Constitution is supreme, Emeakayi tells Anambra PDP faction

GROUPS and individuals in the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be guided by the constitution, which remains supreme, in the search for discipline, unity and stability in the party, the chairman, Ken Emeakayi, has said.

Reacting to the inauguration of a state executive committee last week by a faction called the Equity Group, Emeakanyi said the “PDP, as a disciplined organisation, a legal entity and creation of the law, has a constitution, which is supreme and is our guide.”

He reminded the actors that the time was gone when individuals or group could wake up and claim ownership of the party, causing disaffection within its ranks, adding that the party was making every effort to bring sanity and unity and would not entertain lawlessness.

Indicating the fate of the promoters of the group, he noted: “Every member, no matter how highly placed, is bound by the constitution. Therefore, whatsoever is done shall be handled within the purview of the PDP Constitution.”

According to him, the new leadership in the state is committed to strengthening the party’s structures and before long would come out with a durable blueprint to make the party the unique platform it had always been in the state.

PDP NASS caucus, Anambra chapter back Metuh, Ekweremadu
The state executive council and the National Assembly (NASS) caucus last week condemned the crisis of confidence between some members of staff at the national secretariat on one hand and the National Working Committee (NWC) on the other.

It noted the “subtle moves by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to employ every available means to distract and discredit (Olisah) Metuh and (Ike) Ekweremadu to deny the PDP a credible voice in its new opposition role.”

Emeakanyi told journalists in Awka during a joint meeting between the new state executive council and the NASS caucus that the party was ready to explore every necessary legal means to defend and protect its two principal officers – the National Publicity Secretary, Metuh, and the Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu.

In a joint statement, all the NASS caucus and the state working committee stated that Emeakayi and his deputy (central), Ken Enemuo, as well as Metuh and Ekweremadu remained their leaders and face of the party in the South East zone, in whom they repose implicit confidence.

On Metuh’s alleged financial impropriety, the zone stressed that Metuh is the party’s national publicity secretary and was never at any point a signatory to its account hence never been in a position to approve, withdraw, disburse and or account for its funds.

The maiden meeting, which was attended by senators Andy Ubah, Uche Ekwunife and Stella Oduah, House of Representatives members – Eucharia Azodo, Chukwuka Onyema, Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu and Chris Azubogu, among others, said the congresses were duly approved by the party and fully monitored and backed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as security agencies.

It faulted the allegation that Metuh worked against the party and former President Goodluck Jonathan during the last elections, wondering why all other party’s that lost in the election and are at the election petitions tribunal in the zone have been blaming Metuh for their electoral misfortune if it were so.

Meanwhile, Emeakayi urged the APC to drop its subterfuge and clumsy antics but begin to give Nigerians the dividends of democracy it promised, noting that harassing and intimidating South East chieftains of the PDP because they voted for Jonathan was in no way part of the “change” philosophy.
No confidence vote on Metuh

Setting up its own parallel ward, council and state executive bodies, with the former Secretary to State Government, Osita Ezenwa, as chairman, the Equity Forum, led by Tony Nwoye, went ahead last week to pass a vote of no confidence on Metuh.

Members accused Metuh of misconduct, anti-party activities and for bringing national embarrassment to the party in the state by of his alleged greed and personal ambitions. They urged him to tender an unreserved apology over these.

A chieftain of the party, Ken Arinze, described the group as the authentic PDP in the state, as could be seen in the calibre of politicians at the inauguration of the faction