COVER
PDP: NEC Passes Vote of Confidence on Ayu
By Jude Opara, Abuja
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to be over as Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has insisted that the only minimum requirement for a truce was the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyochia Ayu.
This is as the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party rose from its 97th meeting on Thursday to pass a vote of confidence on the National Chairman.
It could be recalled that Governor Wike had shortly after losing out of the presidential primary of the PDP demanded that Ayu, a former Senate President step aside from his position as the leader of the main opposition party.
Wike had argued that most of the prime offices of the party were held by northerners; adding the Ayu had on assumptions of office promised to resign his position should the North also produce the presidential candidate of the party.
Probably, to assuage the aggrieved members, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Sen Wahid Jibrin announced his resignation from that position to pave the way for a southerner to take over.
Already, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara has been named as the new BoT boss, but that seems not enough to placate Wike who in a swift reaction said Ayu must vacate his plum position for peace to reign.
But contrary to the expectation of Wike and his supporters, the Nth in passing the vote of confidence on the Ayu led National Working Committee (NWC) said they were satisfied with the way they have handled the affairs of the party.
The motion for the vote of confidence was raised by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu during the party 97 NEC meeting in Abuja.
Elumelu said that the NWC members deserved a vote of confidence because having led the party to victory in the July 16 Osun governorship election and other achievements that had made for the party, he was convinced they will equally deliver the country to the party.
“I moved this day Sept. 8 that a vote of confidence be put before the end of this for their doggedness, their forthrightness, and their professionalism most especially been given us as Osun State
“I believe by extension they will give us Nigeria come 2023. I so move,” Elumelu said.
The motion was seconded by a member of the NEC from Kwara State, Ishola Balogun Fulani, which was unanimously adopted by NEC members present at the meeting.
On Wednesday, the efforts of some concerned PDP stakeholders to end the feud between Wike and the leadership of the party continued with 17 PDP governorship candidates who had met with the angry governor in Port Harcourt; but they were told by the governor that the matter was beyond them but with the NEC of the party to resolve.
Also speaking at a function in Ahoada, Rivers state on Thursday, Wike said it was unfortunate that the party leadership including the candidate, Atiku Abubakar of being economical with the truth that he wants to destroy the party.
He said that after the primary, Atiku told him that he understands his position and that he supports that the national Chairman should come from the South now that the presidential candidate has emanated from the North.
“We had a gentleman’s agreement that the national chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, will resign immediately after the primary since he won. The resignation of the BoT chairman of the PDP, Walid Jibrin, will not stop his demand for the resignation of Ayu; since the north has got the presidential ticket, they should not hold on to the position of the National Chairman”.
Iyochair Ayu was quoted to have said he would step doe as national Chairman if the North produced the party’s presidential candidate.
Jibrin Resigns as PDP BoT Chairman, Wabara Takes over
The crisis rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new twist on Thursday with the immediate resigning of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Sen. Walid Jibrin.
In his place, the erstwhile Secretary of the BoT and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara was elevated to take his position.
Jibrin, who announced the resignation during the board’s meeting in Abuja, Thursday said his decision was in the interest of the party and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of 2023 general elections.
Jibrin said; “All we want is to make sure that Atiku becomes the president of Nigeria by all means. That is why I decided that me Sen. Walid Jibril, I am stepping down from the BoT.
“I discussed this with the candidate and he agreed with me. If the party wins I will be given a bigger position,” Jibril said.
The decision of Jibril was however greeted with wide and ovation during the party’s 97th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which held immediately after the BoT meeting.
The embattled National Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu while announcing Jibrin’s decision to NEC members said the former BoT chairman as a foundation member had served the party meritoriously over the years
Ayu said; “We want to, on behalf of the party specially thank him for all his services over the years, which culminated in his being secretary of the BoT and ultimately the National Chairman of the board.
He asked all NEC members for a standing ovation for Jibrin.
On his part, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar appreciated Jibrin’s sense of patriotism and service to the party, while Wabara said that Jibrin by his action had demonstrated that the BOT is truly the conscience of the PDP.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Gov. Tambuwal of Sokoto State, also thanked Jibrin for his show of commitment and sacrifices to the success of the party.
It could be recalled that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has kicked againt the situation where all the leaders of the party including the National Chairman, the presidential candidate and the Chairman of the BoT were from the Northern part of the country.
Jibrin’s Resignation, a Distraction – Wike
Meanwhile Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers yesterday declared that the resignation of the the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Sen. Walid Jubrin was a distraction.
Wike who made the remark at Ahoada on Thursday described it as charade.
Jubrin who resigned his position earlier in the day said that his resignation was to ensure the victory of the party at the 2023 general election.
However, the Rivers governor said the current hierarchy of the PDP leadership was against the constitution of the party.
He said that a situation where the North held the presidential ticket and the national chairman position at the same time was a gross injustice to the South.
According to him, the current hierarchy of the PDP does not give room for the interest of the south, particularly when decisions were to be taken.
Wike said PDP national chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu had earlier promised that if its presidential candidate came from the north, he would resign after the party convention to give way for a chairman from the south.
He claimed that Ayu made the pledge both in the house of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and at the PDP Senate Caucus meeting.
Wike added that the the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar also told him after the convention that Ayu would resign.
He then challenged Atiku to implement what he said, adding, ‘’it is nothing to do with Wike; it has to do with integrity.
‘’This is what he told me; I challenge the presidential candidate to deny this.
‘’If he denies it, I will go further to say so many things to Nigerians because enough is enough; we can’t continue this way.”
He described as erroneous, the belief in some quarters that he was bent on destroying the party and stated that he was only calling for justice and equity.
According to him, we have finished the presidential primaries; it is over. So, when people say you want to destroy the party because you didn’t win primary, I think they’re sick.
‘’Wike is not causing problem, Wike is bringing peace to this country, Wike is advocating for justice, Wike is advocating for equity, Wike is advocating for development,’’ the governor added.
He, however, said he would sustain the fight for a return to healthy party structure to allow for an even representation of the interest of the north and south in the national leadership of the party
PDP Reacts:
The party Through Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary in a communique issued at the end of the 97th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, held Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja reacted to the devements.
According to Ologunagba, the NEC of the PDP at its 97th meeting extensively deliberated on issues of urgent national importance as well as the preparation for the 2023 general elections and resolved as follows:
1. NEC unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu for effectively managing the affairs of the Party and restated its confidence in the NWC to lead the PDP to victory in the 2023 general elections.
2. NEC received and accepted the resignation of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sen. Walid Jibrin and accepted the nomination of Sen. Adolphus Wabara, the Secretary of the BoT, as Acting Chairman of the BoT.
3. NEC thanked Sen. Jibrin for his loyalty and commitment towards the unity, stability and success of the Party at all times and urged him not to relent in his service to the Party and the Nation at large.
4. NEC congratulated the Party as well as the Osun State Governor-elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke for our victory in the July 16, 2022 Osun Governorship election
5. NEC commended the NWC, the Board of Trustees, PDP Governors’ Forum, National Assembly Caucus, Zonal and State Caucuses, other leaders, critical stakeholders and all organs of the Party for the successful conduct of the 2022 National Convention as well as all primaries for the election of our candidates for the 2023 General Elections.
6. NEC unanimously ratified the list of candidates of the PDP as submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the NWC.
7. NEC congratulated H.E Atiku Abubakar and H.E Ifeanyi Okowa on their emergence as Presidential and the Vice Presidential Candidates of the PDP for the 2023 Presidential election, respectively.
8. NEC also congratulated all the Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly Candidates of the PDP for their emergence as flagbearers of our Party at various levels.
9. NEC commended all leaders, members, critical stakeholders and supporters of our Party across the country for their continued steadfastness in the PDP’s mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from the nightmarish misrule of the failed APC.
State of The Nation:
10. NEC strongly decried the worsening state of the nation’s economy with attendant excruciating hardship occasioned by the corruption, insensitivity, incompetence and harsh economic policies of the inhumane and vicious APC.
11. NEC is also appalled by the worsening insecurity in the country occasioned by the obvious complicity of the APC administration which continues to condone and enable acts of terrorism in various parts of the country.
12. NEC lamented the failure of the APC government to address the industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). NEC lamented that the APC is relishing the agony, pain and suffering of parents and students in Nigerian public universities due to the prolonged strike action.
13. NEC condemned the constant display of arrogance by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu in handling the issue of ASUU strike and called for a more constructive engagement by stakeholders to resolve the matter.
14. NEC also condemned in the strongest terms the appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari of card-carrying members of the APC as INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
This unpatriotic act is a brazen plot by the APC to manipulate and rig the 2023 general elections against the Will of Nigerians. The PDP demands that President Buhari immediately withdraws the APC members nominated as RECs, failure of which has the capacity to trigger serious political crisis that can threaten the 2023 general elections and derail our democratic process
Campaign Structure
15. NEC approved a unified campaign Structures across the country for the PDP for the 2023 general elections which will focus more on the grass root.
16. NEC approved the proposed Structure and organogram of the National Campaign Council as well as the National Campaign Management Council for the 2023 general elections.
17. NEC also approved the Structures for Campaign Councils at the States, Local Government, Ward and Unit levels.
18. NEC unanimously empowered the NWC to modify and adjust the structures of the Campaign Councils as and when the need arises.
19. NEC received and approved the proposed structure for Zonal Reconciliation Committees to be set up to ensure that our Party presents a common front ahead of the 2023 general elections.
20. NEC also received and approved the composition of the Manifesto Review Committee to review the Manifesto of the PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.
21. NEC charged Nigerians to remain united in rallying towards the success of the PDP at the 2023 general elections and start the onerous task of rescuing and rebuilding our nation.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils.The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.
A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request. The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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