Ologbondiyan Refutes Wike's Claims on PDP Leadership Removal Process
By Wisdom Tide
October 14, 2024
Kola Ologbondiyan, the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has responded to remarks made by Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), regarding the procedure for removing Umar Damagum as the acting National Chairman of the PDP. Wike had stated that only a party convention could remove the acting chairman, a statement that has stirred discussions within the party.
Clarifying the PDP Constitution
In a video shared by TVC, Ologbondiyan addressed Wike’s comments by referencing the PDP’s 2017 amended constitution. He pointed to section 47(6), which details the mechanism for removing national officers. Ologbondiyan emphasized that this provision has been consistently used to replace national officers, including the National Chairman, without the need for a convention.
He explained that the constitution grants the National Executive Committee (NEC) the authority to manage leadership transitions within the party, countering Wike's claim.
Historical Precedents in Leadership Changes
Ologbondiyan supported his argument by highlighting historical examples where former PDP national chairmen were replaced through the NEC process rather than party conventions. He mentioned Ali Modu Sheriff, Bamanga Tukur, and Adamu Mu'azu, all of whom were elected through NEC's approval without a convention.
These precedents, Ologbondiyan argued, demonstrate that the PDP's leadership changes have traditionally been handled by the NEC, reinforcing his view that Wike's assertion was incorrect.
Reaffirming Constitutional Guidelines
Ologbondiyan reiterated that the party's constitution does not mandate a convention to remove or replace an acting National Chairman. According to him, the recent actions concerning Damagum's removal were in line with the established constitutional framework. He stressed that Wike's interpretation was not supported by the PDP’s governing rules.
Confidence in the PDP Constitution
Responding directly to Wike's comments made on Channels TV, Ologbondiyan reaffirmed his confidence in the PDP’s constitutional provisions. He described section 47(6) as a "time-tested" part of the PDP’s structure, adding that the NEC has consistently played a pivotal role in managing leadership transitions within the party.
"When the Minister of FCT, Wike, made that declaration on Channels TV, I quickly pointed out that section 47(6) of the PDP 2017 constitution as amended is unambiguous. It is a provision that has stood the test of time. When former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff was elected as National Chairman, it was done by NEC," Ologbondiyan concluded.
0 Comments