the party’s Presidential standard bearer, Bola Tinubu, accusing him of sidelining the party hierachy in his campaign structure.

Iyorchia Ayu did not deny authorizing payments of between N36million and N28 million to each member of the working Committee, even when some of them who rejected the pay; but defended same, as having followed due processes.

Abdullahi Adamu on the other hand is denying the authorship of a memo sent to Bola Tinubu.

Both leaders have been trying to explain the true situation of things and their individual roles, but members of the National Working Committees in both parties do not appear impressed.

The trouble in the PDP appears weightier as it borders on integrity: more so that, it is coming amidst internal wranglings amongst key stakeholders of the party.

Iyorchia Ayu’s spokesman Yusuf Dingyadi in a statement on Thursday maintained that, the payments made to the principal officers of the party was deliberated upon and duely approved, but the explanatory notes attached to the refunds made by six of the officers did not agree with the explanations.

Each one if them denied knowledge of the circumstances leading to the payments.
Our correspondent who spoke to some of the officers reports that,the party did not give them any notice of the payments and none of them got incident alerts from their banks: making the issue even more controversial.

Coming at a time the National Chairman of the party is being prevailed upon to vacate office, the payments look even more suspicious, promoting some if them to quickly check their bank balances and made refunds.

Some party members argue that, the party did not seem it necessary to clarify to the affected officers prior to the publication which made public the controversial payments leaves more questions than answers.

As at time of going to press, the crisis seems to be deepening, as those calling for Iyorchia Ayu’s ouster seem to have gained more grounds pushing for their demands, even as the party leadership has been running from pillar to pole trying to placate agitated members.

For the APC, the controversy over the memo sent to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is yet causing divisions between the Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu and members of the National Working Committee.

Our correspondent reports that, while Adamu denied authorship if the controversial memo, some members of the National Working Committee insist that, the content of the memo was their collective position, even as they allege that Adamu was denying it because he has been given his own dues in the campaign Council.

The ranging controversy is coming at a time the standard bearer of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu hurriedly left the country last week: ostenssibly on health grounds.

But in a deft move to accommodate the warring interests, reports indicate that, the APC campaign council has been further expanded, by 2000 additional posts, with the creation of zonal and state offices.

The expansion seems to have addressed the grievances of the National Working Committee members, although it is subject to final ratification by the Presidential candidate: sources within the party confirmed.

This is even as some party members have expressed worries over Tinubu’s absence for full take off of the campaigns, having hurriedly departed the country, ostensibly on health grounds.

The worries became manifest following his absence at the signing of the National Peace Accord on Thursday, heightening fears over his physical fitness for the Campaigns.

CRISIS IN LEADING POLITICAL PARTIES
***PDP’S Ayu Battles To Survive Bribery Allegations

Politics

Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission

Published

1 week ago

April 28, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission

By: Michael Mike

The President of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has deployed an Election Observation Mission of 40 observers to Togo to monitor the legislative and regional elections scheduled for 29 April 2024

According to a statement at the weekend, the mission is in line with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and constitutes support from the regional organisation to its Member States for the conduct of their elections.

The mission is led by the former Vice-President of The Gambia, Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang.

According to the statement, the mission is made up of Ambassadors from Member States accredited to ECOWAS; representatives of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Parliament; Civil Society Organisations; media professionals and election observation specialists from the West African region.

It revealed that: “This observation mission is being deployed following the recommendations of a pre-election fact-finding mission that visited Togo from 15 to 20 April 2024 to assess the preparatory phases of the elections.

“During its stay in Togo, the observation mission will hold consultations with the main stakeholders in the electoral process and monitor the voting process up to 29 April 2024.”

Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission

Politics

Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande

Published

3 months ago

February 22, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande

By: Bodunrin Kayode

A Plateau elder Ambassador Yahaya Kwande has described the just concluded re-run election into the national assembly as a Triumph of Democracy.

In a release titled Congratulations to the Winners of Plateau State Bye Elections of February 3, 2024, he noted that the entire exercise was a victory to the people of the state.

“With great joy and profound gratitude, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Senator, (Plateau North Senatorial District), Prince Pam Mwadkwon Dachungyang, and the Member of the House of Representatives, (Jos North/Bassa Constituency), Hon. Daniel Asama, on their resounding victory in the recently concluded bye election held in Plateau State.

“Your triumph is a testament to the true spirit of democracy and the unwavering support of the people.

“I have no doubt that both Prince Pam Mwadkon and Hon. Daniel Asama will live up to the aspirations and expectations of the voters, as they embark on this noble responsibility of representing their constituents. May your tenure be marked by dedication, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of progress for our beloved state and nation.

“As we celebrate this momentous milestone, let us not forget the challenges we faced during the post-2023 elections period. It is my sincere hope that Plateau State will swiftly recover from the divisions and tussles that marred our unity. Let us unite as one, for the strength of our state lies in our togetherness.

“It is essential for the government and the people to undertake immediate measures to reconcile and bridge the gaps that have emerged. We must never forget that every citizen, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, is entitled to their fundamental rights. The use of religion as a tool of disfranchisement must cease; we must affirm that citizenship rights are not conditional on faith.

“Let us also strive to recapture the lost glory of our state, when Jos was hailed as the political Mecca of Nigeria, attracting momentous political events and embracing politicians from all shades and ideologies. We can revive this legacy by nurturing an environment that exudes peace, openness, and security for all. Together, we can restore Plateau State as a beacon of democratic excellence.

“In conclusion, I express my utmost optimism for the future of Plateau State. I extend my deepest appreciation to all who peacefully participated in the bye election, be it as candidates or enthusiastic supporters. Our journey towards progress and development continues, and I am confident that we will stand united, empowered by the unwavering spirit of our people.” said Kwande.

Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande

Politics

APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.

Published

3 months ago

February 13, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.

By: Jabiru Hassan

The National President of the APC Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening to ease the hardships affecting Nigerians.

In a message he issued to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Ambassador Tsoken described President Tinubu as a leader with listening war by giving a marching order for the release of different food items to ease hardships for the people of Nigeria, which is a good initiative.

”APC-IGG has recognized what Mr. President has done in order to ease the hardship affecting the people on the food price hike, which is very good foresight from our leader. We therefore thank all those who have helped with the implementation of the process to release the food items from the federal government reserves across the country for their well-deserved thought.” The statement was added.

Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken reassured the people of Nigeria that the APC Initiative for Good Governance would continue to work selflessly in order to ensure that Nigeria is progressive under the present democratic dispensation without bias.

Amb Tsoken emphasizes that the emergence of His Excellency Sen. Dr. George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation depicts the fact that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has reliable and credible individuals who have verse experience in governance from all ramifications; therefore, the deliverance of democratic dividends is something that Nigerians should believe in its workability and full efficacy in the near future, considering the fact that some of the policies and programs of the Renewed Hope Agenda have started gaining sway in the lives of the citizenry, he concluded.

APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.