Follow Us on Google
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, was enveloped in tension, yesterday, as Muhammed Abdulraham, who was named as acting national chairman of the party, by a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) moved into the office of the national chairman.
Abdulraham, who arrived at the secretariat in company of party supporters and security operatives, declared that he had formally assumed office as acting national chairman of the party.
The crisis in the party escalated, last weekend, after the NWC in a meeting presided over by Damagum announced the suspension of the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu and National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, for alleged anti-party activities for one month.
Also suspended were the National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha. The NWC also referred all the affected officials to the National Disciplinary Committee.
In a swift reaction, Anyanwu, after a meeting with another group of NWC members, announced the suspension of Damagum, as party chairman for one month, noting that Mohammed, who is the PDP National Vice Chairman, North Central, has been appointed to serve as acting chairman.
Furthermore, he stated that the Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja; National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba; Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshedo; National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade and National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro have been also suspended for alleged anti-party activities.
The crisis, which started with controversy over whether or not former National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, should be replaced by someone from the North Central and controversy over who is the rightful National Secretary of the PDP, has put the opposition governors and loyalists of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on a warpath.
Things escalated, after the 101 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, fixed the National Convention for November 15 and 16, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, with the Wike camp and the governors battling for supremacy.
In the run-up to the convention, the bone of contention is the micro-zoning of NWC seats among states in the South, as well as the conduct of congresses in some of the states.
Also, Anyanwu had petitioned security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alleging that his signature in the correspondence to the electoral body on the National Convention was allegedly forged.
Other News
On October 31, a Federal High Court in Abuja in its judgment in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the PDP, Austin Nwachukwu, Nnanna Amah and George Turnah, said the party breached its rules and other relevant laws in preparation for the National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Prior to Mohammed’s arrival at the Wadata Plaza, there was a scuffle at the national secretariat, as some staffers of the party clashed with Anyanwu’s supporters over moves by the staff to force the Imo-born politician out of the office of the national secretary, under the guise that he has been suspended.
A staff of the party had rushed to the media centre to alert journalists that workers were mobilising to confront Anyanwu, who had arrived at the national secretariat earlier.
However, Anyanwu’s supporters and security personnel resisted them.
Shortly after the scuffle, Mohammed, who had earlier met with his supporters at the FCT PDP secretariat , in Wuse, arrived at Wadata Plaza.
The factional acting National Chairman, while addressing journalists inside the national chairman’s office, with Anyanwu and Osuoha present, said he was committed to the unity of the party.
He said: “Today I formally assume office as the acting National Chairman of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I want to assure all Nigerians, especially our members, that we are entering a new phase of unity and progress.
“We must all come together to restore our party to its rightful place. As we know, the slogan of our party is ‘Power to the People,’ and indeed, power belongs to the people. Under my leadership, I will do everything possible to ensure that all members work together in understanding and unity for the progress of our great party and Nigeria at large.
“The electorate are looking up to the PDP because it remains the only party that truly gives them hope. Under my leadership, we will return the party to the people. We are all aware of the challenges facing our party in recent years.
“However, we must be guided by the constitution of our party. Whenever we act contrary to it, problems arise. From the ward to the national level, we must operate in line with the constitution and ensure that every member is carried along.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on leaders across the federation, this is not the time to trade blames. It is time for all of us to unite for the progress of the PDP. We do not have any other political party greater than the PDP.”
