Secondus Smiles as PDP BoT Tackles Wike, Rejects Interim Exco.
The Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees on Thursday opposed moves to sack the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee and replace it with an interim caretaker committee.
It was gathered that at a meeting, which started at 11am and presided over by the board Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, members insisted that the National Chairman, Secondus, should be allowed to complete his tenure which would soon end.
Dez Mayorz also learnt that the party leaders faulted what they termed as uncomplimentary remarks by some party leaders, including the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, against the NWC.
It was also learnt that the party leaders faulted what they termed as uncomplimentary remarks by some party leaders, including the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, against the NWC.
Findings also indicated that members insisted that Secondus should be allowed to complete his tenure.
It was gathered the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, afforded party leaders the opportunity to speak frankly to one another.
A member of the board, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said, “Based on the outcome of the meeting today, members want Secondus to finish his tenure, We are not in support of any interim arrangement. We spoke frankly to one another and apportioned blame where we needed to. We looked at the bigger picture, the interest of our party.
Recall, on June 23, 2020, Wike said, “Some NWC members are tax collectors” while announcing his withdrawal from the Edo PDP reconciliation committee.
Another source stated, “Just like many of our leaders including our ex-officio members have canvassed, the aggrieved persons who have tendered resignation and some who have threatened to follow suit were encouraged to rescind their decision in the interest of our party.”
It was, however, agreed that those who refused to withdraw should be replaced.
After Thursday’s BoT meeting, a former President of the Senate, David Mark who addressed journalists, said, “We resolved at the meeting to set up a committee that will look at the situation.
“The committee is made up of the governors, members of the BoT, members of the National Assembly, all the members of the National Working Committee, former governors, former ministers, so that they can holistically resolve the problems.“
The former Senate President expressed confidence that the peace move “will not only stop the current crises, it will lead to providing a better environment to make us far more United and make us stronger as a party.“
He also dispelled speculations that Wike was summoned to the meeting. Mark explained that Wike attended the meeting as a BoT member.
Also, the BoT Chairman, Jibrin, described the meeting as “frank and sincere”. He expressed confidence that all the issues would soon be resolved.
Attempts to speak to the Rivers State governor after the meeting were unsuccessful. As soon as he stepped out of the PDP National Executive Council Meeting Hall at the Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the party, a group of reporters and cameraman approached him for an interview, he simply walked into his waiting SUV and left.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued by his Media Office, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar appealed to aggrieved party members to give peace a chance.
Those at the BOT meeting include PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, National Secretary, Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsauri and Deputy National Chairman North, Senator Suleiman Nazif.
Immediate Past President of Saraki, former president of the Senate, Mark, former President of the Senate, Adolphus Ndaneweh Wabara.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, Chief Tom Ikimi, former Katisna State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, former Cross Rivers State Governor, Liyel Imoke, Chief Olisa Metuh, former Osun State Governor, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Deputy national publicity secretary withdraws resignation
Meanwhile, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Diran Odeyemi, who is the leader of the aggrieved deputies who resigned their positions, on Thursday rescinded his decision.
In a letter dated August 4, titled “Withdrawal of letter of resignation, addressed to the party, he said, “ I write to withdraw my letter of resignation as deputy national publicity secretary of our great party.
“This decision is taken in view of the activation of the internal method of resolving issues by our leaders across the length and breadth of Nigeria. I also wish to state expressly that whichever embarrassment the resignation has caused the party, its leaders, members and supporters is highly regretted.”