PDP crisis deepens as two acting chairmen emerge

 

.Suleiman faction fixes emergency NEC meeting for Friday

.Akinwonmi suspends NWC indefinitely

 

Obiora Ifoh, Abuja

 

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken another dimension, as the two Deputy National Chairmen, South and North of the party, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi and Senator Nazif Sulieman respectively are both laying claim to the leadership of the party.

 

Recall that a High Court of Rivers State had on Monday issued an interim injunction restraining, Prince Uche Secondus from parading himself as the National Chairman and member of the PDP.

 

Hon. Justice. O. Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division vacation court sitting in Port Harcourt granted the order on Monday, following a suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 filed by Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen and Umezirike Onucha against Uche Secondus (1st defendant) and the PDP (2nd defendant).

 

The judge, after reading the affidavit in support of the motion of ex parte as well as the written address, and after hearing the submission of H.A. Bello, counsel to applicants, granted the interim injunction restraining Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman of the PDP.

 

Reacting to the Court order on Tuesday, Elder Akinwonmi, in a statement cited Section 35(3) (b) of the Constitution of the PDP, which empowers him to summon and preside over party meetings in the absence of the National Chairman.

 

He has, however, postpone the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting earlier scheduled for Tuesday until further notice to allow for broader consultations in the overall interest of the party.

 

The statement reads: “Section 35(3) (b) of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party empowers me to summon and preside over party meetings in the absence of the national chairman.

 

“Our attention was drawn yesterday evening to a court order which purports to restrain our National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus from summoning and presiding over the meetings of the organs of the party.

 

“In the foregoing circumstances, as Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, after the consultations and in exercise of the aforesaid powers, hereby deem it fit and proper to postpone the National Working Committee meeting earlier scheduled for today until further notice to allow for broader consultations in the overall interest of our party.”

 

But the Senator Nazif Sulieman led faction has however declared himself the authentic acting chairman of the party citing Elder Akinwonmi’s incapacitation having not participated in any meeting of the party in the last nine months.

 

Briefing the press after a meeting of the National Working Committee which he chaired and attended by nothing less than 9 NWC members said, “as members of the NWC, we are in possession of a valid court order, from a high court in Degema, Rivers State. Issuing an order removing Secondus as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as National Chairman of our great party.

 

“A court has also ordered that from the 23rd of August 2021, Prince Uche Secondus should stop parading himself as a National Chairman. NWC hereby comply fully with the court order.

 

“Consequently, the NWC hereby calls for an emergency NEC meeting on Friday, 27th August 2021, at 10 am prompt to deliberate on matters affecting the party.

 

“You are all aware PDP is a law abiding party, the party that follows due process. So we have received this order and this is it.

 

“And in line with the constitution of the peoples democratic party, and I quote ” functions of a deputy national chairman, there shall be two deputy national chairman, one shall come from the northern part, while the other from the southern part of the country. Deputy national chairman shall perform the following functions: 1) assist the national chairman in the discharge of his duty . 2) perform such other functions as may be assigned them. 3) In a result of resignation, removal, death, incapacitation or absence of the national chairman, a deputy national chairman from the region part of the country where the national chairman originates from shall assume office as the national chairman in acting capacity without prejudice to section 47 (6)of the party Constitution. 4) in the absence of the National chairman and the deputy national chairman from the region part of the country where the National chairman originates from, the other deputy national chairman shall act as national chairman without prejudice to 47 (6) of this Constitution.

 

“On this note, distinguish NWC members I hereby take full charge of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Chairman in an acting capacity.

 

“We have waited this morning for the deputy national chairman (south), who has been incapacitated, who has not been attending NWC meeting in the last 9 months and I believe there was a communication between the deputy national chairman (south). Like you know, in the absence of the deputy chairman south, I take full charge, so I am hereby calling for an emergency NEC meeting on the 27th August, 2021, 10 am prompt to deliberate.

 

“And I believe all the leaders of this party, the owners of this party, will be in attendance are our governors, former presiding officers will be part of the NEC meeting to deliberate all pending issues.”

 

On whether there is now a division in the NWC, Senator Suleiman said, “Let me make this very clear that this meeting was called for 2 pm and like I said, the deputy national chairman south has been incapacitated and did not attend any meeting in the last 9 to 10 months as far as NWC is concern. He has not been in communication with any member of the NWC for the last 10 months. And like I said this party must continue its process.

 

“And if I am not available someone else will take over. If national chairman is not available someone will take over, if deputy national chairman south is not available, the deputy chairman north will take charge.

 

“This is the resolution that was passed by the expanded caucus. And this was the resolution passed by the NWC in our last meeting and we all agreed that there will be a meeting today, meeting that was supposed to be presided over by the National Chairman, unfortunately the court order came from a competent court and stop the chairman from acting as chairman of the party.”

 

Senator Nazif was flanked by the National Secretary of the party,  Ibrahim Tsauri, Youth Leader, Udeh-Okoye, Vice Chairman South South, Chief Dan Orbih, Vice Chairman South East, Chief Ali Odefa, Vice Chairman South West, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, National Auditor Adamu Mustapha amongst others.