The crisis rocking the leadership in the Peoples Democratic Party intensified on Monday, January 18, as some of the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) demanded that National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh and acting Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Bello Haliru Mohammed should step down to face their trial.
The call is anchored on their alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms contract fund for which Metuh and Mohammed have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
While Metuh is remanded in Kuje prison, Mohammed is on bail and is confined to his hospital bed.
A statement yesterday, signed by four of the party officials said it had become absolutely necessary for the two party chiefs to step down until their trial is concluded.
Those that signed the statements are the Deputy National Youth Leader, Dennis Alonge-Niyi; Deputy National Legal Adviser, Bashir Maidugu; Deputy National Organsising Secretary, Okey Nnaedozie; and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo.
However, a statement by the party’s National Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo warned against “fifth columnists” within the party.
Although he did not directly refer to the statement credited to the national officers, Oladipo said the party is united and warming up for its national convention in March when national officers will be elected.
The statement said: “The attention of the national leadership of the PDP has been drawn to reports in the media credited to some members of the party regarding the on-going ordeal of some of our leaders with the EFCC as well as issues relating to the position of the National Chairman of our great party.
“Indeed, we understand the concerns of our members especially since the unfortunate electoral setback, its attendant trauma and disagreements within the party as well as the recent development leading to the probing of some of our leaders and of course our campaign funding by the APC-led government.
“In the same vein, we have noted the desperation of some opportunistic and selfish individuals, including those being used by the APC, to draw political capital from the present challenges facing our party.
“While we await the judicial determination of the cases involving some of our leaders at the EFCC, it is important that all party members show commitment to our rebuilding effort by ensuring utterances that encourage and unite rather than further discourage and divide our members. Anything contrary to this would be playing into the very hands of those who want to decimate our party, destroy our common destiny as a people and install a one-party state in our country.
“Our earnest attention for now is our on-going rebuilding efforts, the amendment of our party’s constitution and our scheduled National Convention in March this year to produce new leaders in line with the statutory requirements of our great party. All the statutory organs are aware of the laid out plans by the NWC, which would soon be presented to them appropriately and accordingly.
“The public and the media are by this made aware of the fact that the PDP remains a big family despite our temporary electoral setback. Also, our leadership and statutory organs, the NEC, NWC, Caucus, Board of Trustee, forum of Governors and caucuses of various legislative houses, are all united in the common effort to rebuild and reposition the party, especially with preparations for our National Convention in March.”