• Tenure of NWC ends tomorrow
The Wike/Anyanwu faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday set up a National Caretaker Committee (NCC) to steer its affairs for the next 60 days, pending the conduct of a National Convention.
The 13-member interim structure, headed by Mohammed Abdulrahman as chairman, was set up at the 104th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held in Abuja.
The out-going National Secretary and member of the National Working Committee (NWC), whose tenure expires tomorrow, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, will serve as Secretary of the caretaker committee.
Other members of the committee are: National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), National Organising Secretary, Umar M. Bature, Dr Kyari Grema, Janguda Haruna Mohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Senator Nwogu Olaka, Senator Sandy Onor, Prof Adenike Ogunse, Bisi Kolawole, Deji Doherty, and Dr. Ibrahim Bala Aboki.
During the 60 days, all pending congresses are expected to be conducted and a national convention held, Abdulrahman said.
The faction had distanced itself from the National Convention held by the Makinde/Turaki faction, which produced Saminu Turaki as Chairman.
Both factions have been fighting over the National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, which has been sealed by security agents to prevent likely breakdown of law and order.
This week, the two camps will return to court for the continuation of the legal battle over the party’s leadership.
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Abdulrahman, Anyanwu: we will plan a new convention
Abdulrahman said the Caretaker Committee would provide effective and consultative leadership.
Also, Anyanwu said the Caretaker Committee would present plans for a National Convention within the next 60 days.
He added: “All sins are forgiven and all party members who believe in the law and due process will be allowed back in all wards, local government and state chapters without delay.”
Defectors are PDP’s problem, says Wike
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, who spoke during the inauguration of the Caretaker Committee, said the party would not allow defectors to cripple the platform.
The Minister also berated the Makinde/Turaki faction for violating court judgments by conducting what he described as an “illegal convention.”
Wike said PDP must respect judicial processes if it intends to regain public confidence.
He accused the faction of disregarding two substantive judgments of the Federal High Court, which halted preparations for the convention held at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Wike said: “You went to a State High Court to sue INEC, asking that the convention must take place, and you got an ex-parte order to override judgments of the Federal High Court: how do you disobey two final judgments and still claim leadership?”
He wondered why the same faction returned to another court, seeking validation after failing to comply with lawful rulings.
Wike added: “You had the convention without obeying the court, and now you are back asking a Federal High Court to recognize you. If INEC already recognises you, what exactly are you going to court for?”
The minister warned that such actions could jeopardize the future of the party, stressing that leaders must not allow selfish interests to destroy the platform that has existed since 1998.
He said: “We must not allow our party to die. Leadership requires commitment and honesty, not propaganda. If we don’t respect our own laws, how do we earn respect from Nigerians?”
Wike urged party faithful to support lawful leadership and unite to rebuild the PDP in line with democratic principles and judicial integrity.
Hailing party leaders from various states who have resolutely stood firm behind him, Wike threw jokes at PDP Governors leading the opposition.
Wike attributed the problem of PDP to the activities of the serial defectors
He said: “In 1998, when this party was being formed, I was there and I was elected as council chairman in December 1998 and later, I ran for governor, and I won; all my life I have never left PDP for one day.
“But Bala Mohammed was a senator under APP and because of the Doctrine of Necessity at the beginning of the Goodluck Jonathan era, he became a Minister and joined us.
“As for Seyi Makinde, my younger brother, he was in SDP, he did not make it there. Honourable Mulikat and some others brought him to me
“Because our party had always welcomed people, people come, they become governor, they become this or that and they want to dictate what will happen and to pursue those who have been there from the beginning, from the inception of this party.
“If people had allowed them before, we would not allow them now; of course, I can tell you, they have no choice because they are on their way out of the party.”
Wike added: “So, the main fact, money is not everything; money is good, but money has its own limitations; just because the President is allowing states to have huge allocations does not mean that some people must use it to complicate life for others.”
