Wike, Govs Forum Chair, Bala Mohammed, flex muscles
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The February 29 National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, appears shaky as efforts to reconcile feuding factions have failed to yield the desired results.
Specifically, the forum is expected to address all contentious issues in the party, but the war of attrition among its stalwarts is not abetting.
The party is walking on quicksand with every step it takes towards resolving internal crises.
One of the thorny issues expected to be treated at the planned gathering, which may not be resolved is the controversy between Federal Capital Territory,FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
Both leaders have been engaged in a war of words over the fate of the party.
While reacting to Wike’s criticism of his opposition to President Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, the Bauchi State helmsman had described Wike as a liability to the party.
In a statement by Mukhtar Gidado, his media adviser, Mohammed said Wike is a “transactional politician” and a “liability” in the Tinubu administration.
“His recent media outburst was yet another reminder of his transactional approach to politics, where personal ambition eclipses loyalty, principles, and collective interests,’’ Mohammed added.
Wike, on his part, fired back, urging the governor to stop giving an excuse for his “lack of capacity to provide leadership as chairman of the party’s Governors’ Forum”.
He said: “It is funny that a known fairweather politician like Bala Mohammed was the one calling someone else a transactional politician.
“First, Governor Bala Mohammed is holding the position of Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum out of political greed, because by convention and practice, the position should be held by one of the PDP Governors in the South. Reason being that the immediate past Chairman of the Forum was from the North, same as the PDP National Chairman.’’
Also, nothing has been heard about the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led National Reconciliation Committee after it last held a meeting with the party’s NWC on October 23, 2024.
The body was saddled with the responsibility of reconciling feuding party leaders, members and groups. No time frame was announced, but many expected progress to be made before the NEC meeting.
“The committee certainly has fresh fires to put out,” a party insider told Sunday Vanguard.
A NEC member, who also spoke to Sunday Vanguard on condition of anonymity said: “I cannot confirm that the NEC meeting, which has been postponed three consecutive times, will be held as scheduled in February.
“Damagum and his sit-tight choir are already shopping for another excuse to postpone the meeting. Because we are having all of these troubles at various levels, it remains to be seen if reason would prevail.’’
Another bone of contention is the crisis in Rivers State chapter, which pitched Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara against each other.
This particular issue has divided the National Working Committee ,NWC.
A recent judgment by Rivers State High Court affirming the leadership of a faction of the party loyal to Fubara was welcomed by some NWC members.
National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Debo Ologunagba, National Treasurer, Ahmed Yayari, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, accepted the judgment.
Ologunagba, who issued a statement stating this position said:”The NWC of the PDP acknowledges receipt, considered and hereby accepts the judgment of the Rivers State High Court which in Suit No.
PHC/2301/CS/2024 nullified the ward, local government and state congresses of our party in Rivers State conducted on July 27, August 10 and August 31, 2024, respectively.”
Damagum
In a chat with Sunday Vanguard, he said: “As of today, Rivers State chapter of our great party is firmly under the leadership of Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor and his executive.
“As a law-abiding party, we implore Ewor and his team to unite behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara to deliver on his promise of good governance to the people of Rivers State. At the national level, we will give them the needed support to succeed.”
However, the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and some elected officials believed to be sympathetic to Wike do not share this notion.
For instance, Deputy National Publicity, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who belongs to Damagum camp, countered Ologunagba’s declaration with a disclaimer.
Abdullahi accused the party’s spokesman of allowing “sentiments to becloud his sense of judgement” on issues.
He said: “The NWC did not accept the judgment in River State, recognising the Ewor-led ex-co. That is not true. The NWC has not sat since September last year. This is subject to your verification. I wonder where he will now say the NWC sat and adopted wholly, or accepted the verdict, recognising the Ewor-led state ex-co in River State.”
Anyanwu, Ude-Okoye
Amid the power struggle, the position of National Secretary is still a subject of litigation. A High Court as well as a Court of Appeal gave judgement recognising Sunday Ude-Okoye as the legitimate occupant.
However, Senator Anyanwu, who has approached the Supreme Court to challenge his ouster, insisted that by virtue of his pending case at the Supreme Court and his application for a stay of execution of the orders of the two courts, he remains in office.
While the Damagum group accepted his argument, Ologunagba and his colleagues as well as the party’s Board of Trustees,BoT, disagreed.
Elected deputies
The party’s elected deputies are not left out of the crisis as they appear to have pitched their tent with Damagum.
Their spokesperson, Comrade Timothy Osadolor, took matters to another level when he urged those opposed to Damagum to either recognise his leadership or resign and leave PDP.
He said:”This is no longer the time for a blame game. All have sinned. From the BOT chairman who endorsed an opposition governor, to candidates who negotiated and supported other party candidates, to NWC members and leaders who lost their polling units.
“We must all come down from our high horses, forget pride for now and join hands with Illya Damagun to reposition this party back to winning ways.
“Court distractions and media de-marketing of the PDP must stop forthwith. You do not need to like the officers. The party is more important. If you want to resign and go, be a proper opposition, do not remain here and cause crises.” He further added that Damagum would remain in office until December 2025.
