Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi
and his Sokoto State counterpart, Alhaji Aliyu Wamako, may be in for more
trouble if the news coming in is anything to go by.
It was gathered in Abuja on Sunday
that hardliners within the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic
Party were pushing for their expulsion from the PDP on the grounds that they
had remained recalcitrant.
A source in the NWC, who confided in
our correspondent, said that the party was prepared to go the “all the way” to
instil discipline in its ranks.
He said, “We are not under any
illusion about the place of discipline in any organisation, especially in a
political party such as ours. The PDP has the capacity to manage its
internal issues.
“Yes, we have suspended the
two governors and they could be expelled if the need
arises. They have remained recalcitrant. We must have a disciplined party.
“Those of them (governors) who are
being deceived by the opposition can go if they so wish. We all have a
constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of association.
“The party is insisting on
discipline because it is better to go into a battle with a compact,
disciplined, loyal and well- equipped army than go with a motley
crowd of people pretending to be troops.
“History has shown that such troops
will desert you at the most critical point in battle. Let’s look at
it this way, who among these governors challenging the President (Goodluck
Jonathan) today can take half of what they are giving him (Jonathan) from local
government chairmen in their states?
“This is not about Jonathan as a
person but about a PDP Presidency and the supremacy of the party. We are
prepared to expel them if it becomes necessary.”
However, the National Publicity
Secretary of the Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, denied knowledge of any such a move.
Metuh,who
said the mood within the party was that of peace and
reconciliation, explained that the PDP had been receiving
pleas from well-meaning Nigerians and party elders concerning the matter.
He assured that, “We are not taking
an extreme position since everybody is preaching peace. By tomorrow
(today), we will look at our (PDP) constitution and do what’s best for the
party.”
Going into specifics about the two
cases, he said, “In the case of Rivers State, we have an investigative panel in
place; so saying anything now will be wrong.
“What I am aware of is that in the
case of Sokoto State, we have not instituted any panel yet. We are not
unmindful of the peace being preached; we also have to listen to these pleas.
“We have received pleas from our
leaders on this and other cases; we will look at them in the overall interest
of the system and our party.”
The Publicity Secretary added that
the recent constitution of a panel by the President to broker peace within the
party was one of the steps towards a lasting peace in the PDP.
The PDP suspended Governor Amaechi
hours after he emerged as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
He was alleged to have flouted an
instruction by the Rivers State chapter of the party to reinstate the Obiakor
Local Government chairman and councillors who were sacked by the State House of
Assembly.
Wamakko earned his suspension
for alleged gross disrespect and insubordination to the National Chairman of
the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and his office.
Tags
Politics