•Minority caucus gives FG three months ultimatum to tackle insecurity
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The troubleshooting effort to ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives closed ranks, ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party scheduled to hold on Thursday, was thwarted on Tuesday as the meeting ended in deadlock.
Checks revealed that a group of 60 lawmakers under the auspices of opposition lawmakers led by a member representing Ideato Federal constituency, Hon. Imo Ugochinyere recently demanded the resignation of the Acting Chairman of PDP, Umar Damagun to pave way for a North central person to emerge as acting chairman of the party pending the conduct of convention as required by the party’s constitution.
However, in a counter move, the PDP caucus in the House, dissociated itself from the coalition of opposition lawmakers, saying the group was unknown to the parliament.
At a meeting on Tuesday which was summoned by the leader of the Caucus and House Minority leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, both factions were sharply divided as they could not reach a middle ground.
Interestingly, the main agenda of the Pre-NEC meeting which was to pass vote of confidence on Damagun by lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, hit the rock.
The coalition of PDP lawmakers calling for Damagun’s resignation stood their ground, insisting that someone from the North-central zone takes the position.
The lawmakers also insisted on the expulsion of Wike and any other politician involved in anti-party activities.
A member of the Ugochinyere faction who pleaded anonymity revealed that the move to pass a vote of confidence on Damagun at the meeting failed.
He stated: “We are glad that the plan of the pro- Wike group supporting Damagun fell like a pack of cards as we refused all entreaties to perpetuate illegality and stoking of crisis in the party.
“Our position remains that Damagun must go for someone from North-central to take over and complete Ayu’s tenure. Our party needs total overhaul and reformation.
“We currently have in the PDP a national leadership that is in bed with the APC and is working extremely hard to hand over the party to the APC. This is quite shameful and disheartening. But we won’t fold our hands and let that happen.
“We are aside other demands insisting on 100 percent formation of caretaker PDP executive list at all levels without any tampering or inclusion of new names outside the earlier resolution that members of the expiring excos should act as caretaker for 3 months pending the conduct of substantive election.
“Our party will not be overtaken by APC, we are here to serve the Nigerian people not to the whims and caprices of some selfish politicians.”
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Chinda said members of the PDP caucus in the House remained as one united, indivisible and committed family.
He said the caucus condemned the continued insecurity pervading the country, adding that it appeared that there was no clear solution in sight.
Chinda added: “The Caucus resolved to give the government three months to stabilise the security situation in the country or the Caucus shall mobilise Nigerians across the country to stage a national protest on security.
“The Caucus calls on all organs of the party — Board of Trustees (BoT), NEC, NWC of the party to embark on urgent reconciliatory measures with a view to resolving all litigations and discordant voices that hinders the party from having a substantive National Chairman.”
The caucus also called on leaders to continue to demonstrate unconditional loyalty to the party and its ideals in order to engender confidence and commitment to the party and move her back to her pride of place and retake the Aso Rock Villa.
It also appealed to the leadership of the Senate to reconsider and recall Sen. Abdul Ningi who was suspended.
