I was shocked to hear about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees’ (BOT) emergency meeting resolution regarding the battle for the National Secretary position.
Recall that Sunday UdeyOkoye had obtained a judgment from the Enugu Court of Appeal to replace Sen. Samuel SamdaddyAnyanwu as PDP National Secretary. However, Sen. Anyanwu secured a stay of execution from the Court of Appeal in Abuja and appealed the judgement at the Supreme Court. One had expected the rule of law to prevail until the Supreme Court decides, but that’s not the case.
Some PDP governors requested the National Working Committee to install UdoOkoye as National Secretary, disregarding the rule of law. The BOT followed suit, taking sides and ignoring the court judgment and appeal.
The PDP constitution describes the BOT as the “ *conscience of the party* ,” providing advice and counsel. However, their actions raise questions about their conscience and counsel to the party.
The BOT’s decision lacks good conscience, as they took sides, showing partisanship in the internal wrangling: ignored the court judgment and appeal and
Showed lack of good conscience and wise counsel.
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Constitution clearly outlines the roles of its various organs. The National Convention holds the exclusive power to appoint or remove National Officers, while the Zonal Executive Committee is responsible for appointing and removing zonal officers.
However, in 2023, the Southeast zonal executive committee overstepped its bounds by illegally removing Senator Anyanwu as National Secretary and appointing someone else to the position.
The Board of Trustees, chaired by Senator Adolphus Wabara, is supposed to serve as the party’s conscience, providing advice and mediation, not directing the National Working Committee. Unfortunately, Wabara’s Board, which is not properly constituted, has assumed a parallel role to the National Working Committee, issuing orders and exacerbating the party’s crisis. By doing so, Senator Wabara and his Board have disregarded the Constitution and violated moral and legal standards. This blatant disregard for the party’s rules and procedures has severe implications for the PDP’s internal dynamics and its ability to function effectively.
Fortunately, the BOT lacks the power to implement their decisions. Any attempt to do so would invite anarchy and threaten the existence of the party.
The PDP BOT has become partisan players, and their actions may harm the party. As the main opposition party in Nigeria, the PDP should focus on uniting to return to power rather than engaging in internal battles.
IkOgbonna, anipr, fcai, is an Owerri-based PR Consultant.
