Adamawa PDP rejects Gulak, backs Juta

The Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has rejected Alhaji Ahmed Gulak as the national chairman of the party.

Ahmed Gulak

Gulak, who hails from the state, had on Wednesday stormed the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, where he declared himself as the national chairman of the former ruling party.

The former presidential aide, who arrived the secretariat with his supporter, said he had taken over the leadership of the party from its Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

A day after Gulak pronounced himself as the substantive chairman, governors of the party also met in Abuja and asked Secondus to hand over to the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.

Secondus however said he would not handover as demanded by the governors, saying that their (governors) demand had no backing in the party’s constitution.

But the Adamawa State chapter of the party said that after the meeting of its National Working Committee, it decided to support Amb. Wilberforce Juta for the exalted position.

A letter signed by the Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Joel Madaki, and addressed to Secondus said that Juta was capable of using his experience to resuscitate the party.

The letter reads in part, “The State Working Committee of the PDP, Adamawa State Chapter after due consultation with party stakeholders in the state and beyond, and having thoroughly deliberated intensively on the issue of the position of the National Chairman of  the party has resolved as follows:

“That, it is imperative the PDP resuscitates itself as a key political party for the purpose of both proffering effective opposition and an alternative platform to ruling All Progressives Congress government.

Adamawa PDP rejects Gulak, backs Juta

Bayelsa Governor Condemns Gulak Moves To Declare Self as PDP Chairman

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Saturday in Yenagoa, threw his weight behind the embattled Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, saying he (Secondus) remains the party’s national chairman.

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson

He, therefore, condemned the decision by former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, to forcefully declare himself as chairman of the party.

According to the Governor, contrary to the reports in the media, there are no three chairmen in PDP but only one in the person of acting national chairman and that is Uche Secondus.

Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, clarified the position of PDP Governors Forum, saying Secondus was still the Deputy National Chairman of the party.

He added that in the absence of a substantive national chairman, he (Secondus) remained in acting capacity until a new chairman emerges.

The governor denied reports of any division in PDP Governors Forum or change in the current leadership of the party.

He said there were modalities for the emergence of chairman of the party as stated in its constitution and therefore there could not have been any reason to have three chairmen running the party at the same time.

Dickson was categorical that at no time did the forum nominate anyone as chairman, insisting that Uche Secondus as Deputy National Chairman, going by the law and the party’s constitution, was still in acting capacity until a new chairman emerges.

He said, “There can’t be a vacuum and as servants of the law, we must be seen at all times to be people who are duty bound to uphold the law and to do the right things at all times in the eyes of the law.”

Bayelsa Governor Condemns Gulak Moves To Declare Self as PDP Chairman

Rebranding PDP is a waste of time - Ahmed Gulak

Explains why he dragged PDP NWC to court

*Says impunity costs PDP 2015 elections

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA- FORMER political Adviser to past President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, yesterday, lampooned the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on its rebranding move, saying the action was a waste of time.

Ahmed Gulak

Gulak who expressed pessimism over the rebranding of the party ahead of 2019 following its defeat at the Presidential election after 16 years, stressed that lack of internal democracy and impunity on the part of the leadership of PDP led to its defeat by the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Addressing Journalists yesterday in Abuja, the former Political Adviser said that for the rebranding to succeed, the present National Working Committee, NWC must be properly constituted.

Gulak who explained that he dragged the PDP NWC to court as part of moves to right the wrong, said, “I’m from the North-east, having exhausted all internal mechanism to ensure that the constitutional provisions are adhered to and complied with and having also neglected, failed and refused to comply with the provision of the constitution, I decided to file an action in court. This is challenging the continued existence of ‎NWC without being properly constituted. That is my case in court and it is on behalf of myself and the entire North-east zone consisting of six states that have been excluded and ignored by the Uche Secondus led committee.

“We as a zone will not accept that we are not part of PDP, we as a zone cannot be ignored by Uche Secondus and his members. We as a zone like all other zones must be part of mechanism and operations of the PDP. The North-east zone after the elections has two PDP states, South-west has two PDP states, South-south all PDP, the South-east all PDP except Imo state, North-west has no PDP and it is part and parcel of PDP because it has the National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary.

“The entire North-east zone has nobody in the NWC‎ and as such the Constitution does not envisage that. We should not be shortchanged, we should not be excluded.”

Gulak who frowned at the continued vacant position of the National Chairman, said that North-east zone ought to produce the National Chairman of the party following the resignation of Adamu Muazu as the party chairman on May 29, 2015. Rather, the zone has been marginalised by the Uche Secondus led leadership of the party.

Gulak stressed that PDP may not make any impact in the next general elections if the right things are not done in time, adding, “Despite the constitutional provision of the party which zones the position of National Chairman to the North-east, the acting Chairman of the party has deliberately kept the post vacant six months after the exit of Muazu.”

He alleged that Secondus and his committee members were working to extend their ‎stay till next year against the party’s Constitution, warning that such impunity which led to the colossal loss the party experienced in the last election is still reigning in the party.

His words: “You are aware that on the 29th of May, 2015 the former chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu resigned his position as the party chairman and a vacancy was created by his resignation. By the constitution of the party, somebody from North-east is supposed to replace Muazu.

“I have individually and collectively with the people of North-east ‎gone to the NWC under the acting chairmanship of Uche Secondus to present the demand of the North-east geo-political zone and all our demands and claims fell on deaf ears.

“You can also remember that Senator Ken Nnamani led a group to NWC to tell them that the party organ especially the NWC and BOT must be properly constituted since there are vacancies created by the resignation of their former chairman. That also fell on deaf ears.

“I have to use all the internal mechanisms of the party to address the issue because as it is today by the Constitution of the party, the NWC is not properly constituted because there’s no national chairman and the resignation of Muazu created a vacancy in that organ and replacement from the constitution of our party must, come from the North-east.”

Rebranding PDP is a waste of time - Ahmed Gulak

Gulak sues PDP over chairmanship seat

Mr. Ahmed Gulak, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has dragged the Peoples Democratic Party to court over the delay in appointing the PDP chairman.

Ahmed Gulak

Gulak joined the party and its acting National Chairman, Uche Secondus, in the suit he instituted at Court 4 of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The suit, with number FCT/HC/CV/153/2015, is billed for hearing on November 25.

The former presidential aide, who is interested in becoming the party’s next chairman, told journalists in Abuja on Wedneday that he instituted the suit because of the need to put the PDP back on track.

He argued that the party could not be put back on track without following the constitution.

Gulak recalled that immediately after the party lost the March 28 presidential election, its then chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, resigned his position.

He added that the party’s constitution made it clear that somebody from the North-East, where Mu’azu hails from, should be appointed to replace him.

Gulak regretted that despite this constitutional provision, Secondus, “who is claiming to be the acting chairman”, has refused to initiate the process for the fulfillment of that provision.

He argued that the current National Working Committee of the party was not properly constituted, contending that all acts purported to have been taken by anybody in acting capacity was null and void.

He said, “Some past leaders and elders of the party went to the NWC and told them that if we want to rebrand the PDP and ensure the party bounces back, we must follow the constitution and properly organise and constitute the organs of our party, especially the NWC and the BoT, where two vacancies exist because both chairmen resigned.

“But it appears that members of the NWC are not ready and willing to comply with the constitutional provision that calls for the replacement of those that resigned.

“I had earlier written and submitted my letter of intent, among others from the North-East that are interested in filling the vacancies; myself, Ambassador Damagun, Alhaji Gambo Lawal, Senator Bala Mohammed and Senator Paul.

“All of us wrote our letters, indicating our interest in filling the vacancy created by Muazu’s resignation. It was incumbent on the NWC to initiate the process where a replacement will be obtained.

“My state (Adamawa) chapter of the party sent a letter to them, recommending from the North-East, but they are hell-bent on flouting the constitution of the party. The constitution of the party is clear that there shall be NWC, which shall be headed by a chairman.

“As it is today, the NWC of the PDP is not properly constituted. And any act or commission or correspondence purported to be made by anybody in acting capacity is null and void. That is why I have gone to court.”

Gulak sues PDP over chairmanship seat

Why Jonathan lost to Buhari – Gulak

…says he will sink with PDP than defect to APC

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

Immediate Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, has denied ever defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Gulak, who was reported to have openly decamped to APC on Wednesday along with other PDP chieftains in Yola, told Vanguard in Abuja on Thursday that he was not present at the venue of the ceremony and that his name was fraudulently used to score cheap political points.

“I want to say that I will remain a staunch PDP member despite the loss of the presidential election by our great party. Rather than defect to the APC, I will join forces with like-minded Nigerians to make the PDP to bounce back in the years to come,” Gulak said.

The Adamawa-born lawyer, said that even though the PDP lost the presidential election, it was not justified for its members to hurriedly desert the party for the APC, accusing the defectors of betrayal and dishonesty.

Gulak said that he had before now drawn the attention of Mr. President to the fact that many of those who were brought into the PDP as key members were actually enemies and not committed members willing to work for the success of the party.

He said his views were not however taken seriously because of those who were working hard to tarnish him before the government and get him out of sight.

Gulak said the PDP lost the last election because of the unresolved nomination crisis that arose from the imposition of anointed candidates by top officials of the party in all the states of the federation.

The former presidential aide said: “In the first place, the PDP did not see the crisis created in all the states of the federation. The party did not go into that election as a united entity as expected.

“Across the country the nomination process was contrary to the party constitution. You could see that in some states, the candidates were imposed on the party and that alienated party faithful from the party and caused more division for the system.

“As human beings, not many will take time to think. But we have now seen where the party went wrong and we have to return to the drawing board with a view to winning in 2019.

We are going to see who played what role in the current crisis and if need be we may ask those culpable to step aside and new hands will take over to rebuild confidence and enhance its winning power in the next election,” he said.

 

Why Jonathan lost to Buhari – Gulak

APC lied! I am still in PDP- Gulak

Immediate Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, has denied defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Gulak, who was reported to have openly decamped to APC on Wednesday along with other PDP chieftains in Yola, told Vanguard in Abuja on Thursday that he was not present at the venue of the ceremony and that his name was fraudulently used to score cheap political points.

“I want to say that I will remain a staunch PDP member despite the loss of the presidential election by our great party. Rather than defect to the APC, I will stay in the party and join forces with like-minded Nigerians to make the PDP to bounce back in the years to come,” Gulak said.

 

APC lied! I am still in PDP- Gulak

Defection galore as Zwingina, Gulak, Reps, others dump PDP for APC

The wave of defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC continued yesterday with senior members of the defeated ruling party taking their exit from the party.

APC and PDP

Among the heavyweight defectors that left the PDP yesterday was immediate past political adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, who initiated the Jonathan re-election campaign and subsequently made an unsuccessful bid for the governorship of Adamawa State on the platform of the party.

The gale of the defections came from Adamawa State and Ondo and Oyo states in the Southwest.

Besides Gulak, two serving senators, Ahmed Hassan Barata and Mohammed Bello

Tukur representing Adamawa South and Central respectively, a former Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, former minister of health, Dr. Idi Hong were among many other prominent leaders who jumped ship when President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari visited Yola, Adamawa State yesterday.

Olusola Oke leads the group

And in Ondo State, the PDP’s immediate past national legal adviser, Chief Olusola Oke led several others including his two wives, a member of the House of Representatives representing Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency, former Commissioners under the Late Dr Olusegun Agagu administration Princes Oladunni Odu, Ayo ifayefunmi, Olajide Ajana, former Senator Gbenga Ogunniya and Mrs Febi Adeyemi

Others included a former Head of Service Alaba Isijola and a former member of the House of Representatives, Abayomi Sheba among others.

In making his declaration, Oke confessed that he and his groups worked to ensure the defeat of the PDP in penultimate weekend’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

In Oyo, Rep, others jump boat

Also yesterday, prominent members of the PDP in Oyo State including a member of the House of Representatives, Afeez Jimoh, a former member of the House of Representatives, Folake Olunloyo-Osinowo, Tayo Sarumi, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, PDP governorship aspirant, Chief (Mrs) Ayoka Lawani, Mr. Waheed Adeleke, former Chairman, Iseyin Local Government, among other party leaders from the Accord, Labour Party and PDP who joined the APC.

The mass defection of the politicians took place at an event held at the Mapo Hall in Ibadan on Wednesday. PDP member of the House of Representatives from Oyo State.

Adamawa defectors state case

The defectors in Adamawa State made their plans known at a press conference in Yola, the state capital yesterday.

Zwingina, who addressed the press on behalf of the defectors, said:

“After careful identification of the best in the current circumstances facing the state, we came to the conclusion that Bindow’s victory will pave the way for the desired restoration and positive change for the peace and development of the state.”

He explained that following the undemocratic tendencies of the candidate imposed on Adamawa State, by the PDP the serving senators under the party formed alliance with major stakeholders in the party to rally around the ambition of Senator Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindow.

The defectors alongside thousands of their followers said their choice of APC’s candidate was reached after careful scrutiny identify him as the best candidate for the job hence their total support for his ambition.

Zwingina noted that what motivated them to join APC was premised by the desire to address the myriad of challenges being faced in the state which include economic underdevelopment, insecurity, lack of infrastructure and political instability among others.

In his remarks, the Director General of Bindowo Campaign organization Alhaji Abdurrahman Abba Jimeta commended the defectors for their move adding that Adamawa indigenes will remain grateful to them for their courage to leave what he described as the “sinking PDP ship that wreaked havoc on the state for the past 16 years.”

Oke lauds turn-coats

Oke, who led the defectors in Akure, Ondo State said that his decision to join the APC was taken because he could not withstand the wind of change he claimed is blowing across the country.

“The wind almost blew me off, but I have now surrendered I can no more resist this change. This change that has blown in the federal must also blow in Ondo State.

Oke said forces of darkness fought against change to happen but “ the only thing that is permanent in life is Change.

“We have come to add value to the APC and salvage the state from bad and visionless leadership with broken promises across the state.

“Ondo State is the poorest in the Southwest because of lack of good leadership. Nothing is working, contractors have abandoned sites, no contract is awarded our youths have no job.

The Party Chairman Hon Isaac Kekemeke welcomed the defectors as he vowed that an APC government in the state would put an end to personalisation of governance.

Ex-Ondo deputy governor too

Also in the welcoming party was the deputy governor of the state, Ali Olanusi.

Reacting to the defection the Director of Publicity of the PDP in the state Ayo Fadaka described Oke’s action as disappointing.

Fadaka in a statement said Oke has made a short-sighted political mistake.

“We note with aghast the decampment of Chief Olusola Oke from our Party to the All Progressive Congress, to us it is a route that Oke should not in any circumstance embark upon but since he in company of his little band have chosen to do so, they are welcome to it.

“We equally feel duty bound to declare that we are disappointed that a man who operated as a major stakeholder in our Party could curiously elect to become a common joiner in a Party.

The mass defection of PDP stalwarts in Oyo State took place at an event held at the Mapo Hall in Ibadan on Wednesday.

Ajimobi receives defectors

The defectors were received by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, his counterpart from Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who represented the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

In their separate remarks, the defectors said they were leaving their respective parties for the APC because they discovered that only the APC held hope for the country and the state in particular.

Why I crossed over, by Olunloyo-Osinowo

In her own remark, Hon Olunloyo-Osinowo said all the members of the PDP in Ibadan South West and Ibadan North West constituency had decamped to the APC, stating that they identified with progressive ideology and believed that only the party would take the country to the promised land.

“God has deserted PDP and Nigerians have rejected it. That was why we left the party. The APC remains the only party that can take Nigeria to her land of destiny,” she said.

Another former PDP member of the House of Representatives and now a chieftain of the Accord Party, Hon. Sarumi said that his former party had become a sinking ship that would meet its final Waterloo at the governorship polls on Saturday.

 

Defection galore as Zwingina, Gulak, Reps, others dump PDP for APC

Troops raid Boko Haram hideouts in Yobe, Adamawa

0

The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, has said some Boko Haram insurgents were killed by troops during a cordon and search operation along Djimillo-Damaturu, Yobe State on Friday.

Nigerians soldiers with Boko Haram flag

Olukolade said the troops had a fierce encounter with the terrorists when their hideout was discovered by soldiers near a market.

According to him the soldiers killed an unspecified number of the insurgents and recovered some machine guns and rifles from them.

He added that some of the terrorists were believed to have been killed in a fire that gutted the house which they used as their base.

Olukolade said a soldier was killed in the fight with the terrorists while another who had gunshot wounds was undergoing treatment

The Defence spokesman also said the troops had an encounter with some terrorists who were in the process of blowing up a bridge to halt the military operation in Gulak, the headquarters of the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The troops, he said, also recovered some arms and ammunition from them, adding that flags hoisted by the terrorists were being dismantled by the troops in the operational area.

Meanwhile, an intelligence source said on Saturday that military operations were going on in various communities in the three states under emergency rule.

The source stated that the military had recovered over 30 communities in 12 local government areas in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

Olukolade had said in a statement on Friday that troops liberated Bara, the headquarters of Gulani Local Government area of Yobe and Gulak, the headquarters of the Madagali.

He stated also that the troops also recaptured other towns such as Shikah, Fikayel, Tetebah, Buza, Kamla and Bumsa, during the two-day operation.

In a related development, a former United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. John Campbell, has said Boko Haram’s loss of some of its captured territories to the Nigerian troops will not prevent it from carrying out violent attacks against government facilities and innocent people.

Though the Islamist insurgents still have swaths of lands in the North-East under their control, the Nigerian military has been able to drive out the terrorists from more than 10 communities including Mubi, Gamboru-Ngala, Hong, Monguno, Baga and Gombi.

Campbell made this known in an article he wrote for the US-based Council on Foreign Relations.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Director General of the National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, had said the army was in full control of the recovered territories in Borno and Adamawa states.

But according to Campbell, beyond the recovered territories, “there appears to have been little change in the areas where Boko Haram operates.

“What is the significance of the Nigerian military’s reoccupation of the three towns? Towns in North-East Nigeria appear to change hands frequently. Unlike ISIS in Syria and Iraq, where a major goal is the permanent occupation and governance of territory, Boko Haram appears to be highly fluid. Hence, Boko Haram does not need to hold territory to be effective. Boko Haram is also adept at melting back into the countryside when confronted by superior forces.”

In a related development, the US Senate voted unanimously to condemn the vicious attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram against innocent civilians, especially women and children, and called on President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to ensure that Nigeria’s upcoming general elections on March 28 and April 11 are safe, credible, and transparent.

The resolution was introduced by Senator Robert Menendez.

The US Senate stated its support to bring an end to violence perpetrated by the Islamist insurgents, urging the Nigerian government to conduct transparent, peaceful, and credible elections.

Viewed 1 times
Troops raid Boko Haram hideouts in Yobe, Adamawa

Soldiers allegedly regain Michika, Gulak from Boko Haram

There are strong indications that the Nigerian Military have over-ran the Boko Haram sect and liberated Michika and Gulak in Madagali Local Government of Adamawa State.

Boko Haram killed in Bama

The two towns had been under the control of Boko Haram insurgents since September 7, this year.

A source, while speaking to one of our correspondents on the telephone, said following the fierce fighting between the military and the insurgents, the soldiers crushed the sect and took control of the towns.

According to the source, “I can confirm to you authoritatively that the military are advancing towards Madagali after taking over Michika and Gulak.”

The source, who spoke from Michika, on Monday, noted that despite the military bombardment, the insurgents tried to regroup at the Government Technical College, Michika on Sunday night but they were dislodged by the soldiers.

Though efforts to get the reaction of the Army Public Relations Officer of the 23rd Army Brigade Yola, Capt. Nuhu Jabaru, proved abortive as his GSM line was not reachable, the Adamawa State Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, confirmed the development.

Fintiri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Solomon Kumangar, commended the military for liberating the two local government areas overran by the militants in the past one month.

He said the liberation of Michika and the other towns was a welcome development.

Reports indicated that about 200 insurgents had been killed in the latest offensive as Boko Haram insurgents were forced to beat a retreat when troops routed them from Michika town.

“The Nigerian troops have gained entry into Michika and Gulak and are now fully in control of the towns after they dealt a severe blow to the insurgents, who lost about 200 members while some escaped with gunshot injuries,” the source said.

He added that the insurgents came through Uba and attacked the Nigerian troops who had already advanced into Michika but were repelled immediately.

“The gallant Nigerian soldiers were attacked from behind by the militants but the soldiers engaged them in a fierce battle for over five hours and eventually overpowered them,” the source said.

However, there are reports that the members of the Boko Haram Sect have launched another attack on some communities in Adamawa State after they fled Michika.

It was gathered that some of the insurgents evaded the fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force and went to hide in two buildings and an EYN Church but were bombed by the military inside the buildings.

“The Boko Haram today entered Madagali, and Michika, but the soldiers cleared them; they also bombed the two houses and a church (EYN) where the Boko Haram went to hide,” the source said.

However, the source said that the insurgents moved into the hometown of the Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Boni Hanura, Kuburshawshaw, and killed about 70 people.

The insurgents were also said to have raided two other towns, Watu and Garta, before they were forced to withdraw in the direction of Gwoza by troops.

The report was not confirmed.

When our correspondent contacted the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, he said that the Madagali and Michika axis remained areas of the ongoing military operation in the North-East.

Viewed 1 times
Soldiers allegedly regain Michika, Gulak from Boko Haram

Boko Haram takes over Gulak town in Adamawa

The Secretary to the Government of Adamawa State, Prof. Liman Tukur, has said insurgents have taken over Gulak town, the headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement by Tukur and made available to newsmen in Yola on Saturday.

The statement said the insurgents had killed and displaced many people in the town during their attacks.

It said, “It has come to the attention of the Adamawa State Government that insurgents are now in Gulak, the headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area and had killed and displaced scores of people.

“On behalf of the people and government of Adamawa, his Excellency deeply sympathises with the people of Gulak and other surrounding villages and towns whose areas had been overran by insurgents.

“The concomitant effects of the insurgency like displacement of whole villages and towns create multitudes of internally displaced persons whose management and welfare, the government is left to bear.”

It said the state government would do as much as possible to assist the displaced persons.

It said the State Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the National Emergency Management Agency had been directed to hasten assistance to the displaced persons.

Meanwhile, reports from Michika, headquarters of Michika Council which borders Madagali local government area, said residents of some villages were fleeing to Uba, Mubi and Yola towns for fear of possible attacks.

Viewed 1 times
Boko Haram takes over Gulak town in Adamawa