…the group appeals the ruling of the Abuja court
A peace initiative floated on Wednesday by the Board of Directors (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve the party’s crisis has been rejected by the camp of National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, describing it as “a nonentity”.
Anyanwu and his camp’s acting national chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, addressed a press conference hours after the BoT met in Abuja and set up a six-member reconciliation committee to resolve the dispute between the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the secretary-led NWC camp.
For example, Anyanwu said that as a member of the BoT, he was not invited to the meeting.
“What took place today was a gathering of friends and associates.
“Any BoT meeting without my presence is null and void. The PDP letter is with me. Since I was not there and was not invited, what there was was not a BoT meeting,” he stated.
Regarding the convention, the group said it remained canceled in line with the judgment of the Abuja High Court, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had also been notified not to respect the convention.
Speaking about the appeal, the faction’s acting president Abdulrahman said: “We have filed an appeal seeking further clarification on the sentence.
“The PPD cancels the convention, pending the resolution of the appeal.
Any continuation of plans for the convention violates the judicial process.
“We have equally notified INEC to suspend the convention in accordance with the ruling of the federal high court in Abuja.”
When reminded that an Oyo State High Court also issued a ruling on Tuesday, giving the PDP the go-ahead to hold the convention, Abdulrahman responded that a ruling arising from an ex parte motion was not superior to the ruling of the Abuja court.
“In any case, before the ex parte order was made, we had already filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja. That order cannot be higher than the sentence,” he added.
The move by the BoT was the latest effort to get the two warring groups in the NWC to sheath their swords by working together as a united PDP.
The BoT, following the emergency meeting held in Abuja, appointed Ambassador Hassan Adamu (Northeast) to head the reconciliation committee, which has a representative from each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Other members are Mike Oghiadomhe (South-South), who also acts as secretary of the committee; Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (South East); Senator Zaynab Kure (Central-North); Prince Onyinlola Olagunsoye (Southwest); and Dr Lubna Mohammed Gusau (Northwest).
Online tribune recalls that the NWC, led by the National President, Ambassador Umar Damagum, suspended the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, on Saturday last week; the Secretary of National Organization, Honorable Umar Bature; the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN; and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, for alleged anti-party activities.
It was alleged that the officers were working with other interests to thwart the party convention. The suspension followed last Friday’s ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which suspended the Ibadan convention.
Anyanwu, in turn, led the suspended NWC members to retaliate against Damagum; the National Vice President (South), Taofeek Arapaja; Deputy National Secretary, Setongi Koshoedo; the Secretary of National Finance, Daniel Woyiendikoro; and the national youth leader, Mohammed Kadede.
The Anyanwu group appointed Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national president. On Monday, the camp, accompanied by slogan-chanting supporters, forcibly took control of the PDP National Secretariat at Wadada Plaza in Abuja, where Abdulrahman declared that he had assumed duties in his new appointment.
While this was happening, an Oyo State High Court on Tuesday ruled that the party has the constitutional right to conduct its internal affairs, adding that the party should go ahead with holding its scheduled convention.
But the BoT, after Wednesday’s meeting chaired by Senator Adulphus Wabara, appointed the reconciliation committee to ensure the resolution of differences between the two parties, stressing that the PDP would go ahead with the Ibadan convention.
The body, among other resolutions, said that while it would not take sides with either party, it reaffirmed that the PDP remained united under the Damagum-led NWC and applauded the ruling of the Oyo State High Court.
The statement reads in part: “BoT reaffirms that the PDP remains a united, formidable and focused political party under the leadership of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ambassador Iliya Damagum.
“The BoT strongly supports and commends the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ambassador Iliya Damagum, the PDP Governors Forum, the National Convention Organizing Committee and other critical bodies of the Party for their collective roles in stabilizing our Party, especially as we move towards holding the National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15-16, 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
“The BoT welcomes the ruling of the Oyo State High Court, presided over by Justice AL Akintola, which affirmed the constitutional right and freedom of our Party to manage its internal affairs, including holding our 2025 National Elective Convention as scheduled. This landmark ruling is a victory for democracy, the rule of law and political development in our country.
“The BoT, however, expresses concern over recent developments within our ranks that have caused understandable concerns. The tensions, misunderstandings and regrettable incidents that have unfolded in public, including the invasion of our National Secretariat, do not reflect the ideals and character of the PDP.
“As the conscience of the party, the BoT cannot and will not take sides, but will remain focused on safeguarding the integrity of the PDP and ensuring dialogue above discord. The decision to reconcile is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of maturity and responsibility.
“In this context, the BoT establishes a high-powered committee to immediately reconcile all warring parties and restore unity of purpose in our party as we head towards the National Elective Convention in Ibadan.”
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