Fresh Crisis Hits PDP, As Ardent Members Petition Plateau Exco.

By Moses Gbande

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Plateau state chapter, is currently facing yet another crisis that if not properly handled could affect the party’s performance in the next general elections. The party, has in the last few years been battling with one form of internal dispute or the other, which seem to have defiled all immediate solutions.

It is worrisome too, that as the party is prepares to get into another contest, many believe that the party should have put its house in order, unfortunately, the reverse is the case here, as currently, ardent members of the party who seem nit satisfied with the way and manner things are being ran at the party, have taken considerable steps to correct such ills, by petitioning the state chapter of the party to its National secretariat, threatening to take legal actions against the party, should their prayers are not attended to.

The petition reads:

The National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Wadata PlazaWuse Zone 5, Abuja, Nigeria.

ATTENTION: National Legal Adviser, National Organizing Secretary, North Central Vice Chairman.

Sir,

PETITION AGAINST THE PLATEAU STATE COUNCIL

The above subject matter refers.

We act as solicitors to Hon. Ishaya Nankap, Hon. Benjamin Fumsa, Ibrahim David, Ahmed Hamidu Yola, Henry Dinget and Yohanna Gabriel (hereinafter referred to as our clients) on whose firm and unequivocal instruction we write this petition. It is our brief that, our clients are bonifide registered party members and ardent party supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party that have serious vested interest in the affairs of the pary. It is on this premise that this petition is predicated.

Sir, recall that internal strife engulfed the party sometimes in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the conduct of the ward, LG and State Congress, some party members from various wards and local government dissatisfied with the action of the party, approached the court in the state and challenged the anomaly witnessed during the Congresses in Plateau state. As a result of this action, several valid decisions of the court were obtained that led to the constitution of the Sen. Tunde Ogbeha caretaker committee.

The Committee was constituted pursuant to the Party Constitution and vested with the power to act pursuant to Articles 25(1)9a)(N&(2)(b) of the PDP Constitution and Paragraphs 5.1(a)&(f). 5.2(t) and 5.3(1}(18) of the 2020 Guidelines for the Conduct of Ward, LGA, State, Zonal Congresses and the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (The 22D Guidetines), The Committee was to function within the period of ninety (90) days which was in consonance with the extant provision of the Constitution. However, after the expiration of the (ninety) 90 days period, the National Body extended the period by another one month in error.

The Committee in the discharge of their function conducted congresses in Wards and LGAs in the State. It is also observed that during the said Congresses with particular reference to the State Congress, 12 LGA EXCOs were excluded in the State Electoral Panel pursuant to the judicial pronouncement that the judgment of Jos East LGA and Jos South LGA of Plateau State in Suit No. PLD/J276/2020and Suit No PLD/J276/2020 delivered on the 23rd day of March, 2020 and 24 June, 2021 respectively.

Sir, this pronouncement by their Lordships had ripple effect on all the purported LGA Congresses conducted on the said date which necessitated seveal complaints to the Party at the National level to suspend the said congress pending the conduct of a valid Ward and LGA Congress in the state but same were ignored.

It is pertinent to bring to your attention that, before the purported state congress conducted by the Caretaker Committee led by Sen. Tunde Ogbeha, the Committee had conducted Ward Congresses in the following Wards in Bokkos, Kanke, Shendam, Kanam andMl Mangu LGAs.

Furthermore, after the conduct of the said wards and LGA congresses, the said committee on the 25th day of September, 2021 went ahead to conduct théle state Congress and had the said EXCO sworn in.

Sir, it is equally important to draw your attention to the fact that the said Caretaker Committee prior to the conduct of the said State Congress took PLAISEC to Court in Suit No. PLD/J250/2021 wherein they sought for the reliefs as contained on the claim to wit to enable the party present candidates for election in the Local Government scheduled election? By implication, the judgment nullified the Tunde Ogbeha Caretaker Committee and in effect all actions and activities of the Committee invalid.

Sit, as rightly pointed out above, the judgment referenced in the preceding paragraphs re-enforces the position of the court in earlier judgment that was not complied with by the Party, therefore, it is evidently clear that the action of the said Committee in the conduct of the State Congress of the 25th day of September, 2021 is a nullity and one that cannot be considered valid. Hence, there is no valid constituted State EXCO in the State to mann and conduct the affairs of the party.

Sir, we wish to further also draw you attention to the truth that in the last Zonal Congress and National Convention of the party held inMakurdi and Abuja respectively, the Plateau State Executive Committee and some LGA EXCOs (12 LGA EXCOs) were not allowed to vote due to the net effect of the said judgments referenced above. This is a clear evidence of the problem with the party in the State.

Sir, our clients have also noted that the said Party EXCOs have since the said purported election continued to parade themselves Illegally ae party EXCOs in the state as well as made publications that pertains to the affairs of the party both at the National and Local levels which directly affects the p- coming primaries of the party that portents danger to the overall interest of the party in Plateau State.

Sir, it is consequent upon the above legitimate concern that this petition is predicated. Our clients are mindful of the fact that the primaries of the party is by the corner and if these concerns raised are not speedily addressed, it may grossly affect the fortune of the party in the state and we therefore pray that you act speedily in the interest of the party in Plateau State.

TAKE NOTICE that, should you fail to address this legitimate concerns raised by our clients, our clients may be forcd to seek legal redress to have same addressed.

PRAYERS

1. We urge the National Headquarters in all honesty and sincerity of purpose in the overall interest of the party as it did in the Zonal Congress in Makurdi and National Convention in Abuja not to recognize the Chris Hassan State Executive Committee

2. The National Headquarters is also urged with speed to stop the purported State EXCO of the Party in the State from directly or indirectly interfering with the election of three Ad-hoc delegates across the State, National Delegate’s Election and the Party Primaries to nominate party candidates into various positions across th state and the LGAs.

Find attached copy of the said publication. Yours faithfully,

N.R Bakyil Esq. M.B. Zemkas Esq. (Counsel in Chambers)

Cc:

1. INEC National Headquarters, Abuja.

2. The Chairman, Plateau National Assembly Caucus.

3. The Minority Leader, Plateau State House of Assembly

4. Legal Team, Ptateau PDP C/o Barr. Edward Pwajok SAN and Barr Gedeon M. Kuttu SAN

5. Sen. J.T.Usent

6. Sen. J.D. Jang

7. Sir. Fidelis Tapgun

Sir, the above is for your information please.

Yours Faithfully

N.R Bakyil Esq. M.B. Zemkes Esq. (Counsel in Chambers)