Rivers Crisis: PDP blasts Lamido over alleged unguarded utterances

Lamido had on Wednesday berated the leadership of the party, urging them to resign if they cannot protect the party.

He had on his Facebook page expressed his anger against the party’s leadership, adding, “if the national executive of the PDP does not have the nerve to stand up and protect its own, it should honorably step down to allow for the election of competent hands.”

Reacting to this development, PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Hon Debo Ologunagba, warned against unguarded statements by some leaders of the party.

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) expressed “serious displeasure over incautious conduct, activities and unguarded utterances by certain leaders who are out to disparage critical Organs of the Party, inflame passions, cause division among members and bring our dear Party to public disrepute for their selfish reasons.”

PDP re-assured all members, critical stakeholders and supporters that its interventions particularly with regard to the political development in Rivers State are yielding desired results.

“The NWC under the Acting Chairmanship of Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum remains unwavering in providing steady and effective leadership that ensures the stability, growth and effective management of interests and corporate integrity of our Party in spite of the onslaught by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to decimate opposition and impose a One-Party State on our nation,” PDP said.

Expressing displeasure over conduct of certain leaders, PDP said, “of particular reference is the deleterious public statement credited to the former Governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency Sule Lamido, which was made apparently with the intent to inject bad blood and drag down our Party for self-seeking motives.

“The NWC has received very disturbing reports that such unscrupulous individuals are recruited by the One-Party-State seeking APC administration to undermine the cohesion that exists within the PDP which will enable it to effectively perform its opposition role for the sustenance of Democracy and the wellbeing of Nigerians.

“It is rather unfortunate that such inexcusable conducts, comments, utterances and betrayals are coming from individuals who have benefitted immensely from the PDP but who have the record and notoriety of brazenly betraying the Party in various elections and at slightest opportunity for their selfish interests.

“It is instructive to state that some of the challenges that plagued our Party in the recent past and those confronting it at the moment are traceable to the comments, utterances and actions of these unpatriotic individuals which are inconsistent with the opportunity that the Party gave them in the past.”

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The party added that “the minimum that Nigerians and indeed members of the PDP expect from such leaders is to show appreciation and commitment to the Party and the nation by engaging in constructive suggestions that will be in the interest of our Party and Nigerians with regard to good governance and not to engage in actions that undermine the genuine efforts being made by the leadership of the Party which may not be in line with their selfish political venture and expectations.

“These leaders must understand and recognize that their actions and utterances are not only inimical to the wellbeing of Nigerians but also in gross violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP, especially Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the Constitution of the PDP.”

The party has therefore warned such leaders to be mindful of their actions, utterances and conducts which are contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP, adding that it will not hesitate to take action against such individuals.

“The NWC, in its responsibility to protect the integrity of our Party from such further unwarranted aggressions, will henceforth not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary or punitive action against such individuals in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP.

“The NWC charges all members to remain united, alert and focused in resisting the antics of the APC and its agents to destabilize our Party and impose a One-Party system on the nation.

“This is especially at this moment that Nigerians are looking up to the PDP for direction in the quest to sustain democracy and save the nation from sliding into totalitarianism,” the party said.

Rivers Crisis: PDP blasts Lamido over alleged unguarded utterances