Tag Archives: $2.1bn arms probe aimed at destroying PDP —Dokpesi

Why Ondo election should be postponed – Makarfi

Posted on by
1

The Peoples Democratic Party has restated its call for the postponement of the Ondo governorship election scheduled for Saturday, to enable it “screen and select agents for the exercise”.

 

The Court of Appeal, on Wednesday in Abuja, dropped the party’s candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim, and replaced him with Eyitayo Jegede, who was the flag bearer before being substitued.

 

Ahmed Makarfi, chairman of the party’s national caretaker committee, described the judgment as a “massive step forward”, but argued that the party deserved “a little more time to select its agents in the interest of fair play”.

 

“Victory comes from God, however, a bit of extension of time will be fair, especially considering the fact that it is only now that the party will begin the process of selecting its agents,” Mr. Makarfi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos on Thursday.

 

Mr. Makarfi urged INEC to consider the party’s request in view of the protracted battle that had trailed the party’s candidacy.

 

Speaking in the same vein, Felix Hyat, chairman, Kaduna chapter of the PDP, suggested a two-week extension to allow time to select and submit names of agents.

 

“Agents at the election and collation centres are very crucial to fairness in any election.

 

“If INEC insists on conducting the election, the PDP will certainly be at a disadvantage from the polling units to the collation centres at the wards, local governments and the state levels,” he said.

 

Mr. Hyat commended the judiciary for restoring justice to Jegede and the PDP, and declared that the judgment had revived the party from “a near fatal situation”.

 

The former aviation minister called on Alhaji Modu Sheriff, former National Chairman of the party, to embrace the Makarfi group toward rebuildling the party.

 

“Sherriff has always vowed that he will not give up till the court rules. Now that the court has ruled, he should demonstrate party loyalty by linking up with others toward a cohesive opposition force,” he said.

$2.1bn Arms Probe Is A Hoax Aimed At Destroying PDP — Dokpesi

Posted on by
1

Former Chairman of DAAR Communication, owners of African Independent Television and Ray Power FM, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has described the $2.1 billion arms deal probe by the Federal Government that led to the arrest of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and other members of People Democratic Party, PDP, as a hoax.

 
Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in his office in Abuja when he was honoured by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, youths under the aegis, PDP Youth Vanguard, as their patron with a certificate, Dokpesi, stressed that the $2.1 billion armsgate was not only a figment of the imagination of the Federal Government, but was aimed at destroying PDP.

 
Dokpesi said: “I must hasten to assure you that there is nothing like the much flaunted $2.1 billion armsgate. The competent courts of our land would sooner or later prove this coinage aimed at decimating the leadership and membership of our great party to be nothing but a hoax.

 
“Some of us are reminded of the events of 1984/85 which by any stretch of comparison are similar to the unfolding events of today. As I have said not too long ago, we must stand resolutely united especially in the face of this momentary political adversity. For one thing, I say again that the PDP is not dead, is not dying and will not die.

 
“I wish to emphasise that the current ruling party is making efforts to impede our journey to political maturity through the manipulation of the federal system to serve purely partisan interest.

 
“Our party is indeed experiencing a massive persecution, political reprisal and vendetta, of the kind never before seen on our shores and targeted at the leadership, membership and indeed sympathizers of the PDP by the APC government of the day.

 
We’ll not be weakened

 

“As you all know, so much political water has passed under the bridge since the general elections of April 2015. So much has been said about our members, many of whom have been publicly vilified even without being heard. I assure you that we will not be weakened or demoralised in playing our role as the important opposition voice which is a very critical ingredient in any democratic state.

 
“We may be harassed, we may even be bent, but we are resolute and will not be broken. Even as I speak, the relentless pursuit of our members across the country is being intensified and I can say with some measure of certainty that a lot more lie in stock for the PDP and its members.”

 
Speaking earlier, Coordinator of PDP Youth Vanguard, Ibrahim Bala Aboki, who noted that the group will not relent in its struggle against selective persecution targeted against PDP members, however hailed the dogged spirit exhibited by Dokpesi in trying to galvanize action to ensure the resuscitation of PDP.

 
He said the APC-led federal administration had concluded that whoever joins their party has automatically transformed into saint.

 
He said: “The National Youth Vanguard will always stand by you. We are truly aware that the struggle will not be easy but with God on our side we will surmount the antics and distractions of the APC. The APC has continued to victimize leaders and all members of the PDP through their selective and imaginary fight against corruption.”

 

 

Credit : Vanguard