The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated Wednesday over a decision to return Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary of the embattled opposition party.
The decision of Anyanwu’s return was disclosed by the acting national chairman of PDP, Amb Umar Damagum at a press briefing in the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza.
Damagum also announced that the proposed 100th of NEC meeting of the will no longer hold, adding that the party will hold a National Caucus on June 30 which was earlier scheduled for NEC.
But Anyanwu’s return and the cancellation of NEC was opposed by 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC), adding that Damagum’s pronouncements have no foundation as no Organ of the Party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
The NWC members who opposed Damagum are, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja – Deputy National Chairman (South);
Hon. (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo – Acting National Secretary; Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed – National Treasurer; Sir. Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel – National Auditor; Hon. Debo Ologunagba – National Publicity Secretary.
Others are Woyengikuro Daniel Ph.D – National Financial Secretary; High Chief Ali Odefa – National Vice Chairman (South East); Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi- Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm – National Woman Leader; Senator Hayatu Bello Gwarzo; Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese – National Vice Chairman (South West).
Meanwhile, the cracks within the party leadership widened as members of the National Working Committee (NWC) declared support for the national publicity secretary of the party, Hon Debo Ologunagba, over his comments on the holding of NEC on June 30
They also distanced themselves from Damagum’s rejection of Ologunagba’s insistence on the holding of NEC at a press briefing last Sunday.
Counter Damagum’s claim, the NWC members said Ologungaba was authorised to speak in affirmation of decisions reached during the previous NEC meeting which approved the convening of another NEC on June 30, this year.
NEC is the highest decision making body of the party after the national convention.
The lingering crisis over the national secretary position, which pit the Nyesom Wike backed Anyanwu against Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye, who is supported by the South East caucus, culminated in INEC citing compliance concern about PDP notification letter to hold the June 30 NEC meeting because it was not jointly signed by the national chairman and national secretary.
Damagum however scolded Ologunagba for faulting INEC’s response to PDP’s notification stressing he was not authorised to speak.
PDP national ex-officos and two former national publicity secretaries of the party, Olisa Metuh and Kola Ologbodiyan, had also faulted Damagum, for disowning Ologungaba over the 100th NEC meeting.
However, a party source disclosed to LEADERSHIP that some PDP governors had opposed the suggestions for NEC cancellation and Anyanwu’s return, during a PDP stakeholders meeting on Tuesday at the Bauchi State governors lodge.
The stakeholders meeting was held shortly after the party leaders met with the INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, over the impasse surrounding the convening of PDP NEC on June 30.
The party source said “You can see that two governors who accompanied them to the INEC meeting didn’t accompany them to brief journalists because they had opposed the idea of Anyanwu’s return and the NEC cancellation.”
The source, who said the decisions on Anyanwu and NEC won’t stand, said the advice from the “INEC chairman was clear that the party leaders should go and get their house in order and communicate to them who the national secretary is.”
Damagum on Anyanwu, NEC
Briefing the press on the outcome of the party’s meeting with INE and the subsequent stakeholders meeting, Damagum said the stakeholders relied on INEC’s advice as the reason why they decided to reinstate Anyanwu as national secretary.
He said, “Today I convened a critical meeting of the NWC, even though it was a short notice, some of the members are not here. (0:51) But we feel you are waiting for us to brief you on what happened yesterday.
He said, “We had an extensive meeting and critical issues were discussed. We know where our problem is.
“INEC is our regulator and they have told us their position as it is, as it affects the issue surrounding the National Secretary. We are all aware that the National Secretary is a signatory of this party. It is a critical position that he holds. As such, we have decided to abide by the advice they gave us, especially as we have a very, very important election before us, that is the FCT election and we are running out of time. So we have no option but to abide by the decision.
“After due consultation and everything, we thought it’s a bitter pill and we have to swallow it. I want to use this opportunity to call on all our party faithful to know that it was a difficult decision. But the survival of the party is more than all of us, more than everything that you feel that you know and yearn for.
“So I want to use this opportunity to tell you that we will do the right thing and it is the decision of most members of this party led by the organs of the party.
“The leaders of the organs of the party will have an expanded caucus, so that we will discuss extensively the way forward to NEC. That would be on the 30th, we will issue the notice there is not going to be NEC, but an expanded caucus.
“As it is, like they told us, they don’t have any notice of NEC meeting from us because I was the only person that signed, and we have not followed the guidelines. So that caucus will take a decision for NEC as well as all critical issues brought before us and leading to our national convention.
“Anyanwu will resume as the National Secretary. I think that’s the most important thing,” he said.
In attendance at the Briefing are Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State/Chairman, PDP-GF;
Senator Ahmed Makarfi – BoT Secretary; Senator Comrade Abba Moru – Senate Minority Leader; Rt. Hon Kingsley Chinda – House of Reps Minority Leader; H.E. Senator Dr. Bukola Saraki/Former Senate President;
Others are Hon. Capt. Umar Bature/National Organizing Secretary; Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN – National Legal Adviser; Hon. Yayari Ahmed – National Treasurer; Prince Kadede Suleiman – National Youth Leader; Senator Mohammed Gwarzo – National Vice Chairman (NW); Hon Abdulrahaman Mohammed – National Vice Chairman (NC);
H.E. Senator Seriake Dickson; and Hon Timothy Osadalor – Deputy National Youth Leader.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
