……. Quash Ajibade, Ologunagba suspension
…….Doubts over Oct 24 NEC meeting
BY MYKE UZENDU
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have waded into the crisis that is rocking the National Working Committee (NEC) of the party and have therefore called on all concerned to return status quo
This is the governors ruled that Ambassador Iliya Musa Damagun remains the authentic Acting National Chairman of the party, even as they similarly quashed the NWC’s suspension of the National Legal Adviser and National Publicly Secretary, Kamarudeen Ajibade and Debo Ologunagba respectively as well as all the counter suspensions issued by feuding members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), last week.
The PDP governors decision was announced in the early hours of Tuesday, by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, at the end of a two-day meeting
The PDP was thrown into a state of confusion last week, after the Amb. Umar Damagum-led NWC suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, NPS, Hon. Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, for alleged abuse of office and insubordination.
Responding to the development, Ologunagba and Ajibade similarly announced the suspension of Damagum and the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Samual Anyanwu.
The crisis got to a head when the Ologunagba group went ahead to announce the party’s National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed as Damagum’s replacement, and he wasted no time in accepting his nomination.
However, the Chairman of the PDP-GF, Governor Bala Mohammed while addressing newsmen in Abuja explained that the decision to broker a truce; was reached after the PDP-GF consulted with representatives of the NWC, the party’s National Assembly Caucus, and the Board of Trustees (BoT).
He said, “I want to inform you on behalf of the PDP Governors Forum, Chairman of the Senate Caucus, and the representative of the BoT.
“We had a family meeting, and we wish to reaffirm that there is no faction in the PDP.
“All the suspensions you heard about have been resolved by the Governors, the NWC, the Caucus of the National Assembly, and the BoT.
“There is no faction; everything has reverted to the status quo under acting Chairman Damagum, pending the time the governors and other organs of the party will sit down and resolve all the issues.
“There is no party that does not have problems. Some of them are legal, and we do not want to preempt the outcome of legal procedures.
“So, whatever speculations and perceptions have gone out are wrong. Both parties have agreed that, in the interest of the party and Nigeria, we should return to the status quo during the suspension and counter-suspension.
“These suspensions have been lifted; there are no more suspensions. That is the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
“To members of the party, they should remember that it is the PDP we have, and it is the most experienced party that has produced government and good governance since 1999.
“We should make sacrifices and come together. Yes, we may have ill feelings here and there, but we should bury them.
“Our personal feelings should not be allowed to create perceptions that seem to divide us.”
This is also as indications emerged on Tuesday that the planned October 24th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party may mo longer hold as demanded by the party’s Board of Trustee
The Bauchi state governor, who could not confirm whether the NEC meeting would hold or not during the press briefing, said, “The governors, BoT, and NWC will sit down and discuss the sanctity of the October 24 NEC meeting.”
Also speaking to reporters after the second leg of the meeting which was held at the Departure Lounge, of the private wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where the PDP stakeholders departed for the Indo governorshiip election campaign flag off, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb.. Umar Damagum welcomed the development.
Damagum said, “There is no crisis in the party as far as I am concerned, but some people want to take advantage of the situation.
“I urge the press not to escalate things even where there is no crisis.
“As far as I am concerned, the governors are our leaders and critical organs of this party, and when they speak, we must look at it holistically and also abide by it.”
Asked for comments about his colleagues, the National Public Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser, Kaamaldeen Ajibade SAN, Damagum said,
“Have they left? They are still in the party.”
Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Sen. Adolphus Wabara, had earlier expressed optimism that all the challenges facing the party will be address during a National Executive Committee meeting slated to hold on the 24th of October
Addressing the 78th BoT meeting, Wabara called on members of the party to uphold the constitution of the party and the rule of law. He said that it is the responsibility of all the members of the party to work together and entrench peace in the party by exploring all the internal mechanisms in the party.
He expressed concerns over the report emanating from the ongoing party congresses, lamenting that in some states, congresses were not conducted in full accordance with the guidelines of the party while in some instances, the congresses did not even hold as scheduled.
He said that the call to convene a NEC meeting has become very urgent so that all the challenges in the party could be addressed.
“At this critical juncture in our party’s trajectory, I believe it is imperative, and I believe I’m speaking the minds of my colleagues in the board that we convene a meeting of the National Executive Council Committee NEC as scheduled for the 24th of October this year. This will allow us to address pressing matters and strategize on the way forward for the PDP, especially as we gear up for future elections and prepare to strengthen our internal structures”.
He called on party members to work for the sustenance of the PDP explaining that the antics of the ruling party to kill opposition parties must be resisted. He said that democracy will die in Nigeria if PDP is allowed to die.
“However, as we continue on this journey, let us remember that the future of our party and indeed our country depends on the unity, integrity and hard work of each of us. The PDP remains the beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians, and it is our duty to ensure that we remain true to the principles upon which this great Party was founded. If the PDP Board of Trustees is kicked out of politics of Nigeria, then
Nigeria is gone. And of course, what we will have is nothing but anarchy. Like I said earlier, we are almost getting there.
“We should not forget how it started in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The signs are here for everybody to see. I therefore urge all members of this board and indeed all party leaders to redouble their efforts in the months ahead, together, we can overcome any challenges that lie ahead and continue to steer our great party towards victory and prosperity”.
