President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, described those forming political coalitions as “political internally displaced persons (IDPs)” who are only seeking to remove themselves from political obscurity.
He made the remark while speaking in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, where he inaugurated several capital projects executed by Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Addressing a gathering of dignitaries, party faithful, and residents, President Tinubu criticised emerging political alliances, warning Nigerians not to be distracted by their activities.
“Don’t pay attention to those forming political coalitions suddenly; they are political IDPs only trying to remove themselves. Don’t give them a room, the hope is here”; the president stated pointedly.
Meanwhile, the ongoing division among officials of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) became wider on Wednesday, following conflicting directives over resumption of Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary and the 100th National Executive Committee NEC of the Party.
It all started when Iliya Damagum, the acting National Chairman of the party addressed a Press Conference where he said the party cannot hold its 100th NEC meeting earlier scheduled for next Monday, 30th June, in difference to the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
Damagum also asked Anyanwu to resume his position as the party’s National Secretary, following INEC’s refusal to accept his replacement.
Damagum, while speaking on the meeting with INEC officials which ended in deadlock on Tuesday, said the stakeholders later met at the Bauchi Governors’ lodge and took decision to allow Anyanwu resume as the party’s National Secretary.
“We met with some of our Governors, the Governors Forum Chairman, the BOT and the caucus of the National Assembly.
And today I convened a critical meeting of the NWC, even though it was a short notice, some of the members are not here”, he noted.
He disclosed that members had an extensive meeting and critical issues were discussed, adding that “We know where our problem is”.
Damagum, who stated that INEC is playing its roles as “regulator”, said ” and they have told us their position as it is, as it affects the issue surrounding the National Secretary.
“We are all aware that the National Secretary is a signatory of this party. It is a critical position that he holds. As such, we have decided to abide by the advice they gave us, especially as we have a very, very important election before us, that is the FCT election and we are running out of time. So we have no option but to abide by the decision.
“After due consultation and everything, we thought it’s a bitter pill and we have to swallow it. I want to use this opportunity to call on all our party faithful to know that it was a difficult decision. But the survival of the party is more than all of us, more than everything that you feel that you know and yearn for.
“So I want to use this opportunity to tell you that we will do the right thing and it is the decision of most members of this party led by the organs of the party.
“The leaders of the organs of the party will have an expanded caucus, so that we will discuss extensively the way forward to NEC.
“That would be on the 30th, we will issue the notice there is not going to be NEC, but an expanded caucus.
“As it is, like they told us, they don’t have any notice of NEC meeting from us because I was the only person that signed, and we have not followed the guidelines. So that caucus will take a decision for NEC as well as all critical issues brought before us and leading to our national convention.
He stated that “Anyanwu will resume as the National Secretary. I think that’s the most important thing”.
But in their reaction, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), rejected Damagum’s position, saying that they would stand by the earlier decision of the party’s 99th NEC to convey the NEC on Monday as scheduled
The statement was signed by Taofeek Arapaja -Deputy National Chairman (South), Setonji Koshoedo -Ag. National Secretary/DNS, Okechukwu Obiechina -Daniel- National Auditor and Debo Ologunagba- National Publicity Secretary
Others who also signed the statement include; Woyengikuro Daniel, -National Financial Secretary, Ali Odefa -National Vice Chairman (SE), Emmanuel Ogidi -Caretaker Committee Chairman (SS), Darasimi D. Bryhm -National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese -National Vice Chairman (SW)
They insisted that they would abide by the decision of the party at its 99th NEC
They also rejected Damagum’s earlier claim that Ologuagba did not speak for the party when he insisted that the NEC meeting will hold as planned
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