Atiku laments PDP’s receding form, calls for stock taking

Claims he didn’t lose last presidential election Tambuwal prays for Atiku’s success in courts Fayose, Wike, G-5 Governors absent

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

receding.

FormerVice

President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has lamented what he called the receding form of the party between 1999 and now, advising that something must be done, urgently, to redress the situation.

Similarly, Atiku has declared that the PDP did not lose the last presidential election held on Saturday February 25.

The presidential candidate said these on Thursday at the welcome/ reception for PDP Governors-elect and send forth of past Chairmen of PDP Governors’ Forum held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The former Vice President between 1999 and 2007 has therefore called on members and chieftains of the PDP to be determined and focus on “retrieving our mandate that has been stolen”.

In the words of Atiku, “We have a number of challenges. We started as a dominant political party in 1999, but since then we have been

“It s time to take stock and find out why we are rescinding, and how can we make sure that our position as the leading political party in the country can be regained.

“This is a very important challenge that require a whole day seminar so that we can, as a party, regain our eminent position in the country.

“We all know that the PDP did not lose the last election. So, we should be determined and focus on retrieving our mandate that has been stolen”, he said.

Another former Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo harped on the need for peace and unity within the ranks and file of the PDP.

According to Sambo, “I want to use the opportunity to call for peace and unity within our party because what is happening in some states today is very unfortunate.

“I will give example of Kaduna State. What is happening in Kaduna State today, people are being suspended from the party left, right and center without due process.

“I want to seize this opportunity to publicly ask the acting National Chairman to look into what is happening in Kaduna State, because all the ingredients for trouble and problems in the party is taking place. Likewise in other states.

“So, I want to seize the opportunity to call on all party members to cooperate and let the party continue to work, and ensure that our mandate is brought back to us”, he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal expressed the hope that the mandate of Atiku in the last presidential election will be restored by the courts.

Tambuwal noted with happiness that the outgoing Governors of PDP are bequeathing a Forum that is strong, cohesive and vocal in the defence of democracy and good governance in the country to the Governors-elect.

According to the Sokoto State Governor, “We are happy to bequeath to you, a Forum that is strong, cohesive and vocal in the defence of democracy and good governance in the country.

“With the calibre of Governors’ elect I see here today, I can say confidently that our Forum is going to be in good hands

Continuing, Tambuwal said, “For my colleagues, outgoing Governors of our Forum, I commend all of you for your solidarity and comradeship.

“As a first among equals, I can vouch to the warm support and friendship of all the Governors of our Party.

“Sometimes, it was tough agreeing in all things, but we never forgot to put our interests behind that of our party, people and nation.

“The moments we have shared under this Forum have been moments of joy, learning, comradeship support for one another and a desire for the best of our Party, States and country”, he stated.

In attendance at the event were; acting National Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum, Chairman ,PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Senator Duoye Diri of Bayelsa among others.

Governors- elect present included; Shertif Oborevwori of Delta, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Agbu Kefas of Taraba and Peter Mbah of Enugu while Akwa Ibom deputy governor- elect represented the governor - elect, Pastor Umo Eno.

Other party leaders present were; former governors Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo) and Senator Orji Theodore Orji (Abia).

Others were; Senators Biodun Olujinmi, Abdul Ningi and Chukwuka Utazi.

Governor Nyeson Wike of Benue State and other members of the Group of 5 (G-5) Governors as well as ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose were absent at the well attended ceremony.

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Security Adviser, Major-General Mohammed Babagana Monguno, Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba and the Director General of the Department of States Services, DSS are among top personalities are expected at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s (NGF) 3rd Governors’ induction from Monday May 15 to May 19th, 2023.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, the Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa and President William Ruto of Kenya are also scheduled to grace the induction.

This was confirmed in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Barkindo.

Similarly, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization, Amina Jane Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and Dr Akinwumi Adeshina of the African Development Bank are expected to bring their experiences to bear at the occasion.

The current Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams and two former American Governors, Terry McAuliffe of the State of Virginia and O’Malley Martin Joseph of Maryland are gracing the occasion.

Also expected to speak at the NGF induction is Professor Peter

Anyang Nyongo, Governor of the Kisumu County in Kenya who transformed Kenya’s hospital fund to a national health insurance fund, reduced poverty and brought Kisumu County to compete in poverty reduction, education and infrastructure with modern cities around the globe.

According to the statement, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum NGF is hosting its 3rd Governors’ induction from Monday May 15 to May 19th, 2023.

“The induction program for incoming and returning Governors is the NGFs flagship program where the incoming Governors are supported with special tools to usher them into office in a seamless manner and to assist them move away from campaigns to governance.

“Traditionally, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces is invited to give the Keynote address to the gathering of Governors including those that are already out of office.

“The occasion accords the governors an opportunity to share experiences and compare notes to further strengthen service delivery to the Nigerian people at the subnational level.

“This year, 2023, the program is holding at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, with President Muhammadu Buhari as the Special Guest of Honor. It commences at 8 in the morning.

“Speakers are invited from all over the world from among heads of governments, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industry and other categories of guests who have accomplished and distinguished history of service to their people to inspire the Governors to hit the ground running”, it said

Continuing, the statement said, “There will also be rich conversations on managing expectations and powering the bureaucracy to accomplish your agenda and balancing political appointees versus the civil service, among many other critical governance toolkits.

“The same Induction program will also deal with how to seamlessly ease the outgoing governors to a life after office. The last two days of the week will be occupied by activities of the First Ladies”, it said.

Afemale teacher, Aderonke Makonde, was on Wednesday docked in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for assaulting a nine-year-old pupil.

The police charged Makonde, 35, a teacher at Westgate Land Emperial Creche Nursery and Primary School, Mushin, Lagos with assault.

The woman, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecution Counsel, DSP Kehinde Ajayi, told the court that Makonde allegedly assaulted the pupil by “flogging her mercilessly all over her body with cane and causing her bodily harm”.

She said the pupil’s offence was noise making in class.

Ajayi said the teacher’s offence contravened the provisions of section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties each in like sum with proof of tax payment and verification of address.

Kubeinje later adjourned the matter till June 7 for hearing.

(NAN)