POLICE DOUSES TENSION AT THE PDP SECRETARIATE AS TWO FACTIONS TRIED TO HOLD PARALLEL MEETINGS AMIDST SERIOUS CONTROVERSIES 02-07-25
By Sadiq Aminu The police has helped to douse the tension at the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP as two factions tried to hold parallel meetings amidst serous controversies.
The group led by the acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun and the faction led by the Deputy National Chairman , South),
Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja had insisted throughout the weekend that they must have their way and hold their preferred separate meetings.
Early this morning, operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command stopped the Board of Trustees meeting, citing orders from above.
Though, members of BoT were allowed inside the PDP headquarters, they were not allowed into the main hall where their own meeting was scheduled to take place.
One of them, Chief Bode George condemned the refusal of security officials to allow them use the hall, after which they moved to that Yar Adua centre to hold their meeting.
Amidst the tight security, journalists and some party staff were seen loitering around and discussing in small groups.
The BoT is said to be divided with the chairman of the board, Senator Adolphus Wabara leading a group championing the call for the 100th NEC, while the secretary, Senator Ahmed Maikarfi, is leading those calling for the expanded national caucus of the party.
The crisis deepened when senior party officials issued conflicting directives regarding the controverted 100th meeting of the National Executive Committee scheduled for today.
Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, the Deputy National Chairman (South), in a news conference reaffirmed the party’s commitment to holding the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled, asserting that the meeting remained legally binding and unalterable.
His remarks come in direct response to a notice circulated on social media, which purported that the NEC meeting had been replaced with a “Special Expanded National Caucus Meeting” on the same date and venue.
In what appears to be a power play within the party’s hierarchy, the controversial notice was signed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary.
As at the time of this report, journalists and some party men were seen filing into the party’s hall at Wadata house which had been visibly arranged for a meeting.