The Nation Newspaper

Tag: plot

  • Four Boko Haram suspects arraigned over ‘plot’ to attack Kirikiri Prison

    Four Boko Haram suspects arraigned over ‘plot’ to attack Kirikiri Prison

    The Federal Government yesterday arraigned four persons at the Federal High Court, Lagos for allegedly belonging to the proscribed Boko Haram sect.

    The accused persons are: Adamu Mohammed, Mohammed Mustapha, Bura Hassaini and Mohammed Ibrahim.

    The first and second defendants allegedly plotted to attack the Kirikiri Maximum Prison to free their members held in custody.

    Security was tight at the court yesterday as armed State Security Services (SSS) officers mounted guard around the premises.

    The charge, numbered FHC/L/316c/13, was signed by E. K. Ugwu, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    In the first count, the government said the four, sometime in June/July at Wasein, a hideout at Orile-Iganmu area, Apapa, Lagos, and at 3, Denton Street, Yaba, within the court’s jurisdiction, were arrested by a team of security agents “for belonging to a proscribed organisation to wit: Boko Haram sect.”

    The prosecution said the accused persons committed an offence contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and punishable under Section 2 (3) (i), read in conjunction with Section 33 (1) (b) of the Act as amended by the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) 2013.

    In the second count, the government alleged that Mohammed and Mustapha, with others at large, on or about June 26 at Wasein, conspired “to commit a felony to wit: act of terrorism by organising a planned attack of the Kirikiri Prison in Lagos State to free your detained members in prison custody.”

    The alleged offence, the government said, is contrary to Section 8 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under Section 8 (1) of the same Act.

    The prosecution also alleged that Hassaini in 2012/2013 at Bama, Borno State, within the Federal High Court jurisdiction, “did commit a felony to wit: acts of terrorism, in that you assisted or facilitated the activities of a proscribed organisation to wit: Boko Haram sect members by monitoring the activities of the security agents and reported your findings on phone to the leadership of the Boko Haram sect headed by one Yamodu in the area, so as to evade arrest and investigation.”

    Following Ugwu’s oral application, the charge was read in English and explained to the accused persons in Hausa language.

    The court, presided over by Justice Saliu Saidu, asked each of them: “Do you understand the charge read to you?”

    Theys all responded in the affirmative, but pleaded not guilty.

    “I am not guilty,” each of them said.

    Ugwu said: “In view of the plea of the accused persons, we pray for a date for trial, while the accused persons be remanded in prison custody.”

    Justice Saidu ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the trial till December 12.

  • Anti-Tambuwal plot thickens

    Anti-Tambuwal plot thickens

    There was anxiety yesterday among members of the House of Representatives, following reports that anti-Speaker Tambuwal lawmakers were collecting signatures as part of steps to move against the House leadership.

    Each signature was said to be attracting N2.5million.

    The cash went to PDP members, who believe in the need to effect change in the House.

    It was gathered that a member of the Aviation Committee and a member of the Special Duties Committee were the coordinators of the cash inducements.

    A suite was hired in a posh hotel in Abuja to dish out the cash to members.

    When our correspondent visited the hotel, he observed that House members were trickling in one after the other between 2pm and 5.30pm.

    It was not immediately clear who was bankrolling the plot, but the House leadership is believed to have launched an investigation into the cash-for-loyalty deal.

    It was learnt that the cash was initially meant to be $25,000 per head, but sensing that it could be traced if tabled on the floor of the House, the coordinators went for a flat rate of N2.5million each.

    A principal officer of the House said: “We have heard of how some moneybags are trying to invest in the crisis in the House. But it is ridiculous that some Nigerians will go to this extent.

    “I cannot believe that someone will collect N2.5million to cause crisis in the House. We are investigating it.”

    Responding to a question, the officer added: “I know that some aggrieved members are still collecting signatures but they cannot have their way on their plot to destabilise the House.

    “Those behind Tuesday’s rumpus were not up to 10 in a House of 360 members. They cannot go far.”

    One of those suspected to have been induced, who spoke with our correspondent in confidence, said: “It is our usual stock-in –trade to assume that once some members stand for principle on any issue, they have taken money.

    “Our position was that the PDP should resolve its crisis at the party level; it should not bring it to the House. Is there any offence in that? Neither Bamanga Tukur or Kawu Baraje has ever visited the National Assembly in peace time to even give us suggestions on how to move the nation forward.

    “Now, when they had issues, they rushed to the House. This was why some of us resisted the audience given to Baraje.

    “Do you mean N2.5million will make any member to go and shout on Kawu Baraje in the House? Is there any member who cannot afford that?”

    The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Victor Ogene, said: “I have also heard rumours, but I am not in a position to either confirm or deny, especially as nobody has approached me as an individual.

    “If anybody decides to part with money for loyalty sake that is his own problem. As far as the House is concerned, we are not shaken.”

    There were indications last night that Senate President David Mark received the Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party following assurance by the leadership of the New PDP that it would not take any action against the leadership of the Senate.

  • Tension over plot to remove Customs boss

    Tension over plot to remove Customs boss

    There is tension over alleged moves to remove the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Dikko Inde Abdullahi next month.

    There were also fears of likely mass retirement of senior officers should the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs penciled down as Abdullahi’s successor is appointed.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although Dikko is due to complete his first term on August 18, there is pressure on the government by a group to ease him out before the date.

    Some forces in government, including ministers, have however pitched their tent with Dikko due to his enhanced performance in office.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some forces are already pushing for non-renewal of Dikko’s tenure for second term in office.

    “To seal his fate, they have plotted his removal from office before August 18 as it was the case with the former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, who was removed a few days to the end of tenure.

    “The CG of Customs’ case has however assumed ethnic dimension following rumours that an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs from the Southeast has been penciled down to replace Dikko.

    “If the ACG is given the slot, it will lead to mass retirement of customs officers from the North.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “I can tell you that there is a split in the Federal Executive Council. Some Ministers want Dikko retained; others are opposed to the CG’s retention.

    “The ball is in the court of President Goodluck Jonathan to address. Thrice, the same cabal wanted Dikko out in the last one year but the President has overruled proposals.”

    Another source however said: “The CG of Customs is not a matter of inheritance by the North. If you look at it, most past CGs came from the North.

    “I concede that Dikko has performed but there is also the Federal Character Principle in the Constitution. So, whether the office goes to the Southwest or South-East is immaterial.

    It was gathered that the cabal had been capitalising on the alleged difference between Dikko and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to seek the removal of the CG.

    The cold war between the Minister and the CG had centered on the renewal of the N40 billion Destination Inspection contract for four firms.

    The companies are Cotecna Destination Inspection Nigeria Limited, SGS, Global Scan, and Webb Fontaine

    The CG had opposed payment of N40billion annually to four firms when officers and men of the Nigerian Customs Service had been trained to conduct the same inspection.

    The Customs was expected to be in charge of Destination Inspection (DI) from January this year.

    At the end of the contract however, the Ministry of Finance, in a letter through its former Permanent Secretary, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan had extended the tenor of the deal by six months.

    The letter, with reference number F10361/S.56/ VA/491 and addressed to the service providers, said: “I wish to inform you that the President has approved the extension of the agreement dated 1st January, 2006, between your company and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the provision, installation, operation and management of X-ray scanning equipment and software for inspection of goods. “The agreement which is to expire on 31st December, 2012, has been extended for a period of six (6) months with effect from 1st January, 2013.”

    At the end of June, the CG was alleged to have insisted on the takeover but the contract of the four firms was again renewed for the umpteenth time.

  • Amaechi: Court fixes July 29 to hear rumoured assassination plot

    Justice Adolphus Enebeli of the Port Harcourt High Court yesterday adjourned till July 29, the case on whether the police have the right to investigate a rumoured plot to assassinate Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan-Amachree.

    Counsel to the Speaker Emenike Ebeta said there was no prima facie evidence before the court to warrant his client to answer police invitation on the rumoured plot to assassinate him and the governor.

    Ebeta said the open letter to the Presidency on the assassination plot allegedly written by the Speaker did not emanate from his client.

    He, however, urged the court to restrain the respondents from infringing on the rights of his client.

    The counsel to the respondents, (Inspector-General of Police, AIG Zone 6, Calabar; Commissioner of Police and others), Donald Denwigwe, argued that there was no way the police would not investigate the matter, pointing out that the applicant must appear to defend the allegation as the onus of proof lies on him.

    Denwigwe said stopping the police from investigating a crime-related offence would endanger the lives of citizens and increase problems in the society.

    He submitted that the police could not be compelled to reveal the source of their information in any given matter as no individual is beyond investigation.

    He said the allegation against the police being sponsored by some individuals in the crisis should be proved.

  • Plot to deregister Amaechi’s Governors’ Forum uncovered

    Plot to deregister Amaechi’s Governors’ Forum uncovered

    A plot to kill the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) led by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has been uncovered.

    If it succeeds, the action will pave the way for the recognition of Governor Jonah Jang as chairman.

    It was gathered that some forces in the Presidency, in connivance with some governors, are trying to prevail on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to de-register the NGF.

    The plan is to, after the de-registration, declare the NGF being led by Amaechi as illegal.

    The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on March 2, 2009 registered the NGF with a 12-man group of trustees, including Vice-President Namadi Sambo, then Kaduna State governor.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that some forces in the Presidency had been disturbed following the failure of the Jang faction to secure the backing of the majority of the NGF members last Thursday.

    The Jang faction had only 16 of the 36 governors behind it at the inauguration of its secretariat last Thursday in Abuja.

    The “shocking development” made anti-Amaechi forces in the Presidency to go back to the drawing board on how to force most of the governors to abandon Amaechi.

    One of the options being weighed is to deregister the NGF being led by Amaechi.

    To set the ground for the de-registration, one of the aggrieved governors had on Saturday claimed that the NGF Constitution with which the Forum was registered with the CAC was unknown to members.

    A source said: “The anti-Amaechi forces in the presidency have decided to make the NGF battle a do-or-die affair. They believe it is humiliating for 16 out of 36 governors to be following Jang about after the NGF poll.

    “They have just concluded a plot to deregister the authentic NGF being led by Amaechi in CAC. Their permutation is that once it is an illegal body, the governors will be forced to associate with Jang’s faction.”

    Some of the reasons which the anti-Amaechi camp will give for the de-listing include alleged use of forged constitution to register the Forum and non-filing of appropriate annual reports to the CAC on the activities of the Forum – in line with Article 19(1) of the Forum’s constitution.

    “Article 19(1) says: “The income and property of NGF whosoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of organisation as set forth in this Rules and Regulations/ Constitution and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the organisation.”

    In the North, a plot to remove the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, as the chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum is said to have been hatched. The forum’s meeting is billed for Thursday in Kaduna.

    The anti-Amaechi forces are pushing for Aliyu’s removal by latching on the fact that he had completed his two terms in office as the chairman of the Forum since 2009.

    Besides, a former minister is said to have been recruited into a plot to hijack the party machinery from the governor and impeach him.

    It was learnt that the governor ran into trouble for not only backing Amaechi but for disclosing that President Goodluck Jonathan entered into a one-term pact with PDP governors in 2011 before he got the party’s mandate.

    Aliyu has consistently maintained that it is the turn of the North to produce the president in 2015.

    The source said: “They want to force Babangida Aliyu to step down as the chairman of the NSGF. They have just realised that he has overstayed in office.

    “Actually, Babangida was elected as the chairman of NSGF in 2007 and asked to stay in office again in 2009. By the time a fresh election ought to hold, the politics of the illness of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua had set in. Northern governors unanimously mandated Aliyu to continue to hold the forte because of the political tension in the country occasioned by Yar’Adua’s illness.

    “Now the forces in the Presidency, in connivance with three governors and a former minister, are plotting against the governor. Although Babangida Aliyu tried to make up with President Goodluck Jonathan during the flag-off of Zungeru Hydro-power project last week, the forces are not ready to forgive him.”

    Presidency has said President Goodluck Jonathan has no hand in the NGF crisis.

    There is intense lobbying of members of the Niger State House of Assembly to impeach Aliyu, a source said.

    Members are being promised money to join the plot.

    “There is also a plan to precipitate a crisis of epic proportions, with the aim of destabilising the state and seizing control of the party structure from Aliyu.

    The ex-minister is alleged to be working in collusion with top politicians from Zone A, consisting of the Nupe, who are in the majority. The promise of governorship returning to the zone is the carrot that the former minister is dangling before politicians in the zone.

    The source said: “Niger State has a zoning arrangement which takes the Governorship slot to Zone C (Kontagora zone) after Zone B (Minna Zone), where Governor Babangida Aliyu hails from, would have served out his two terms in 2015.

    “The ex-Minister met with key stakeholders from Zone A in Bida on Saturday 11th May, 2013 after he attended the reception organised in honour of the Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Hon Saidu Ndako Idris Kpaki in Kpaki Village.

  • David-West warns Jonathan over plot to impeach Amaechi

    David-West warns Jonathan over plot to impeach Amaechi

    A former Petroleum Minister, Prof Tam David-West, at the weekend urged President Goodluck Jonathan and those allegedly plotting to impeach Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to shelve the idea or face the wrath of the people.

    The former minister warned that if the governor is impeached through illegal means and concocted political reasons, Dr Jonathan will not be able to contain the anger that will follow.

    Prof David-West spoke on phone with The Nation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on the alleged plan to impeach Amaechi by those said to be loyal to the President.

    He said: “My candid opinion is that Jonathan should not try to impeach Governor Amaechi. But if he tries it, he will not be able to contain the tempest that will follow. They (anti-Amaechi elements) should not concoct some flimsy political reasons to impeach him. If he should be impeached at all, they should follow the constitution; that is, if he has done anything to warrant it.

    “But now, Nigerians know that Amaechi has not done anything. He is doing very well and he is very popular among Nigerians because of his performance. This is a man who is loved by the people. And the voice of the people is the voice of God. If anybody now plans to impeach him by illegal means, the person is fighting God.

    “There is a limit Nigerians will tolerate this executive rascality and irresponsibility. Jonathan has done enough to Amaechi. If they go ahead to impeach him, then Jonathan himself must be impeached because he has committed impeachable offences too. He took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution of the country.”

  • Plot to remove Rivers governor thickens

    Plot to remove Rivers governor thickens

    The civil war in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be spreading.

    There is a huge plot to get Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi out of office, but some founding fathers of the party are backing him.

    The party stalwarts have decided to pitch their tent with democracy and rule of law, instead of arbitrary clampdown by the party leadership.

    Some forces in the Presidency still met on Monday night on how to secure the support of “seven to 10 more members” of the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Amaechi.

    Five of the 32 members of the House of Assembly are against Amaechi; they are loyalists of Minister of State (Education) Nyesom Wike.

    According to sources, some PDP founding fathers and heavyweights are backing Amaechi because of their belief in preserving the nation’s democracy.

    They are of the opinion that the Presidency was wrong in intervening in the internal affairs of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

    They have also faulted the approach adopted by the PDP leadership in addressing the challenge facing the party in Rivers State.

    Some of these stalwarts are ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, 12 ex-PDP governors and NEC members.

    It was gathered that some of the stalwarts had prevailed on the governors who voted for Amaechi to do so to avert any attempt to derail democracy.

    A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Most of our respected leaders, especially the founding fathers, are displeased with the ‘politics of ambush’ and desperation going on in PDP.

    “Some of these leaders actually asked governors, who are their political godsons, to vote for Amaechi in the interest of the nation’s democracy.”

    The leaders are said to be angry with the PDP leadership, led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, “for adopting coercion” in managing the party.

    “Their position is that it would not be in the interest of the party’s electoral fortunes in 2015 to invest in divisive tendency in any of the 23 states it is controlling, the source said.

    Since the suspension of Amaechi was announced, some of these leaders have been sending messages of solidarity to the governor.

    But some forces in the Presidency are believed to be planning how to secure the support of seven more members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Amaechi. If they succeed in wooing the seven to their side, there will be 12 anti-Amaechi lawmakers. But they are not up to the 22/3 majority needed to remove the governor. There are 27 members in the House.

    A source said: “The secret meeting was convened on how to impeach Amaechi. Besides, some strategists in the presidency, a few others in attendance were a former South-South governor, a serving South-South governor, a Federal Permanent Secretary, a top member of the PDP NWC and a retired army Officer.

    “They drew out what they termed Ameachi’s exit programme. They plotted to move from the suspension of Rivers State Governor to expulsion. After the expulsion, the presidency’s forces will now move for the impeachment of the governor.”

    Although the term “lobbying” was used, there were indications of a likely cash inducement of the lawmakers. The Southwest governor is said to have been directed to finance the plan.

    Contrary to the Presidency’s denial, it was gathered that Vice-President Namadi Sambo may inaugurate the secretariat of Governor Jonah Jang’s self-imposed arm of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) on Thursday.

    A source said: “The secretariat has been acquired in Maitama District of Abuja. Going by the tentative programme for the inauguration, Vice-President Namadi Sambo is expected to preside over the ceremony.

    “All PDP governors and others who are pro-Jang have been invited for the inauguration. The government may also use the ceremony to identify those rated as ‘rebel governors’ who voted against Jang. But this will, no doubt confirm the involvement of the Presidency in the NGF crisis.”

     

  • Mikel, Martins plot Harambee fall

    Mikel, Martins plot Harambee fall

    Chelsea star John Mikel Obi and newly acquired Saunders of America striker in the MLS have been businesslike since they joined the Super Eagles camp Tuesday evening.

    While Mikel trained with the rest of the squad and expressed readiness to give his all in the game against Harambee Stars of Kenya, Martins started training with rest of the squad on Wednesday and his impact was immediate, going by his quickness on the ball and general concentration throughout.

    “There is no small team anywhere in the world, but we will give our best against Kenya and hopefully we can win,” Martins said. The team had to shift its training schedule to 4:15pm following the hosting of the team by Governor Liyel Imoke on Wednesday afternoon.

    “We have decided not to do too much talking but we have the capacity to beat any team in the world and we heard what our opponents have been saying, by Saturday we shall know which is the better side,” Mikel declared on Wednesday.

    Earlier on Wednesday, the Super Eagles players and officials also held a special Thanksgiving session at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel in the Canaan City. Supervised by Pastor Divine, the session was specially organised to thank God for the team’s victory at South Africa 2013 and to also pray to God for more victories in the years to come.

    All 23 players, officials led by Head Coach Stephen Keshi were at the session that lasted between 10am and 10:30am Wednesday morning.

  • Opposition parties plot PDP’s fall with APC

    Opposition parties plot PDP’s fall with APC

    FOR 13 unbroken years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has maintained its control of the Federal Government.

    Thrice, national elections had been held, thrice, the party had won the presidency and the highest number of states. Another general election is due in two years. The PDP is not in a hurry to let go but opposition parties are not sleeping.

    In fact, the plan of the ruling party, which prides itself as the largest party in Africa, is to maintain that hold for a 60-year run. Even if the country and Nigerians as a people have nothing to show in terms of dividends of democracy.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the immediate past Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), has not hidden his preference for a one-party state. He pushed for the adoption of a one-party system in one of the books he wrote while he was in the saddle.

    The rating of the ruling party is has been on the free fall. This was expressed through the ballot in the 2011 general polls when the PDP lost 11 of the 32 states under its control.

    Using the federal might and latching on to the exodus of fair-weather politicians into its fold, the PDP had dealt the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) a blow in their strongholds during the 2003 general elections.

    The number of the states under its control shot from 26 in 1999 to 31 in 2003.

    But the outcome of the 2011 general elections reflected the resentment of Nigerians toward the PDP, which has failed in the past 13 years, to proffer solution to the fundamental issues of state police, devolution of power and restructuring of the polity, among others that could strengthen the country’s unity.

    Without a united front, dislodging the PDP from Aso Rock and offering Nigerians a pro-Nigerians government, may remain a dream for generations. Hence, the new ambush for the PDP.

    Up in arms against the PDP are: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Three of the parties have named their negotiating teams and Tuesday’s meeting of 10 governors in Lagos to further cement the merger deal underscored the seriousness attached to the ‘rescue Nigeria project.’

    The options available

    Should the parties involved in the merger talks satisfy the conditions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as contained in Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2010, the coast will be cleared for them to sail in one boat in the 2015, especially at the presidential poll.

    Merger, accord, alliance and fusion are the options on the card for consideration by the party of like minds.

    Merger

    This arrangement would make the parties in the deal to lose their individual identies as they would apply to electoral umpire for the registration of a new political party, under a new name.

    The four parties rose from a meeting in Abuja yesterday and announced that they have merged into one party – the All Progressives Congress (APC).

     Accord

    Under this arrangement, the parties will not only field candidates in areas where they are politically weak but urge their members to support the candidates of the strongest party. The arrangement may not be applied to all categories of election.

    Alliance

    In an alliance, parties involved would sit down to work out the terms of alliance, including the sharing of political offices and party positions. Such offices are shared on the strength of the parties.

    Fusion

    The parties under this arrangement agree to drop their identities and collapse their structures and roll everything into the new party, platform of which they have agreed to use to contest elections.

  • Group alleges plot to smear ACN spokesperson’s name

    A group, Kwara Change Initiative, yesterday said it has uncovered plans by some people to sponsor posters carrying the photographs of the National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and his wife as governorship and senatorial aspirants for 2015.

    In a statement in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the group’s Organizing Secretary Adewale Adefila said: “This is the latest in the serial campaign of calumny against the person of the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, whose soaring profile has become a source of worry to them. They struggled in vain with their principal to control the soul of his party as a lever to display their wares as they continue in the business of money making, especially as we are close to another round of elections.

    “We are aware that the evil group currently in our midst will be exposed soonest and the exposure will form the basis of their exit from the party. We will not for the first time take their ranting for that of a drunkard in a beer joint.

    “We are aware that members of the group are in constant touch with some political parties within and outside the state.

    “The wife of one of the members of the sinister group, who doubles as the breadwinner of their family, is currently supervising the doctoral thesis of a governor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While the Ifelodun politician replied, we are coming back.

    “Kwara Change Initiative, in the days ahead, will expose the contacts of the evil group within and outside the state in our effort to end their campaign of calumny and send them packing as political jobbers.”

    Also, a stalwart of ACN in Kwara State, Mr. Atolagbe Ayansola, promised members’ support and loyalty to the party.

    Ayansola, a lawyer and member of the group, said: “As a group, we vote and support the party’s structure at all levels as well as its leadership. We also believe in due process, fairness and equity in running the affairs of the party.”