Politics
I Am Not Makarfi’s Candidate – Secondus
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirant, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday said he is not the candidate of the party’s chairman of the national caretaker committee, Sen Ahmed Makarfi.
This comes as former Minister of Women Affairs, and a contender for deputy national chairman, Hajia Inna Ciroma warned that the party cannot afford to get it wrong at the forthcoming national convention.
She added that the North rejected PDP in 2015 because it abandoned zoning principle, noting however that the party has learnt its lesion ahead of 2019.
Secondus who stated this at the party national secretariat in Abuja, after submitting his nomination form, also stressed that at no time was the national chairmanship position zoned to South West geo-political zone by stakeholders from the zone.
He noted that the position was zoned to the 17 states in South, same way presidential ticket of the PDP for 2019 polls was zoned to the 19 states in the North, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He further clarified that he didn’t bother to contest for national chairman at the botched national convention last year in Port Harcourt, because party leaders from the South micro-zoned it to the South-west.
Reacting to claims that he enjoys Makarfi’s support, Secondus, who was a former deputy national chairman of the party, said
“Makarfi is not paving way for my emergence. There is no truth to that statement. I have been going round quietly and canvassing for votes. I have not held any meeting with Makarfi and he has not endorsed me.”
There was not time in this time that the office (national chairmanship) was micro zoned.
“The office of national chairman zoned to 17 southern states of the federation. President zoned to 19 states. Let’s not dwell on misinterpretation: aspirants know this unless they want to be mischievous”.
The party chieftain said he decided to join the race for chairman because the party needs experience going into the 2019 general elections.
Former minister of Women Affair, Hajia Inna Ciroma urged delegates to vote for the right persons and disregard sentiments.
Ciroma, who spoke after submitting her nomination form at the party secretariat, said “If we get the national convention right PDP will come back. Delegates must vote the right people not based on sentiments. We need men and women of integrity to lead it to the next general election.”
The former said :”The whole Nigerians believe PDP will come back to power. I want delegates to think critically before they vote. We want people who will deliver this party. We should not vote based on sentiments. We should look at antecedents. We must ensure that imposition does not continue in the party.”
On how she can play leadership role in the north where women are relegated culturally she answered, “political leadership is not religious leadership. It is politics not religion. It is a cultural mindset and it is changing very very fast. Why should our parents send us to school if we cannot occupy leadership positions.
“Women are taking over leadership positions in other areas and politics should not be an exception.
She debunked the insinuations that her relationship with a particular candidate could affect her emergence.
“The tact that I am working for a particular candidate does not mean that I am not supporting the others. I am a party member and all of them are qualifies and they are all my friends.
“We know where we went wrong in 2015. One of the things that went wrong was when we jettisoned the zoning arrangement.
“All Nigerian believe that PDP must come back to power, so we are strategisingk.
“My message is that I want the delegates to think critically before they vote. They should look at people who are able to deliver this party. It is the responsibilities of delegate to vote according to their conscience and ensure that they move the party forward” she emphasized.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.