30 July 2012. 

Press Statement 

Our attention has been drawn to outlandish and sheepish pronouncements by Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) calling for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the ongoing trial of one of his sons in the petroleum subsidy saga. 

While we are not surprised at the propensity of the ACN to make political capital out of every passing event in Nigeria, we find this posturing hypocritical, laughable and a desperate measure to smear the image of an individual who stands very tall in his contributions to the development of our country. 

Our initial disposition is to ignore comments like this. However, in order to set the records straight especially in the minds of those who may be swayed by the ACN's warped logic, we wish to state categorically that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Dr Bamanga Tukur, CON is not on trial, neither has he been linked to any of the allegations on the current petroleum subsidy trials. We have stated severally that the son of the Chairman currently facing trial is an adult and is fully responsible for all his actions in the eyes of the law. We shall therefore not allow the name and dignity of our revered Chairman to be dragged into an issue he knows nothing about. 

27 July 2012

PRESS RELEASE

The Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, has said his views on the disagreement of positions between the Executive and the House of Representatives on the implementation of the 2012 budget during a press conference yesterday in Abuja was seriously misrepresented by a section of the media. “I have noted quite an avoidable misrepresentation of the position of our great Party as contained in my address to the media yesterday.”

In a statement by Dr. Jaja, the PDP explained that it neither said it would not compel the House of Representatives to drop the impeachment threat on the President; which does not exist in the real sense, nor admitted that the President committed an impeachable offence as reported by one out of the several media organisations that attended the press briefing.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our position is that the Peoples Democratic Party was founded on unbending democratic principles and thrives on irreducible democratic practices that do not conduce to unnecessary imposition of views.  Our manifesto  is crystally clear on our thrust as a broad and issue based political party whose essence orbits in the unrestricted, robust debate of crucial  national issues whether in the Parliament or in the larger Nigerian society. The critical role that this plays in ferreting out the odds and getting the best out of our democracy cannot be equaled. We are proud that the National Assembly dominated by our great Party has been sensitive to this.” 

“On the other hand,” the statement continued,” President Jonathan’s unimpeachable deference to market place of ideas as demonstrated in his unequaled commitment to the separation of powers and the unabridged rights of Nigerians to unhindered electoral choice- demonstrated in successive governorship elections- stem from a resolve of a leader that the foundation of good governance must not be assailed. We are in deed proud.”

24 July 2012

Press Release 

ACN CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH POWER – PDP 

The Peoples Democratic Party has said the last week’s local government election in Ogun State which was massively rigged by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has again exposed the Party as a league of incurable dictators who are not interested in advancing the cause of democracy.  The PDP also said the ACN has consistently proven that Nigerians cannot entrust it with power. “With the unfortunate outcome of the last week’s local government election, the ACN has smashed all doubts as to its carefully chosen course in the unrestrained suppression of the electoral wishes of the people.” 

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said that democracy is in grave danger in the  ACN controlled States with the stubborn insistence of the Party that what counts is the whimsical decision of the cabal in its leadership and not the vote of the people. 

According to the PDP,”prior to the election, our Ogun state chapter alerted the nation to the distortion in the voter’s registers and of the massive build up in instruments of violence by the ACN.  It also noted the flagrant abuse of the electoral laws and the Ogun State Independent Electoral commission’s guidelines.”

RESOLUTIONS OF THE 60^TH MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY, 17^TH JULY 2012. 

Gentlemen of the Press, 

The 60^th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great Party, the PDP just concluded here at the National Secretariat. 

The meeting, which is the first under the leadership of Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Tukur had the President, Vice President, Sentate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Leaders of the National Assembly, State Governors and other distinguished members of NEC in attendance. 

The meeting considered several National issues and arrived at the following resolutions: 

1.    NEC received draft copies of the 2012 ammended Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party. The meeting resolved to allow members study the document carefully and make notes on typographical errors and ommisions for final adoption at the next NEC meeting. 

The meeting clarified that this is not another Constitution review exercise but an effort to perfect the document in line with the ammendments approved at the March 24^th National Convention. 

July 16, 2012

 NOTICE OF NEC MEETING 

Notice is hereby given for the 60^th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as follows.

Date:          Tuesday 17^th July, 2012 

Venue:        PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza,

                   Plot 1970, Michael Okpara Street

                   Zone 5

                   Wuse – Abuja 

Time:          12 Noon 

All members are advised to attend unfailingly as important party matters shall be discussed. 

Chief Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary

July 16, 2012.

Press Statement

The Peoples Democratic Party has received with mixed feelings the results of the Edo State Gubernatorial Election in which the candidate of the action Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been declared winner.

While we await the reports of our monitors in different locations in the state in order to determine our next course of action, we commend the people of Edo State for their enthusiastic participation in the exercise.

In the course of our campaigns, we told the people that our entry into the race was not a do or die affair. We did our best to provide a credible alternative to the people of the state. We shared their hope for a re-entry into the main stream of Nigerian Politics. We shared their sentiments in their yearning to join the list of progressive states administered by the PDP. However, to our disappointment, the results as declared by INEC did not go our way.

As a Party that respects the institutions of democracy, and in demonstration of the spirit of sportsmanship which is the acclaimed principle of the PDP under the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, we call on all our supporters to accept this results as declared by INEC. We congratulate the winner for this victory. This is  however without prejudice to our right to seek redress if we observe from our field reports any foul play. We therefore urge our supporters to remain calm, law abiding and resist any temptation to take the law into their hands.

Chief Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary

July 12, 2012. 

Press Statement 

As the people of Edo State prepare to effect the desired progressive change on Saturday, the 14^th of July 2012, the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party urges all citizens of the state to come out en masse and vote decisively for the PDP candidate, Major Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd). 

It has come to our knowledge that there are devious plans by the ACN to massively influence the outcome of the election, using unwholesome methods.  We have received reports that the ACN has printed fake voters’ cards and imported thugs from neighbouring states to terrorise voters and precipitate violence on the election day.  We urge our supporters to remain vigilant and bring to the notice of law enforcement agencies any suspicious activity.  

Governor Oshiomole’s desperation must be informed by the signs of his total rejection by the people of Edo State.  The people of Edo have noted with great disappointment that it has been a tenure of more talk, less action.  It is time to end this tenure of deceit and dashed hopes that has been the hallmark of the outgoing ACN administration in the state.

July 5, 2012.

Press Release 

The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has been drawn to a report on page 44 of “The Nation” Newspaper of Wednesday, the 4^th of July 2012 to the effect that the Presidency and the PDP are in a deal with Governor Mimiko of the Labour Party for him to retain his position in the forthcoming Governorship election in Ondo State. 

The PDP wishes to state in no uncertain terms that the report is completely untrue and a complete fabrication of the reporter calculated to deflate the rising profile and prospects of the PDP and our candidate in the forthcoming 20^th October, 2012 Governorship election in Ondo State. 

The PDP therefore calls on all its members and supporters to not only disregard the said report, but intensify efforts in the ongoing campaigns to ensure our victory at the polls for the good of all Ondo people.

Sign:

Hon. Binta Masi Garba

Deputy National Publicity Secretary

July 3, 2012.

Press Release 

The public hearing organized by the House of Representatives on fuel subsidy provided Nigerians the opportunity to express their feelings and to make meaningful contributions during the probe. This is commendable. 

You are all aware that the Report exposed monumental fraud and corruption in the oil sector. The National Assembly should be encouraged to carry out such investigations to assist in the fight against corruption. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in full support of the position of the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, for a drastic action to be taken against fraudsters and any person discovered to be involved.

I call on the EFCC and any other security agencies charged with the responsibility of handling the report to do a thorough job and prosecute all those who are indicted by the report in accordance with the law.

Alh. (Dr.) Bamanga Tukur, CON

National Chairman, PDP

 2^nd July 2012

 PRESS RELEASE 

The Peoples Democratic Party has said the police investigation and subsequent report which linked the ownership of the lorry that crashed into the convoy of the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshimole, on the 28th of April 2012, killing three journalists to an ACN stalwart in the state, is a clear vindication of the position of the PDP that desperation is driving the ACN and its candidate into the abyss of the dastardly in quest for electoral victory. 

“We recall that Governor Oshimole has blamed the PDP for this tragic incident. We also recall that we stated unambiguously that the PDP does not need the blood of innocent Nigerians to win elections anywhere in Nigeria much less in Edo state. We categorically urged the security agencies to look beyond the crocodile tears and the loud alarm of lion –in- the -neighbourhood raised by the ACN. We are today vindicated.” 

  In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, the Party said the incident connects direct to the orgy of violence which the machinery of the ACN controlled Edo State government has been unleashing on the members of the PDP.