‘Mr. President, Your Statements Are Demarketing Nigeria’ - PDP

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) draws the attention of Nigerians to  the harmful consequences of the unabated negative statements from the very father of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari, on the economy and the general image of the country.

Olisah Metuh

The party said “it is worrisome that in the last six months, the President, instead of making efforts to harness resources and grow the economy, has rather continued to apply himself, perhaps unwittingly, to demarketing the nation and scaring away investors through negative labeling of Nigerians and unwarranted unhealthy portrayal of the nation’s economy”.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh on Sunday said the President’s unwary statements have become very serious clog in the wheel of progress, eroding the confidence of both domestic and international investors in the Nigerian economic and social

system.

“In the last six months, our President has only succeeded in discouraging foreign investors with his continued misrepresentation of our country as a business unfriendly environment, where most of the

citizens are basically corrupt, dishonest, and cannot be trusted.

“Whereas we have restated our total support for the war against corruption, we insist that Mr. President’s unceasing blanket negative labeling of citizens, in a country where millions of honest and hardworking individuals/firms are genuinely contributing daily to the development effort, is indeed a disservice and injurious to the nation and the people.

“Furthermore, Mr. President’s recent announcement to the world that the nation, with its abundant human and natural resources, is broke and cannot pay cabinet ministers not only sends a discouraging signal to the domestic and international business community, but also exposes the

ineptitude of the present administration to meaningfully and sincerely exert itself and work with industrious and innovative investors to create and manage wealth.

“We ask; how can any reasonable investor still have the confidence to invest in a country where the President himself continues to alert that his country reeks of corrupt people and that the government is broke to the extent it cannot pay cabinet ministers?

“Is the President not directly advising investors against having confidence in Nigeria and the system, and that they risk not being paid for jobs awarded by government at any level?

“More worrisome is the fact that Mr. President most times, makes his damaging comments in international fora with potential investors in attendance to the extent that reminds one of the proverbial father who, in the presence of potential suitors, often portrays his daughters as

wayward and yet constantly complain of their inability to find husbands.

“Indeed, this is not the way to go, Nigeria is a country blessed with abundant human and natural resources. What we need at the moment is a serious, innovative and practical approach with the capacity to harness the resources and create wealth for the benefit of all, instead of an

apparently laidback scapegoat tactics with outworn excuses and unhelpful comments.

“May we remind Mr. President that even in the darkest period of our economic challenges, successive administrations made efforts in steadying the economy, while always reassuring our citizens and the

international community of the strength and economic potentials of our

great nation.

“We know that in the desperation to cover its apparent lack of economic

plan, this administration has positioned cabinet ministers, upon

inauguration to concentrate on diversionary blame game on the past PDP

administration. But even this political deceit cannot combat the

unpalatable consequences of Mr. President’s damaging utterances on the

image of the nation and its economy.

Finally, we wish to remind the President and those around him that

Nigerians, by the 2015 elections, have committed the fate of the country

in his hands for the next four years and are not willing to accept

excuses for any economic failures under his watch.

 

‘Mr. President, Your Statements Are Demarketing Nigeria’ - PDP

We have no candidate for Senate Presidency – PDP

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday said the party has no candidate for the position of Senate President or Deputy Senate President.

Olisah Metuh

Rising from its weekly National Working Committee (NWC) meeting at its national secretariat, the party denied alleged plots to take the position from the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has a majority of the members.

Addressing reporters shortly after the meeting, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said, “We have decided to inform Nigerians that the PDP has no candidate for the position of Senate President or Deputy Senate President.”

He said the senators are mature and experienced enough to conduct their affairs, adding that they are capable of taking decisions on their own without interference from the party.

“We have decided not to dabble into leadership selection process in the National Assembly because we have learnt our lessons from past experiences,” Metuh stated.

He said the meeting of PDP senators and senators-elect held with the leadership of the party in Port Harcourt on Monday did not discuss the election of Senate President and the deputy.

According to him, what is paramount in the agenda of the PDP is how to organise itself and strategise for the role of credible opposition and offering alternative policy suggestions.

The party expressed fears that the APC might influence decisions in ongoing election cases at the various tribunals.

We have no candidate for Senate Presidency – PDP

APC’s manifesto unrealistic – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as unrealistic, saying it is meant to deceive and misdirect the electorates.

Olisah Metuh

According to the ruling party, the opposition’s promise to pay N5, 000 monthly stipend each to 25 million poor Nigerians would amount to N125 billion monthly and N1.5 trillion every year.

At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said this cannot be achieved, given the poor state of the nation’s economy and dwindling oil revenue.

“What is baffling is that the APC knows fully well that this is not only unrealistic but also impracticable in a nation with an estimated budget of N4.69 trillion comprising recurrent and capital expenditures yet they continue to dish it out to unsuspecting citizens in a clear bid to mislead.

“Since its formation about two years ago, the APC has introduced and sustained an unfortunate political streak sustained majorly by lies, character assassination, false alarm, wild allegations, and lately visual simulation, all in the desperation to deceive and misdirect the judgment of the electorates.

“We have with us an opposition party, which has been deploying all manner of schemes to derail and compromise the electoral process. Today, if the APC is not instigating violence or threatening democracy and our very existence as a nation, the party is busy procuring criminal hi-tech to hack into INEC’s data-base or clone the Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

“The next day, the same party would connive with some unscrupulous electoral officers to deny non-indigenes in some select states their PVCs while busy making bogus promises to the electorates,” Metuh said.

The PDP also faulted what it described as the opposition’s promise to create 740, 000 direct jobs in each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory within one year, with one million jobs for Igbo youths within the same period.

Continuing, Metuh said: “The APC has also promised to provide free education, daily free meals for millions of Nigerian school children, free tertiary education, free health care and free houses to Nigerians. The opposition knows too well that this is unrealistic yet they prefer to brandish falsehood.

“The APC should explain to Nigerians how they would fulfill their promises with the prevailing 40 per cent drop in national income and dwindling OIL PRICE in the international market. “

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APC’s manifesto unrealistic – PDP

Lamido, Mu’azu meet over Obasanjo

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The Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, met in Abuja on Wednesday on how to convince former President Olusegun Obasanjo to return to the party.

Ward 11 chairman, Usman Oladunjoye tearing Obasanjo’s PDP membership card and the torn card

Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday indicated that the meeting took place at the Abuja residence of Mu’azu.

The meeting, it was learnt, was at the instance of Mu’azu, who was said to be worried about the political implications of Obasanjo’s decision to dump the PDP.

Obasanjo, while announcing his decision to leave the party where he was once its Chairman of Board of Trustees, on Monday, also ordered that his membership card be torn to shreds.

At the meeting between the governor and the national chairman of the party, it was learnt that Mu’azu expressed sadness over the turn of events in the party, which has been ruling since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.

One of the aides of the chairman, who was at the meeting, said the former governor of Bauchi State was “visibly sad that the once-cohesive party” was becoming a joke in the country.

It was learnt that at the meeting, the national chairman of the party sought the opinion of Lamido on how to approach the tirade being thrown by the former President at the party and its Presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The chairman’s aide, who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said that the governor warned the party against trading accusations with the former President.

Lamido is considered as one of the governors very close to the former President.

The chairman’s said, “The governor warned the party against fighting the former President. He also asked Mu’azu to warn some members of the party, including a governor from the southern part of the country to stop abusing the former President.

“He told the chairman that the party and the President do not have the capacity to fight the President, saying that before the former President would open his mouth to say a word, he has his facts.

“Besides, he added that there are other sympathisers of the former President in the party and that any attempt to rubbish him (Obasanjo)would make many of them uncomfortable.”

But the party has said it would not relent in its desire to have the former President return to its fold.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, who spoke with our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday, said that having led the party to victories in the past, it would be wrong for the party to let its former chairman of Board of Trustees leave like that.

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Lamido, Mu’azu meet over Obasanjo

Anti-Election Leaflets: PDP Wants APC Investigated

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…Ruling Party Insists It’s Party To Beat In Gombe

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as revealing, the attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to politicize the circulation of anti-election leaflets in Gombe state.

Olisah Metuh

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement on Tuesday alerted that the rush with which the APC started raining accusations was “suspect and betrays a subterfuge; a spirited attempt to cover-up, divert attention and distract the security forces from getting to those behind the threats.”

“Ordinarily, many Nigerians saw the statement by the APC as merely political, but looking beyond the veneer of politics undoubtedly is a bigger picture of an opposition party deeply involved but craftily deploying a smokescreen to divert attention through a hurried attempt to politicize a very serious security issue.

“Whereas it is incontrovertible that Gombe remains a stronghold of the PDP with the soaring popularity of President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, we urge Nigerians to make their deduction as to which party stands to gain from any anti-election threat in the state.

Is it the PDP for whom Gombe is a stronghold or the APC, which has been seeking to turn the state into a theater of violence owing to its dwindling popularity?

“Furthermore, the manner with which the APC in its statement described the convoy of the insurgents and their said movements from Maiduguri to Gombe raises an issue. Is it that the APC has their members among the insurgents or is it part of its fabrication and lies to score cheap political point?

“Nigerians are aware of series of attempts by the APC to cause mayhem in Gombe as a means to dislodge the PDP in the state. The December 18th 2014 ambush and attack on the convoy of Governor Dankwambo by APC thugs is still fresh in the mind.

“We therefore demand a thorough investigation into the matter as it might assist in unraveling other knotty issues regarding the security challenges in the country.

“This is especially as the APC has shown the capacity to find a voice and thrive whenever Nigerians come under attack or threat, as well as the proclivity for actions and utterances that tend to cause confusion, distract security agencies and embolden insurgents and their supporters”, the PDP said.

The party therefore urged Nigerians to be wary of the APC, stating that its fabrications may not only be for propaganda but also for more sinister agenda.

Noting that it will not be distracted but continue to focus on its campaign, the PDP restated its readiness for the March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections adding that with its record of performance and support of Nigerians across board, it will receive a sweeping victory not only in Gombe but also in all the states of the federation.

 

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Anti-Election Leaflets: PDP Wants APC Investigated

Explain source of your terrorist tapes, PDP tells APC

ABUJA-NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has asked the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC and its leadership to as a matter of urgency explain the source of tapes of terrorist attacks on innocent Nigerians in their possession, which they intend to air designed to achieve what it termed, their selfish purpose.

PDP and APC

In a statement yesterday night by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP said, “Indeed, upon the release of the tapes, the APC must explain to Nigerians how it got hold of them. We ask, is the APC working in collaboration with terrorist cells, who have been unleashing violence against innocent citizens of our dear nation?

“Are these the same terrorist groups that earlier nominated the APC Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari to represent them in the dialogue between them and the Federal Government?

“Nigerians should be worried over the connections the APC might have with insurgent groups especially coming on the heels of recent support expressed to their presidential candidate by the Movement For The Emancipation Of The Niger Delta (MEND).

“We wish to clarify that this is not an attack on the APC as a party but rather a serious issue that boarders on national security.

“We therefore call on all Nigerians and lovers of democracy to note this as the APC embarks on a campaign to attempt to gain directly from the security challenges facing our nation.”

 

Explain source of your terrorist tapes, PDP tells APC

Boko Haram would have overrun half of Nigeria, if not for Jonathan – PDP

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By Henry Umoru

ABUJA – NATIONAL leadership of  the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP  has said Boko Haram terrorists would have overrun half  the country if not  for the nature, character and leadership style of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Olisah Metuh

Speaking with Journalists in Abuja yesterday, National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh declared the tactics adopted by President Jonathan in fighting the insurgents was responsible for the progress in the anti-terrorism crusade so far, said, “‎The problem that we have in the north east to deal with  is insurgency, it is not the making of this government, but this government has tried as much as possible to contain it and I must proclaim, every now and then, Nigerians encourage us by saying that if not for the character, candour, personality of the president, the insurgents would have overrun more than half of Nigeria. We would have been under occupation of terrorists if not for the determination, the style and the character and personality of the president.

“He has been able to offer ceasefire, dialogue and other things to engage them, he has been trying all sorts of methods and engaging them in serious warfare and Nigerians have noted that if not for his character, Boko Haram would have overrun half of Nigeria.”

 

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Boko Haram would have overrun half of Nigeria, if not for Jonathan – PDP

Change is not addressing religious gathering - PDP tells Buhari, APC

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, to work toward winning followers genuinely instead of applying cheap diversionary tactics.

Olisah Metuh

The advice was contained in a statement issued by Mr Olisa Metuh, the party`s National Publicity Secretary on Monday in Abuja.

The statement quoted Metuh as saying that “APC should focus on real campaign, the so called change agenda should be based on issues and not on change of dressing and religious gathering.

“This election is not about political window-dressing and dramatising, what will count is record of performance and antecedents which President Jonathan stands taller than Gen. Buhari.”

He said it was not surprising that the APC and its presidential candidate resorted to organising kangaroo opinion rating.

This, according to him, was an attempt to cover up their inadequacies and manipulate public perception in their favour.

“This APC phantom poll has been designed in a way to make the Nigerian public believe that 75 per cent of the voting population is in support of Gen. Buhari.

“Our findings reveal that APC leaders are intensifying effort to compromise some section of the media to ensure that the poll packaged by its foreign consultants is widely publicized.”

He said part of the strategy was a disguised mobile phone balloting application being circulated by the APC, whereby curious click elicits a thank-you message from them.

This, he added, automatically registered the unsuspecting phone users as having voted in support of Gen. Buhari.

The PDP scribe said the measure was to deceive the public and truncate the country`s democratic process.

“Our final advice to the APC is that it should focus on real campaign and stop playing to the gallery.

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Change is not addressing religious gathering - PDP tells Buhari, APC

PDP: It Is Unacceptable To Mock Rev. Fr. Mbaka.

Olisa Metuh, the national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described Ejike Mbaka, founder of the Adoration Ministry Enugu (AMEN), as “a recognised symbol of God’s authority” who should not be mocked for criticising the president.

Olisah Metuh

Mbaka has recently been in the news for asking President Goodluck Jonathan to step down for Muhammadu Buhari in next month’s presidential election.

In his 2015 inaugural sermon, the most popular priest in the south-east, criticised Jonathan severely, asking his congregation to vote for Buhari.

The video, which was posted on Youtube, has since gone viral.

A similar video, produced earlier in November during, also surfaced, showing that Mbaka earlier defended Jonathan against series of public criticism.

Writing on the Facebook wall of PDP on Sunday, Metuh cautioned those who feel bitter over the message of the charismatic preacher to avoid hurling insults at him.

“I want to appeal to some of these online support persons and/or groups to immediately stop and cease all attacks on Rev.Fr. Mbaka,” he said.

“If you are truly a child of God, please do know that a mockery of a recognised symbol of God’s authority is unacceptable even where we totally disagree with his message.

“The south east being a strong catholic and Christian stronghold will not condone a campaign against a priest.

“I truly believe that President Goodluck Jonathan has made landmark achievements amidst the distraction of a well-oiled terrorist campaign. Indeed I appreciate a lot of people who at the expense of their time and resources have chosen to support Mr President and our party in the media.

“If you love President Goodluck Jonathan and you support PDP to win this election please do stay with, and on the message.

“A lot of Nigerians will never believe that our party and our government (to the best of my knowledge) do not fund media support services. What we do have are volunteers who genuinely support us despite our perceived imperfections.”

Although Metuh admitted that the ruling party had some shortcomings, he maintained that its policies were superior to those of the opposition.

“We have our imperfections but we are a lot better than this present alternative,” he wrote.

“Change to uncoordinated and chaotic movements never worked in Libya, Iraq, Egypt and a host of other countries.

“Our opponents should focus on challenging our programmes and policies. For now, they are fully engaged in insults, diatribes, propaganda and feeding on sentiments and emotions only. Let Nigerians freely choose.”

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PDP: It Is Unacceptable To Mock Rev. Fr. Mbaka.

Quit Now, PDP Tells Nigerians in APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that the growing anti-democratic behavour of the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) if not checked, could undermine the entire democratic structure.

APC vs PDP

The party therefore advised all lovers of democracy still in the APC to immediately quit as they are not likely to enjoy any democratic tenet under despotic leaders who are not disposed to divergent views.

The PDP said the APC has shown itself to be “nothing but a party of ill-bred, frustrated and intolerant politicians; bad losers for whom resorting to personal attacks, blackmail and mudslinging, in addition to promoting violence has become an ideology.”

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement on Saturday also described APC leaders as “incurable despots who have since instituted a reign of impunity characterized by brazen dictatorship, imposition and victimization within the APC. It cautioned “those expecting free and fair primaries for the selection of APC candidates for the 2015 general election to wake up to reality before it becomes too late.”

“That the APC is a party of self-centered and dictatorial politicians with no regard for democratic principles is well known to all. However, we have noted a disturbing pattern, wherein the APC leaders now resort to personal attacks on people when they dump their party.

“The vitriolic attacks, insults and threats on former Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, his Sokoto state counterpart, Attahiru Bafarawa, former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani Kayode and several others who were labeled ‘traitors and political misfits’ by APC leaders when they left the party easily come to mind.

“Nigerians ponder. Why is it that the APC only realizes that their members are traitors and misfits when they exercise their freedom of association and leave due to its undemocratic, destructive and anti-people agenda?

“One notable example is the recent attack by the APC’s unelected Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu against their former member, Chief Tom Ikimi, who he branded a ‘sellout’ and ‘unreliable’ personality because he left their fold.

“Is Chief Ikimi the only person in the APC that worked with General Sani Abacha? What about General Muhammadu Buhari who not only took up a very sensitive position in that regime as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) but also gave General Abacha a clean bill of health on allegations of corruption?

“The APC has refused to address the issues of lack of internal democracy, religious and ethnic segregations, promoting of violence and other entrenched anti-people tendencies raised by those who left its fold. Instead, it has resorted to cheap blackmail, propaganda and character assassination to divert attention. This shows the APC as a party of frustrated politicians attempting to use their mastery of the act of deception to hoodwink Nigerians.

“However, the recent confession by Tinubu that the APC National Convention was manipulated to stop Chief Ikimi, from emerging as the National Chairman clearly underscores the party’s undemocratic stance; the hollowness of its selection processes and the readiness to stifle democratic quest among its members,” the PDP said.

The ruling party noted that “it is on record that the APC is a party where individuals crown themselves national leaders without recourse to appropriate democratic process”, adding that such is “a clear manifestation of the fact that the APC is merely a private estate; a vehicle through which selfish politicians pursue their personal interests”

It also berated Tinubu for boasting that he will produce his party’s presidential candidate in the 2015 general election, an action that exposes his contempt for democratic due process and the worthlessness of any selection process that may be organized by the APC.

“We urge all lovers of democracy to note Tinubu’s anti-democratic actions. This unelected APC leader, without recourse to due process barred a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Opeyemi from contesting the June 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State on the platform of the APC. In the same vein he barred the former Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora from re-contesting for the Senate in 2011 only to impose his wife, Oluremi Tinubu on the people.

“This is in addition to the imposition of his son in-law, Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo as a member representing Ijero/Efon/Ekiti West in the House of Representatives, his sister-inlaw, Lola Fibisola Akande as a member of the Lagos state House of Assembly and his daughter, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, to replace his late mother, Abibatu Mogaji as President-General of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men”, the ruling party said.

Noting that those who resist the impunity in the APC are continuously victimized, thoroughly insulted and branded, the PDP however urged all well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of democracy still in the APC to be bold and leave before it becomes too late.

It also advised the APC leaders to learn to be more decorous, eschew bitterness in their dealings and understand that in a democracy citizens must at all times be allowed to freely exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights.

“The PDP would not relent in its effort in putting it right before the APC because our democracy needs a virile opposition, but like Adlai Stevenson campaign statement in 1952 wherein he said, “I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them”, the statement said.

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Quit Now, PDP Tells Nigerians in APC

Oshiomhole replies Olisah Metuh, says he"s not interested in Vice-Presidency

BENIN—Edo State Government, yesterday, described as wicked and rubbish, allegation by the National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Olisah Metuh, that Governor Adams Oshiomhole was behind the crisis in Edo State House of Assembly due to what he called the growing popularity of PDP in the state.

Oshiomhole

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, the government described Metuh as a “publicist who thrives in falsehood and propaganda” and warned that the state government would not succumb to any sort of blackmail.

He said: “The crisis in Edo Assembly is a product of PDP’s desperation for power in its attempt to capture anything in sight like a bunch of famished baboons. It is the same theatre of desperation that is pervading the entire political landscape as a consequence of PDP’s show of raw power. We find it laughable that Olisah Metuh, who is reputed to be a propagandist and who had earlier lied against Oshiomhole, has come up again to embark on another tale of the absurd.

“Oshiomhole’s record of performance in Edo State has since become a reference point in the history of performance and good governance in Nigeria. His tremendous achievements across the state could only have been possible through prudent and transparent management of resources, especially in a state that was run aground by the PDP for 10 solid but sordid years. Reminding Edo people of those forgone years of the locust is to insult the collective sensibilities of the people.

“We are not aware that Oshiomhole ever sought to contest for Vice President of the country. In fact, we would have loved a situation where he would run for President of the country to take us away from this regime of tactlessness that has almost earned Nigeria a failed state status. Under the constitution of Nigeria, the Edo governor has all it takes to contest for any office in the land. If our thoughts were to go in the direction of our wishes, we would crown Oshiomhole as President of Nigeria.

“But so far, the governor has not indicated interest in any elective office for now. When he does indicate interest, we will inform Olisah Metuh. So tell Olisah Metuh that he should not allow his adrenaline to fire him beyond the rubrics of decency for now.

“The four members of the state Assembly who tried to usurp the powers of the House only got a teaser of what they bargained for. To play around with a governor that was popularly elected by the people in the state meant that they will incur the wrath of the people.”

 

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Oshiomhole replies Olisah Metuh, says he"s not interested in Vice-Presidency

Oshiomhole, APC Jittery Over Defection, Says PDP

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said the All Progressives Congress and the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, are now jittery over plan by members of the APC to defect to the ruling party.

It added that the alleged soaring popularity of the ruling party in the state was also giving the governor and his party sleepless night, alleging that this could be the reason why it said the governor and the APC had allegedly resorted to orchestrating crisis in a spirited move to stop the trend.

The party also accused Oshiomhole of “stirring up the political crisis in Edo State to prevent an official investigation into findings that he has been squandering the state’s resources, including huge levies and taxes to finance his campaign for Vice Presidency instead of settling down to develop the state.”

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Sunday said Oshiomhole was also embittered by the acceptance of his followers including his aides, top government functionaries, legislators and influential APC leaders into the PDP train while he said the governor’s quest to join was roundly rejected on account of his undemocratic tendencies.

Metuh said, “Having lost the confidence and support of the people due to his despotic, anti-people and undemocratic tendencies, coupled with his colossal administrative failures, Governor Oshiomhole has resorted to violence and blackmail to intimidate and subdue them in line with the agenda of his party, the APC.

“This frenetic effort to subvert the will of the people is foolhardy and compares to a fabled tale of a man attempting to eclipse the moon with hands.

“The fact that Edo is home to the PDP has never been in doubt. In fact, what is happening in Edo state is clearly a case of water finding its level.

“We are aware that Governor Oshiomhole and the APC leaders have been having sleepless nights since the discovery of his mismanagement of the state’s resources for parochial agenda and the continued defections of influential APC members to the PDP and are as such bent at contriving a quick-fix to stem the tide.”

He alleged that part of the survival strategy of the governor and his party was the spreading of what he dwelled “wild allegations and instigating the crisis in Edo State House of Assembly to disorganize and compromise the legislature.”

He added that the “macabre dance playing out in Edo Assembly” was an expression of defeatism or rather a terminal symptom of a decadent regime, so afraid that in the circumstances of unrestrained freedom, its hackneyed popularity in Edo will collapse.

He said, “What else would have prompted the relocation of the state legislature to the governor’s office on the stage managed renovation of the assembly complex if not a calculated plot to intimidate and compromise the lawmakers and prevent them from carrying out their constitutional duties of checking the excesses of the state executive under Governor Oshiomhole?

“We however wish to inform the Edo state governor and the APC that their machinations will lead them to nowhere. They must understand that they have not only failed the people but have also betrayed them. The people of Edo State are no fools and cannot continue to stay under an administration that has no regard for them.”

While saying that nobody wants to continue to support what he termed “a fascist regime that has shown untold penchant for oppression and brutality; a despotic system that continues to impose multiple taxes and levies on the people to promote parochial interests and exercises its whims with reckless abandon”, Metuh added that the APC and its government in Edo State have since disconnected from the people.

The government and the party, he said, have refused to be accountable, adding that this was why the people have abandoned them for the PDP.

“While we restate our position that Oshiomhole is the centrifuge of crisis in Edo State, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to note this and hold him and the APC responsible in the case of any break down of law and order in the state,” Metuh added.

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Oshiomhole, APC Jittery Over Defection, Says PDP

APC must understand that its party is not a rebel group - PDP counsels

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has counseled the All Progressives Congress, APC, to jettison all undemocratic and anti-people tendencies and imbibe the proper comportment as an opposition party in a democratic setting.

Olisah Metuh

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Thursday said with its new leadership, Nigerians expect a new behavior from the APC adding that the opposition party “must understand that it is not a rebel group and as such must throw over-board all actions and tendencies that portray it in that light.”

“Nigerians of all walks of life have continued to express worry over the character of the APC as an opposition party. The APC must realize that in a democracy, being an opposition party demands a great responsibility marked by constructive engagement and propagation of alternatives in the general interest.

“The APC must be advised to undertake a survey of how other opposition parties conduct themselves. Being an opposition party does not in any way confer a culture of irresponsibility; being an opposition party does not in any way confer a license for promotion of violence; and being an opposition party does not confer use of blackmail and falsehood as means of achieving political control.

“Nigerians are no longer comfortable with an opposition driven by frustration and bitterness; characterized by a compulsive penchant for lies and deceit. They do not want an opposition that has no regard for the national interest but behave as if it has no stake in the Nigerian project. Nigerians want an opposition that will purposefully engage on issues with integrity and honesty and not with falsehood and deceit”, the party said.

The PDP noted that despite its change of leadership, the APC has continued with its culture of lies, adding that “there is nothing in the last one week that shows that they are willing to jettison this despicable and unpatriotic stance.”

Insisting that the APC does not have the interest of the nation at heart, the PDP likened the actions of the APC to that of the Biblical woman who, out of frustration, pressed King Solomon to kill and divide the baby of an innocent mother for no just cause.

“We however wish to inform the APC that Nigerians will not succumb to their antics. Nigeria will never break up. We shall remain one strong indivisible nation under God where all thrive together in love, while on the other hand, the ever chameleonic APC will continue to merge, de-merge and lose its identity and composition,” the PDP said.

Signed:

Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary

APC must understand that its party is not a rebel group - PDP counsels

Court to hear El-Rufai suit against Metuh, PDP concerning Boko Haram accusation

 

An Abuja High Court sitting at Gudu, yesterday, slated June 19 to commence hearing on the suit that was filed against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Nasir Elrufai

The former Minister who is a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, dragged PDP to court following allegation that he has links with the Boko Haram terrorist sect.

He is praying the court to award the sum of N1.5billion as exemplary and aggravated damages against both the PDP and its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, for using a false allegation to tarnish his public image.

Besides, the plaintiff, told the court that Metuh had in several publications that was sponsored by the PDP, alleged that he  (El-Rufai) collected N5bn as consultancy fee from the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Metuh was said to have made the claims in the March 17 and 23 editions of This Day Newspaper.

In the suit dated April 2, 2014, El-Rufai, equally joined the newspaper as the third defendant in the matter.

The former minister insisted that the publications greatly damaged his reputation and occassioned an irreparable damage to his hard-earned public image by portraying him as a corrupt, money laundering, reckless, lawless, greedy and unscrupulous public figure.

He maintained that the publications were “in furtherance of the defendants’ campaign of calumny” against him.

The court had on May 20 ordered service of the court processes on all the defendants.

Consequently, the 1st and 2nd defendants, PDP and Metuh, respectively, yesterday, secured leave of the court to file a preliminary objection against the suit before the next adjourned date.

Specifically, the plaintiff is seeking an order awarding N1bn as general damages against Metuh and PDP.

He is further asking for another order awarding additional N500m as general damages jointly and severally against all the three defendants.

Moreso, the ex-Minister, is urging the court to award cost in his favour for “the injury, embarrassment and distress suffered by the plaintiff in respect of the loss of reputation and goodwill as a result of the malicious, unwarranted and defamatory utterance against the person of the plaintiff.”

He prayed for an order declaring that he was “deservingly entitled to a written apology from the defendants, published with the same prominence as the offending publications”.

El-Rufai, wants the court to give an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further defaming him.

 

Court to hear El-Rufai suit against Metuh, PDP concerning Boko Haram accusation

APC Cannot Intimidate Us, Jonathan – PDP.

One thing is clear. The APC cannot intimidate the government. They cannot intimidate the PDP and they cannot intimidate Nigerians.

By Ehi Ekhator

Olisah Metuh

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has said that the opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC, cannot intimidate the present government, Nigerians and Jonathan.

This was contained in a statement signed by the party National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh. The party assured that no matter the oppression and antics of the APC, PDP will win the 2015 election.

PDP said “Our attention has been drawn to the irresponsible statement by the APC wherein they have left issues to start insulting individuals in their usual stock in trade.

”Our response is simple. The APC statement as usual is as ugly as their looks and actions.

”The operators of the APC want to unleash their personal frustrations on Nigerians. However, they should note that Nigerians are peaceful and loving people. We will remain one nation and Nigerians will continue to go with the PDP irrespective of the lies and propaganda unleashed by the APC.

Talking about 2015 election, the party said ”No matter the antics of the APC, the PDP will remain on top and we will win the 2015 general elections. The election is not going to be conducted in the media. It is not going to be based on how many insults you hauled at your opponents. It is all about people who are peaceful and loving and have the best agenda for Nigeria.

”We want the APC to provide Nigerians with answers to our questions. Why is it that the APC, which was down and out, only recovered their voice and boisterous selves after the recent bombings and the attacks? Is it violence that propels them as a party? Is there any link between the attacks and the propensity of the APC to dance naked in the public with their statements?

”One thing is clear. The APC cannot intimidate the government. They cannot intimidate the PDP and they cannot intimidate Nigerians.”

Copyright Naija Center News

APC Cannot Intimidate Us, Jonathan – PDP.

Jos bombing: PDP criticises APC for holding a political rally in Ekiti

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC), has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for holding political rally in Ekiti a day after the May 20 twin bomb explosions in Jos.

APC vs PDP

Mr Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the party, at a news briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, said the APC had remained “hypocritical in the face of loss of lives caused by the insurgents”.

Metuh, who spoke at the end of a meeting of the NWC, expressed shock that while the nation was still mourning the death of those who died in the Jos and Kano bombings, the APC was engaged in a political rally in Ekiti.

He said that while the PDP called off its rally in Ekiti in honour of the victims of the Jos and Kano bombings while the APC was celebrating in the same state.

This, the party spokesman said, was more worrisome as the debris of the bombings was yet to be cleared.

Metuh said that it was ironic that the APC which had lost its voice found it whenever there was a bomb blast in the country.

“This gives us concern and we are bringing it to the consciousness of Nigerians for them to judge,’’ he stressed.

Metuh declared that rather than join forces with the Federal Government to fight acts of insurgency in the country, the APC had engaged itself in blame game and instigating the people against the government.

He claimed that the APC was engaging in propaganda and misinformation, adding that Nigerians would not be deceived.

He cautioned Nigerians and the international community to be wary of the APC which, he said, had vowed to make the country ungovernable.

“APC is the major beneficiary of terrorism in this country. We stand by our statement that APC celebrates terrorism.

“We didn’t say APC bombed Nyanya, Kano or Jos. What we said is that APC by their actions and utterances, promote violence.

“If they do so, they cannot shy away from the fact that they fueled violence,” Metuh maintained.

The PDP spokesman said that even in the face of the country`s present challenges, the PDP was a better alternative to Nigerians even though the party had not lived up to the expectations of all.

“We are a developing democratic country. Even in developed democracies, things are not perfect.

“The truth is that even if we had made mistakes, Nigerians know that APC and the opposition is not an option.

“Nigerians are left with the only choice of supporting the PDP the only true national party,’’ he said.

He said that the APC was made up of tribal and religious group that had nothing to offer the people. (NAN)

 

Jos bombing: PDP criticises APC for holding a political rally in Ekiti

El-Rufai sues Olisah Metuh, PDP, thisday for N1.5 bn

Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nasir El-Rufai, has instituted a N1.5 billion libel suit against the Peoples Democratic Party, its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh and ThisDay before a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

El-rufai

El-Rufai accused Metuh of authoring a defamatory statement, issued on behalf of the PDP, linking him and the All Progressives Congress  (APC) to the Boko Haram insurgency.

He added that in a separate publication, Metuh claimed that he (El-Rufai) collected N5billion as consultancy fee from the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Lamido Sanusi.

Metuh was said to have made the claims in separate publications in the March 17 and 23 editions of ThisDayNewspaper.

The plaintiff, who is also the deputy National Secretary of APC, named Thisday newspaper, as the third defendant in the suit marked CV/1424/14.

The former minister claimed that the publications occasioned irreparable injury against him and damaged his hard-earned reputation.

He quoted one of the publications as saying, “specifically, PDP cited the instance of an APC chieftain, ostensibly the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nasir El-Rufai, who collected N5bn for consultancy fees provided to the Central Bank and another N1.5billion diverted to APC to enable it open offices across the federation”.

The former minister also quoted the publication of March 23 as being “boldly captioned as, ‘In a daring move, PDP says Buhari, el-Rufai, know more about B’Haram’”.

The plaintiff averred in his statement of claim that the publications have done irreparable injury and damage to his hard-earned reputation by portraying him as a corrupt, money-laundering, reckless, lawless, greedy and unscrupulous public figure, who illegally collected N5billion as consultancy fees.”

He is specifically seeking an order awarding N1billion as general damages against Metuh and PDP.

He is seeking another order awarding additional N500 million as general damages jointly and severally against all the three defendants, including ThisDay newspaper.

El-Rufai is also seeking the award for “the injury, embarrassment and distress suffered in respect of the loss of reputation and goodwill as a result of the malicious, unwarranted and defamatory utterance against the person of the plaintiff.”

He is praying for an order declaring that he was “deservingly entitled to a written apology from the defendants, published with the same prominence as the offending publications”.

He claimed that the publications were “in furtherance of the defendants’ campaign of calumny” against him.

The ex-minister equally wants the court to give an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further defaming him.

The case has been adjourned till June 5 for mention before Justice Abubakar Talba.

El-Rufai sues Olisah Metuh, PDP, thisday for N1.5 bn

Why We Will Continue To Caution APC Leaders - PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated that it will continue to caution APC leaders against making utterances that fuel violence and motivate insurgency in the country.

Olisah Metuh

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement on Tuesday however noted that releases from the ruling party exposing the negative consequences of unguided utterances by politicians have succeeded in sobering some APC leaders.

“As a responsible party, the PDP has made its point on the utterances, comments and statements by politicians which tend to influence

and/or instigate people to violence and we believe that our statements have made APC and some of their leaders more responsive to their collective duty of verbal restraint.

 “However, we still decry attempts by the APC to seek cheap publicity by making classless, childish, immature and ineffective statements on terrorism matters. Sometimes they even speak as if they control their actions”, the statement said.

The PDP also condemned Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako’s tendencious letter to the governors of the 19 Northern states saying it is shocking that such came from an elected person. It said Governor Nyako should learn from other APC leaders who have started guiding their utterances.

“Governor Nyako must desist from such and learn from other APC leaders who are now comporting themselves better as a response to PDP statements which succeeded in exposing the link between their unguarded utterances and escalation of violence and insurgency in our nation”, the party said.

The PDP also charged all political figures across board to guide against making  violence-instigating statements even as it implored President Goodluck Jonathan and the 36 state governors to come up with a strong resolution to stop the trend.

The party also called on all Nigerians, especially respectable politicians to continue to unite against terrorism and all forms of tendencies that promote violence and divide rather than unite the nation.

“Our resolve is to join hands with responsible, respectable and patriotic Nigerians to highlight and promote our desire to live together in a strong, peaceful and united Nigeria. Our enemies are at the gate, but together we will keep them out as we continually watch our comments and utterances”, the statement said.

Why We Will Continue To Caution APC Leaders - PDP

PDP Urges Peace, Unity At Easter

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on all Nigerians, irrespective of religious persuasions to use the occasions of Good Friday and Easter celebrations to pray for the nation and rededicate themselves to the values that unite and bind all citizens as one people under God.

Olisah Metuh

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Friday said Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources but added that they can only be harnessed adequately for the good of all, if the citizens learn to live in peace and harmony with one another.

Urging a lesson from the underlying Resurrection message of Easter, the PDP stressed that Nigerians as peace-loving people have shown resilience and determination to live together and succeed as a people adding that the nation will surely overcome its challenges just as exemplified in the triumph of Jesus Christ over death.

The PDP therefore urged the citizens to use this year’s Easter celebrations to permanently put behind all divisive tendencies and focus only on the good of the nation and the welfare of one another.

“Let us use this Easter to rededicate ourselves to all the things that bind us together. Our continuous peace and unity remain non-negotiable. Let old things be passed away and let all things be new as we join hands together to ensure that the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain”, the statement said.

PDP Urges Peace, Unity At Easter

APC Statement Betrays Support For Insurgency- PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the statement by the APC portraying President Goodluck Jonathan as ‘heartless’ for not shutting down governance over the terrorist attack in Abuja, as yet another demonstration of APC’s support for terrorist agenda against the country.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement on Wednesday said “it is common knowledge that those behind the attacks seek to impose a reign of terror in our country, cow the President, dictate the tempo of government and ultimately shut down governance; a plot which the APC has betrayed its support for.

Stating that the PDP-led Federal Government cannot in anyway be cowed or intimidated to abandon its mandate, the statement stressed that President Jonathan has remained committed to the welfare and security of all Nigerians.

“Indeed, Nigerians are no longer at loss as to the agenda of the APC. The APC has again exposed its support for acts directly aimed at shutting down governance and imposing anarchy and reign of terror on our people. They had expected the President to be intimidated by acts of terrorism which have continued to be motivated by their utterances.

“However, we wish to restate that as a party vested with the sacred mandate freely given by over 160 million Nigerians, the leadership of the PDP and the government we formed shall not be cowed, intimidated, harassed or tele-guided by acts of terrorism. The PDP-led administration was popularly elected by the Nigerian people and shall never allow terrorists and their supporters to dictate the tempo of government, which has been their direct objective.

“It is a globally settled principle that no government allows terrorist to influence the course of its action otherwise they have achieved their purpose. This is why the Conservative Party continued with its convention in Brighton, in October of 1984, even though the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, was almost killed by an IRA bomb that exploded at the venue of the convention. During that incidence, five people were killed, including two high-profile members of the Conservative Party, and 31 were injured”, the statement said.

The party noted that contrary to the allegations by the APC, President Jonathan has continued to be sensitive and responsive to the welfare of all Nigerians. It recalled that the President cancelled his planned trip to Ibadan, visited the scene of the blasts and the injured and gave directives on the matter.

It also recalled that after the Dana Crash of June 3, 2012, the government flew the Nigerian flag at half-mast and the President and the Federal Government wisely refrained from celebrations.

Calling on Nigerians to be vigilant and wary of the APC, the PDP commended President Jonathan for remaining steadfast and focused in delivering his Transformation Agenda in spite of the insurgency and unnecessary attacks by the opposition.

APC Statement Betrays Support For Insurgency- PDP