NOVEMBER 29, 2010

PRESS STATEMENT

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained the wrong interpretation of the recent comment of its National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur on the nation's security challenges by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as an exercise in mischief and a palpable ignorance of the collective responsibility of all Nigerians towards a better secured nation.  

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said it was unfortunate that an honest disposition of its National Chairman was mischievously interpreted as "lack of capacity” by the ACN. 

"We are not surprised that the unassuming and honest comment of our National Chairman has provided a sweet nectar for the moth of mischief to feed on. This is another weak attempt by the ACN to detract from the merit of the efforts of the PDP led Federal Government in returning the nation to the path of greatness." 

“In spite, we shall remain steadfast in our humble approach to leadership. The PDP is an organic institution which can err, accept responsibilities while remaining focused on lasting solution. We are not a self righteous political party like the ACN which claim” to be light" but radiate darkness." 

According to the statement," all over the world, the increasing incidence of global insecurity is the responsibility of the authorities that be as well as that of the individual citizenry. Surmounting the challenge is the function of the unity of the efforts of all, political divide notwithstanding."

November 27, 2012

PRESS RELEASE

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the National Treasurer of the Party, Hon. Bala kaoje on his election as the National President of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria. Hon Kaoje will be inaugurated on Thursday, 29th November, 2012.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, the Party commended Kaoje's leadership qualities, describing him as a worthy ambassador.

"A golden fish has no hiding place. As the former Minister Sports, he served the country diligently. As a member of the House of Representatives, he distinguished himself. When our great party decided on him as the best hand for our treasury, he left no one in doubt. Now, the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria has elected him as its President. He is indeed a worthy ambassador. This is no doubt an honour to him, to his state, to our great Party and to the nation at large."

"The National Chairman of our Party, Dr. Bamanga Turkur on behalf the National Executive Committee and other members of the Party wishes to send our sincere felicitations to Hon. Kaoje on this occasion.  We urge him to continue as a shining example of the determination of the PDP to led the nation to the path of greatness.

Chief Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary

November 26, 2012

Press Statement

ALLEGED STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE, CAPT. IDRIS WADA ON 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Our attention has been drawn to widely circulated speculations alleging that the Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada has called on stakeholders in the North Central Zone to prepare for the Presidency in 2015.

Our findings indicate that the Governor never made such a statement.

We wish to reiterate our earlier position that all elected members of our party are focused on delivering our electoral promises to the people and therefore will not be distracted by an election that is still very far away.

Since, it has been established that the Governor was misquoted; our earlier reaction has no basis and is therefore withdrawn.

Chief Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary

NOVEMBER   18^th 2012

PRESS STATEMENT 

The Peoples Democratic Party has asked the Action Congress of Nigeria to resolve the sore question hanging around its one-man ownership as well as the CPC's consistent trajectory of violence as raised in the party's reaction to their merger deal, which it though described as good for democracy, instead of dressing up fiction as a historical facts or taking the usual descent to the gutter.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa re-iterated that " while the PDP is not losing sleep over the merger of the two opposition political parties since it is an exercise in democracy and since the both cannot defeat the PDP at elections, it is however not out of place for us to point out the major defects of the merger and why Nigerians will continue to reject it as an alternative to our great Party."

" The onus is entirely on these two parties to accept these glaring facts and seek ways out of the situation or to continue with the delusion that the merger of brood of dictators one of does not disguise its relish for the funeral train, is what Nigerians need at the moment."

According to the PDP, the ACN is entirely owned by Bola Tinubu and brooks no opposition to his dictates. “It is no secret that the Governors of Lagos, Osun and Ekiti States as well as the woefully failed candidate of the Party in the recent Ondo governorship

14th November, 2012

PRESS STATEMENT

The Peoples Democratic Party has extended the tenure of its North East Acting National Vice Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Wakil by one month. 

This is part of the decisions taken at the meeting of the National Working Committee of the party which held yesterday. 

The NWC equally extended the suspension of the National Vice Chairman of the zone Senator M. Girgiri Lawan by one month. 

"We wish to therefore appeal to all our members in the North East to remain calm and continue to cooperate with the Acting National Vice Chairman, Hon. Wakil pending further decision by the NWC."

Chief Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary

14th November, 2012

PRESS RELEASE

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has likened the death of the Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki to the gradual extinction of the last of the Mohegians.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said Nigeria has lost a political guru and a Titan who compared in every respect with the generation of the independent Nigerian leaders. 

"Here was a fine medical doctor, philanthropist, humanist and an astute politician. Here, most importantly was a game changer, a man who changed the destiny of his people. Like the great Zik of Africa, like Ahmadu Bello and like Awo, he was."

"The National Chairman of our great Party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) wishes to convey our sadness on the passing on of this great Nigerian ; a huge loss to the nation."

The Party further commiserated with the government and the people of Kwara State on the death of the Elder Statesman and prayed God to grant them, especially the immediate family the fortitude to weather storm of this irreparable loss.

November 13, 2012

THE CPC NEEDS A LESSON IN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY

Our attention has been drawn to a statement from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) criticizing the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for his humanitarian act of assisting the United Nations (UN) cope with the process of rebuilding after the unfortunate terrorist attack visited on them last year.

In its statement, the CPC said “on the first year anniversary of the bombed UN building, the government of Dr Goodluck Jonathan provided N3.2 Billion to rehabilitate the UN house, made up of N2.6 Billion to start the building and N600 Million to provide temporary accommodation, in addition to promised refund of $580,000 for the treatment of victims. It did not really matter to this profligate PDP government that the United Nations, in its world-wide operations, has comprehensive insurance for its buildings and workers, even against terrorism!”

While we doubt the veracity of the figures released by the CPC, it is becomes necessary to educate them that in terror related cases, no amount compensation is enough to compensate the victims of terror for their loss and sufferings which is why responsible governments always ensure that victims receives as much compensation as possible.

If the CPC wants to betray its ignorance in diplomacy and government, it should do so on its own dime and not in a way that demeans Nigeria before the International Community as it has done by this unseemly criticism of the victims. Many in the International Community

November 12, 2012

 PRESS RELEASE 

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has commiserated with the family of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Lamidi Adesina. 

In a statement, National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, described the passage as the unfortunate depletion of the ranks of seasoned politicians in the country. 

He stated that although the late Chief Adesina was not a member of the PDP the party appreciated his role in the sustenance of democracy in the country and will miss his experience and words of wisdom. 

Chief Metuh maintained that the late Alhaji Adesina who he described as a renowned educationist and political leader while alive devoted his energies to the service of fatherland. 

The PDP spokesman said the former Governor will be remembered for his forthrightness and candor and urged his family, friends and associates to take solace in the fact that his existence was characterized by positive contribution to the advancement of Nigeria. 

Chief Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary 

November 8, 2012

Press Statement 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed surprise at the knee jerk reactions of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) over its appeal for losers of elections to accept results in good faith. 

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP bemoaned the uncouth reaction of both parties to an innocent advice intended to further stabilize Nigeria’s democracy. “The PDP is alarmed at the hot air blown by the ACN and CPC over a simple advice for losers of elections to demonstrate sportsmanship. In giving this advice, we expected a sober reflection from those who have attempted to drag our democracy back through needless and endless litigations. They must be made to realize that there must be winners and losers in every contest”.

The PDP spokesman denounced the notion that elections in Nigeria can only be classified as free and fair when opposition parties win saying, “this idea is not only self-serving and negative but also an attempt to discredit the rights of Nigerians to free choice. If we are in politics to serve the people, we must learn to honour their choice whether it favours us or not”.

Chief Metuh who admitted that the Nigerian Electoral process can be improved upon however pointed out that elections in Nigeria have gone progressively

November 4, 2012

 PRESS STATEMENT 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the leadership of its Akwa Ibom State for the smooth transition that heralded the emergence of the new Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Valerie Ebe following the resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Obong Nsima Ekere. 

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said the Party was happy with the manner the transition was completed with least acrimony and urged other state chapters to borrow a leaf.

"The import of this is that the faithful delivery of the Party's electoral promises in the state will not be impeded by such a change. Our leadership is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that all members in various positions of authority meet up with the Party's performance target as a critical element to its victory  in future elections." 

"The leadership of our party guides jealously, the performance target we have set for all our members elected into various positions of authority. We are quietly monitoring to ensure compliance. There is no doubt that the facts available to us will be basic to our decisions at the time of reckoning. We will certainly settle for nothing but credible performance."