ACN Rejects Needam’s Resignation

The Tide barely recalls  that a week after the resignation of  the 2011 governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), Dr. Abiye Sekibo, from the party, the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jerry Needam has resigned his membership of the party.

Needam in a statement on Tuesday said his resignation from the party was hinged on principle, alleging that there was an attempt to use the state executives of the party in the state to descrate the principles on which the party was conceived.

The party’s spokeman noted that it has been difficult coping with progressives in what is meant as a progressive alternative to the quo.

According to him, “I have carried the banner with Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and Hon. Kenneth Kobani alone, while the likes of Esuku M. Esuku is busy using the ACN platform for acquisition of wealth.

“My aim was to join other genuine efforts to build a credible opposition and set agenda for government , not to use the ACN  platform to negotiate for appointment”, he said.

Noting that before 2011, Rivers State had been so unlucky not to have a serious opposition party, Needam however said he also shares the views and ideologies of his boss, Dr. Abiye Sekibo who left the party last week, adding that it would not be wise to remain in the party and work with those working with those whose ideologies are diametrically opposed to  it (ACN).

He commended the people of Rivers State for their support while in ACN.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) says it had rejected the resignation of the  Publity Secretary of the party in Rivers State, Mr. Jerry Needam, saying he has questions and outstanding issues with the party.

The Acting State Chairman of ACN in Rivers State, Mr. Esuku M Esuku who stated this last Wednesday in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt noted that the party had not received the said resignation letter.

Esuku noted that the party cannot at this time accept Needam’s resignation as there were a lot of allegations against him before the party leadership.

According to him, he is on suspension and has issues bordering on anti-party activities which he has to clear before leaving. He must defend himself, then after that, he can leave the party”.

It would be recalled that, ACN  in the state suspended Jerry Needam and three others for alleged violation of the party’s constitution, especially its support for a faction of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in Rivers State.

Jerry Needam and others were allegedly identified at the Port Harcourt International Airport with other members of the PDP to welcome and receive Felix Obuah-led PDP exectuve which many considered to be purely party affairs for members of the PDP faction in the state.

Hon. Esuku went further to explain that Mr. Jerry Needam and other three members name were mentioned in the committees inaugurated by the Obuah -led faction of the PDP in the State, an indiction that they were involved in anti-party activities.

However, Hon. Esuku called on the Party loyalists to remain faithful and not to be distracted by the fake rumours of the purported resignation of jerry Needam.

He stressed that, Jerry Needam and three others were still members of the party serving suspension terms, pending when the party would resolve their issues.

Enoch Epelle