Politics

PDP CRISIS: Governors, elders to decide Secondus’ fate today

Published

3 years ago

August 10, 2021

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Governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today decide the fate of the National Chairman, Uche Secondus after consultation with party elders.

The main opposition party remained polarised yesterday over Secondus.

The party’s governors met on Monday on the raging controversy. After the meeting, they announced that the decision will be taken today.

The party’s House of Representatives caucus is divided.

A huge protest was staged at the secretariat yesterday, asking for Secondus’ exit.

All the 13 PDP governors attended the meeting, which was held at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

The governors are: Tambuwal; Darius Ishaku (Taraba); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).

Other were Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa); Duoye Diri (Bayelsa); Ifeanyi Okowa Delta); and Wike.

A source said the situation was so tense that the governors could not even attend the inauguration of the e-Registration platform of the party fixed for yesterday.

The source added: “The governors have indicated that they will meet with PDP elders (three representatives from each of the six geo-political zones), principal officers of the National Assembly from PDP, former principal officers of the National Assembly, the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibril, among other stakeholders.

“All those concerned have been notified of the enlarged meeting with the governors on Tuesday (today) in Abuja. These governors technically shifted the D-Day.

Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Tambuwal, who spoke briefly with reporters, said the governors and other stakeholders had resolved to work together in unity in the interest of the party.

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Tambuwal declined answering a direct question on whether the party chairman would stay or be removed. The governors invited Secondus to the meeting about 40 minutes before it ended.

A source said the party would have to choose between Secondus and the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who is championing his removal.

The source further hinted that in weighing the options, the governors and other stakeholders would have to consider who, between the chairman and the Rivers governor, is considered more strategic to the party’s future ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The move to unseat the chairman has also further split members of the National Working Committee (NWC). Nine members of the 18-member NWC were said to have held a meeting at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Sunday, where six of them purportedly voted that Secondus should resign.

The six officers are: Deputy National chairman (North), Senator Suleiman Nazif; National Auditor, Mai Adamu Mustapha; National Youth Leader, Sunday Udeh-Okoye; National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Taofeek Arapaja; National Vice Chairman (South-South); Chief Dan Orbih; and National Vice Chairman (Southeast); Chief Ali Odefa.

The meeting was said to have forwarded the decision of the six officers to the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Assembly Caucus.

But National Legal Adviser Emmanuel Enoidem, described the meeting where six members voted for the removal of the chairman as illegal.

READ Nnamani quits PDP after losing senate seat

According to him, by virtue of Section 29(3) of the PDP Constitution, it is the National Chairman, or a summon backed by two-thirds of members of the NWC, that can validly convene a meeting of the body.

In a statement, Enoidem said: “As a bona fide member of the NWC, to the best of my knowledge, I am not aware of any meeting of NWC summoned by the National Chairman or in the manner provided aforesaid.

“It is therefore, of grave concern, and indeed, very sad to read the above position purportedly taken by some distinguished members of the NWC in utter disdain and violation of clear extant provisions of our constitution.

Secondus media adviser, Ike Abonyi, said in a statement, shortly before Secondus heeded the call from the governors to appear before them, that: “The tiny minority calling for my resignation should come clean and tell party members across the country my offense why I should resign.”

Secondus said he would remain focused and committed to the ideals of the party which he swore to protect and defend upon his election to lead the party 44 months ago.

House of Representatives Caucus maintained that Secondus should resign to save the opposition force from collapse.

The caucus made the call in a communique signed by the Chairman, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP- Rivers), at the end of an online meeting on the current crisis rocking the party.

Chinda said that the call followed the accusation of inept leadership against Secondus, which was frustrating party members across the country.

READ Wike slamss Atiku, handlers over comment, rejects BoT’s resolution on Ayu

According to the lawmaker, the situation has resulted in mass exit of PDP members at the National Assembly from the party.

He said: “We urge the chairman to consider making the necessary personal sacrifice worthy of a leader in the party’s current and future interest, with a firm assurance of honourable regards and appreciation by the party leadership now and in years to come.

“This he will do by honourably resigning his position as party chairman immediately, to allow the party an early start.”

But a section of the House PDP Ccaucus has disclaimed the calls.

In a statement, Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu, said: “If such a meeting held, it was without the knowledge of the leadership of the Minority Caucus, and therefore in breach of established procedure.”

Elumelu said PDP lawmakers in the House were “working in concert with organs of the party to ensure sustainable resolution of the current challenges that will be in the overall interest of the party and Nigerians.”

Some protesters staged a peaceful demonstration at the PDP Secretariat, insisting on Secondus’ resignation.

The placard-carrying protesters, mainly youths, gathered at the main entrance of the secretariat and the adjourning streets with placards as they chanted solidarity songs.

They bemoaned the recent defection of some prominent members of the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), blaming the PDP chairman for the defections.

Politics

Peter Obi meets Atiku, Lamido, Saraki in Abuja

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2024

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election Peter Obi has met with ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Governor of Jigawa State Sule Lamido in separate visits.

Atiku posted photos of him and Obi during their Monday meeting on his X handle.

“It was my honour and privilege to host @PeterObi today,” Atiku wrote.

In a statement following the meetings, the LP presidential campaign spokesman Tanko Yunusa said Obi visited them to discuss the “state of the nation”.

“Worried about the state of the nation and the increasing uncertainty in the living conditions of the poor and underprivileged, Obi in Abuja on Monday visited some top Nigerians, among whom are former vice president, and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, the former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki and the former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido,” the statement read.

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“At the centre of discussion during each of these visits was the state of the nation and how to reduce the suffering of all Nigerians irrespective of class and location. In particular, the desperate condition of the downtrodden in our midst was highlighted.

“Of particular interest and emphasis in these discussions was the worrisome situation in the northern parts of the country.”

Obi was Atiku’s running mate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 presidential election.

But Obi, a former Anambra governor, left the PDP ahead of the 2023 poll and teamed up with the Labour Party (LP).

Atiku flew the PDP’s flag in the poll, losing out to President Bola Tinubu.

Politics

Fubara to probe Wike’s administration

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2024

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Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says a judicial panel of inquiry will be set up to investigate the management of the state’s resources and affairs under past administrations.

Fubara spoke on Monday while swearing in Dagogo Iboroma, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the Rivers’ attorney-general and commissioner for justice, at the government house in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

“Let me also say this: you have a big task. We will be setting up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the affairs of governance. So, brace up; I am not going back on it,” the governor said.

Earlier on Monday, the Rivers house of assembly led by Victor Jumbo, the factional speaker, screened and cleared Iboroma as a commissioner nominee.

Iboroma’s appointment follows the resignation of Zacchaeus Adangor in April.

“Please defend us. We know that you are going to defend us because your record is clean. You are a gentleman who is peaceful. You are not a noise-maker. People like you are endowed, and they have the fear of God,” Fubara told Iboroma.

READ We are now in full control of Rivers, PDP boasts

Fubara succeeded Nyesom Wike, who is the current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), as governor in May 2023.

He was the accountant-general under Wike.

In May 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Fubara and 58 others wanted over an alleged N435 billion fraud.

‘THIS IS A NEW ERA’

Fubara said the swearing-in of Iboroma marked the beginning of a new era for his government, which he noted has moved on from the political crisis in the state.

“I am happy that this is happening today to mark the beginning of a new era in our administration. When I said that I had a reason for being patient, it is because I know that we are all from one family and if we have a disagreement, no matter how bad it is, it should be resolved amicably,” Fubara said.

“But it has become very clear that this disagreement, there is no way to resolve it amicably. And for a lot of reasons, there is visible evidence that there is sabotage and deliberate attempt to sabotage this administration.

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“For that reason, we have to move forward. And moving forward, if it means taking decisions that are going to hurt anybody. We are not going back on the protection of the interest of Rivers people.”

THE CRISIS

The Rivers house of assembly has been polarised since 2023 following the rift between Fubara and Wike.

In December, 27 members of the assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Rivers assembly has 32 seats. One lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo, died in September 2023.

In October 2023, Ehie Edison was elected speaker of the factional assembly, after his removal as house leader by members led by Martin Amaewhule — amid the plot to impeach Fubara.

Edison later resigned as a lawmaker to become chief of staff to Fubara.

The lawmakers in the Amaewhule-led faction are loyal to Wike.

The political crisis took a fresh twist last Wednesday after Jumbo, a lawmaker representing the Bonny state constituency, was elected factional speaker.

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Last Friday, a state high court in Port Harcourt granted an interim injunction restraining Amaewhule from acting as a speaker of the Rivers assembly.

Charles Wali, the presiding judge, also restrained 25 other assembly members from parading themselves as legislators.

The motion ex parte was filed by Jumbo and two assembly members — Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy — loyal to Fubara.

Politics

Obtaining injunction at 2am can’t sack lawmakers | Backing you was a mistake, Wike tells Fubara

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2024

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Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says no one has the power to sack elected members of the Rivers house of assembly.

Wike and Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, have been locked in a battle for the political structure of Rivers since 2023.

The rift between both men has led to a polarisation of the Rivers house of assembly — with each camp electing a speaker loyal to either man.

In December, 25 Rivers lawmakers loyal to Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Their seats were subsequently declared vacant by Edison Ehie, who was then speaker of the camp loyal to Fubara.

THE INJUNCTION

On May 6, Fubara told state legislators loyal to Wike that they owe their existence to him.

“Those group of men who claim they are our assembly members are not assembly members — they are not existing,” Fubara said.

READ WAEC to release withheld 2021 May/June results

On May 10, a Rivers high court granted an interim injunction restraining Martin Amaewhule, a lawmaker loyal to Wike, from parading himself as speaker of the state assembly.

Charles Wali, the presiding judge, also restrained 25 other assembly members from parading themselves as legislators.

The motion ex parte was filed by Victor Jumbo, the factional speaker and two assembly members — Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy. All three legislators are loyal to Fubara.

‘MY JOB IS TO MAKE THEM ANGRY’

Speaking on Saturday in Ogu-Bolo LGA of Rivers at an event to honour George Sekibo, a former senator who has spent 36 years in public service, Wike aimed more thinly veiled barbs Fubara’s way.

The former governor’s remarks also came after Fubara gazetted an executive order moving the sitting of the state house of assembly to the government house.

Addressing Anorld Davids, lawmaker representing Ogu-Bolo constituency in the assembly, Wike said: “Let me say this clearly, Arnold, don’t be frightened that anybody would remove you as an assembly member.”

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“Nobody will remove you as an assembly member.

“Most of you don’t understand. This is our work. What l am doing is to make them fear, to make them angry.

“I have no other job than to make them angry everyday, to make them make mistakes everyday. And they will be in trouble everyday. So, don’t worry about yourselves.

“If they like, they can go to anybody by 2am, 4am to get an injunction. The law will take its course. We are not afraid. We followed due process. We must follow due process.

“We are not going to harm anybody. We are not going to give money to anybody to buy arms and kill anybody. We won’t do that.”

‘HANDPICKING YOU WAS A MISTAKE’

Again, Wike apologised for backing Fubara to succeed him as governor.

“I have made a mistake. I own up. And I ask God to forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But, we will correct it at the appropriate time,” he said.

READ Our presidential candidate will be man of integrity, says Wike

“I am a human being. I am bound to make a mistake. My judgment can be wrong. So, forgive me for making a wrong judgment. That is life.”