Fresh trouble hits PDP over Secondus end of term

The Peoples Democratic Party may not have overcome the crisis rocking the leadership of the opposition party ahead of the party’s national convention. This follows the reported decision of the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, not to be rushed out of office in October.

Secondus is said to be insisting on completing his tenure of four years and that he will vacate office unless the party’s constitution is amended.

He was elected in December 2017, along with other NWC members and his tenure of four years is supposed to end in December 2021.

But the PDP expanded stakeholders’ meeting resolved barely two weeks ago, in Abuja, that Secondus’ tenure should elapse in October in order to end the raging crisis in the party.

The meeting which had state governors, Board of Trustees (BoT) members, former ministers, former governors and National Assembly Caucus in attendance also directed Secondus to summon the National Executive Committee, which is the second highest decision-making organ of the party, to ratify processes leading to the party’s convention in October.

But Secondus has reportedly rejected the October deadline given him to leave office.

Another source said those plotting Secondus’ removal were not conscious of the legal implications, as Secondus has the right to go to court if the party’s constitution is violated.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, however, said on Sunday that the NWC meeting might be held on Tuesday to reach a consensus on the matter.

He said all the NWC members including the deputy national officers of the party would meet in Abuja, to take a position and possibly fix a date for NEC meeting where their resolutions would be presented.

He said, “We should not undermine our constitution on the altar of sentiments. If they don’t want Secondus again, they should do that at the convention, if Secondus seeks a second term.  With a few months to go, it is not advisable to rock the boat.

“Secondus has said that he would contact NEC and other stakeholders to see if they can do the convention in November. It is just a matter of few weeks.”