PDP crisis: Showdown looms in Wadata Plaza; As Turaki vows to resume duties Tuesday, schedules NWC meeting 

PDP crisis: Showdown looms in Wadata Plaza; As Turaki vows to resume duties Tuesday, schedules NWC meeting 

By John Okezie

A showdown between loyalists of the  Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and supporters  of the new national chairman of the party, Tanimu Turaki, seem imminent, as the latter has vowed to resume duties at the National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in  Abuja, Tuesday.

Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) while speaking with journalists, after a meeting with the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, said he would also hold his maiden National Working Committee ( NWC) meeting, as well as meeting of critical stakeholders at the Wadata Plaza, by 10.am Tuesday.

The PDP leader, who was elected at a National Convention organized by the Umar Damagum-led NWC, which is backed by the PDP Governors, last weekend, said while they are committed to peace, they will defend themselves, in accordance with the Nigerian constitution.

According to him, the governors, members of the National Assembly, as well as members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and other critical stakeholders have been invited for the meeting.

The Abdulraham Mohammed-led NWC, which enjoys the support of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had earlier scheduled a meeting of the BoT and National Executive Committee (NEC), for 10 am and 2pm respectively, at the Wadata Plaza, which has been locked up in the past two weeks.

But Turaki stated  that those calling for the BoT and NEC meeting, Tuesday,   at the Wadata Plaza, are no longer members of the PDP, following their expulsion at the  Ibadan convention.

“We are going to have inaugural working committee of our party. And this meeting we have invited all our stakeholders and founding fathers. We have invited  all our governors and members of the National Assembly,  members of BoT, state chairmen and other critical stakeholders.

“We are holding the meeting in our national secretariat, which is the Wadata House;  anybody who is sitting there, without  our consent and permission is an interloper. We have not sought for the assistance of the police or any other security agencies to lock up our offices.

We are going there. We have our offices open.

“We will get in there and begin to perform the functions for which we were elected. I  have assured the Commissioner of Police of the FCT that while we will ensure that there is no breach of peace, we will go there prepared to defend ourselves and our integrity as Nigerians.

“Because Nigeria Constitution has given us the right to defend our persons, our rights, our properties. That we are prepared to do. And let me reiterate again for the avoidance of doubt. To defend our party, to defend this nascent democracy, we are prepared to lay down our lives. We will go there to move into our headquarters. To conduct our official functions,if anybody tries to prevent us, then we pray for them,” he stated.

Furthermore, Turaki added: “Now, we have seen flying in the social meeting , purported notice of BoT and NEC, given by people who fit all intent and purposes are no longer members of the party as I am talking to you today.

“Next to God in the management of political parties is the national convention. The decision taken in the National Convention overrides every other position taken by any organ of the party. Our national convention has taken a decision to expel these elements from the party.

“And so they are no longer members of our party. We have reported the moves they are making to the police. We don’t want any situation where there would be breach of peace.”

He emphasized that  “our meeting is 10 am tomorrow. circulars have gone out. We shall be there unfailingly. I as the national chairman of the PDP will be leading from the front and not from the rear.

“The CP has given assurance that they will do everything it takes to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order. So, we will be there, hoping that the police will make sure that they give all the ample protection that we are entitled to under the law.”