Dokpesi Congratulates New PDP Chairman, Secondus

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wewqeoxIiyeKrCaflcOYIaHNhlOZzykBiUVOsiT5ZtVZ260q8lK174nWCfFOevI5WarSsul82A0R8dfQvZse8lnlS8knm4SsmvPHDCw4iWrVqvIXK9k95Dfu6m6pVnV9e2MdhW8k9mOi/s1600/dokpesi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="650" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wewqeoxIiyeKrCaflcOYIaHNhlOZzykBiUVOsiT5ZtVZ260q8lK174nWCfFOevI5WarSsul82A0R8dfQvZse8lnlS8knm4SsmvPHDCw4iWrVqvIXK9k95Dfu6m6pVnV9e2MdhW8k9mOi/s400/dokpesi.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communication, who contested the PDP National Chairmanship position and lost, has congratulated the winner, Prince Uche Secondus.<br /> <br /> Dokpesi, who had earlier faulted the process of the party’s National Convention held in Abuja on Saturday, declared that “the delegates have spoken”.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Ì appreciate the delegates for voting at the convention and congratulate the newly elected National Working Committee of the PDP led by Secondus.<br /> <br /> “You will recall that I said that the PDP must be the ultimate winner at the end of the contest.<br /> <br /> “God bless the Peoples Democratic Party. Congratulations PDP as I wish all our members the best of luck,” Dokpesi said.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the newly elected National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has pledged that the party, under his watch, would adhere strictly to internal democracy with a deliberate policy to return ‘real’ power to the people.<br /> <br /> Secondus, who got 2,000 votes out of the 2,396 votes cast, in his acceptance speech on Sunday in Abuja, declared that the era of imposition and impunity was over.<br /> <br /> “With your mandate, I assure you that all necessary steps will be taken to avoid a repeat of our past mistakes.<br /> <br /> “We have to lean from our mistakes; by this convention, we are now set to forge a new path for our great party and Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to return ‘real’ power to the people. No more imposition, no more impunity.<br /> <br /> “Every member of this party can, from this moment, consider him or herself, an equal shareholder in our common destiny,” he assured.<br /> <br /> He called on all Nigerians to embrace the new PDP and join its quest for a new Nigeria.<br /> <br /> He also called on old PDP members, who, for one reason or the other, left the party, to please come back ‘home’.<br /> <br /> Secondus called for the support of his co-contestants, especially the chairmanship aspirants, saying that they were all eminently qualified to lead the party.<br /> <br /> “I thank you for a worthy contest and for being part of history because this marks the first time a stiff contest of this magnitude is taking place toward producing the leadership of a political party in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “You have every cause to stand tall and I now extend my hand of fellowship to you all. Let us rebuild, re-position and regain.”<br /> <br /> Secondus said that he was aware that the mandate given to him was to return PDP to power in 2019, and declared that the task was “herculean but achievable.”<br /> <br /> ”My campaign pillars for this election are to rebuild, re-position and regain. By the grace of God and with all hands on deck, the brief tenancy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Aso Rock Villa expires on May 28, 2019.”<br /> <br /> He said that PDP’s contributions to the growth and sustenance of democracy of Nigeria in the last 18 years were still there for all to see, adding that the best best way to celebrate the memories of the party’s founding fathers was to engage their ideals.<br /> <br /> Secondus commended the party members for offering him the opportunity to serve, and also lauded the courage of the outgoing National Caretaker Committee led by Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

Latest-News Dokpesi Congratulates New PDP Chairman, Secondus

Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communication, who contested the PDP National Chairmanship position and lost, has congratulated th...

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PDP CONVENTION: How Governor Wike ran the show with 'unity list'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlMDeMn_SAbzteOs1MKwryXm9RwE7zcQF8FlDN_Xx9FZBQrONhjctl5NidCAAuPYA7MdP-72HJ3O74MUtSBjCyb9JOSctEaAoDLlEAhWpZ1B1tSKHuJYieBqKwj0L1ZbwT02j5ZkQwQeL/s640/Chief-Nyesom-Wike.-Supervising-Minister-of-Educationjpg.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> <br /> The PDP national convention appeared tailor made for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.<br /> <br /> From the moment he stepped into the expansive Eagle Square v<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a>enue of the convention, the governor left no one in doubt that he was there for real business.<br /> <br /> Many delegates clutched what they called the ‘Unity List’ alleged to have been compiled by a group of which he is the rallying point.<br /> <br /> On the list were 21 names, one for each of the positions up for grabs.<br /> <br /> Topping the list was the name of Prince Uche Secondus from Rivers State favoured by Wike for the position of chairman.<br /> <br /> Also listed were: Elder Yemi Akinwonmi (Ogun, South West)) as his deputy national chairman (South); Senator Gamawa Babawo Garba (Bauchi, North East ) deputy national chairman (North);Senator Umar Tsauri (Katsina, North West), National Secretary; and Agbo Emmanuel (Benue, North Central) Deputy National Secretary.<br /> <br /> The rest were: Aribisala Adewale (Ekiti, South West) National Treasurer; Alhaji Wada Masu (Kano, North West) deputy treasurer; Abdullahi Husseini Maibasara (Niger, North Central) Financial Secretary; Irona Alphonsus Gerald (Imo, South East) deputy financial secretary; retired Col. Austin Akobundu (Abia, South East) National Organizing Secretary; Hasan Yakubu (Nasarawa, North central) , deputy national organizing secretary; Kola Ologbondiyan (Kogi, North Central), National Publicity Secretary; Diran Odeyemi (Osun, South West) deputy publicity secretary; Emmanuel Enoidem (Akwa Ibom, South South) National Legal Adviser; and Ahmed Bello Liman (Sokoto,North West) deputy national legal adviser.<br /> <br /> Favoured for the post of National Auditor Mai Adamu Mustapha (Yobe, North East); while Miss Divine Amina Arong (Cross River, South South) was listed as his deputy.<br /> <br /> Mariya Waziri (Kebbi, North West) National Women Leader; Hadizat Umoru (Edo, South South) deputy women leader; Udeh Okoye (Enugu, South East) National Youth Leader; and Umar Babangida Maina (Adamawa, North East) as his deputy.<br /> <br /> However, while Secondus appeared to be the only candidate sponsored by Wike, all other anointed candidates were sponsored by their various state governors.<br /> <br /> Those from states where PDP is not in power made their cases through prominent stakeholders at the national or state level.

Latest-News PDP CONVENTION: How Governor Wike ran the show with 'unity list'

The PDP national convention appeared tailor made for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. From the moment he stepped into the expansiv...

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2019: Imo lawmakers endorse Okorocha’s son in-law for Governor

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="980" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXA_J9IxSk9M5pcxjpghFItPOI94TsOZtORAlWhDGQROdDdYfKiCtIwX6PZF9rX8Rg62Cl0DDWsVBIYCjzjYR-XmrEESoT3S1tb64X7QAM-H13oKcIaYhiQxs-Mgmi-n2UT8E8_85XWlYp/s400/Rochas-Okorocha.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Some Imo State lawmakers yesterday endorsed Mr. Uche Nwosu, son in-law to Governor Rochas Okorocha, to succeed him in Government House in 2019.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Nwosu currently serves as the Governor’s Chief of Staff.<br /> <br /> Spokesman for the lawmakers, Mr. Henry Ezediaro, said yesterday that Nwosu qualifies to take over from Okorocha on the strength of “his humility and ability to fit into the shoes of the Governor.”<br /> <br /> Ezediaro who represents Oguta Council area said the decision to endorse the Chief of Staff was reached “after majority of the members met and declared him the best to run for the position.”<br /> <br /> Ezediaro who doubles as the Director General of the Ugwumba Mandate, one of the Nwosu’s campaign structures, added: “after a meeting of members of the House, we agreed, irrespective of party affiliations to endorse Ugwumba Uche Nwosu as our best choice for the governorship of Imo State in 2019.<br /> <br /> “We urge him to contest and if he does, we will produce him as governor in 2019.<br /> <br /> “Too many projects are going on in the state now at the same time. The governor may complete some. We need someone who can complete all and that person is Uche Nwosu.”<br /> <br /> He cited Okorocha’s free education policy, saying: “without Nwosu, the policy may die and that is why we want him to continue from where the Governor will stop.<br /> <br /> “His project has become our project.”<br /> <br /> He pledged to contribute “in line with what I did in 2015” twenty-seven buses and cash to support him.”<br /> <br /> The endorsement came barely a week after the governor swore in his younger sister, <a href="http://www.nigerianeye.com/2017/12/the-ministry-of-happiness-and-couples.html">Ogechi Ololo, as Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfilment.</a><br /> <br /> She was, until now, Deputy Chief Of Staff (Domestic and International Matters).<br /> <br /> The appointment has been criticized in many quarters as morally wrong.<br /> <br />

Latest-News 2019: Imo lawmakers endorse Okorocha’s son in-law for Governor

Some Imo State lawmakers yesterday endorsed Mr. Uche Nwosu, son in-law to Governor Rochas Okorocha, to succeed him in Government House in...

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Pension fraud: EFCC recovers N2.8 Billion cash

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTviikiF9S1jveqSx297UpoFTn1AkS4VCh2t6wI0hbcZtHIATJ2O17exbyeQBfLBi0ANxkhnnd_WQt1_HN498dBUI4faOVbMWYMRX5w7cjKYEvOP42HliKr9c5uUbD4ZCGAOw-hWzPP_q2/s1600/EFCC-logo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="545" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTviikiF9S1jveqSx297UpoFTn1AkS4VCh2t6wI0hbcZtHIATJ2O17exbyeQBfLBi0ANxkhnnd_WQt1_HN498dBUI4faOVbMWYMRX5w7cjKYEvOP42HliKr9c5uUbD4ZCGAOw-hWzPP_q2/s640/EFCC-logo3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br /> Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC’S), Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu confirmed yesterday that over N2.8billion was recovered from suspected pension thieves in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Police Pension Office.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The cash component excludes many choice assets placed either under permanent or interim forfeiture by courts.<br /> <br /> Besides, he insisted that none of the assets seized by the EFCC was re-looted by the operatives of the commission under any guise.<br /> <br /> Magu, in a bare it all fact-sheet he made available to the National Assembly to clear the air on the controversy on the assets seized from pension fraud suspects challenged the brains behind the rumour of re-looting to go “the whole hog to name the “ghost” officials that engaged in this “sharing” of pension booty, and the place and time the “sharing” took place.”<br /> <br /> He insisted that former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina remains wanted by the anti-graft agency.<br /> <br /> But he said Maina’s $2million Abuja mansion and six others have been placed under interim forfeiture.<br /> <br /> Details of Maina’s alleged assets are contained in the document.<br /> <br /> Magu said there was no cause for alarm because all seized assets were well-documented.<br /> <br /> He said what was playing out was a “diversionary gambit intended to befuddle ongoing inquiry over the Maina reinstatement saga by smearing anyone or agency that is capable of unmasking the real pension thieves.”<br /> <br /> Magu said: “The suspects investigated in the Police Pension fraud from whom assets were seized, include: Atiku Kigo, Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Veronica Oyegbula, Uzuoma Cyril Attang, Sani Habila Zira, John Yusuf and their associated companies and persons.<br /> <br /> “In the pension office of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, those from whom properties were recovered are Shaibu Teidi, Phina Chidi, Abdul Mohammed, Emmanuel Olanipekun, Aliyu Bello and their associated companies and persons.<br /> <br /> “The assets seized from these suspects are in two categories. There are assets that are under interim forfeiture which means that they are temporally seized pending the determination of the substantive cases in court.<br /> <br /> “Such assets cannot be dissipated because the cases are pending in court. The reality is, most of the assets recovered from pension fraud suspects belong in this category.<br /> <br /> “The cash element of the recoveries is also carefully documented. The total funds recovered stand at N2, 886,743,016.71; $3,017,556.73; and €3,385.40.<br /> <br /> “The sum of N16, 185,131,847.09 which was recovered from an illegal account in an old generation bank has since been remitted to the office of the Head of Service, while N369, 558,640.99 represents the cash component of John Yusuf’s final forfeiture. There is no opacity regarding the Commission’s handling of the assets recovered from suspects of pension fraud. The fact speaks for itself.”<br /> <br /> On the properties confiscated from suspected pension thieves, Magu said they are being managed in a transparent arrangement put in place by the Assets Forfeiture Department of the Commission.<br /> <br /> He said Etudo & Co. Estate Surveyors & Valuers, a reputable estate management firm, was engaged to manage the assets, with the exception of assets recovered from Essai Dangabar, which are being managed by Court Registrar based on Court Order.”<br /> <br /> He added: “All but one of the assets recovered from suspects in the pension office of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is under interim forfeiture.<br /> <br /> “The exception is Brifina Hotel, which was recovered from Shaibu Teidi. He denied ownership of the property and the court ordered its final forfeiture to the Federal Government. The property has since been handed over to government and is now being used as office by some agencies of government including the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).<br /> <br /> “It is only assets recovered from John Yusuf, who was convicted under a plea bargain arrangement for fraud in the Police Pension office that have been permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. These assets are 32 units in number.<br /> <br /> “The assets, both those under interim forfeiture and the few under final forfeiture, are being managed in a transparent arrangement put in place by the Assets Forfeiture Department of the Commission. Etudo & Co. Estate Surveyors & Valuers, a reputable estate management firm, was engaged to manage the assets, with the exception of assets recovered from Essai Dangabar, which are being managed by Court Registrar based on Court Order.<br /> <br /> “The proceeds of rent on the properties that had successfully been let out by the firm are fully documented and available in the recovery account of the Commission.”<br /> <br /> Magu said the assets recently seized from Maina were not yet captured in the Interim/Final forfeiture analysis by the anti-graft agency.<br /> <br /> He also gave the details of investigation on Maina and what EFCC detectives uncovered.<br /> <br /> He insisted that there is still a subsisting warrant of arrest against Maina.<br /> <br /> He said: “Recoveries not captured in the interim/final forfeiture analysis, include those that were recently recovered from Maina in Abuja and Kaduna.<br /> <br /> “They include seven properties in Kaduna. The properties are a two- storey commercial building located on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, a bungalow located on Katuru Road, and four separate properties located on Kano Road in Kawo New Extension, Kaduna. The other property which is still under construction is a set of four one-storey block of flats located at No. 5, Sokoto Road adjacent to the Zamfara State Governor’s Lodge, Kaduna. Other properties linked to Maina include No. 12, 11th Road, Kado Estate, Abuja; No. A5 Omenai H.O (B Close) Kado Estate; No. 9, Eneli TCM Close, (A Close) Kado Estate; No. 8, Kolo S Close (A Close) Kado Estate; Luxury apartments (eight blocks of flats; six units of three bedrooms; two units of two bedrooms) located at Plot 965, Cadastral C2, Life Camp, Abuja and a sprawling edifice located at No. 10 Hamisu Musa Road, Jabi, Abuja.<br /> <br /> “Maina had a total inflow of over N2.7 billion between 2010 and 2013, with 95 per cent of the deposits being in cash. It was discovered that Faizal Abdullahi’s Account (his son), had a turnover of over N1.5 billion in less than a year.<br /> <br /> “It should also be noted that Maina operated these accounts through telephone and email messages.<br /> <br /> Most of the funds were converted to foreign currencies through Bureau De Change and delivered to Maina in cash.<br /> <br /> “Part of the funds was used to purchase properties, including the house at No. 10 Hamisu Musa Road, Jabi which he bought for $2 million in cash. Maina has failed to respond to invitations by the EFCC and he has been put on the Interpol Red Notice. Presently, there is a subsisting warrant of arrest against Maina.”<br /> <br /> Magu expressed regrets that the public was misinformed by some lawmakers and some unnamed agents of Maina on the status of assets recovered from suspects in pension fraud cases investigated by the EFCC.<br /> <br /> “The EFCC views with grave concern, the manner in which the allegation, made by unnamed person(s) in close-door session before the committee, was publicly orchestrated at the Senate plenary without the commission having the opportunity to respond. The omission has tragically led to misinformation regarding the status of recovered pension assets. This is unwarranted.<br /> <br /> “It should be stated that there had been no controversy regarding the status of assets recovered from suspects in pension fraud cases investigated by the commission.<br /> <br /> “These assets are well documented, and their current status has been communicated to the relevant organs of government.<br /> <br /> “Had the Senate exercised restraint and sought information on the status of the assets, it would certainly have been obliged, and the nation spared the ordeal of the abominable frenzy over pension assets that were supposedly “shared” by unnamed “officials of the EFCC”.<br /> <br /> “The purveyors of the salacious tale should have gone the whole hog to name the “ghost” officials that engaged in this “sharing” of pension booty, and the place and time the “sharing” took place.<br /> <br /> “They also did not list the properties that were supposedly recovered by Adbulrasheed Maina and handed over to the EFCC. They equally failed to indicate when the properties were handed over to the EFCC by Maina.<br /> <br /> “The failure to provide this information is clear indication that what is playing out is diversionary gambit intended to befuddle ongoing inquiry over the Maina reinstatement saga by smearing anyone or agency that is capable of unmasking the real pension thieves.”<br /> <br /> “The EFCC has no record of any collaboration between it and the Maina–led Pension Reform Task Team in the investigation of pension fraud.<br /> <br /> “The only link between the EFCC and Maina was the participation of a few staff of the Commission in biometric verification exercise by the Maina Task Team. The leader of the EFCC team at the time was Col. I.D. Sule (retd.), a contract staff who was head of the Commission’s Servicom Unit.<br /> <br /> “The verification exercise was not a criminal investigation and no asset was recovered in the process.<br /> <br /> “It follows that if the EFCC did not receive any assets from Maina, its officials could not have shared what never existed? Again, those who claim that there was “sharing” of assets are at liberty to state which assets were “shared”, when the “sharing” took place, who supervised the “sharing”, and who got what.<br /> <br /> “As far as the Commission is concerned, all the assets recovered from pension fraud suspects, currently at the disposal of the EFCC, are products of its independent investigation.

Latest-News Pension fraud: EFCC recovers N2.8 Billion cash

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC’S), Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu confirmed yesterday that over N2.8billion was recovered...

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REVEALED: PDP 2017 Convention Controversial 'Unity List'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTQgqiAwMIBsGuhZ3W12YSzFrhEgHRRIaYeSfzQlga1xm3nmOp0ipnQ8CuVVPCFsGeJ3svJ8QyZZHKsgBN-I0iStkP0-qsoW91BsMvEC4XLik-1nMNOsDbAnRK2FDwz5v4WYxfmQkHOQ9/s1600/PDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTQgqiAwMIBsGuhZ3W12YSzFrhEgHRRIaYeSfzQlga1xm3nmOp0ipnQ8CuVVPCFsGeJ3svJ8QyZZHKsgBN-I0iStkP0-qsoW91BsMvEC4XLik-1nMNOsDbAnRK2FDwz5v4WYxfmQkHOQ9/s400/PDP.jpg" width="396" /></a></div> PDP 2017 Convention Unity List<br /> <br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> <br /> S/N                       POSITION                                                         NAME                                                            STATE                      ZONE                           <br /> <br /> 1                      NATIONAL CHAIRMAN                                       PRINCE UCHE SECONDUS                                  RIVERS            SOUTH-SOUTH<br /> <br /> 2                      DEPUTY NAT. CHAIR. SOUTH                             ELDER YEMI AKINWONMI                               OGUN               SOUTH-WEST<br /> <br /> 3                      DEP. NAT. CHAIRMAN NORTH                          SEN. GAMAWA BABAWA GARBA                     BAUCHI             NORTH EAST<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 4                      NATIONAL SECRETARY                                        SENATOR IBRAHIM TSAURI                             KATSINA           NORTH-WEST<br /> <br /> 5                      DEPUTY NAT. SECRETARY                                  DR. AGBO EMMANUEL                                          BENUE         NORTH-CENTRAL<br /> <br /> 6                      NATIONAL TREASURER                                       HON. ARIBISALA ADEWALE                                 EKITI                SOUTH-WEST<br /> <br /> 7                      DEP. NATIONAL TREASURER                            ALH. WADA MASU                                                    KANO              NORTH-WEST<br /> <br /> 8                      FINANCIAL SECRETARY                                    ABDULLHAI HUSSEINI MAIBASARA                    NIGER        NORTH-CENTRAL<br /> <br /> 9                      DEP. FIN. SEC                                                          HON. IRONA ALPHONSUS GERALD                    IMO                SOUTH-EAST<br /> <br /> 10                   NAT. ORG. SECRETARY                                        COL. AUSTIN AKOBUNDU (RTD)                          ABIA                 SOUTH-EAST<br /> <br /> 11                   DEP. NAT. ORG. SECRETARY                             BARR. HASSAN YAKUBU                                   NASARAWA          NORTH-EAST<br /> <br /> 12                   PUBLICITY SECRETARY                                       KOLA OLOGBONDIYAN                                          KOGI             NORTH-CENTRAL<br /> <br /> 13                   DEP. NAT. PUB. SECRETARY                               HON. DIRAN ODEYEMI                                          OSUN                 SOUTH-WEST<br /> <br /> 14                   NATIONAL LEGAL ADVISER                             BAR. EMMANUEL ENOIDEM                             AKWA IBOM       SOUTH-SOUTH<br /> <br /> 15                   DEP. NAT. LEGAL ADVISER                                BAR. AHMED BELLO LIMAN                              SOKOTO                NORTH-WEST<br /> <br /> 16                   NATIONAL AUDITOR                                            MAI ADAMU MUSTAFA                                       YOBE                        NORTH-EAST<br /> <br /> 17                   DEP. NAT. AUDITOR                                    MISS    DIVINE AMINA ARONG                               CROSS  RIVER        SOUTH SOUTH<br /> <br /> 18                   NATIONAL WOMEN LEADER                          HAJ. MARIYA WAZIRI                                               KEBBI                NORTH-WEST<br /> <br /> 19                   DEP. NAT. WOMEN LEADER                              UMORU ADIZET AUDREY HADIZAT                     EDO                 SOUTH-SOUTH<br /> <br /> 20                   NAT. YOUTH LEADER                                            RT. HON. UDEH OKOYE                                         ENUGU                SOUTH-EAST<br /> <br /> 21                   DEP. NAT. YOUTH LEADER                                UMAR BABANGIDA MAINA                                 ADAMAWA            NORTH-EAST.

Latest-News REVEALED: PDP 2017 Convention Controversial 'Unity List'

PDP 2017 Convention Unity List S/N                       POSITION                                                         NAME       ...

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PDP Convention: Secondus emerges party chairman, as Adeniran alleges fraud, walks out angrily

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihomnqIq07GK6c-9fnebwGHJzOCMOFvaWVHuS8Sc54bYQh-CZ6eXa8wpf6DZlTE87Pm9InNznLx1DT2F37g4Ih9bdaWoUQou7JjiezoJ5ZzOoj-kSt0vjjOx9xePeAN9axobm2GgiXKggf/s1600/Adeniran-and-Secondus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="629" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihomnqIq07GK6c-9fnebwGHJzOCMOFvaWVHuS8Sc54bYQh-CZ6eXa8wpf6DZlTE87Pm9InNznLx1DT2F37g4Ih9bdaWoUQou7JjiezoJ5ZzOoj-kSt0vjjOx9xePeAN9axobm2GgiXKggf/s640/Adeniran-and-Secondus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Prince Uche Secondus was coasting home to victory as the next national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last night amidst signs of a fresh crisis in the once ruling party.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Secondus’ closest rival, Professor Tunde Adeniran stormed out of the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the PDP national election, alleging fraud.<br /> <br /> He protested the emergence of a ‘unity list’ (which contained the names of favoured candidates for the 21 positions available for election yesterday), alleged compulsion of delegates to vote for those on the list, alleged stuffing of ballot boxes and sudden change of ballot boxes midway into the election of candidates.<br /> <br /> Adeniran, Education Minister during the Obasanjo presidency, said the affairs of the party should be handed over to the Board of Trustees (BoT) which should conduct a fresh election.<br /> <br /> Media mogul and another chairmanship candidate, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, also decried irregularities and malpractices during the proceedings.<br /> <br /> Secondus, enjoying the massive backing of PDP governors, was number one on the ‘unity list’.<br /> <br /> He took a wide lead once counting of the votes began last night.<br /> <br /> Adeniran and Dokpesi were left to struggle for a few votes.<br /> <br /> Worried by the development, Adeniran walked out of the convention venue.<br /> <br /> According to poll trend monitored by our correspondent, the delegates overwhelmingly endorsed and voted for Secondus.<br /> <br /> A former minister, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said:”The PDP governors and some of our respected elders did their homework and we all agreed to adopt the Unity List which is fair to all.<br /> <br /> “We reached a consensus on Secondus and all those on the list as the next members of the National Working Committee.<br /> <br /> “The election was a walkover for Secondus and 20 others whose victory will soon be announced.<br /> <br /> “In fact, some of those who stepped down earlier also adopted the Unity List and mobilized their state delegates to vote along the list.”<br /> <br /> Adeniran and some of his supporters walked out of the Eagle Square, Abuja at about 9.11pm in protest against the adoption of the Unity List and compelling of delegates to vote for those on the list.<br /> <br /> The Director of Media of his Campaign Organization, Mr. Taiwo Akeju said the process was highly compromised to achieve a predetermined end.<br /> <br /> He accused Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose of imposing Secondus on the party.<br /> <br /> His words: ?”We reject the entire electoral process. The election has been grossly compromised to achieve a predetermined end. The illegal unity list was prepared by Governors Wike and Ayodele Fayose to foist on the entire delegates.<br /> <br /> “Consequently, we submit that this election is a sham and the result therefore is unacceptable and rejected in its entirety.<br /> <br /> “We consider this so-called election as a travesty of democracy and due ?process, which further entrenches the unwholesome culture of impunity that has done a great deal of damage to the party? in the past.”<br /> <br /> “Our candidate, Prof. Adeniran and his supporters have just walked out of the convention because the election was a sham.<br /> <br /> “The PDP governors came up with Unity List and they and their foot soldiers were forcing delegates to vote for those on the list.<br /> <br /> “We were shocked to witness open stuffing of ballot boxes and replacement of boxes against our candidate. The election was not free and fair, it was a sad day for democracy in Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> A former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman said he would not accept the result of election into the office of the National Publicity Secretary because the ballot box omitted one of his names, leaving delegates confused.<br /> <br /> “I won’t accept the results, I have written the electoral committee and I will go to court,” he said.<br /> <br /> Suleiman, in his petition entitled “Unlawful Exclusion of Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman and the Demand For Cancellation of Election into the office of National Publicity Secretary” said: “I am constrained to write to demand for cancelation of election into the office of National Publicity Secretary of our great Party in the on-going Elective Party Convention on the ground of unlawful exclusion of my name as one of candidates contesting for the above mentioned post of Party.<br /> <br /> “I am one of the candidates of the above mentioned post in the ongoing elective party convention having obtained application form, duly screened and my candidacy approved to stand for the election.<br /> <br /> “I have also campaigned across the Nation seeking the support of the bonafide delegates to the convention.<br /> <br /> “To my chagrin and utter constellation, I was informed that my name was conspicuously missing from the list of candidates vying for the post of National Publicity Secretary which lists were pasted in booths earmarked for voting into the office of National Publicity Secretary.<br /> <br /> “My names are Prof Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, with Suleiman as my surname, a name I have borne and by which I am known by all and sundry. Needless to say this is the name by which I am identify by my teeming supporters who where unlawfully disenfranchised. Suffice to mention that at no time did I hold myself out to bear other name without any other name but ABUBAKAR OLANREWAJU SULEIMAN, Olanrewaju merely being my middle name.<br /> <br /> “I therefore pray that the august body would do right by me by cancelling the purported election of today…”<br /> <br /> A former Political Editor of ThisDay, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan was the favoured candidate for the national publicity secretary on the Unity List.<br /> <br /> Ologbodiyan has the backing of former Senate President David Mark.<br /> <br /> The PDP has been enmeshed in a serious leadership crisis since losing power in the 2015 presidential election.<br /> <br /> It broke into two factions with Senator Ali Modu Sheriff leading one and Senator Ahmed Makarfi leading the other until the Supreme Court proclaimed the Makarfi faction as the legal one.<br /> <br /> The Makarfi-led interim National Committee was formally dissolved yesterday.

Latest-News PDP Convention: Secondus emerges party chairman, as Adeniran alleges fraud, walks out angrily

Prince Uche Secondus was coasting home to victory as the next national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last night amidst...

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Ndidi wins Man of the Match for Newcastle Vs Leicester City

Nigerian Midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has again been awarded a Man of the Match Award for outperforming everyone on the field in a Leicester City win over Newcastle United.<br /> <br /> Kelechi Iheanacho has congratulated fellow Eagles star Wilfred Ndidi after he was named Man of the match as Leicester City won 3-2 at Newcastle United in a Premier League game.<br /> <br /> Ndidi played his 16th straight full league game for Leicester City at Newcastle United, while Iheanacho was an unused sub.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGen7Sc95wu4wKPyp6tOwHO0zvoZFrCsGMTkMyMJSQputELabx4qUUnAXmr9fOmWSc8xhtfjPaTXbzaVop6HpJSZRm4sS09KmNPoZH9SAVaoV7NxIiKOL3Gt8xOPxAk-dvHlvgvtuIwA/s1600/ndidi-man-of-match-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGen7Sc95wu4wKPyp6tOwHO0zvoZFrCsGMTkMyMJSQputELabx4qUUnAXmr9fOmWSc8xhtfjPaTXbzaVop6HpJSZRm4sS09KmNPoZH9SAVaoV7NxIiKOL3Gt8xOPxAk-dvHlvgvtuIwA/s320/ndidi-man-of-match-800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> <br /> “Tough game today but we came out with 3 points. Congrats to my brother @ndidi25 Wifred ‘onyi’nye’ Chukwu on being named Man of the Match,”Iheanacho tweeted.<br /> <br /> Ndidi praised “great team spirit” for the road win.<br /> <br /> Leicester are eighth on the table with 23 points from 16 matches.

Latest-News Ndidi wins Man of the Match for Newcastle Vs Leicester City

Nigerian Midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has again been awarded a Man of the Match Award for outperforming everyone on the field in a Leicester Ci...

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