The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has ordered the immediate probe of one of its members, and former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, for criticising the party’s leadership and calling for its resignation.
The party said Mr. Fani-Kayode should be sanctioned for launching a media war against its leadership.
Mr. Fani-Kayode, alongside the Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, and some other PDP members, have blamed the leadership of the party for PDP’s defeat in the recent national elections.
Mr. Fani-Kayode, who was the spokesperson for President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign team, on Tuesday accused two unnamed members of the party’s National Working Committee of working for the opposition All Progressives Congress.
In a dramatic response Wednesday, the party ordered the PDP in Osun State, Mr. Fani-Kayode’s home state, to immediately investigate and punish the former minister.
In a letter signed by its National Secretary, Wale Oladipo, the party mandated the PDP in Osun to first establish whether Mr. Fani-Kayode has been a “registered and financial member”.
If Mr. Fani-Kayode is a member, the party said, he should be punished severely, otherwise, he should be treated as a usurper.
The party also summoned its deputy national organizing secretary, Okey Nnadozie, to explain the whereabouts of the party’s money which was supposed to be paid to state chairmen of the party at the last national convention.
The party said Mr. Nnadozie should appear at the party’s office in Abuja on Thursday.
The NWC also said it has set up a seven-man disciplinary committee headed by Micheal Abdul.
Tony Okeke, former acting National Publicity Secretary of the party is to serve as Secretary of the committee.
The Committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at the National Secretariat of the party.
The NWC also expressed the party’s complete confidence in the National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, and commended him for his “outstanding performance, exemplary commitment and sacrifices”, particularly in the ways and manner with which he conducts the affairs of the Publicity Directorate in projecting the positive image of the party and its government.
Meanwhile, the NWC has said it would confirm on Thursday whether the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Tony Anenih, has resigned or not.
On Wednesday, the Spokesperson of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, announced the resignation of the party’s Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, citing his health as reason.
A source within the PDP had earlier informed PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Anenih would also resign alongside the ex-chair.
In a text of the resolution of the NWC meeting on Wednesday, the national secretary, Wale Oladipo, confirmed the “Voluntary resignation” of Mr. Mu’azu.
He said “on the correct position of the status of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, the NWC will make its position public tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, 2015”.
The NWC also confirmed that Mr. Muazu’s deputy, Uche Secondus, is acting as the National Chairman of the party, in line with the provisions of sections 45 (2) of the PDP constitution.
It also said Mr. Secondus will serve as chairman “pending a replacement from the North East zone”.
Fun ra won ni won o maa fun ara won ni majele je. Nigerians are watching with keen interests as PDP chieftains are beginning to poison themselves. We are yet to see nothing, the masquerade has come to have a dancing party naked in the market square. The show will be so spectacular!