Pro-Wike PDP Stakeholders, Leaders Reaffirm Anyanwu As National Secretary

SOME Stakeholders and Concerned Leaders of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, have reaffirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of the party.
The stakeholders and concerned leaders, drawn from the various states of the federation, stated their position in a communique after a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Monday, June 9, to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis affecting the party. Wike, who read the communique, stated that the meeting was organised to review the state of affairs of the party and the need to reinforce internal democracy, equity and justice within the ranks of the party, adding that Anyawu’s reaffirmation followed the resolutions of the stakeholders, in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
Wike said the stakeholders traced the seemingly intractable crisis in the party to the inexplicable refusal of a few to adhere to the party’s constitution, particularly Section 36(1) (a) (b) and (c); Sections 47(3)(5) and 48(1)(I), as well as the definitive Supreme Court ruling regarding the position of the office of the national secretary.
He noted the stakeholders’ concern that the party was on an inevitable path to self-destruction if urgent steps were not taken to rein in the desperate, divisive and selfish tendencies that brought it to its knees ahead of the 2023 elections.
The minister stated that the divisive tendencies, unfortunately, have found expression in the conduct of certain interests within the ranks of the party at National Executive Committee (NEC), National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) levels, adding that arrest the drift in the party, PDP must, without further delay, respect the judgment of the apex court.
“We, therefore, unequivocally reaffirm Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of our great party.
“In line with the provisions of our party constitution, only the National Secretary, Anyanwu, can issue notices of meeting of the National Convention, NEC, National Caucus and the NWC.
“To this end, all notices not issued by him and actions founded on them, including correspondences to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
“Furthermore, it is clear from the constitution that only the National Convention, properly and duly constituted, can remove Anyanwu as the national secretary, arising from his status as a member of the NEC of the party.
“We, therefore, demand that the acting National Chairman and the National Secretary jointly issue a notice to INEC, with an attached agenda for the NEC meeting of the party, being the only pathway to abide by extant laws.”
The former governor of Rivers State expressed the stakeholders’ commitment to the great party, urging all members to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional mandate.
He urged party faithful to resist all manoeuvres to destabilise the party and support the efforts of the reconciliation committee, headed by Senator Bukola Saraki.
Wike further said the stakeholders had resolved that the party must make an unequivocal pronouncement and zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 elections, adding: “This is in the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles and respect for our party constitution, after the unbroken years of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the north,
Some of the stakeholders at the meeting include members of the G5- former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)- Anyanwu and former senate minority lLeader, Philip Aduda, former federal and state lawmakers and some zonal and state party executives, among others.
Another member of the G5 and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, was conspicoususly absent. Makinde recently fell out wit Wike, and ostensibly the group.
The G5 had opposed Atiku’s candidacy, citing the zoning principle enshrined in the party’s constitution, and an unwritten rotational formula on the presidency between the South nd North.
Wike charged the stakeholders to manifest their belief in unity, like the founding fathers of the party, rather than allowing “selfish interests” and greed to destroy the party, saying: “You may recall we have said this, we want to say it again, today, this country is stabilised because of the activities of the G5 governors.
“You may like us, you may hate us, but the truth of the matter is, if the G5 had not taken the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis.
“It doesn’t matter who is a beneficiary or not, the point is that the right thing must be done for the stability of the country, and we took that decision, and we continue to stand by the decision.
“If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t be where we are today. And we have continued to sound it to the party to let its constitution and the Constitution of Nigeria and all other laws, be respected, .
“Now, as an opposition party, we cannot continue to act with impunity. No opposition party in this world survives acting on impunity. If we want to show Nigeria that we believe in the unity of this country, the way the founding fathers of this country have done it, let us go that way.
“Of course, their selfish interests would not allow it. And we said, this will not work; let us not allow greed. Let us not allow ego to kill our party.”
He also addressed the contention over the position of the National Secretary position, pointing to the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, who contested the governorship while still being state chairman of the party.
“All politicians are selfish. It’s correct. We capitalise on opportunities. The Governor of Taraba State was the Chairman of the party. He never resigned.
“Kefas, wherever you are, hear me today. It was when he won as governor that he appointed his successor. Is that not correct?”
On his part, Ortom said no one has contributed to the party like Wike, adding: “For whatever reason, for lack of time, I won’t talk about that, but PDP made a lot of mistakes, and we have found ourselves where we are today.”
Ortom urged the party to “seek the face of God” for a return to leadership, and the stakeholders to respect the rule of law and follow due process, as well as the Nigerian Constitution and the Constitution of the PDP.