No Serious Politician Will Seek To Contest Under PDP – Saraki
- As Govs Kick Over Expulsion Of Key Party Stakeholders
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has stated that no serious Politician with electoral ambition will seek to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party under the present circumstances.
According to Saraki, such a politician may enter into troubled waters by not knowing whether his or her nomination will be valid or declared null and void.
He made the warning earlier, before the National Convention of the party held in Ibadan on Saturday, stressing that going ahead with the Convention as scheduled will further fuel the present crisis, adding that having such event is a waste of efforts.
He had earlier advised the party’s Board of Trustees to set up a Caretaker Committee to steer the affairs of the party for the time being.
Meanwhile, the crisis rocking the PDP escalated on Saturday following the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and 10 other high-ranking leaders over alleged anti-party activities.
The decision was taken at the party’s 20th National Convention at the main bowl of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Those also expelled include a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; and Austin Nwachukwu.
Others are the factional chairman of the party, Mohammed Abdulrahman; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; Austine Nwachukwu; Abraham Amah; George Turner; and Chief Dan Orbih.
A motion for the expulsion was moved by the former National Vice Chairman of the party (South), Chief Olabode George, and seconded by the Bauchi PDP Chairman, Samaila Burga, before its eventual adoption by the party’s delegates.
Reacting to the expulsion, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the convention as mere drama.
Olayinka, via X, argued that no one should take the organisers seriously.
“They went to Ibadan to start dirty December in November. When people decide to start their own dirty December in November, one can’t but ignore whatever comes out of their mouths,” he wrote.
“They gathered in Ibadan to do social party, enjoyed themselves and got intoxicated. They are free to say anything.”
Also, Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State dissociated himself from Wike’s expulsion.
Fintiri, while delivering his speech at the convention ground, said the absence of INEC officials at the event also necessitated his withdrawal from the exercise.
“With the absence of INEC and the various litigations for and against this convention, it is not within my prerogative to continue with this exercise. I leave the convention delegates to decide,” Fintiri said.
The Adamawa governor further clarified his position in a statement shared on his verified X handle (@AhmaduUmaruFintiri).
He described Wike’s expulsion as an action against the interest of the party and warned that it could plunge the PDP into an unending crisis.
Fintiri urged party members to work towards unity and the reconciliation of aggrieved members.
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
