… Confirm Governor Adeleke’s exit
…Berates APC administration over insecurity
Despite deepening crisis, the Kabiru Turaki led National Working Committee NWC of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Tuesday issued certificates of expulsion to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory FCT.
The party also disclosed that it has also issued similar certificates to Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary, Ayo Fayose, former Governor of Ekiti state and Umaru Nature, the Organising Secretary
Kabiru Turaki, the National Chairman of the faction who was elected at the controversial November 15 and 16 elective convention, disclosed this shortly after taking over from the Umar Damagum led for Executive of the party.
Following the disputes the Turaki led group now operates from the Bauchi state Governor’s lodge Asokoro, as the party’s National Secretariat has remained sealed.
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He disclosed that the party has reviewed the cases filed by the Wike led faction against the Ibadan convention, noting that his group has confidence that they will win the case
“We have also considered the issue of members of our party who were expelled by the National Convention in Ibadan. We have taken note of the fact that Nigerian law frowns on dual membership of political parties, and so we have sought to make it easy for them
” Now that they are no longer members of our party, and now that the National Convention—which is the highest decision-making organ of our party—has expelled them, we have decided to issue them certificates of expulsion.
He disclosed that they expelled members may wish to show their certificates of expulsion to their new parties, to make their membership registration easier
” They will show these certificates as proof that they are no longer members of the PDP, and so those parties will not accuse them of trying to belong to more than one political party.
“Distinguished members of the press, as I speak to you, these certificates have been dispatched via courier to the 11 persons who have been expelled”
He disclosed that the certificates were dispatched to them through courier.
” For Nyesom Wike, an original copy has gone to him via courier, for Ayodele Fayose; it has also been sent to him through courier.
This is proof that he has been expelled from the PDP. Next is the certificate of distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu; it has been sent to him via courier”
Others include Umaru Bature; Kamarudeen Ajibade, Abdurahman Muhammad; Mao Ohuabunwa; Austin Nwachukwu; Abraham Nnanna; George Turna and Dan Orbih; all of whose certificates were dispatched through the courier
He disclosed that the party took these steps to show “Nigerians—particularly critical institutions involved in managing the affairs of political parties, especially INEC, and agencies managing security affairs in society: the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps and other government agencies—to know that these people are no longer members of our party. They have been expelled. They remain expelled. We have now certified their expulsion, and these certificates have been sent to them.
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“Very soon, members of the society will be informed via proper disclaimers that any person henceforth who decides to do business with them—any or all of them—does so at his or her own risk. They are no longer members of the People’s Democratic Party. They have been expelled”
Also speaking on issues of insecurity and the spate of killings taking place all over this country, Turaki berated the APC-led Federal Government, adding that ” they have really not lived up to the expectations of Nigerians.”
“We believe the situation in this country is such that Nigerians are not safe on the streets. Nigerians are not safe in their places of work—be it in the office, on the farms, in the markets—and Nigerians are also not safe in their homes. So, the situation where every citizen lives in perpetual fear, walks in perpetual fear, and does their business in perpetual fear is something that must change.”
Also speaking on the situation in Osun state,Turaki said the party ” reviewed, confirmed and approved the congresses that were held in Osun State for the purpose of selecting ad-hoc delegates.
” We have also reviewed and confirmed the processes of the gubernatorial primary election that is currently ongoing, and we are satisfied with the reports we are receiving from the field: that everything is being done in an orderly, transparent, fair and just manner, and that it is rancour-free.
“That is vintage PDP. I am sure that, before the end of the day, the gubernatorial candidate who will represent our party in the governorship election taking place in Osun early next year will be announced.”
” As I speak to you now, primaries are ongoing. And so it means that whatever he said in his press conference is now of no moment. We have seen in the media a letter purported to be from him resigning his membership of our party, but I tell you that, up to this moment, we have not officially received any such indication from him.
“He has left this party. And from the instructions we have given our people in the field, I know that Governor Adeleke’s name is one of the aspirants vying for the ticket. So, if he decides—either in person or via a representative at the centre of the primary—that he has withdrawn or refused to make himself available, then that will form part of the report we will receive.
“As far as we are concerned, even if what we saw on social media is true, as a Nigerian, Governor Adeleke, like any other person, has the constitutional right to freedom of association.
“He is free to move in; he is free to move out of any political party.”
