The Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the opposition party remains one united and indivisible family.
Mohammed, who stated this at a press briefing in Abuja, said the PDP, under his leadership, is committed to internal party democracy and constructive engagement.
Recall that the crisis in the PDP escalated last weekend, after the NWC led by the national chairman, Umar Damagum, announced the suspension of the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, national organising secretary, Umar Bature, national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade and deputy national legal adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.
In a counter move, another set of NWC members, under the leadership of Anyanwu, also announced the suspension of Damagum and five other party officials and nominated Mohammed to serve as acting national chairman.
Others suspended, according to him, included PDP deputy national chairman, South, Taofeek Arapaja, National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba; Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshedo; National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro.
The two groups have already written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to notify it of the suspensions.
Mohammed told journalists that the PDP National convention, slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan cannot hold as scheduled, because of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and that the NWC will communicate the next line of action, in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Nigerian Constitution.
According to him, “The PDP remains unwavering in its commitment to rule of law and internal party democracy. Our action will continue to be guided by the legal advice and respect for our members and our duty to protect the integrity of our party.
“We are strong and we are focused. We are committed to offering credible leadership, constructive opposition and principled engagement in defence of Nigerian democracy, peace security and prosperity.”
Anyanwu, while speaking at the press briefing, noted that the PDP is a peaceful and law-abiding party. However, he maintained that members must be disciplined.
“As a matter of fact, PDP is a law-abiding party. We love peace. We want everybody to come together. And that the acting chairman is doing now to reach out to all leaders of the party.
“Our party is party that wants unity. Nobody is dividing the party. But people must be disciplined,” he stated.
The sun
