Politics
Protesters Storm Wadata Plaza As PDP Power Tussle Continues
The protest came amidst heightened tensions over the anticipated resumption of Sunday Ude-Okoye, the Appeal Court-declared rightful occupant of the position.
The protesters, chanting slogans such as “No vacancy in the National Secretary’s office” and “Senator Sam Anyanwu remains the National Secretary,” besieged the back gate of the PDP’s Wadata Plaza headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Security at the premises was significantly bolstered, with additional police officers deployed to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
A police truck was stationed outside the main gate, while personnel, in collaboration with PDP security, thoroughly frisked workers and visitors before granting access to the building.
Senator Anyanwu arrived at the PDP national secretariat at around midday to a rousing welcome from his loyal supporters, who had been protesting his ouster as National Secretary.
Upon entering his office, Sen. Anyanwu symbolically sanctified his desk with anointing oil before taking his seat. He then conducted a brief inspection of the secretariat offices before summoning a meeting with staff.
During the meeting, Sen. Anyanwu addressed the ongoing legal dispute surrounding his position.
He outlined the legal complexities of the situation and reassured the staff of his commitment to due process with a declaration that he would quit if the Supreme Court so decides.
He urged them to remain focused and law-abiding amid the party’s internal turmoil.
Following the meeting, the embattled National Secretary released a formal statement addressed to all national officers, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The statement sought to explain his legal standing and justify his continued tenure as National Secretary.
In the statement, Sen. Anyanwu argued that his position as National Secretary remained valid, citing legal provisions.
“Once an application for a stay of execution is filed and pending, it operates as a bar to the execution of the judgment until the application is determined,” he stated, referencing past rulings from the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Sen. Anyanwu asserted that he has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court and submitted an application for a stay of execution, maintaining that his role as National Secretary is legally protected until the court decides otherwise.
He cautioned against any actions that could undermine his position, describing them as unlawful and detrimental to the party’s unity.
Senator Anyanwu was the sole national officer present at the PDP national secretariat on Monday, as other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were conspicuously absent.
He departed the secretariat at approximately 3:30 p.m.
While Sen. Anyanwu insists on his legal right to the position, the party’s official stance remains that the Court of Appeal judgment is binding unless a stay is granted.
In a rebuttal, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, criticised Sen. Anyanwu’s actions, stating that the party had not received any notice of motion for a stay of execution or a court order supporting his claim.
“It’s unfortunate that this drama is unfolding. Resorting to self-help is highly condemnable.
“We have evidence linking Senator Anyanwu to the activities of thugs, including communications and financial transactions. This behaviour undermines the rule of law and tarnishes the party’s image”, Mr Ologunagba said.
The National Publicity Secretary emphasised that the PDP was committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate actions that disrupt its operations.
“This party does not engage in self-help. We follow due process. If a stay of execution is granted, the party will comply. However, as of now, no such order exists”, he added.
He further suggested that external forces may be influencing the crisis, hinting at potential interference by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
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