Reasons have emerged why the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, cannot disciple the former Rivers State Governor and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike for antiparty activities.
Rising from its National Working Committee, NWC, PDP said it will not succumb to mob action mentality to punish its members. This is even as many have accused Wike of hobnobbing with the ruling party, APC.
According to the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba said the party will abide by its laws. He stressed that the party will follow procedures for applying sanctions, and not the emotion of some party members.’
Ologunagba stated that investigations must be conducted and a report filed on the matter. He, however, added that a disciplinary committee is being reconstituted to undertake the task.
Recall that there have been agitations within the PDP for the sanctioning of a group of the G-5 PDP Governors for anti-party activities in the 2023 election. The group had also of recent stated that they would repeat their actions in the 2027 election.
The G-5 now comprises of four former Governors and one incumbent Governor. The group was made up of namely former Rivers State Governor, now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. Former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. And incumbent Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. The four former Governors and incumbent Governor of Oyo State had supported the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu to win the 2023 election.
Recall that because of internal rancour as a result of the party presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar, the five Governor refused to support the PDP candidate.
While the 2023 elections have come and gone, there appears to be no love lost between the two camps in the party.
IVNTV NEWS revealed that the camp led by Atiku Abubakar, and that of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, disagree over the need for sanctions.
While the Atiku camp stresses sanction over the incident of 2023 election, the Wike camp insists on reconciliation.
More so, who emerges the next presidential candidate of PDP for the 2027 election is at the centre of the struggle.
In trying to maintain a middle ground, PDP last Thursday, during its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting resolved to reconstitute the Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees. This is to further ensure the stability of the party.
The NEC also further extended the life of the Constitution Amendment Committee of the party to receive new proposals.
What would have been the straw that broke the Carmel’s back, was, however, averted. Against call from different quarter for the sack of the acting National Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Illiya Damagum, the NEC retained him. The NEC offered to allow him remain in office for the next three months to conduct congresses in some States. The State are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Gombe, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti and Enugu States.
Recall that Damagum was brought on by Wike group. He was used to replace Iyochie Ayu whom Wike insisted must be resign as National Chairman.
But the Atiku’s camp was opposed to Damagum continued stay in office as National Chairman. They had alleged the acting National Chairman is doing the bidding of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The National Publicity Secretary, Ologunagba, speech at a programme on Arise TV yesterday captured the mood of the party.
He said “Can we for a second take a rest and stop this fixation on individuals and persons. I will emphasize this, PDP is a party of rule of law and procedure. If you are accused, it is called allegations and you need to prove it. The fact that someone becomes very emotional about a situation cannot distract from the fact that there must be a process.
“So, what we have done is there is a disciplinary committee set up. Which is a process provided for in the constitution. The so called, I use the word advisedly, it did just not happen at the national. It also happened in the States. The allegations need to be investigated through a process where you need to allow people to make a representation. Rule of law, fair hearing, and they need to make a report. That is what is called a political party. Where you don’t do a mob action.
“Investigations must go on. We are reconstituting those committees and the processes will go on. And the Nigerian people who are interested in what PDP can do and what PDP has done from its record would give us a chance. We are a party of process, procedure of law and constitution that is what we are doing,” he said.
However, resolving the crisis of confidence within PDP would be a herculean task for the reconciliation committee it was learnt.
