Politics

Presidential Race: PDP Rakes In N285m From Atiku, Saraki, 6 Others

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2022

Atiku, Saraki

A total of N285m has been generated by the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from eight presidential aspirants that have so far purchased its nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for the presidency.

The party had after its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general elections. While the seven male aspirants paid N40m each, making N280m, the lone female aspirant paid N5m.

The aspirants that have so far collected the forms are former vice president Atiku Abubakar, former Senate president Bukola Saraki, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

Others are Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu; Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze and Diana Oliver Tariela, the only female aspirant that has so far purchased the forms.

Speaking shortly after obtaining his nomination form at the headquarters of the PDP in Abuja, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze said he is more qualified than all those that have picked nomination and expression of interest forms to vie for the presidency under the party in 2023.

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Saraki, Tambuwal, Mohammed rally Ortom over consensus

Meanwhile, three presidential aspirants on the platform of the PDP, yesterday, met the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, over their bid to come up with a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the party’s primaries.

A former Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki and two northern governors on Monday visited Governor Ortom to consult him over their presidential ambitions.

The trio – former Senate president, Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed – were all in Makurdi yesterday.

They said they were in the Benue State capital as a team to hold private discussions with Ortom in furtherance of their ambitions as well as in the interest of the country.

Saraki, who addressed Governor Ortom on behalf of the others, disclosed that they decided to form a unity team mainly to enable them to reach a consensus among themselves in the days ahead.

He stressed that they took the initiative to work as a team without anybody forcing them to do so, adding that it became necessary because the country was too divided.

They restated their commitment to ensuring that PDP won the 2023 presidential election.

Responding, Governor Ortom commended the aspirants, describing them as eminently qualified to be the president of Nigeria.

He said “these two leaders, (former) Senate president and Tambuwal, Nigerians can testify that during their time, they did very well and delivered on their mandate, so I’m not surprised today they are coming out for the presidency.

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“They are eminently qualified and my brother, Mohammed who we were colleagues in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, is also eminently qualified and I’m very happy.

“This visit humbles me. If these three people or one of them had requested that they want to see me in Abuja, Kwara, Sokoto or Bauchi, I would have been there,” Ortom said.

Also yesterday, Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, has declared his support for the consensus arrangement being planned by the three presidential aspirants.

Speaking when the trio of governors Tambuwal, Mohammed of Bauchi and Saraki, met him at the Taraba Governor’s lodge in Abuja, Ishaku said he was in support of the move to produce a consensus candidate.

He lamented the state of affairs in the country and urged the aspirants to come together as that was the only way to tackle the problem in the country.

Ishaku said, “This is a wonderful golden initiative. PDP is known for being a family. We have shown Nigerians how to rule and manage their affairs and I think we should still be the leaders. You have my 100 per cent support. I am sure my colleagues too will give you the same support.”

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BREAKING: Agboola wins Ondo PDP primary

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April 25, 2024

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Hon Ajayi Agboola

BREAKING: Agboola wins Ondo PDP primary

A former deputy governor in Ondo state, Hon Ajayi Agboola has won the ongoing People’s Democratic Party governorship primary election in the state.

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BREAKING: APC NWC in peace talks with Aiyedatiwa, other Ondo gov aspirants

Published

18 hours ago

April 25, 2024

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BREAKING: APC NWC in peace talks with Aiyedatiwa, other Ondo gov aspirants

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) is currently holding a closed-door peace meeting with Governor Lucky Ayiedatiwa and fifteen other aspirants in the April 20 Ondo state governorship primary election.

All the aspirants but Hon. Wale Akinterinwa and Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke are in attendance.

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Those in attendance are Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo, a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema, and business magnate, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho.

Others are Engr. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Hon. Akinfolarin Mayo Samuel, legal luminary, Chief Olusola Alexander Oke, SAN, Ohunyeye Olamide Felix, and Barr. Morayo Lebi.

Also in attendance are Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan, Prof. Francis Adebayo Faduyile, and Engr. (Mrs) Judith Folakemi Omogoroye, President Unilag Alumni (Worldwide), Engr. Ifeoluwa Olusola Oyedele and Hon. Omo’Oba Okunjimi Odimayo John.

BREAKING: APC NWC in peace talks with Aiyedatiwa, other Ondo gov aspirants

Politics

I broke the chains of godfatherism in Oyo politics – Makinde

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

I broke the chains of godfatherism in Oyo politics – Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says he has dismantle the shackles of godfatherism that once characterised the State politics.

Makinde said Oyo State was once known for ‘who is your father’ politics, stating that such style of political arrangement has ended with him.

Makinde spoke on Wednesday at Students’ Legislative Summit organised by the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly and chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, in conjunction with the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan.

Makinde disclosed that his father was not wealthy or influential and the Oyo State people still gave him the opportunity to lead.

The governor underscores the need to get youths into leadership position, imploring Nigerian youths to become more actively involved in governance by increasing their participation.

Makinde said that the issue of leadership is imperative in preparing the youth for the future and governance.

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“For us here, we have seen the common situation where ‘who is your father’ was the order of the day but we have been able to break that in Oyo State. My father was a ‘nobody’ and the Oyo State people still gave me the opportunity to lead.

“We may not be able to prepare the future for the youth, but we can prepare the youth for the future. Please, don’t see this event as just an opportunity to look at the issue of leadership in this country. And, in me, Seyi Makinde, the youth have an ally and we will prepare the leaders of the next generation amongst the youth.

“I am here this afternoon to encourage the youth. If you look at the history of Nigeria, we had our independence in 1960 and six years after, in 1966, the person that became the Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, was 31 years and some months old. After him, during the Second Republic, former President Obasanjo retired as a General at the age of 39.

“You should dream big; people have ruled this country at very tender ages. So, for you, don’t think that at 29 or 30, you are too young to rule and I am glad, because this is almost like catching them early.

“You have the students here and in about three years, some of you will be out there to move on. If I were you, I wouldn’t start looking for work; I would start doing my own thing at a very early age of 24 or 25. With the kind of energy you still have, you can pull down the kingdom of Satan.”