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TROUBLE! Pressure mounts on Ekweremadu to quit PDP- Source

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Some political forces within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are mounting pressure on the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to quite the party over perceived mistreatment of the Senator.

Ekweremadu These, competent sources say this was not unconnected with his “total sidelining in the affairs of the party immediately after the Port Harcourt Convention where Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was elected the presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 election.

Competent source and a ranking member of the National Assembly said: “The issue is not even the mishandling of the processes leading to the emergence of former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as the running mate to PDP’s presidential candidate, in which the South East leaders were totally sidelined.

The issue is a deliberate attempt to sideline the Senator in the emerging scheme of things within the party.

“There is a clear grand conspiracy against Senator Ekweremadu and it is just unfair. I am not talking about him not been nominated as vice presidential candidate. In any case, he has shown more interest in restructuring and other key South East interests than in vice presidential ticket.

“In the discussions leading up to our consideration of the aspirants and eventual decision to give a block vote to Atiku, he always said that the South East should go for the substance than for sheer title.

“To show that the sidelining of Ekweremadu was deliberate, none of the key actors have even reached out to him. The announcement was made on Friday, but Obi only started moving round on Sunday, in the evening. And I did not see him move with the National Chairman or National Secretary. It would have been ideal for Obi, Prince Uche Secondus and some other senior party leaders to have flown into Enugu that Saturday to meet with South East leaders.

“Assuming Atku heard that there was a subterranean effort to substitute him, wouldn’t he have since rushed home or even canceled his trip out of Nigeria that Saturday to address the matter? And was it too much for him or Uche Secondus to pick a phone to call Ekweremadu, especially given the role he has played in calming the angry South East party leaders?”

Ekweremadu snubbed in the composition of PCC

It has also been alleged that Ekweremadu knew nothing about the composition of Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the party. Our source said it was part of the grand schemes by some powerful interests to humiliate and sink Ekweremadu politically.

Recall that the PDP had earlier this week announced the PCC with Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki as the Director-General; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, as North West Coordinator; Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo as North-East Coordinator; and Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom as North-Central Coordinator Former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi were named as the Coordinators for South-west and South East, respectively, while the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, was appointed Chairman of Fund Raising Committee, and a former presidential aspirant, Alhaji Taminu Turaki, heads the Legal Committee. Ekweremadu’s name was however conspicuously missing.

“It is not only about whether his name is there or not. I can also authoritatively inform you that Ekweremadu heard the news of the membership of the PCC in the media like other non-PDP members. “I can confirm to you that nobody mentioned anything about the PCC to him, let alone include him or ask him to nominate anybody or seek his suggestions even out of respect. I confronted a senior party leader just yesterday, who told me that the PCC is a large body and more names would be announced.

“And I told him that he was talking nonsense. “So, it is not just an accident and neither did it come to some of us here at the National Assembly as a surprise. Our party has been hijacked and there is a grand design, a gargantuan conspiracy to bury Ekweremadu politically and it started unfolding  right from immediately after the Port Harcourt convention because a certain governor from the South South who worked for Governor Tambuwal wasn’t happy the way South East voted and he is holding the South East party leaders responsible for greatly contributing to Atiku’s victory. “Don’t forget that in announcing the PCC, Our National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said it was ‘after ‘due consultation with party stakeholders under his leadership’.

“When they announced the VP candidate, they said they consulted fare and wide, yet no party leader from Ekweremadu’s South East, including himself as both a senior national party leader from the zone was consulted. In order words, Ekweremadu is no longer a party stakeholder?

“How could you discuss or constitute a presidential campaign council and the same man, who stood like the Rock of Gibraltar for the party when many abandoned it and it seemed the world had come to an end for it only read it in the papers like others?

“Even though we have always known Ekweremadu as a man of principle, he has never changed party since 1998, we were surprised he could defy  the persecutions and political pressures piled on him to stay firm to defend the PDP.

He showed leadership

“He rallied us to shepherded the PDP during the trying period. Ekweremadu was slammed with phantom charge of forgery of Senate Standing Rule.

Police invaded his guest house sometime in 2017 or so. In fact, before that, there was an assassination attempt on him in 2015 or thereabout. The EFCC has been harassing him.

“The same with all sorts of Federal Government Panels. Imagine, it got to such ridiculous extent that the Special Presidential Investigation Panel even asked him to declare his assets to it even when he had fulfilled the constitutional provision for public officers to declare their assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau every four years.

“He was asked to start filling new asset declaration forms contrary to the constitution. EFCC and police have laid siege to his house. Hoodlums invaded senate chamber and ran away with the mace while he was presiding sometime this year. Just too many harassments, intimidations, and media trial suffered because of this same party.

“All these happened to force him to dump PDP because they knew without that seat occupied by Ekweremadu and him utilizing it well to hold the opposition together, PDP would have been dealt a fatal blow.

“So, we feel very embittered that it is those, who abandoned the party and who worked against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate that are now dictating the tunes.    Impunity and injustice cost the PDP the 2015 elections and I can tell you that it is clear now that the same impunity and injustice followed the PDP home from very successful Port Harcourt convention.

“And they are doing all these because Ekweremadu is not the radical type. But, as far as I am concerned, there is a limit to every rubbish. With these untrustworthy people, Ekweremadu needs no political enemies and he should be man enough to weigh his political options and his future with the PDP.

“But, mark my words, this gang-up against a man, who has sacrificed so much for our party will be the last straw that will break the caramel’s back. It will result in intra-party ‘civil war’ that could  cost the PDP not only the 2019 election, but also consume it finally.

“We see no reason he should rethink his political future with the PDP. This is the least he has to do now as a pragmatic politician because he has been told in unmistakable  terms by fifth columnists working against Atiku’s presidential victory that he does not matter and has no future with the PDP even if Atiku wins. “But, for some of us, the truth is that if a snake comes into your home, you have two choices: fight off the snake or run away.

“For me, I will not only fight the snake, but I will also, in the instance of the humiliation and hanky panky treatment the PDP is meting out to our leader, burn down the entire house so that everybody can begin to shop for a new home”, the source added.

Source: Vanguard

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GRPolitics

With Commitment, Resilience We’ll Defeat Banditry and Terrorism – Badaru

…it is time to end it…Reports SANDRA ANI

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Minister of Defence H.E Mohammed Badaru Abubakar

The Honourable Minister of Defence H.E Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has called  on the Nigerian Airforce to intensify the use of their various platforms to bring an end to banditry and terrorism.

According to the Minister, you are key to this this fight and we must put our acts together on your active component to end this war.

In a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike, director information and Public Relations, Badaru said this during his operational visit to the Air Component Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA at Katsina state on Monday 18th November 2024.

The Honourable Minister appreciated the heroic Air warriors who has continued to shine as beacons of hope, courage and resilience which is an inspiration to Nigerian people.

Furthermore, “the Minister opined that their efforts are yielding positive results as farmers are gradually returning to their farms, schools are reopening, businesses are picking up and Nigerians can now sleep peacefully.”

According to the Minister, the President and commander in chief of the Armed forces Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has expressed confidence on their unwavering loyalty, perseverance and professionalism. He recognizes the personal sacrifices you make every day to keep our country together.

It is pertinent to know that the President has provided the Nigerian Airforce with state of the art Aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles to enhance their attack capabilities. With the induction of these new platforms including the   T129 Attack Helicopter, ” I am confident we will make Mr President and Nigerians proud.”

Consequent to this, ‘it is no coincidence that I am here today to flag off this critical phase of the Operations’. “I therefore urge you to synergize with the ground forces and other stakeholders to ensure maximum effect from these combat enablers” Badaru said.

The Honourable Minister of Defence H.E Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni continued his operational visit by also going to sokoto to inspect the combat readiness of the platforms and also toured the new site where the permanent base of the newly established  Airforce component of military operations against banditry and terrorism  and facilities will be built at Sokoto Airport.

In his remarks, the chief of the Air staff ,  Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, appreciated the Minister’s servant leadership style which is an inspiration to all. For him , the T129 Attack Helicopters will transform our operational capabilities to those who think they can destabilize our nation.

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Jigawa Youth Agenda Refutes Allegations Against Badaru

By, Al-Amin Aliu, a Public Analyst

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Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar
Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar

The Jigawa Youth Agenda has vehemently denied the unfounded allegations made by a mysterious group claiming to represent APC youth in Jigawa State against Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.

After thorough investigations, it was revealed that this group is not officially registered with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa and seems to have been hastily formed to spread misinformation and disrupt party unity.

The Youth Agenda are in solidarity with Minister Badaru Abubakar as they reaffirmed its unwavering support for Minister Badaru Abubakar, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to the APC and Nigeria. His leadership and commitment are indisputable, from his transformative tenure as Governor of Jigawa State to his current role as Minister of Defence.

The them, Minister Badaru has done excellently well and the highlighted his key schievements to include but not limited to the following:

– Strengthening National Security: Minister Badaru Abubakar has enhanced Nigeria’s military capabilities, ensuring protection of lives and property.

– Forging Strategic Partnerships: He has fostered vital alliances with global defence organizations to bolster Nigeria’s security and modernize defence infrastructure.

– Promoting Youth Empowerment: The Minister has launched initiatives focused on education, employment, and entrepreneurship in Jigawa State.

– Advancing APC Unity: Minister Badaru Abubakar promotes unity within the party, fostering collaboration across Jigawa and nationally.

The so-called APC Youth Group’s allegations are an attempt to create division within the united APC family. The Jigawa Youth Agenda urges APC members and the public to disregard these unfounded claims and focus on strengthening party unity and ideals.

Minister Badaru Abubakar’s legacy remains a source of pride for Jigawa State and Nigeria. His dedication to national development, APC principles, and the Tinubu administration demonstrates his integrity and effectiveness. The Jigawa Youth Agenda urges Nigerians to recognize his achievements and support his efforts to build a stronger, more secure nation.

The Jigawa Youth Agenda reaffirms its full confidence in Minister Badaru Abubakar’s ability to lead and contribute positively to Nigeria’s development. Together, let us reject misinformation and uphold APC unity and progress at state and national levels.

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Unmasking the Campaign of Calumny against Dr Bello Matawalle

Writer: Habib Usman, writes from Abuja

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Bello Matawalle

Recent protests and allegations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, have stirred controversy.

Organized demonstrations outside the Department of State Security (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, filled with hired crowds by APC AKIDA sponsored by Tijjani Ramallan and the Zamfara state government with unsubstantiated accusations, reveal a calculated attempt by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to discredit Dr. Matawalle.

This orchestrated campaign, fueled by political motives and a desire to undermine Matawalle’s position, demands closer scrutiny.

Reports indicate that these so-called protests are not spontaneous outcries from Zamfara’s citizens but rather an agenda-driven spectacle designed to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation.

According to sources, the protestors arrived in approximately 12 long buses, clearly organized and funded to create an image of discontent aimed at the minister.

The protestors, reportedly waving placards accusing Matawalle of colluding with criminals, are part of a broader strategy to mislead the public and manipulate the narrative around Zamfara’s complex security situation.

This orchestrated misinformation aligns with the ongoing media offensive spearheaded by Governor Lawal who has now recruited Tijjani Ramallan and his cohorts. Despite lacking concrete evidence, the governor has been on a persistent media campaign, linking Matawalle with criminal elements and falsely alleging his complicity in the state’s banditry crisis.

However, these accusations have repeatedly failed to withstand scrutiny, as underscored by a recent ruling from the Kano High Court.

The court issued an interim injunction barring Governor Lawal and his associates from continuing their smear campaign against Matawalle, stating that any further defamatory actions would be illegal until a substantive hearing on the matter.

The court order highlights the groundlessness of the governor’s claims and serves as a reminder that accusations against public officials must be substantiated by evidence, not driven by political vendettas.

By pursuing a smear campaign against a fellow public servant, Governor Lawal risks destabilizing not only his state but also the critical national security efforts in which Matawalle is involved.

Such actions could divert attention and resources from urgent security issues, ultimately harming the very citizens the governor purports to defend.

The governor’s tactic of repeatedly visiting media houses to disseminate misleading information about Dr. Matawalle has sparked concern among political observers and security experts alike.

His attempts to block Matawalle’s reappointment appear to be rooted more in political rivalry than in any genuine concerns about Zamfara’s security. It’s no coincidence that this intensified campaign began just as discussions about a potential cabinet reshuffle surfaced.

Dr. Matawalle’s growing influence, coupled with his steadfast loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has evidently made him a target for those who feel threatened by his rise.

For Nigerians, it is crucial to separate truth from politically motivated propaganda. The allegations against Dr. Matawalle are part of a coordinated campaign to undermine a dedicated public servant who has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s defence apparatus.

As the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle plays an essential role in shaping security policy, a responsibility he takes seriously and executes with distinction.

The public is advised to view the recent protests and media blitz with caution. It is imperative to consider the context: Governor Lawal’s relentless pursuit to discredit Matawalle, despite the court’s injunction against these defamatory efforts. Rather than yield to such divisive tactics, Nigerians should remain vigilant, prioritizing the integrity of national discourse over political maneuvering.

In conclusion, let us reject efforts to smear individuals serving in crucial roles, particularly when these efforts lack factual foundation and threaten to undermine national security. The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, deserves due process and an unbiased evaluation, free from political interference.nmasking the Campaign of Calumny Against Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle

Recent protests and allegations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, have stirred controversy. Organized demonstrations outside the Department of State Security (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, filled with hired crowds and unsubstantiated accusations, reveal a calculated attempt by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to discredit Dr. Matawalle. This orchestrated campaign, fueled by political motives and a desire to undermine Matawalle’s position, demands closer scrutiny.

Reports indicate that these so-called protests are not spontaneous outcries from Zamfara’s citizens but rather an agenda-driven spectacle designed to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation. According to sources, the protestors arrived in approximately 12 long buses, clearly organized and funded to create an image of discontent aimed at the minister. The protestors, reportedly waving placards accusing Matawalle of colluding with criminals, are part of a broader strategy to mislead the public and manipulate the narrative around Zamfara’s complex security situation.

This orchestrated misinformation aligns with the ongoing media offensive spearheaded by Governor Lawal.

Despite lacking concrete evidence, the governor has been on a persistent media campaign, linking Matawalle with criminal elements and falsely alleging his complicity in the state’s banditry crisis.

However, these accusations have repeatedly failed to withstand scrutiny, as underscored by a recent ruling from the Kano High Court.

The court issued an interim injunction barring Governor Lawal and his associates from continuing their smear campaign against Matawalle, stating that any further defamatory actions would be illegal until a substantive hearing on the matter.

The court order highlights the groundlessness of the governor’s claims and serves as a reminder that accusations against public officials must be substantiated by evidence, not driven by political vendettas.

By pursuing a smear campaign against a fellow public servant, Governor Lawal risks destabilizing not only his state but also the critical national security efforts in which Matawalle is involved.

Such actions could divert attention and resources from urgent security issues, ultimately harming the very citizens the governor purports to defend.

The governor’s tactic of repeatedly visiting media houses to disseminate misleading information about Dr. Matawalle has sparked concern among political observers and security experts alike.

His attempts to block Matawalle’s reappointment appear to be rooted more in political rivalry than in any genuine concerns about Zamfara’s security. It’s no coincidence that this intensified campaign began just as discussions about a potential cabinet reshuffle surfaced.

Dr. Matawalle’s growing influence, coupled with his steadfast loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has evidently made him a target for those who feel threatened by his rise.

For Nigerians, it is crucial to separate truth from politically motivated propaganda. The allegations against Dr. Matawalle are part of a coordinated campaign to undermine a dedicated public servant who has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s defence apparatus.

As the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle plays an essential role in shaping security policy, a responsibility he takes seriously and executes with distinction.

The public is advised to view the recent protests and media blitz with caution. It is imperative to consider the context: Governor Lawal’s relentless pursuit to discredit Matawalle, despite the court’s injunction against these defamatory efforts. Rather than yield to such divisive tactics, Nigerians should remain vigilant, prioritizing the integrity of national discourse over political maneuvering.

In conclusion, let us reject efforts to smear individuals serving in crucial roles, particularly when these efforts lack factual foundation and threaten to undermine national security. The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, deserves due process and an unbiased evaluation, free from political interference.

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