The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Umaru Damagum has announced that it will hold a meeting to resolve the crisis in the Cross River State chapter of the party.
The circular for Saturday’s meeting stated that the meeting would resolve to suspend the Bar state party chairman. Venatius Iquem.
The Damagum-led NWC had earlier rejected the suspension of Ikem by the state executive committee. The circular disclosed that the meeting will be held on Thursday, December 12, at the National Executive Council (NEC) Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
“Following recent developments in the Cross River State chapter of our party, members of the state executive committee have reported that the state chairman has been suspended and our party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has confirmed the situation. After considering the following, it was concluded that key stakeholders in Cross River State would be invited to participate in an interactive and fact-finding meeting as follows:
Date and time: Thursday, December 12, 2024 Venue: Abuja FCT Wada Plaza NEC Hall Time: Noon.
“Please note that attendance is strictly by invitation as shown in the attached list,” it reads.
Meanwhile, former Chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi State, Cyrus Onu, accused Damagum of violating a court order to destroy the party.
Mr. Onu accused Mr. Damagum of violating the order of the Federal High Court that granted the suspension of Mr. Ali Odefa.
Mr. Odefa was suspended from the party on October 4, 2024 by the party executive committee of Ogudu-Okwolu Ward in Onitsha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State for alleged anti-party activities.
On November 29, Voice of Nigeria (VON) reported that a Federal High Court in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital, had restrained Mr. Odefa from parading as the party’s deputy national chairman (Southeast).
In his reaction on Friday, Mr. Onu said, “What is even more bizarre about Mr. Damagun’s disobedience to court orders is that when the State Legal Adviser properly and lawfully recommended that Mr. Ayu be suspended, his acting chairmanship is the product of obedience to court orders.” affirmed by the court. Sadly, today, even as the Federal High Court upheld Ali Odefa’s suspension, Mr. Damagun continued to protect him as his loyal poppy, vowing to bury the PDP. ”
