Factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, has dismissed his reported expulsion from the party, describing the action as illegal and the product of an unauthorised meeting.
In a statement released on Monday, the former Abia senator insisted that only the officially scheduled meetings of the PDP Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee, set for Tuesday in Abuja, remain valid.
Aligned with the camp of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Ohuabunwa denounced the party’s National Elective Convention held in Ibadan as inconsequential. He argued that those who gathered there merely attended a social end-of-year event and lacked the authority to take binding decisions.
Ohuabunwa, who recalled being present at the 1998 meeting where the PDP was conceived, urged members nationwide to remain calm while court cases relating to the legitimacy of party gatherings await determination at the Court of Appeal. He called for respect for the rule of law and renewed efforts toward reconciliation and unity.
The Ibadan convention had announced Kabiru Turaki as the party’s new National Chairman and Taofeek Arapaja as National Secretary.
It also declared the expulsion of several prominent figures, including Wike, Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Ayo Fayose and Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, over allegations of anti-party activities moves spearheaded by Bode George and endorsed through a voice vote led by the PDP Governors’ Forum chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed.
Tensions are expected to heighten on Tuesday as rival camps plan separate meetings at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.
The Wike-backed faction has scheduled an emergency BoT session for the morning, while the NEC aligned with the newly elected National Working Committee will convene later in the day.
Newly elected chairman Turaki has insisted that his camp will proceed with its own NEC meeting at the same venue, noting that police authorities have pledged adequate security to prevent disorder.
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