“Why Atiku Was Absent at Peace Accord Signing”, PDP Explains

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained why it’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was absent at the signing of the Peace Accord on Tuesday.

The PDP made its position known via a statement signed by Kọla Ọlọgbọn diyan, It’s National Publicity Secretary. While expressing its commitment to a peaceful election in 2019, the party regretted that it was not represented at the signing of the peace accord on Tuesday “due to communication lapse between the National Peace Committee (NPC) and the party’s national secretariat”.

The party also made it known that it is already conducting investigations into the circumstances that could have resulted to this unfortunate communication lapse.

“Nevertheless, it is instructive to state that our Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the party are fully committed to a peaceful electoral process and elections in 2019.

Our Presidential candidate is known worldwide as a global ambassador of peace, who will always support processes that will engender peace in our country and the world over.

In the same vein, our party is also known for peaceful conduct in all activities, electoral processes and all elections conducted at all levels in our country, since its inception in 1998.

The PDP will therefore visit the office of the National Peace Committee, look into the peace document and fulfill all necessary obligations towards the peace accord ahead of the 2019 general elections”, the statement concluded.

Ex-Skye Bank chief, Tunde Ayeni not detained by EFCC

Following recent reports published by a national daily, the Punch Newspapers, that the anti-graft body, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has detained a former Chairman of Skye Bank Plc., (now Polaris Bank) Mr. Tunde Ayeni, for alleged fraud, it has been reliably discovered that Tunde Ayeni was only invited for questioning at the Abuja office of the commission hours ago.

Confirming the development, the acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said Ayeni was only being grilled by detectives over some issues related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed by Ayeni when he was Chairman of the bank few years ago.

”I can confirm that he is in our custody on an invitation, for questioning and interrogation. More information will be released tomorrow,” he said. 

It would be recalled that the anti-graft agency had entered into an agreement with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, to check out some banks and its officials, who facilitated the huge non-performing loans in AMCON’s portfolio.

Atiku Worries Over ASUU, Other Unresolved Labour Issues

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) PDP Presidential Campaign Organization has said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is deeply worried over the lingering industrial impasses between the Federal Government and labour unions in critical sectors in the country.

The PDP Presidential candidate is anxious about the deadlock between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which, he worries, is altering the future of our youths and putting families under undue pressure.

Atiku Abubakar however offers hope to the striking lecturers and other agitating labour fronts as he has already set out templates to handle all related issues and ensure an end to incessant labour crisis, ensure industrial harmony and greater productivity in all sectors, immediately he is elected into office as President.

Knowing the importance of education and youth development to national cohesion, stability, development and economic prosperity, Atiku Abubakar has already articulated a clear and practical roadmap towards resolving all issues hampering education in Nigeria in his policy document, which embodies the aspiration and wishes of all Nigerians in their overall productive ventures.

“Our candidate has made ample provisions for enhanced welfare packages, research grants, better teaching and learning environment as well as a strong synergy between the union and government towards a harmonious working environment”, the party stated through its spokesman, Kọla’ Ologbondiyan.

The PPCO therefore urged Nigerians not to despair but to “continue to rally behind Atiku Abubakar in the all-important mission of rescuing our nation from the misrule of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which has shown gross incompetence and insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians”.