By Ahmed Abubakar
Menacing looking Militants believed to be from Rivers state has shut down the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters in Abuja.
The mob that were said to have arrived as early as 7 am today immediately sealed off all the entry points into the PDP secretariat thereby crippling all activities.
Peoples Daily reporter at the scene observed PDP staffs that were shut out standing in batches at relative distance from the secretariat discussing how to either stay around or smuggle their ways back home.
As the emotions began to rise amongst the demonstrators whom have made available various kind of alcoholic drinks, while some were observed to be wielding guns and dangerous arms at passersby.
Amongst what the mob were demonstrating against include; last week delegates election and the non screening of their members that have also bought, filled and submitted nomination forms into elective offices.
In a letter they presented at the party secretariat, they called for the immediate resignation of PDP National Deputy Chairman, Uche Secondus over what they termed as. “Brazen corruption and causing confusion and chaos in the Rivers state chapter of the party”.
That the NWC of the party issue clearance certificate to all cares of aspirants, cancel the purported delegates list compiled by Nyesom Wike, Uche Secondus and the two man PDP Rivers Exco of Obuah and Walter.
That the party should disregard the purported house of Assembly Primaries of 29th November without clearing other aspirants for a free and fair contest.
The protesters under the auspices of coalition of Rivers State PDP House of Assembly and National assembly aspirants in their letter copied to the President declared that, “they are ready to die in order to bring justice, peace and victory at the polls to the PDP in Rivers “.
Meanwhile dozens of security operatives were deployed to the PDP secretariat as they look-on. While people were molested, harassed and intimidated by the angry mob.
Even staffs of the PDP and passersby were not spared that include , Ambassador Kema Chikwe who is also a Member of the NWC was almost lynched as security operatives quickly took her away.
However, in the heat of the moment the PDP National Vice chairman of the South/South PDP, Cairo Ojuogbo who addressed the protesters amidst jeers by the protesters told them that the party would get back at them in 24 hours.
“Haven listen to your appeals and protest, I must say that nobody under my watch would be oppressed”.
Cairo Ojougbo said: I was called here because of my position in the party, I have spoken with them and they gave me 24 hours to make further consultations and come to address them because the party must function, this is not the period to disrupt the activities of the party. I will make further consultation and we will come here to address the gentlemen.
We feel the party is a very disciplined party, the party listens to everybody and Mr. President is desirous of peace and conducting a free congress and the person’s who are protesting, I have appealed to them and spoken to them that the party will listen to them and nobody under my watch will be oppressed. I hate oppression and nobody under my watch will be allowed to be oppressed.
At the governorship level, some persons were disqualified and those that were disqualified went to the appeal panel because I was a member of the panel but only one person who did not have certificate was still disqualified.
What they are saying now is that those who were screened were not given certificate either to qualify or disqualify them and now that the zone and party is aware of it, the party will look into it and where there is iota of truth in what they are saying, it will be properly investigated. I will speak to them as soon as I have further details and I assure them that solutions will be provided.
