From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Crisis has engulfed the National Rescue Movement (NRM), as it has suspended its national chairman, Isaac Udeh, due to graft claims and appointed Chinedu Obi in an acting.
Acting National Secretary Prince Obidike Okolo, who stated this during the party’s first-quarter National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, yesterday in Abuja, said there was a need for the party to resolve internal conflicts.
Okolo revealed that Udeh had previously faced suspensions and a vote of no confidence from the National Management Committee.
Despite being invited to respond to the allegations against him, Udeh failed to address the concerns, resulting in stagnation within the party.
He said: “The National Rescue Movement (NRM) held its first-quarter National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to deliberate on lingering issues that required attention. The meeting aimed to resolve internal conflicts and enforce party discipline.
“On Friday, January 17, there was an illegal gathering claiming to be an emergency convention. It was unauthorised, unconstitutional, and violated our party’s constitution.
“The individual behind this was our former National Chairman, Isaac Udeh, who unilaterally wrote to INEC about holding a convention without proper authorisation. INEC responded, declaring the notice illegal and urging compliance with our constitution.
“Mr. Udeh had already been suspended last year by his ward for repeated infractions against the constitution and acts of impunity. Despite several invitations to address these allegations, he refused, leading to stagnation within the party.
“The party’s National Management Committee (NMC) had previously passed a vote of no confidence in Udeh, but the NEC meeting was necessary to formalise the decision.”
The NEC meeting set up a disciplinary committee, chaired by its National Legal Adviser, Musa Isiaka, to investigate Udeh’s actions within one month.
In addition, the NEC filled key national executive vacancies resulting from the loss of officers over the years.
New appointments include Barr Seprebofa M. Oyeghe as Acting Deputy National Legal Adviser and Dr Mustapha Umar Kumshe as Acting National Vice Chairman.
Others appointed are: Magdalena Samuel Gali, Acting National Organising Secretary; Hon. Musa Salisu Kafisoli, Acting National Auditor; Hassan Aminu Ibrahim, Acting National Secretary; Chief Sir Victor Iwualla, Acting National Welfare Secretary; and Omotaiwo Peter Letsuwa, Acting National Publicity Secretary, each tasked with revitalising the party’s administrative functions.
