PDP crisis: Reps minority caucus divided over Secondus

…As PDP chair vows not to resign

By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

Members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the House of Representatives are sharply divided over whether the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus should resign or not.
While some of the members of the PDP minority caucus in the lower chamber of the National Assembly claimed, in a statement on Sunday, that they have resolved, after an online meeting, that Secondus should resign, another group led by Hon. Ndudi Elumelu faulted that, saying that no such decision was taken and that there was never any online meeting held by members of the caucus.
The caucus, in a statement on Sunday, jointly signed Kingsley Chinda and Chukwuka Onyema, leader and deputy leader respectively, said that was part of resolution reached at an online meeting of the caucus, on Sunday night.
However, Elemule, who also styled himself as the Minority Leader and Leader of PDP, House of Representatives, stoutly declared that
If such an online meeting held, it was without the knowledge of the leadership of the Minority Caucus, and therefore in breach of established procedure.
Elumelu, in his counter statement yesterday, said, “The attention of the Minority Caucus, particularly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, have been drawn to news reports purporting to be the intervention and outcome of an online meeting of the PDP Caucus in the House regarding the current leadership challenge within the party.
“If such a meeting held, it was without the knowledge of the leadership of the Minority Caucus, and therefore in breach of established procedure.
“Meanwhile, we are working in concert with organs of the party to ensure sustainable resolution of the current challenges that will be in the overall interest of the party and Nigerians.
“We appeal to all party faithful, particularly PDP members in the House of Representatives, to exercise caution and patience as the party addresses the present leadership challenges”, Elumelu said.
Meanwhile, Prince Secondus has vowed not to resign from his position.
Secondus, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr Ike Abonyi said that nothing so far warrants his resignation from the party position and “those tiny minority calling for his resignation should come clean and tell party members across the country his offense why he should resign”.
Secondus stated that he will remain focussed and committed to the ideals of the party which he swore to protect and defend upon his election to lead this great party 44 months ago.