PDP Crisis Deepens As Secondus, Wike Differ On Peace Terms

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have worsened following a disagreement between the two main gladiators – Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the suspended National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus – over a peace term proposed by the governor.

The governor, in the peace plan he gave the eight-man reconciliation panel headed by Chief David Mark, insists that Secondus must quit as national chairman; his tenure expires on October 31;  he can no longer attend meetings of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Council (NEC) Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Caucus henceforth; and should withdraw his case at the Kebbi State High Court which had restored him to his position as PDP chairman.

But the embattled chairman and his backers regard the conditions as “awkward, one-sided and unacceptable.”

Secondus is said to believe strongly that his mandate remains sacrosanct and that his suspension by the court from his ward in Rivers State is illegal.

He is also of the firm conviction that no individual is empowered by the PDP Constitution to remove a party officer and that Wike cannot excise him (Secondus) from NEC, NWC other statutory meetings of organs of the party.

While he is willing to withdraw court case, Wike must show concrete commitment to peace by withdrawing the court case against him (Secondus) too.

With both sides unwilling to compromise, party sources hinted last night that it was becoming obvious that the only option left for the aggrieved parties to settle the crisis is litigation.

Elders of the party are however said to be worried that leaving the crisis for the courts to resolve could cost PDP the 2023 elections.

Consequently, the Mark committee may meet with Secondus and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) tomorrow or Tuesday.

The panel is expected to submit its report on or before the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party on Thursday in Abuja.