PDP threatens action against Mohammed’s faction
15 October 2024 |
5:20 am
The Umar Damagum-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to deploy the services of security agencies against the faction of Yayari Mohammed for violation of court judgment.
*Opposition reps pledge support for factional chairman
*Wike, Fayose leading PDP to Golgotha, says Momodu
The Umar Damagum-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to deploy the services of security agencies against the faction of Yayari Mohammed for violation of court judgment.
However, the Coalition of Opposition Lawmakers in the House of Representatives, in a statement by its spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, yesterday, pledged support for Mohammed.
Former presidential candidate of PDP, Dele Momodu, yesterday, blamed Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and ex-Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, for the crisis rocking the party, accusing them of leading the party to the ‘Golgotha’.
Acting National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, at a briefing, yesterday, in Abuja, said the party was disappointed with the conduct of some leaders, who ought to be familiar with the party’s constitution but chose to act to the contrary.
He noted that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, in strict compliance with the party’s constitution.
“We are constrained to express utter disgust and disappointment in our colleagues’ resort to ‘motor park’ approach to a mere suspension to provide those affected with the opportunity to clear themselves of certain allegations.
“Although we have detailed knowledge of the drummers, the masquerades should have been guided in their dance steps to avert stripping themselves on the stage,” Abdullahi declared.
On the decision to deploy security agencies, he said, “In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting court order, we are, hereby, left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies in the enforcement of the rule of law.”
The PDP, after the meeting of its NWC, last Thursday, directed Ologunagba and Ajibade to step aside as national publicity secretary and national legal adviser respectively to allow the four-man NWC Investigation Committee under the chairmanship of Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, to freely investigate the allegations of “abuse of office and insubordination” against the duo.
Other members of the committee are: Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Kosheodo; National Treasurer, Yayari Ahmed and National Auditor, Daniel Okechukwu. In a swift reaction, Ologunagba announced the suspension of Damagum as Acting National Chairman and appointed Mohammed in his place.
Mohammed the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on October 24, 2024.
UGOCHINYERE said the new acting chairman had shown understanding of the urgency to reposition the party for greater electoral fortunes ahead of 2027.
According to him, the coalition understands the urgent desire of members of the hitherto biggest political party in Africa to sanitise the system and restore internal democracy, peace and cohesion in the party. The PDP lawmaker, who represents Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, said Mohammed rekindled hope among the PDP family.
“This coalition of lawmakers in the House will support the new acting leadership and its resolve to ensure a rapid reform of our party,” he said.
MOMODU also accused Wike and Ayodele of holding the party down to fester the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.
The PDP chief, who was guest of Channels TV Politics Today, said Wike and his group were working for the APC.
“I have not seen where members of the opposition party are working for the government. They said they worked for President Bola Tinubu in 2023 and will work for him in 2027. So, they are holding PDP’s neck down for the APC, but they also have their own game in 2027 because they know APC will not give them ticket after destroying their party,” he said.
Momodu, a renowned writer, said Wike and his group saw former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a threat to Tinubu in 2027; hence, they are calling Atiku to resign from active politics. “Is it democratic to be asking Atiku to resign from active politics? Can they advise Tinubu to also desist from contesting in 2027? Atiku is a threat to them if there is a mega platform for him to contest the next election.”
On the solution to the crisis, Momodu said, “The elders of PDP would have to apply a lot of wisdom and courage. The people they are dealing with are reckless.
“Wike and Fayose do not care if PDP dies today; they are serving two masters (PDP and APC) simultaneously. I don’t know where they use the court to rule the party. Having been tired of that, they are now threatening to use security men against party members.”
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