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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The National Rescue Movement (NRM), on Monday, suspended its National Chairman, Isaac Udeh, following alleged misconduct and financial impropriety.
The party also recommended the suspension of the two Deputy National Chairmen (North & South) on the basis of possible complicity in the constitutional violations.
The move was announced by Obidike Okolo at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held yesterday in Abuja.
“This action is in line with the principles of natural justice. The National Chairman cannot be a judge in his own case; he cannot preside over the affairs of the party while being investigated,” said Barr. Obidike Okolo, NRM’s Acting National Secretary.
The allegations against Udeh included the unilateral public endorsement of PDP’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 general elections, a move that reportedly undermined NRM candidates and was said to have been carried out without consultation with any organ of the party.
Allegations of corruption and financial impropriety were also leveled against the Chairman, including an unverified claim that sums of $25,000 and N250 million exchanged hands without being declared to the party.
Prince Chinedu Obi, the National Welfare Officer of NRM, has been appointed the Acting National Chairman.
In response to the event, Obi said, “We must put an end to further damage and disintegration. We must recover lost ground and bring back our dedicated though disgruntled members who have left due to the ineptitude and bad leadership style. We therefore encourage you all to join hands to rescue our great party from destruction.”
However, there was a mild drama when the party members invited security operatives to escort him out of the venue after he displayed some hesitancy to vacate the Chairman’s seat.
Udeh rejected the suspension, he vowed to challenge it in court, arguing that the allegations against him are baseless.
He revealed that while he did meet with Atiku’s team along with leaders of four other political parties, he never officially endorsed the PDP candidate.
“Let me be clear, they (Atiku’s team) did not invite me, and I’m glad about that. I was the only one who did not declare an endorsement for the PDP presidential candidate because I had not had a substantial discussion about the matter with the relevant organs of the NRM,” Udeh stated.
He further suggested that the allegations leveled against him were merely a tactic to remove him from his position as chairman.
Udeh questioned the allegations, demanding concrete evidence to support them. He believes these actions are part of an agenda to control the party.
“They have no evidence. This is simply an attempt to manipulate the party to their advantage. It’s nothing more than a baseless allegation.
“I am not suspended. An allegation is just that, an allegation. It cannot be used until it’s investigated. As I’ve always maintained, I’m still the national chairman of the NRM. I am not suspended until the validity of these allegations is determined.”
He concluded that the suspension based on unsubstantiated allegations puts everyone in jeopardy.
“If you can suspend me on a mere allegation, then any individual could be subjected to the same treatment. This is why I’m informing the press today that I, Isaac, am still the chairman of the National Rescue Movement. I am not suspended until these allegations are proven,” he insisted.
Earlier, Udeh urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to involve all political parties in his political appointments for the sake of national unity and stability. He also called on the government to pay serious attention to the high cost of living in the country.
Representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present at the meeting as observers.
The NRM’s actions in the coming weeks and months will undoubtedly shape the party’s future and its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
