The Week In Review: PDP Picks National Chairman, Senate’s U-Turn On E-Transmission, Bakare Visits Buhari And Others

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Northern caucus has picked former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, for the position of national chairman; The Senate gave INEC the power to determine the method to transmit election results, Tunde Bakare makes U-turn, visits Buhari at Aso Villa…

We are reporting these and more as we review the past week!

Ayu set to be PDP national chairman

Bearing any last-minute intrigue, former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, will emerge as the national chairman of the PDP at the party’s October national convention.

The former Senate President emerged as the consensus candidate after hours of continuous meetings by PDP stakeholders of Northern extraction in Abuja.

Ezenwoko’s Blog had earlier reported that three candidates emerged from those contesting to become the next National Chairman of the PDP.

A candidate emerged each from the North Central, North West, and North-East geo-political zones.

A former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema defeated other aspirants to emerge from the North West, Senator Suleiman Nazif from Bauchi State, who is the current PDP Deputy National Chairman (North), emerged as the sole candidate from the North East and the North Central chose former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu from Benue State.

But Senator Nazif and Ibrahim Shema later dropped and backed Ayu.

How Senator Ayu emerged as PDP consensus national chairman candidate

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has revealed why some candidates for the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stepped down for a former Senate President, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting, Fintiri said other candidates agreed to step down for Ayu in the spirit of unity and togetherness.

Fintiri stated that the party chieftains agreed to pave the way for Ayu in ensuring that the PDP as a family wins the 2023 presidency.

He said: “Out of the three Northern candidates the three zones produced, the candidates themselves in the spirit of unity and togetherness, in the spirit of ensuring that the PDP emerges and benefits from our efforts so that we can win together for a Nigerians the 2023 general elections, Senator Iyorchia Ayu has emerged as a consensus candidate for the North.

“All of them are immensely qualified but through discussions and reconciliation, we have emerged with a consensus list that was endorsed by the candidates themselves. There was no election and there was no selection.”

Electronic transmission of results: Senate gives INEC power

INEC

The senate has empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the best mode to transmit election results.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that the senate made the decision while reconsidering the election amendment act.

Under a new amendment of Clause 52 (2) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, the Senate resolved that “voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, which may include electronic voting”.

Following the lawmakers’ decision, INEC will be empowered to decide how to transmit election results — either electronically or manually.

Pastor Bakare visits Buhari

Pastor Bakare and President Buhari

Despite previously vowing not to visit Buhari again, Pastor Tunde Bakare on Friday met the president.

The duo met at the Aso Rock Villa as made public by the president’s spokesperson, Mr. Femi Adesina.

“President Buhari receives Pastor Tunde Bakare in State House on 15th Oct 2021,” Adesina captioned the photos he shared.

Below are some of the major things Tunde Bakare spoke about during his chat with the newsmen after meeting with Buhari.

1. On contesting 2023 presidency

Pastor Bakare said he has made his plans known to President Buhari and the details of that particular discussion will remain between them, though he noted he is constitutionally qualified to seek election.

2. Zoning of the 2023 presidential ticket/power rotation

He said the debate over zoning/power shift is politically immature. Bakare was of the opinion that the best person should be allowed to emerge.

He stated that the competence of a leader and what he has to offer should be of utmost importance rather than where he or she comes from.

3. Introduction of electronic and diaspora voting

Pastor Bakare commended the National Assembly for allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission to transmit results of elections electronically.

He however urged that more advanced steps need to be taken by allowing electronic voting and diaspora voting (voting by Nigerians outside the country) also.

4. Secession threats and agitation for break up

Pastor Bakare submitted that Nigeria is better as a single entity and those championing a break-up agenda should have a rethink and retrace their steps.

As a way of curbing the agitations, he called for equity, justice, fair play, and the rule of law in governance.

5. Restructuring of Nigeria

The clergy said he totally supports restructuring without violence, adding that it is needed to move the country forward. He argued that restructuring can be achieved in Nigeria without balkanization.

EndSARS: Police kick over planned protest

Lagos protest (File Photo)

Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, says the command will not tolerate any form of protest in the state.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that Odumosu made this known in a statement on Monday signed by the state Police Command’s Spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu

Ajisebutu disclosed that the command had received information of a planned protest to mark one year of the #EndSARS protest.

He warned that the police would not hesitate to use all legal means to stop the protest from taking place following the experience of the last #EndSARS protest.

That will be all for this week! Next week is another time.