From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has distanced itself from a report on plans to hold an emergency national convention.

The party’s National Management Committee (NMC) Acting National Secretary, Barr. Obidike Okolo, in a statement yesterday, said the notice did not emanate from the party, clarifying that it was fabricated by some mischief-makers who want to destroy the party.

Okolo, however, disclosed that the party had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Department of State Services (DSS) on the matter.

He said: “The attention of the National Management Committee (NMC) of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) has been drawn to a publication making waves titled ‘Notice of Rescheduling of the Emergency National Convention’ to hold a National Convention on 17th January, 2025, at DRACC, Lugbe, Abuja, as published in Saturday Independent, January 11, 2025, page 6.

The public is by this disclaimer informed that the said Notice never emanated from the party and is rather the handiwork of mischief-makers like Mr. Isaac Chigozie Udeh and Chief Edozie Njoku.

“More so, NRM Convention for cabinet reschedule is usually once in 4 years. The last was in 2022, and the next convention is destined to hold in 2026.

“Again, to conduct a National Convention, a 21-day notice must be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which must be signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary, or two-thirds majority of the members of the NEC. This has not been done.

“By Article 12 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022 (the Guidelines), it is stated: ‘Every political party SHALL GIVE the Commission AT LEAST 21 DAYS’ NOTICE.’

“Again, Article 12 (3) of the above Guidelines is on the signatory for the statutory notice conveying the meeting. It states thus: ‘The National Chairman and National Secretary of the Political Party shall jointly sign the Notice of Convention, congress, conference, or meeting and submit the same to the Commission.’

“The Commission, by its letter of 9th January, 2025, has clearly warned the party against holding the purported ‘Emergency Convention’.

“However, despite the above admonition from INEC, the said Isaac Udeh is hell-bent on unilaterally conducting what he termed ‘Emergency Convention’ without the approval of any organ of the party in accordance with the constitution of the party.”