By Ahmed Abubakar
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu’azu, has instructed the National Organising Secretary of the party, Abubakar Mustapha, to urgently probe the controversy rocking the Ebonyi State chapter of PDP, directing that the report of the probe should be submitted to him in 24 hours time.
The national chairman also vowed to facilitate a meeting between the warring members of the party and President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve the situation.
Mu’azu, who spoke yesterday when he received a delegation from Ebonyi State led by the former Governor, Sam Egwu, added that the crisis must be resolved in the interest of PDP.
The transition politics in the state has resulted in confidence crisis between the governor, Martin Elechi and former minister of Health Onyebuchi Chukwu and other members of the party including, senator Paulinus Nwagwu, Deputy Governor, David Umahi and former Governir, Sam Egwu.
But Mu’azu said “the matter must be resolved in favour of PDP in Ebonyi State. Proper thing must be done. I am not aware of any change of guard in Ebonyi PDP.
“I am happy to listen to the complaint. The only governor I call father in Nigeria is Papa Martin Elechi”, Mu’azu stated.
Speaking earlier, former Governor of the state, Sam Egwu, had complained to the National Chairman on the breach of party guidelines and rules in the party by those loyal to the incumbent Governor.
He noted that the crisis in the state chapter of the party, if not addressed urgently, will lead to PDP losing the state, adding that already the fortune of the party in the state has waned.
He called for the proscription of Ebonyi State Youth Assembly before it transforms into insurgency and called on the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to provide security to aspirants to avoid attack.
He said “we have come here believing that justice and equality will prevail in our party. We believe that a father will protect his children from unnecessary arbitrariness, oppression and suppression.
“There have been abuses against the people. Party members have continue to decline”, the former Governor told Mu’azu.
He expressed fear that PDP might lose Ebonyi State in the next general elections because of the disaffection of members.
According to him, some PDP members have already defected to opposition parties, citing the case of the governorship candidates of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the All Progressive Congress (APC) and United Progressive Party (UPP) who, he said, were frustrated out of PDP by the incumbent Governor.
He also requested for an audience with the president through the National Chairman.
Members of the delegation included the Acting Ebonyi State PDP chairman, Onwu Joseph Onwu, Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunkwu, the Deputy Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, Senators Offia-Nwali and Palinus Nwagu, as well as some governorship aspirants.
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