A showdown between loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and supporters of the new national chairman of the party, Tanimu Turaki, looms as the latter has vowed to resume duties at the National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja, this morning.
Turaki told journalists after a meeting with the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, that he would also hold his maiden National Working Committee (NWC) meeting as well as meeting of critical stakeholders at the Wadata Plaza by 10am.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who was elected at a National Convention organised by the Umar Damagum-led NWC, which is backed by the PDP Governors, last weekend, said while they were committed to peace, they would defend themselves, in accordance with the Nigerian constitution.
According to him, the governors, members of the National Assembly as well as members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and other critical stakeholders had been invited for the meeting.
The Abdulraham Mohammed-led NWC, which enjoys Wike’s support, had earlier scheduled a meeting of the BoT and National Executive Committee (NEC) for 10am and 2pm, respectively, at the Wadata Plaza, which has been locked up for the past two weeks.
Turaki stated that those calling for the BoT and NEC meeting today at the Wadata Plaza were no longer members of the PDP following their expulsion at the Ibadan convention.
“We are going to have the inaugural working committee of our party and we have invited all our stakeholders and founding fathers. We have invited all our governors and members of the National Assembly, members of BoT, state chairmen and other critical stakeholders.
“We are holding the meeting in our national secretariat, which is the Wadata House; anybody who is sitting there, without our consent and permission is an interloper. We have not sought the assistance of the police or any other security agencies to lock up our offices. We are going there. We have our offices open.
“We will get in there and begin to perform the functions for which we were elected. I have assured the FCT Commissioner of Police that while we will ensure that there is no breach of peace, we will go there, prepared to defend ourselves and our integrity as Nigerians because the Nigeria Constitution has given us the right to defend our persons, our rights and our properties. That we are prepared to do. And let me reiterate for the avoidance of doubt that to defend our party and this nascent democracy, we are prepared to lay down our lives. We will go there to move into our headquarters to conduct our official functions. If anybody tries to prevent us, then we pray for them.
Now, we have seen in the social media, purported notice of BoT and NEC, given by people, who, from all intent and purposes, are no longer members of the party as I am talking to you today.
“Next to God in the management of political parties is the national convention. The decision taken at the national convention overrides every other position taken by any organ of the party. Our national convention has taken a decision to expel these elements from the party.
“And so, they are no longer members of our party. We have reported the moves they are making to the police. We don’t want any situation where there would be a breach of peace.
“Our meeting is 10am tomorrow (today). Circulars have gone out. We shall be there unfailingly. I, as the national chairman of the PDP, will be leading from the front and not from the rear.
The CP has given assurance that they will do everything to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order. So, we will be there, hoping that the police will make sure that they give all the ample protection that we are entitled to under the law.”
However, the Mohammed-led NWC backed by Wike has insisted on going ahead with its meetings.
The Ibadan convention had announced the suspension of the FCT minister, the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose and some other loyalists of the minister.
Anyanwu, who has dismissed the Ibadan convention as a jamboree, in a statement, yesterday, announced a meeting of the BoT and NEC, which are critical organs of the party.
According to the statement, the meetings are scheduled to be held at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
Daily Sun had reported exclusively, yesterday, that the FCT minister’s loyalists, who have been consulting extensively over the outcome of the Ibadan convention, were plotting a counter-offensive, in the aftermath of the convention.
The PDP has been embroiled in crisis, following a supremacy tussle between the PDP Governors, led by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Wike.
The crisis escalated in the run-up to the November 15 and 16 National Convention, after Justice James Omotosho’s judgement in a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members, comprising Austin Nwachukwu, Nnanna Amah and George Turnah, directed the party to halt plans for the convention for not complying with the extant rules.
In the aftermath of the judgment, the NWC broke into factions, with the NWC led by Damagum, suspending Anyanwu; the national organising secretary, Umar Bature; the national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade and the deputy national legal adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, for one month, over alleged anti-party activities.
Similarly, Anyanwu, after a meeting with other group of the NWC members, announced the suspension of Damagum, and the former PDP deputy national chairman, South, Taofeek Arapaja and four others, for alleged anti-party activities, stating that Mohammed had been appointed to serve as acting chairman.
The Mohammed camp later announced the dissolution of the BoT and appointment of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa as the new BoT chairman.
Credit: The Sun