- Recalls how Buhari beat Atiku ‘like a little kid’ in 2019 election
- South-South PDP appoints caretaker committees for Bayelsa, Edo
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, Bode George, has blasted former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari to endear him to his coalition campaign.
George said he was disappointed at Atiku’s move, stressing that the former Vice President ignored his party members to discuss his coalition agenda with Buhari, who is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP debunked the coalition agenda, indicating that it was a ploy to weaken the PDP.
Speaking on national television on Tuesday, the PDP chieftain, also questioned the purpose of the mega party Atiku is championing, saying the former Vice President’s call for coalition is for his ambition.
“Those who are now forming a mega party, what is the purpose of that mega party? You’re a member of a solid organization, you want to pull out.
“You are meeting with Baba Buhari, is he a member of our party? Have you discussed your mega something with anybody else? Do you think it is a private fiefdom? Is PDP a private company? Nobody owns the PDP. You bring it within the party. Let us discuss it. Once it is approved, then you move. You don’t just flip flop because of your personal ambition,” he said.
The PDP chieftain slammed the ex-vice president for taking his coalition campaign to Buhari, who he said beat him ‘like a little kid’ in the 2019 presidential election.
The elder statesman also questioned Atiku’s motive for visiting Buhari with his fellow northerners.
“Look at General Buhari shaking hands with these guys. Is he a member of our party? We presented you against him, and he flopped you like a little kid, and then you are running there.
“And if you look at the congregation of those who visited Buhari, they are all from one side, who are the others from our party? No, it’s not done that way. In fact, my conclusion was, What is this man trying to do with this mega party? Is he trying to divide Nigeria from the north and then the south?,” George queried.
According to him, Atiku’s move is a ploy to get another presidential ticket without regard for the unwritten zoning arrangement between the northern and southern parts of the country.
Atiku has reportedly been calling on opposition figures across the country to form a mega party that would wrest power from President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
His recent visit to the former President was also seen as an attempt to win over his coalition campaign.
Accompanying Atiku to the meeting were former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai; former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, among others.
South-South PDP appoints caretaker committees for Bayelsa, Edo
Meanwhile, the South-South Zonal Working Committee of the PDP has appointed caretaker committees to manage the affairs of the Bayelsa and Edo state chapters for the next three months.
The decision was made at the regular zonal meeting on Tuesday at the Zonal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, according to a statement by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Prince Etim Isong.
The statement said that the “decision to set up caretaker committees for both states follows the dissolution of the State Working Committee of Bayelsa State and the Caretaker Committee in Edo State on account of various acts of gross misconduct by the dissolved executives which are in clear breach of the party’s constitution, the poor performance and woeful outing by the party in Edo State at the last governorship elections, and the poor handling of internal crisis rocking the party in both states.”
According to the statement, the Zonal Working Committee made decisions in the best interest of the party after a careful review of the party’s activities in the two affected states.
“The Zonal Working Committee took these decisions in the best interest of the party after a careful review of the activities of the party in both states in line with the constitution of the party as amended in 2017, particularly Articles 10(1),(f),(g),(k), and (4) as well as Articles 26(2),(a), 27(2)(a&b), 58(1),(a),(c),(i),(j), and 59(1)(f),” the statement said.
The newly appointed caretaker committee for Bayelsa State include George Turnah, Chairman; Tony Gabriel, Deputy Chairman; Ebilade Ekerefe, Secretary; Didi Ebiekake Werilaghebofa, Vice Chairman, Central; Andy Majors, Vice Chairman, East; and Evelyn Bolouebi Odi, Vice Chairman, West.
Other caretaker committee members for Bayelsa are Biobelemoye Igoniwari, Treasurer; Awudumapu Agorodi, Legal Adviser; Erepagamo Eke-Spiff, Financial Secretary; Amain Oyeintariperedei, Auditor; Derri Alasuote Wright, Publicity Secretary; Christian Koffah Akuraku, Organising Secretary; Ato Alfreda, Woman Leader; and Nicholas Eferebo, Youth Leader.
For Edo State, Nosa Ogieva was appointed Chairman; Chief Sunny Okomayin, Deputy Chairman; Hillary Otsu, Secretary; Nosa Iseleomon, Vice Chairman South; Ehisota Oriakhi, Vice Chairman Central; and Richard Ehimigbai, Vice Chairman North.
Others are Mrs. Tes Sorae, Woman Leader; Benjamin Ehinlebodiaye, Treasurer; Emma Akhaba, Auditor; Daniel Okojie, Organising Secretary; Bob-Manuel Umoru, Publicity Secretary; William Umoru, Legal Adviser; Moses Izobo, Financial Secretary; and Destiny Oreye, Youth Leader.
The Zonal Working Committee expressed the hope that the bold move would strengthen the party’s foundation and ensure effective leadership in both states.
The National Vice Chairman South South Zone, Chief Dan Orbih, equally emphasised the importance of unity and discipline within the party as he called on the caretaker committees to pursue genuine reconciliation among members to foster the cohesion necessary for repositioning the party for future political success in both states.