2023: PDP denies zoning presidential ticket

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied reports in a section of
the media suggesting that it plots to retain the zoning of its
presidential slot in the North East and South East.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan,
addressing a news conference on Sunday in Abuja, described the reports
as mere speculation.
Ologbondiyan said those behind the reports were political terrorists
whose plan was to mislead the public and cause disaffection within the
ranks of the PDP with the hope of using such fabrications to further
their own selfish political ambitions.
He urged all PDP members and supporters to ignore those seeking to
cause disaffection in the party’s ranks.
“The PDP states categorically that our governors are not divided along
any lines of ambition towards 2023, neither is there any plot to stop
the ambition of any of our members.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our party is yet to discuss the 2023
presidential election, overtly or covertly, at any time whatsoever.
“If anything, the PDP is currently working with Nigerians on how to
win its elections in Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections.
“We will not be distracted by individuals who found themselves
operating in the highest offices of the land but failing in
governance,” Ologbondiyan said.
He said that as a party, they were also working with their respective
state governors and legislators across the country, in line with the
party’s manifesto to improve on the welfare and development of
Nigerians.
“Moreover, it is also imperative to counsel, without any equivocation,
that enemies of our party, who feel threatened by the rising profile
of Gov. Nyesom Wike, should have a rethink on their incessant attacks
on the governor,” he said.
He appreciated the contribution of Governor Wike, as well as all other
PDP governors, to the growth of the party.

…party’s future is bright in Kwara – Ex-reps aspirant

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November
4, 2018 bye elections into the federal House of Representatives for
Irepodun/Ekiti/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, Honorable Saheed
Jimoh Damilare fondly called Alatise has expressed optimism that the
future is bright for his party, the PDP in the state and the nation at
large.
Speaking to newsmen in Omu-Aran, his country home, on Sunday, Alatise
advocated for more youths inclusions in governance noting that their
potentials must be properly harnessed for development of the state.
He also used the medium to appreciate the leadership and members of
PDP in Kwara South, and he state in general, particularly Dr Abubakar
Bukola Saraki for using the mandate as an avenue to take him to
greater level in his political aspiration.
Saheed Alatise , an Omu-Aran born professional famer and second PhD
holder in International Studies while recalling the hectic process
which led to his affirmation last year explained that although he was
not the best among the contestants but Almighty Allah used the mandate
to reward his party spirit and his commitment to others people in the
party whenever there’s political outing.
He enjoined all party members to put the past aside and always accept
whoever the party nominated as its flag bearer in any elections. He
said the inability of the party stalwarts to form a common front and
factions created within the party all contributed to it’s outing in
the last general elections
He said “I appealed to our leaders and all members of our party to
learn from our last mistakes and join hands together. Our failures in
the last elections though painful but we can turn the pains into gains
if we put the past aside and forge a common front. We must eschew
dangerous factions and unnecessary rivalries within the party as all
these contributed to the avoidable loss we experienced in the last
general elections.
“I thank all the party leaders and youth stakeholders in Kwara South
for giving me the support during the struggle. I was not the most
qualified among my contemporaries who contested that primary but
immediately I was announced, I enjoyed the supports of virtually
everybody.
“All those who did not support the course must have had their reasons
and they cannot be wrong too and I guess the lesson must have been
learnt from the unity of purpose we had because it’s crystal clear
that our strength lies in Saraki Dynasty.
“I thank our party leadership, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Party
chairman, Engr. Kola Shittu and other party officials for their
support.
“It was a great memory and I also thank the people of our constituency
who resisted the intimidation and came out to vote for our party.
There’s more to life than always winning a game, and you win some, you
lose some in the game of politics.
“With the results of that election and the processes which
characterised it, I’m proud to say our party did not lose but those
who forced their winnings using instrument of Federal might are the
real losers. In all, lessons have been learnt and we have moved beyond
that but history will never forget what we have done in our individual
capacity.
“Once again, I thank our party members, the party’s leadership and the
people of Irepodun Ekiti, Isin and Oke-Ero constituency for the huge
supports and love during that elections”,   Alatise submitted.