BoT Wades in…Wants Secondus to Complete Tenure.

Committee of 28 Elders Established.

Forum of Ex-Officio Representatives Pass Vote of Confidence.

Secondus Warns of Consequences.

Embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to have weathered the raging storm that could have prematurely ended his tenure with different organs of the party rallying forces behind him.

The last few days had been turbulent and tempestuous within the ranks of the PDP, stemming from rumpus in the National Working Committee and followed by mass resignation of seven members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) who are also Deputy National Officers of the Party; riled by the administrative style of the National Chairman.

But, the Party was able to activate its conflict management and resolution mechanism to douse the raging storm whose momentum was growing by the hour and if not slowed down could have either led to the removal of the Chairman and or an implosion of the major opposition party.

However, good reasoning prevailed and in a hurriedly summoned Board of Trustees meeting, members opposed the move to sack the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee and replace it with an interim caretaker committee. The Board posited that the National Chairman, Secondus, should be allowed to complete his tenure which would end in December.

The Board looked at all issues dispassionately and faulted uncomplimentary remarks by some party leaders, including the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, against the NWC while also berating Secondus over his handling of the crises in some state chapters of the party.

According to analysts, the game-plan is to weaken the National Chairman, make him unelectable for a second term and whittle down his powers and influence to install his loyalists as members of the convention committee thus paving the way for his re-election.

The mass resignation of seven members of NEC was part of the moves to oust the national chairman and pave the way for the setting up of a caretaker committee, which would organise the December national convention of the party.

BoT Wants Members to Sheath their Swords
The BoT meeting appealed to all aggrieved party members to sheath their swords and requested the seven NEC members, who resigned, to withdraw their resignation letters. For the larger interest of the Party, the BoT appealed to party members to allow Prince Secondus to serve out his tenure.

“Based on the outcome of the meeting today, members want Secondus to finish his tenure, We are not in support of any interim arrangement. We spoke frankly to one another and apportioned blame where we needed to. We looked at the bigger picture, the interest of our party.

“Most of the speakers expressed dissatisfaction with uncomplimentary remarks about our chairman by one of our leaders who was present.

“Referring to our leaders as ‘tax collectors’ and ‘liars‘ was an insult on all of us and we said so.

“Of course, there were those who spoke up about the shoddy treatment our chairman had given them over matters he was expected to handle better but did not.

“Some of our senior party leaders who recently left did so in anger because they felt badly treated in their state chapters despite staying with the party through its most difficult times.

“He was also told in clear terms to improve his relationship and interaction with members because politics is a game that also involves a lot of egos.” a source at the meeting obliged.

After the BoT meeting, a former President of the Senate, David Mark addressed journalists: “We resolved at the meeting to set up a committee that will look at the situation.

“The committee is made up of the governors, members of the BoT, members of the National Assembly, all the members of the National Working Committee, former governors, former ministers, so that they can holistically resolve the problems.“

Senator David Mark was optimistic that all the trouble-shooting efforts would engender peace in the party and “will not only stop the current crisis, but lead to providing a better environment to make us far more united and stronger as a party”.

Drama as Wike Storms BoT Meeting
There was a little drama when Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, like a stormy petrel breezed into the venue of the BoT meeting. His presence rattled not a few members of the Board because State Governors are ordinarily not members of the BoT and do not attend its meetings.

Spotting a pair of white short-sleeved kaftan with a red Igbo traditional cap, the Governor, who looked visibly agitated, was given the attendance register to sign as soon as he took his seat. It could not be ascertained if the Governor was attending the meeting on the invitation of the BoT.

However, Senator David Mark dispelled speculations that Wike was summoned to the meeting but instead attended the meeting as a BoT member.

Conclusions at the BoT Meeting
The BoT Chairman, Jibrin, described the meeting as “frank and sincere“. He expressed confidence that all the issues would soon be resolved.

Governor Wike, who was the first to come out of the venue of the meeting, avoided reporters waiting for his comments as he briskly walked to his waiting car and was driven away.

Secondus told the BoT to seek solutions that would make the party stronger.

“I believe that in every human endeavour where there are issues, the issues must be tabled, discussed and come up with solutions. That solution will make our party very strong”, he said.

Vote of Confidence by Committee of Ex-Officio Representatives
Another vote of confidence was passed on Prince Uche Secondus and his National Working Committee by the Forum of PDP National Ex-Officio members. The group said “we have keenly observed and indeed undertaken an unbiased assessment of the recent heightened tension and seeming suspicion among some of our colleagues within the national management office of our great party.

The issues, chief of which is the call on our National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus to quit his position is ill timed, uncalled for and not in the interest of our party.

Our forum has brainstormed extensively on this and other issues and wishes to state as follows:

1. It is within the democratic rights of members and/or officers of our great party to freely express their views on any issue agitating their minds as it concerns the party.

2. We consider the recent resignation of some members of the National Executive Committee of our party, following allegations of abandonment against our National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus as hasty and ill advised. It is our considered opinion that they should have explored internal dispute resolution mechanism to resolve their grievances.

3. The call by some officers of our party on our National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus to resign his from position, four months before the expiration of his four years tenure and the convocation of the National Convention is not only contrary to good reasoning, but also an invitation to chaos.

4. We call on all aggrieved members and leaders of the party to sheath their swords and commit themselves to amicable resolution of all pending misunderstanding and save the party from attempts by fifth columnists to take advantage of these issues to undo the party.

5. Our aggrieved colleagues who have tendered resignation and some who have threatened to follow suit are implored to see reasons and rescind their decision and embrace peace in the interest of our party. Should they however stand their ground, we implore the party leadership to earnestly kickstart the process for their replacements as prescribed in the party’s constitution.

6. It is in the larger interest of our great party that members of the National Working Committee and indeed National Executive Committee be allowed to complete their tenure which ends on the 9th of December, 2021 to avoid unnecessary distractions and crisis.

7. We wish to reiterate our unflinching support and solidarity to the Prince Uche Secondus led National Executive Committee for the simple reason that he has done very well, despite intimidation, impunity and various anti-democratic tendencies of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

8. Finally while we restate the fact that no one person is bigger than the party, we commend the untiring efforts of various organs of our great party, as well as interventions of our respected leaders towards nipping this distractions in the bud.

9. Further to the above submissions, we call on our great party to activate without further delay the internal dispute resolution mechanism as enshrined in the party constitution in order to resolve all issues at stake.

The statement was signed by Yunana K Illya and Chief Okey Muo Aro on behalf of all 37 National Ex-Officios

Committee of 28 Elders Wades in
A 28-man panel was also hurriedly put together for peaceful resolution of the crisis so as to reach a consensus on the way forward “within the next 48 to 72 hours”.

Among them are four former Senate Presidents and 24 others who are mandated to meet with PDP governors, BoT members, and the National Working Committee (NWC) and find ways to resolve the contentious issues confronting the leading opposition party.

The committee has appealed to all organs of the party, officers and members to remain calm as the troubleshooting commences. The 28 ‘wise’ elders issued a statement they jointly signed.

The four Senate presidents are Iyorcha Ayu, David Mark, Anyim Pius Anyim and Adolphus Wabara. With them is former Deputy President of the Senate Ibrahim Mantu;

The other elders include erstwhile Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara; former Information Minister Jerry Gana; former Governors Sule Lamido, Ibrahim Dankwambo and Olagunsoye Oyinlola; ex-National Chairman of the PDP, Okwesilieze Nwodo; ex-ministers Odion Ugbesa and Hajiya Zainab Maina.

Another former National Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, a former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Mike Ogiadomhe; Senate Minority Leader Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Senator Helen Esuene, Senators Biodun Olujimi, Zainab Kure and Agboola Hosea, as well as Hajiya Adiza Adodo, are also on the peace mission.

The statement reads: “In view of recent developments at the National Secretariat of our great party, we have resolved to issue this press statement urging all party organs, party officers and party members to remain calm, faithful and orderly, as we proceed with urgent consultations and initiatives to resolve the contending issues.

“We wish to firmly reassure aggrieved stakeholders that we intend to be thorough, objective, creative and balanced in our efforts to find lasting solutions to the fundamental matters arising.

“Towards this end, we have initiated moves to urgently meet with our governors, the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee and other critical stakeholders.

“Since we all share the legitimate desires of our loyal members to offer a credible, effective and productive alternative, we have no doubt that we shall soon find positive, appropriate, pragmatic and lasting solutions to the problems facing the party.We shall emerge from this crisis stronger, better, and more united. This is only a temporary challenge.”

They added: “We assure all Nigerians that the PDP is resolute in providing qualitative leadership, sound programmes, effective implementation strategies and hope generating solutions to our national problems.

“On behalf of the elders and founding fathers of the PDP, we wish to use this medium to thank all party members and supporters across Nigeria and in the diaspora for their commitment, loyalty and strong support.”

Secondus had, during his address, pointed out that it would not augur well for the party if resolutions reached by the meeting were contrary to the smooth running of the ongoing process that would lead to the next party convention expected to hold in December.

The likely inference from his remark was that the present National Working Committee (NWC), which he presides over, ought to be allowed to serve out its tenure.

But, the chairman was interjected mid way into his address by a member of the BoT, Mr Abdul Ningi, who drew his attention to the presence of reporters at the venue and asked him to save his comments for the meeting proper.

Two former Presidents of the Senate, David Mark and Dr Bukola Saraki, who briefed reporters after the meeting, gave hints of the issues at stake:

Senator Mark said the meeting resolved to set up a committee to look into the situation, adding that the committee would comprise the party’s governors, National Assembly members, BoT members, the NWC, former governors and former ministers.

When asked what the mandate of the committee would be, Mark said: “It will not only stop the current crisis, it will lead to providing a better environment to make us far more united and make us stronger as a party”.

Saraki said: “We all came together to address some issues and because of the urgency of the matter, we agreed to set up this committee urgently and within the next 48 to 72 hours.

“They (committee) will meet and at the end of that meeting, the country will see the direction the party is going. The commitment of everybody to attend that meeting and subject themselves to the decision of that meeting showed the interest of everybody. The presence of all us here is because this meeting of today was important in addressing some of those issues. My own message to Nigerians is that we know the importance of this party to this nation in addressing the challenges ahead of us. So let us come together as a party and salvage this country”.
Wike, who was the first to come out of the venue of the meeting, avoided reporters waiting for his comments as he briskly walked to his waiting car and was driven away.

Secondus told the BoT to seek solutions that would make the party stronger.
“I believe that in every human endeavour where there are issues, the issues must be tabled, discussed and come up with solutions. That solution will make our party very strong”, he said.

Prince Uche Secondus’ Warning
Contemplating the idea of sacking the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would activate ‘a political bomb’ and be counterproductive, Prince Uche Secondus, who is the party’s National Chairman, has warned.

Asking members of the NWC to go before the expiration of the term of office in three months’ time could according to him lead to another round of crisis.

Secondus advised that the misunderstanding between stakeholders in the party should be resolved, adding that people who feel that he has not performed well were entitled to their own opinion.

‘Anything contrary to the smooth running of our party in the remaining three months will not be good enough for our party. Any dislocation will cost an infraction that will result in several unknown issues and we may not be able to come out of it’ he said.

Things have according to him been very smooth during the past three years and eight months that he has run the affairs of the party. He, however, said the issues in the party were not new.

‘After the main state congresses, both the public and our party were looking forward to a smooth and peaceful convention which is coming up in December. We believe the preparation is being done in the office of the National Organizing Secretary. Soon, the schedule of events, the timetable and other things shall be presented before the National Caucus, BoT, NEC and all organs of our party for action leading to the convention’ he said

He lauded the BoT members for their support, while calling on leaders of the party to work towards having a united and formidable force that will defeat the APC at all levels in 2023.

The meeting was attended by PDP leaders including National Secretary, Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsauri and Deputy National Chairman North, Senator Suleiman Nazif, Governor Nyesom Wike, three former Senate presidents; Abubakar Bukola Saraki, David Mark and Adolphus Wabara, former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola , Ibrahim Shema ,Ahmed Makarfi , Liyel Imoke and Babangida Aliyu.

Former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, Chief Tom Ikimi, and former PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh were also among the attendees.

Reports Youth Leader to BoT
Speaking on the leadership crisis rocking the party, the chairman reported National Youth Leader Mr Sunday Udeh Okoye, who is the foot soldier championing the call for his removal from office.

Secondus said: “Let me report to the BoT, that of truth, based on what the Chairman of the BoT have said, that seven deputy members of the principal working committee resigned.

“We met with them, the first day they brought their letters, and we also met with them yesterday (Wednesday). We quickly deployed the internal conflict resolution mechanism so that the issues did not escalate to the point that our party will be greatly damaged.

“You are aware that the National Youth Leader took a stand that is outside the conduct of our normal process of settling grievances and thereafter, he on his own, has been going on wide-scale allegations and so forth.

“We believe that issues of this nature must be handled quickly and swiftly so that we can get back to the business of conducting free and fair convention for a smooth transition.

“Because any dislocation will cost an infraction and will result in several unknown issues that may come out that we may not be able to contain, but God forbid.

“The intention is to come out that for three years and eight months now, it has been very peaceful. Not that there are no issues. The issues are the usual issues of party, both party administration and those who know the running and the power game will understand.

“I am happy to report to you that these are very critical issues that the conscience of the party and another forum will look into. My opinion is that anything contrary to the smooth running of our party, towards the three months that is remaining will not be good enough for our party.

“Sacrifices have been made from the beginning when we came in and by the grace of God, not without an error. Because anyone that had no error is perfect.

“But as human beings, you are aware that the convention that took place in Port Harcourt was transparent. It was a convention that put the party together and it was smooth, free,fair and we went into that elections in 2019.

“I believe that all hands must be on deck because you are aware that the other party is falling apart and Nigerians are looking up to the PDP to come out stronger and prepare themselves for 2023.

“And, this by the grace of God, we all are willing and I believe that the party will come out stronger from this situation and with renewed strength, we will march forward to 2023 to rescue Nigeria from the crisis APC has taken Nigeria into.

“I believe that members of the BoT who have worked so hard from the beginning and now in collaboration with the NWC and the Governors Forum, will be able to chart a way forward, a way forward that will bring victory to our party”.

Resignation Withdrawn
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Prince Diran Odeyemi has withdrawn his resignation from office, vowing to work with the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee of the party to ensure a successful National Convention, which will usher in new national officers.

Odeyemi, who was among the seven Deputy National officers that tendered their resignation on Tuesday, said in a letter dated August 4, 2021, that his decision to withdraw his resignation was taken in view of the activation of the internal method of resolving issues by our leaders across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

The letter reads; “I write to withdraw my letter of Resignation as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of our great party.

“This decision is taken in view of the activation of the internal method of resolving issues by our leaders across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

“I also wish to state expressly that whatever embarrassment the resignation has caused the party, its leaders, members and supporters is highly regretted.

“Most importantly, in view of the fact that the tenure of myself and other members of the present National Working Committee (NWC) will expire in another three months, it is my view that the boat should not be rocked under any guise.

“Consequently, I pledge my loyalty and commitment to the party and the Prince Uche Secondus led NWC, and will continue to play my roles to ensure a successful National Convention, which will usher in new national officers.

“May God endow our leaders with wisdom to navigate the ship of the party to a safe harbour. Amen.”

Atiku calls for calm
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on PDP leaders to unite in the interest of the party and the country.
Abubakar made the call in a statement by his Media Adviser Paul Ibe, in Abuja yesterday while reacting to the current frictions in the PDP.

He said that the party could not afford to be divided at this critical point in time when Nigerians were desperately yearning for change.
Abubakar said that an opposition that is looked up to as an alternative could not afford to be fighting itself and lend its hands to the ruling party for its own destruction.

He urged party faithful to understand that the price of having a fragmented PDP was too high to pay, “but above all, a betrayal to the memories of the founding fathers of the party”.

The former vice president dismissed insinuations that he was fueling the crisis in the party.
Abubakar said that he was lately involved in reconciliation efforts within the party across the country and had backed reconciliation aimed at diffusing tensions in the party.

He called for calm and urged combatants to sheath their swords and give the reconciliation mechanisms of the party a chance.
Abubakar noted that the interest of the PDP far superseded that of any individual, insisting that the party would overcome its current travails for as long as all hands were on deck.

“The PDP is greater than our individual ambitions. We have to consolidate the party first before we talk about our ambitions.”
“We have to be careful not to play into the hands of the ruling party.We can’t afford a one-party system in Nigeria that denies our people a viable alternative for true change in 2023,” Abubakar said.