By Zakariyya Aliyu Gwaram
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri alongside Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are gathered today Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, under the PDP Governors Forum.
This crucial meeting, is coming barely a month after a similar one in Enugu and is set to address significant issues affecting both the nation and the party. Notably, the ongoing crisis within the Rivers State chapter of the PDP is expected to dominate discussions.
Reliable sources indicate that the primary agenda revolves around a controversial letter penned by the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
This letter pertains to a legal dispute in Rivers State. Dated August 16, it was addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.
In the letter, Damagum and Anyanwu disassociated the party from a Notice of Discontinuance filed on July 24 in a case involving the PDP at the Appeal Court.
The case appeal concerns 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly wh defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This letter, seen as a direct contradiction to an earlier communication from the PDP’s legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, has ignited controversy and heightened tensions within the party.
The governors are expected to deliberate on this matter to reach a resolution that could deescalate the situation in Rivers State and prevent further complications within the PDP.
Addressing the controversy on Wednesday, Damagum stated that there was nothing unusual about him and the party’s secretary authoring the letter.
Meanwhile, Kola Ologbondiyan, a prominent PDP chieftain and former spokesman for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign, has called for Damagum to step down as acting national chairman.
He urged Damagum to return to his position as Deputy National Chairman (North) to pave the way for genuine reconciliation within the party.
Ologbondiyan also criticized the recent letter from Damagum and Anyanwu on disciplinary issues in Rivers State, arguing that it raises questions about impartiality within the PDP.
He further contended that the North Central zone has been unfairly deprived of the National Chairman position since Dr. Iyorchia Ayu’s suspension. Ologbondiyan insists that for true reconciliation to be achieved, Damagum must revert to his former position, allowing the North Central to produce the next National Chairman. He also urged Damagum to appear before the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led reconciliation committee.
Furthermore,Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Humwashi Wonosikou said the meeting is expected to conclude with a communique outlining the forum’s resolution in respect to the internal wrangle within PDP and strategies for addressing the nation’s challenges.
He noted that the PDP Governors Forum meeting aims to foster collaboration and synergy among members state,promoting collective progress and development.
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