Members of the Rivers State Executive Council, 23 local government chairmen, state and federal lawmakers as well as other key political stakeholders in the state have officially announced their withdrawal from the forthcoming Peoples Democratic, PDP, convention scheduled for this weekend in Abuja.
The group made the announcement at a press conference held at Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.
They also formed a coalition to show solidarity for Governor Rotimi Amaechi of the state who is on suspension from the party.
The caucus leader of the Rivers State National Assembly members, Asita O. Asita said they were unhappy with the manner the national leadership of the party was handling the political crisis rocking the state.
According to him, “We are the constitutional delegates to the convention. The different groups met and agreed. The decision is not being imposed on anybody. 10 members of the House of Representatives agreed, 2 senators agreed, and 23 council chairmen agreed. These are constitutional delegates to the convention. The Law says we are the ones qualified to participate in this mini convention.
“We have said clearly that we are not satisfied with the way the party is being run. We are not satisfied with the way the leadership at the centre is handling the matter and issues in Rivers State. We are unhappy that our leader was unconstitutionally suspended from the party. This is the man who will lead us to the convention. He has been leading us to other conventions”.
Speaking on behalf of the State Executive council, Commissioner for Urban Development, Tammy Danagogo said their reason to withdraw from the convention was not unconnected to the illegal expulsion of some of their colleagues and the unwarranted suspension of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
“In view of the illegal suspension from the party, the person of the Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who is the driving force of the party in the state and the indiscriminate suspension and expulsion of our members, we also came to the conclusion that we are boycotting the convention”, he said.
On his part, leader of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in the state and Mayor of Port Harcourt, Chimbiko Akarolo said 23 local government chairmen in Rivers State decided to boycott the convention to show loyality to Governor Amaechi.
In his words, “we have said we will not be part of it. This is because of the fact that the leader of this state, our leader was unconstitutionally suspended and the way and manner in which the kindergarten-led Felix Obuah is carrying out their activities, there is need for us to boycott completely.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the decision by Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s loyalists to boycott the Saturday, August 31, national mini convention as a welcome development.
Dismissing the decision as inconsequential, the party said the action would in no way affect the state delegates’ list of the Abuja Convention, but would rather help filter the state delegates of infiltrators, untrustworthy elements and expelled members of the party.
A statement issued and signed by the Special Adviser to the State Party leadership on Media, Jerry Needam noted that the boycott was not unexpected in view of the way Governor Amaechi and his followers had been carrying on, with no regard to party rules and regulations.
According to the statement, “it is no longer news that Amaechi and his allies are acting this way as it was glaring that they have over the period been playing destructive politics and have surreptitiously, although not hidden to us, been making frantic moves to join and, or form another political party.
“This was again confirmed by the expelled Chief of Staff, Government House, Tony Okocha, representing Gov. Amaechi, who said the option of joining another party was being considered in view of their ‘suffocation’ in PDP.
“We have consistently said we would not tolerate insubordination and disrespect to the party or habour any individual or group of people who choose to be a thorn in the flesh of the party. So we welcome their position to allow us conduct our convention peacefully”.
The party further said it: “wishes Amaechi and his co-travelers well in their future political endeavours, particularly as they carry on the affairs of their emerging ‘Voice of the People’ and the All Progressives Congress, APC, of which they are co-sponsors”.
Similarly, the party said it was aware of the activities of some government officials who claimed to be members of the PDP but were funding the activities of the interim management of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, with tax payers’ money.
“Their activities and relationship with the new party (APC) and the yet to be registered political party, ‘Voice of the People’ are not hidden from us. And that is why we have always said they should leave us (PDP) alone as their continued hanging around PDP is of no essence”, the party also noted.
Also, Assistant publicity secretary of PDP in Rivers state, Sam Wonosike affirmed that Felix Obuah was recognized by the Judiciary adding that nothing would affect the strength of the delegates to the convention.
Wonosike also restated that the South-South PDP were going to the convention to vote the consensus candidate for the position of the National Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secodus.
The National Executive council of the Peoples Democratic party is set to hold a mini convention this weekend with each state expected be in attendance with their delegates.
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