• Groups threaten to occupy court premises over Anyanwu’s ordeal
• Why I dumped LP, by Kenneth Okonkwo
Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended the Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Adolphus Wabara, over anti-party activities. But the National Working Committee (NEC) dismissed the suspension, describing it as illegal.
This was as some groups within the party rallied behind Sen Samuel Anyanwu, reaffirming their support for him as the National Secretary of the party. They vowed to block all judicial premises to get justice in his favour.
Meanwhile, former spokesperson for the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has announced his resignation from the party, citing internal turmoil and leadership failures.
Abia PDP chairman, Abraham Amah, disclosed to the State Executive Committee (SEC) in Umuahia, yesterday, that Wabara was suspended for endorsing Governor Alex Otti for a second tenure, barely five months into the governor’s administration in October 2023.
Amah said the party could not afford to be distracted by those who wear its badge but do not uphold the party’s values and, as well, those who are quick to compromise, sabotage and betray the principles it stands for.
He cited a memo from Abia PDP Treasurer, Chizurum Kalu, wherein he called for the suspension of the party’s BOT chairman over unfounded statements.
He said, “True leadership and progress require a dedicated and loyal team and not a crowd. The PDP needs individuals who understand the sacrifices necessary to reposition the party for electoral success and the transformation of Abia.”
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated, yesterday, that the suspension violated the party’s constitution and did not follow due process.
The statement reads, “No State Working Committee (SWC) has the power to suspend or take any disciplinary action against a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party without due recourse to the NWC, as clearly provided under Section 57 (7) of the PDP Constitution.”
The NWC referenced Section 57 (7), which explicitly states that no Executive Committee at any level, except the NEC, has the authority to discipline a NEC member, Deputy Governor or National Assembly member.
By this provision, the party emphasised that the state chapter has no jurisdiction to suspend Wabara, being a member of the NEC.
The PDP described the action as reckless and unconstitutional, warning those responsible to retrace their steps or face disciplinary measures.
THE threat from the groups came amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.
PDP Youth Frontiers Network, representing progressive-minded youth groups within the party, made this known at a briefing in Abuja, yesterday, to address the crisis.
The groups also threatened to mobilise their members and supporters to block judicial premises and take civil actions if their warning is ignored.
For them, Anyanwu remains the legitimate National Secretary, and any attempt to remove him and replace him with Sunday Udeh-Okoye, Deputy National Secretary, is unacceptable.
In his address, the National Coordinator of the group, Henry Owolabi, said PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) and the BoT have overstepped their bounds by advising the National Working Committee (NWC) to swear in Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary.
This decision, Owolabi argued, is at variance with the party’s constitution and ignores the fact that Anyanwu was elected at a convention.
The group also pointed out that Anyanwu appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court; hence, the status quo should be maintained pending the determination of the substantive application.
It warned against the influence of desperate power-mongers, stating that the actions of PDPGF and the BoT were “illegal, deliberately mischievous, and uncomplimentary” to the party.
OKONKWO, a key figure during the 2023 presidential elections, declared that his decision was driven by the party’s inability to uphold the principles of good governance that initially drew him to its ranks.
“My entrance into politics is for good governance, and I will continue to work towards ensuring that Nigeria becomes a great country of incorruptible men,” he stated. “This aim can no longer be realised within LP as presently constituted.”
The resignation takes effect on February 25, 2025, exactly two years since the last presidential election.
“Since the party is non-existent as presently constituted, I am constrained to resign my membership,” Okonkwo noted in his statement.
“To all Nigerians of goodwill, who supported us when we needed them most, I pledge my continued loyalty to the Nigerian people in all I will decide to do in my political future.”
Though Okonkwo has yet to reveal his next political move, he hinted at joining forces with “well-meaning and like-minded Nigerians” to continue the fight for accountability and transparent governance.
