BREAKING: PDP In Fresh Crisis That Affects Atiku (DETAILS)

BREAKING: PDP In Fresh Crisis That Affects Atiku (DETAILS)

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently grappling with a new internal crisis, sparked by the call from the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) for the immediate resignation of PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

However, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has firmly asserted that Anyanwu should retain his position.

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Anyanwu, who also stands as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming election in Imo State, now faces potential disqualification from the race.

On October 12, 2023, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Acting Chairman of the BOT, communicated the body’s decision to Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagun, the Acting National Chairman of the party.

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The BOT alleged that Anyanwu’s simultaneous occupancy of the roles of National Secretary and gubernatorial candidate constitutes a breach of the party’s constitution and is morally unacceptable.

The letter reads: “It has recently come to the attention of the Board of Trustees (BOT) that the current Imo State Gubernatorial Candidate of our Party, Sen. Anyanwu is still holding on to the Office of the National Secretary of the party.

“Not only is this morally wrong as no one is allowed to hold dual positions; but also, against the constitutional provision of our Party which provides for a mandatory requirement of resignation for any party office holder who wishes to contest any elective position. Please see section 47(5) of our constitution as amended.

“The usual practice is for him to have resigned earlier than now. However, in the wisdom of the NWC, he was allowed to continue in office till now.

“Nonetheless, the BOT, as the conscience of the party, has the constitutional authority to call to order any member of the party acting in a way contrary to the guiding principles of our party, and this is one of them.”

The BOT asked the National Chairman and the NWC to ensure immediate resignation of Anyanwu.

It said:”It is therefore against the background of the above, the Board wishes to put it on record and state categorically that the NWC should do the right thing by ensuring that the Imo Gubernatorial Candidate resigns from office immediately and focus on the election which is less than 30 days away.

“While thanking you for your unwavering support and commitment to the party, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

In addition to Anyanwu, the other party leaders who received copies of Wabara’s communication were the Presidential Candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; the National Vice Chairman of PDP, South-East Zone, High Chief Ali Odefa; the Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mbah; and a former Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

According to sources, the BOT’s letter has triggered a rift within the party, pitting Atiku’s faction against those aligned with the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

Despite Wike’s financial support for Anyanwu’s election as the National Secretary of the party, the two have since parted ways, with Anyanwu aligning herself with Atiku.

Anyanwu is also reported to have had irreconcilable differences with Ihedioha, who served as the last PDP governor in the state before being removed by the Supreme Court in favor of Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Concerns have arisen that elements in the party sympathetic to Wike may push for Anyanwu’s disqualification.

However, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP maintained its stance, asserting that Anyanwu will continue to carry out his duties as the National Secretary. In a statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed claims made by a ‘mischievous group’ within the party that Anyanwu had been removed from his position.

He said: “The attention of the NWC of PDP had been drawn to a statement by a group mischievously purporting that the NWC had relieved Anyanwu of his elected position as national secretary.

“The NWC states in very clear terms that the claim by the group is completely false as the NWC did not at any time relieve or contemplate relieving the National Secretary, Anyanwu, of his position.

“The NWC therefore strongly condemns the action of this group, which is obviously the handiwork of those who intend to embarrass, cause disaffection and division in our party in their attempt to distract the PDP, our candidate, Anyanwu and the people of Imo State in the quest to rescue the state from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The NWC states and cautions that no matter how strongly an individual or group feels about an issue, resorting to fabrications, lies and claiming a non-existent decision by the NWC is highly condemnable.”