By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The embattled Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has called on security agencies to arrest the factional Chairman of a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by the suspended National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed.
In a press conference at the party’s national secretariat on Monday, the acting National Publicity, Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga invited law enforcement agencies to not arrest the leadership of the factional NWC in according to the rule of law.
Manga who described Yayari and his team as imposters further accused them of thwarting the PDP constitution and defying a Federal High Court judgment that recognized Damagum as the authentic acting chairman.
He said, “For emphasis, the NWC decision had arisen following the temporarily suspension of the National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, to allow the four-man NWC investigation committee set up under the chairmanship of Deputy National Chairman (South), H.E. Amb Taofeek Arapaja, to freely investigate the allegations of “abuse of office and insubordination.
“It is, therefore, distasteful for a leader, who ought to inform the uninformed but, instead, goes ahead to misinform on a national television and other media channels that our assumption of office in acting capacity is unconstitutional and does not exist. Why?
“Furthermore, we are constrained to express our utter disgust and disappointment in our colleagues’ resort to ‘motor pack’ approach to a mere suspension aimed at providing them with the opportunity to clear themselves of certain allegations against them.
“Although we have detailed knowledge of the drummer, the masquerades should have been guided in their dance steps to avert stripping themselves naked on the stage.
“We are guided by law. There is a subsisting court order, and contempt of that order will be dealt with strictly.”
Manga went further to say that PDP Governors have not endorsed Yayari as the factional leader, contrary to rumors. He said that PDP remains united behind Damagum’s leadership, with the support of all 13 PDP governors.
