From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The acting National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Abdullahi, has said Umar Damagum was effectively in charge of the affairs of the party.
Abdullahi, who stated this at a press briefing, yesterday, said the appointment of the National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed, by a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) was a nullity.
The PDP NWC broke into factions last weekend following suspension of the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba and the National Legal Adviser, for alleged insubordination and disloyalty.
Ologunagba, in response, announced the suspension of Damagum as acting national chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary. Consequently, he announced the appointment of the national treasurer as Damagum’s replacement.
Mohammed, on Sunday, issued a speech, accepting his appointment and called on the North Central chapter, where the immediate national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu hailed from, to submit their nominee for his replacement.
Regardless, Abdullahi stated that more than 48 hours after a faction of the NWC announced a new acting national chairman, no member of the group had come close to the PDP national secretariat.
According to him, “Nobody has also shown his face, neither the suspended National Public Secretary, nor the legal adviser has come anywhere near the secretariat for this reason. Not also the so-called appointed chairman of the party, the party remains firm and united under Ambassador Umar Damagum, as provided for by law.”
He added that the party was disgusted that members of the NWC, who were suspended by the colleagues were resorting to “motor park approach to a mere suspension,” instead of utilising the opportunity to clear themselves of the allegations against them.
“We have detailed knowledge of the drummer, the masquerades should have been guided in their dance steps to avert stripping themselves naked on the stage.
“In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting court order, we are hereby left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies in the enforcement of the rule of law,” Abdullahi stated.
Furthermore, the opposition spokesman stated that contrary to speculations, all the 13 governors elected on the platform of the party are united.
“As a party, we count on the support of each and every one of our 13 governors, and we are speaking in unison, and we are united. We are coherent, and we are deciding to confront the common enemy, which is the ill-intended Federal Government,” he said.
