- Safiu Kehinde
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has moved the venue of its Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting following the takeover of the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja by the police.
This coming under the heels of a faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who ruled out the postponement of the party’s 100th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting slated to hold today.
As against the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who declared the meeting postponed, the faction insisted that the meeting will hold.
While this tends to explain the presence of the security operatives at the Wadata Plaza, it has however hindered the PDP BoT meeting with the Board members now forced move the venue of the meeting to the YarAdua Centre in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Reacting to the development while newsmen, the former PDP Deputy National Chairman (Southwest) and member of the BoT, Chief Bode Thomas, expressed his frustration with what he described as madness in the party and the invitation of the Police.
“It is strikingly annoying. This is our property. Was there any court order to say we cannot our meeting in our office? What is going on? I was a young man in 1962 when it all started in Southwest.
“We must avoid that madness. What is it? Can’t we sit and talk? What is the essence of democracy? Nigerians are watching. You came to our office; we were surrounded by Police because we want to have a meeting?
“You want to turn us to North Korea or turn this country in Russia? We will not allow it. Nigerians will not allow it. I have seen both sides. Let them be very careful. Allow everybody to work according to the law of the land.” a visibly enraged George said.
The PDP Chieftain maintained that the party is not private enterprise while noting that the crisis within the party is a mere disagreement which can only be resolved through dialogue without external interference.
“PDP is not a private enterprise. You don’t resolve it outside. You must sit down. So, if you want us to resolve our crisis, you keep it in crisis.
“But there is no crisis. It is a disagreement between two people. We will sit down like we do in a family. If you have a family problem, will you start to get the police and lock your house and all that?
“Please let’s be civil in this country because the country is watching. Everybody is looking in Nigeria.
“Now the President is on visit to somewhere in West Indies. How will they hear? This is what we are doing in your country.” Bode George said.