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I won’t work with ‘recalcitrant’ members -Sheriff

By Abbas Jimoh

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sherriff, has said that he would not work with ‘recalcitrant and unrepentant’ party members so as not to lose the opportunity of rebuilding the party.

Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State, stated this in Abuja yesterday, when he hosted a delegation of the Arewa Social Media Forum (ASMEFO) led by Yusuf Dingyadi.

He said the crisis in the party was ‘man-made and self-inflicted’ and therefore apologised to Nigerians for the mistakes of the party.

Sheriff, who was given three months by the party’s organs to restructure the party and organize a national convention, said he will ensure the return of the party to the grassroots to smoothen its viability ahead of the 2019 elections.

“We have a mandate of the party members and leaders to reposition it and we will not work with anyone who will create crisis or violence, no matter their positions. The party has suffered enough for its mistakes.

“Members and indeed Nigerians are looking forward to a repositioned PDP,” Sheriff also said.

He said it was a mistake that the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged as the ruling party, adding that PDP would never have lost, but for past injustice and frustration of many of its members, who formed 60 percent of the APC.

Earlier, Yusuf Dingyadi in company of Yasir Ramadan Gwale and Mansur Ahmad, lament the state of affairs of youths in the northern part of the country.

The national leadership of the PDP has also approved the appointment of Mr. Inuwa Bwala as the Special Assistant (Media) to the new national chairman.

The party also approved the appointment of Shettima Shehu as the Special Assistant to the national chairman on Special Duties.

According to a statement signed by the party’s national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, the appointments take effect immediately.

Gombe lawmakers tell Dankwambo to appoint commissioners

From Ahmed Mohammed, Gombe

Gombe State House of Assembly has advised Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo to appoint commissioners in order to fast track execution of government policies and programmes.

Speaking under matters of urgent importance yesterday, Minority Leader of the House, Ahmed Usman, representing Gombe North, said the formation of cabinet was necessary for easy implementation of the 2016 budget.

He said the House will pass the appropriation bill in the next few weeks.

Nine months after his inauguration for a second term, Dankwambo, who was reelected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has not constituted his cabinet, a development which opposition parties and concerned activists said was not healthy for good governance.

Similarly, Mohammed Tilde and Mohammed Bello of Funakaye West and Gombe South state constituencies expressed dismay over non-submission of the 2016 budgets of the 11 local government areas of the state by the Ministry for Local Government Affairs.

The lawmakers directed the ministry to submit the budget between now and March, for scrutiny and passage into law for the benefit of the people.

Benue APC suspends official for supporting Mark

From Hope Abah, Makurdi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State yesterday suspended 25 members of the party for alleged anti-party pasturing, which paved the way for former Senate president David Mark to emerge winner of the Benue South senatorial rerun election.

In a statement signed by the party’s state secretary, Mr. Onov Tyuulugh, at the end of its meeting held in Makurdi, the APC said it also reviewed the rerun election held in Benue South senatorial district and resolved to reject the result.

“The party rejects Senator David Mark as the winner of the election as declared by INEC. The declaration is inconsistent with the fact that the cancelled votes, about 29,000, far exceed the marginal differential of about 12,000 votes between Mark and Onjeh. The election would at best, be declared as inconclusive.

“The party has reviewed the conduct of some of its members who compromised for reasons of expediency, and has decided to suspend them from the party for anti-party activities,” the statement said.

Those suspended include a former House of Representatives member, Nelson Alapa who is also APC’s National Ex-Officio; Chief Obande Obeya, Sylvester Obeya, vice chairman of Okpokwu LGA; Adidu Iwo, vice chairman Otukpo LGA; Paul Adoyi, former caretaker c’ttee chairman of Ogbadigbo LGA; George Adah, the caretaker chairman of Okpokwu LGA; Ode Akoji, who is the APC’s secretary in Otukpo LGA; Ada Owiocho, the APC’s vice Chairman in Apa LGA; Godwin Atta, APC Secretary in Apa LGA and Noah Dickson.

INEC set dates for Edo, Ondo elections

*PDP releases timetable for congresses?

By Saawua Terzungwe

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday fixed September 10 and November 26, 2016 for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

This was disclosed by the commission’s Deputy Director in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Nick Dazang.

Similarly, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the conduct of Congresses for the Edo State chapter of the party.

?The party in a statement yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in the schedule approved by the NWC, ward congress in the state will hold on Saturday, March 5, 2016; local government congress on Thursday, March 10, 2016, while the state congress is scheduled for Monday, March 14, 2016.

According to the statement, the congresses will be conducted by committees sent from the PDP national secretariat, Abuja, as the tenure of the Edo State executives of the party has expired.

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