Former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, has told the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party that he will not step down for anyone in his position as the chairman of the troubled party.
Gulak had on Wednesday claimed that he had assumed the position following the refusal of the leadership of the party to appoint a substantive chairman as directed by the FCT High Court on the 16th day of December, 2015.
The court has ruled "that under section 47 (6) of the 1st defendant’s (PDP) constitution, upon the resignation of the former National Chairman of the 1stdefendant (PDP) from office, ONLY, the plaintiff (Alhaji Barr. Ahmed Ali Gulak) or any other eligible members of the 1stdefendant (PDP) from the North-East zone of Nigeria, where the said Chairman of the 1st defendant (PDP) originated is eligible to be appointed to act in that office pending elections into that office”.
The PDP Governors after their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night had the Acting National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus to handover to the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.
Chairman of the forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who spoke after the governors' meeting, said “We take cognizance of the judgment by the court in Abuja which ordered the acting chairman to vacate office for any other person from the North-East zone of Nigeria.
“Our party constitution has enough provisions for that and the necessary process has been put in motion.
"In recognizance of the judgment the court gave, we call on the National Secretary to take over the leadership of the party immediately and that is in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution.”
Gulak has however said that though he has profound respect for the Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum and all its members, but added that "The National Chairman of PDP hereby humbly submit that the Governor’s Forum has been misadvised to issue the statement o the effect that the National Secretary should take over the leadership of our party.
"The National Secretary is precluded by the Constitution of our party from chairing the NEC, NWC and the caucuses of the party. It is only the National Chairman that can chair these organs.
"It is therefore clear that from the statement of the Chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum that the office of the National Chairman was vacant. And this has been cured by the pronouncement of the FCT High Court, Abuja."
Also, Secondus has also said he will not leave office as regulated by the PDP governors.
Secondus in a statement in Abuja, berated the governors for their directive.
His statement was signed by the National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon said the NWC was against the governors' directive.
His statement:
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party wishes to assure all members of the party nationwide that there has not been any change whatsoever in the leadership composition of the party at the national level.
For the avoidance of doubt, the statutory organs of the party, the NWC, National Caucus, BoT and NEC will be meeting next week to deliberate on some developments including the replacement, from the North East of Alhaji Adamu Muazu, who resigned as the National Chairman of the party.
The replacement will be in strict adherence to the provisions of the constitution of our great party as specified in section 47(6). Until then, the status quo remains, which means the Deputy National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, remains as the Acting National Chairman.
Furthermore, it must be reiterated that all relevant stakeholders of our party, including the PDP Governor’s Forum, National Caucus and the Board of Trustees (BoT) as well as our leadership structures at all levels are united behind the current National Working Committee in the efforts to rebuild, reposition and strengthen our party for the challenges ahead.
The leadership of our party has resolved to remain focused and not be distracted by the unpatriotic actions of the former Political Adviser to the former President because we are privy to his agenda of being an agent of destabilization in the party.
While urging all members, especially those with various aspirations to dedicate to actions that unite rather than divide our ranks, the NWC wishes to assure of its unflinching commitment to the wider interest of the party, especially at this challenging time.
Signed:
Barr. Victor Kwon
National Legal Adviser