PDP crisis: Party’s BoT raises the alarm over security situation of national secretariat

• Vows not to hold meetings there untill further notice

By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

The Board of Trustees, BoT, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has raised the alarm over the security situation at the party’s headquarters, popularly known as Wadata House in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

Specifically, the Chairman of the BoT of the PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara declared on Wednesday, in Abuja, that members of the Board were no longer safe in Wadata House.

He vowed that the members of the BoT of the leading opposition party would no longer hold their meeting at the PDP headquarters until something is to address the situation.

Yesterday’s meeting of the BoT of the PDP did not take place at the PDP national Secretariat as the meeting was held at the Transcorp Hilton hotel, Abuja.

It will be recalled that a free-for-all fight had broken out, last week, at the meeting called by the BoT members between loyalists of Senator Sam Anyanwu and Hon Sunday Okey-Ude over claim and counter claim on who is the rightful National Secretary of the PDP. Both who are both parading different court orders to justify their claims.

A declaratory Judgment of the High Court of Enugu, which was also upheld by the Court of Appeal, it will be recalled, had affirmed Hon Okey Ude as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP.

However, Anyanwu approached the Court of Appeal for a stay of execution of the judgement and filed an appeal at the Supreme Court seeking to upturn the judgements of the two lower courts.

The BoT, at its meeting yesterday, recognized Hon Sunday Okey-Ude as the National Secretary of the PDP.

While speaking at the opening of the BoT meeting held in Transcorp Hilton, the Chairman of the BoT of the PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said, “While we look ahead with optimism, we must also acknowledge the unfortunate incidents that took place during our last Board of Trustees meeting.

“These incidents were largely due to inadequate security at the Party Headquarters.

“As a result, and after thorough consideration, the BoT has resolved that until the security situation is effectively addressed, its subsequent meetings will be held outside of the Party Secretariat.

“The safety of our members and the integrity of our discussions must never be compromised.

“We call on the party leadership to urgently take necessary steps to rectify this situation so that our Secretariat remains a safe and secure place for party affairs.

“The upcoming NEC meeting is not just another gathering. It is a platform for critical deliberations that will shape the future of our party and by extension, the future of Nigeria.

I therefore urge al members of NEC to come with open minds prepared for meaningful discussions that will address the pressing issues within our part and offer a renewed vision for our country.