The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yemi Akinwonmi, has taken over the leadership of the opposition’s party in the interim amid deepening crisis that has continued to beset the PDP for months.
The move follows a restraining order issued against the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, by a Rivers High Court in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Akinwonmi also suspended the National Working Committee meeting of the party indefinitely, citing Section 35 (b) of the PDP Constitution to support this latest step.
Justice O. Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division Vacation Court, Port Harcourt had on Monday granted an injunction which stopped Secondus from parading himself as the National Chairman and member of the PDP pending the determination of a suit filed against him.
While reacting to the court order, embattled Secondus had said he was not afraid of the court injunction barring him from parading himself as chairman of the opposition party.
A terse statement issued by Secondus’ Media Adviser Ike Abonyi reads, “The Media Office of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been inundated with calls from media houses on a press statement sent to newsrooms by one Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assistant, Media to the Rivers state Governor, Bar Nyesom Wike announcing that ‘Court Restrains Secondus from Parading himself as National Chairman, member of the PDP.
“If Secondus and the party are taken to court, they will defend themselves. The PDP and Secondus are not afraid of court. This party is a child of history, owned by Nigerians, bigger than any individual or group, including desperadoes.”
Secondus’ response speaks volume on the ongoing epic war between Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers and the underfire PDP Chairman over the control of the party ahead of party’s National Convention.
While Secondus has been reported to be making attempt at having a second chance as PDP Chair, there have been claims that Wike is scheming to take control of the PDP’s structure to further a purported presidential agenda in 2023.
The New Diplomat had reported that the Governor, who has been a strong critic of the Secondus-led NWC has continued to reiterate his call for proactive leadership, stating that Secondus has outlived his usefulness. He added that Secondus should give way for more result-driven individuals that will help reposition the PDP to take power in 2023.
The governor’s remarks were relayed by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri in a statement titled ‘PDP needs new, robust, determined NWC to win 2023 general elections -Gov Wike and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
The statement reads, “If you go to the public and ask Nigerians if PDP is ready to take over power in 2023, if you hold a referendum, you will know that Nigerians are even waiting for PDP.
“But the fear of Nigerians is whether PDP is ready to take overpower. So, people are concerned about it. Obviously, it is ripe for PDP to take over, but you must be prepared to take over.
“And we said with what we have now, it will be difficult to take over power in 2023 if there are no amendments. Leadership was the problem. The point is this, the current NWC, as it is today, cannot lead the party to victory.”
