Rivers Big Wigs Shun PDP …As Party’s Convention Opens,’Morrow

L-R: Rivers State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr Samunel Eyiba, his Youth Development counterpart, Mr Owene Wonodi and Chairman, Centenary Committee, Mr George Feyii, at a news conference on the Port Harcourt Centenary Celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithfuls loyal to Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, say they will boycott the party’s mini convention slated for this Saturday at the Eagles Square, Abuja.
Briefing newsmen yesterday in Port Harcourt, the stakeholders made up of national and state Assembly members, state executive council members and party chairmen from the 23 local government areas said that the boycott was in protest of the illegal suspension of Governor Amaechi and the poor leadership in the party.
Speaking for the National Assembly members, House of Representatives member representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Ahoada West, Honourable Asita said it was shameful to associate with a party that has shown high disregard to laid down rules and regulations.
Asita, who is also chairman, Rivers Caucus in the National Assembly, declared, “we are worried about the rascality with which activities of the party are carried out in Rivers State. We are aware that the mini convention is on Saturday and we had hoped that the party at the centre would take steps to put things right.
“Having watched over time, our party gliding into disrepute…because the party at the centre has failed in its duty to put the party right in Rivers State, especially the illegal and unconstitutional suspension of our leader, the governor of Rivers State, we believe that the best thing to do, in solidarity with our governor, is to boycott the convention on Saturday”.
The House of Representatives member said that the decision was endorsed by two of the three senators,11 of the 13 House of Representatives members, 27 of the 32 House of Assembly members, Rivers State Executive Council members, the 23 PDP local government chairmen who are by the law of the party the legal delegates for the convention.
He pointed out that the action was meant to send a message to the party’s top hierarchy.
With the boycott, Asita said the credibility of the convention had been put to question, stressing that any attempt by the Felix Obuah-led group to impersonate them during the convention would portend dire consequences.
On his part, member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Dr Innocent Barikor, representing Gokana Constituency, expressed the same view, while calling on party faithfuls and citizens of the state not to fail in supporting Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s government.
Speaking, the Publicity Secretary of the Godspower Ake-led PDP in the state, George Ukwuoma, lamented that Obuah and his group, since their inception, had continued to show impunity to party rules.
“We don’t recognise them because we are hoping that the Appeal Court will soon hear our case”, he added.
The state Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, who spoke on behalf of members of the State Executive Council, said the cabinet members decided to take the action due to the illegal suspension of Governor Amaechi.
Similarly, Chairman of Port Harcourt City and Chairman of Local Government Chairmen in the state, Chimbiko Akarolo said the local government council chairmen met and agreed to boycott the forthcoming mini convention of the party in Abuja, because they do not recognize the kangaroo leadership and activities of the Felix Obuah-led PDP and the manner the governor was suspended from the party.
Also, Chairman of PDP in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Samuel Horsfall, who spoke for the party chairmen in the 23 local government areas, said that they were the legal delegates approved for the convention, but had, however, decided to boycott the convention since the party had displayed disrespect to law and order.
He further said, “we are not satisfied with the way the party is run by Obuah and his group. We are hoping that our action will send the right message to the higher authorities”.
House of Representatives members present at the briefing were Chief Barri Mpigi, who represents Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo; Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Andoni Opobo/Nkoro; Maurice Poronen, Khana/Gokana; and Bright Gogo, Okrika.Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency.
Meanwhile, ahead of tomorrow’s mini National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) billed for Abuja, the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed the screening of aspirants vying for positions in its National Working Committee (NWC).
Chairman of the screening panel, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, told newsmen last Wednesday in Abuja that the screening was postponed  because of complaints by some aspirants that the notice for the screening was short.
Ndoma-Egba said the conduct of the screening today ahead the convention tomorrow would give room for harmonisation and to enable zones to reach a common ground on positions zoned to them.
“We want to see if the zones can reach common grounds on positions zoned to them. I know some zones have already agreed and others are still in the process of reaching an agreement.
“You know that if you are able to reach a common position, it would facilitate the conference.
“That is why the party in its wisdom decided to give the zones some time so that they can fine tune their positions.’’
Ndoma-Egba, however, said the postponement would not affect the timing for appeal by aspirants, adding that the panel would work round the clock.
“An appeal panel has been set up and in politics, we work 24 hours and there is no break and I believe all these issues will be addressed,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, some chieftains of the party in Anambra State who were summoned to appear before the NWC failed to appear.
They include Senator Andy Ubah, Chief Chris Ubah, Ejike Oguebego and Chief Benji Udeozor.
The chieftains were summoned to explain their involvement in the parallel Anambra governorship primaries held on August 24.
They were to appear for preliminary hearing at the party’s national headquarters.
The party‘s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Tony Okeke, had in an earlier statement, alleged that the action of the members breached the party’s constitution.