Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that no human may give energy, besides God Almighty.
Atiku’s declaration got here on the heels of the continuing controversy trailing the end result of the 98th Nationwide Government Committee assembly of the Peoples Democratic Occasion held in Abuja on Thursday.
The 2023 PDP presidential standard-bearer’s place was contained in a WhatsApp group chat with a few of his supporters within the nation on Friday.
In keeping with the PDP Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the get together, amongst its intra-party resolutions made on Thursday, had accredited the reconstitution of its Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees to additional guarantee its stability.
Among the many key selections made on the NEC assembly, the get together additionally appointed former Akwa-Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom, as the pinnacle of its Disciplinary Committee, whereas former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, stays the pinnacle of its Reconciliation committee.
However Atiku instructed his supporters within the Whatsapp group after the NEC assembly that solely God provides energy.
His response follows insinuations by his supporters that he has been betrayed by some components throughout the get together.
The previous vp, who had contested six completely different occasions to turn into Nigeria’s president, however failed, stated, “There may be God. It’s God that offers energy, not anyone.”
Responding, one in all his supporters on the social media group, stated, “That is very true, Sir and this similar God will reply your coronary heart wishes and ours too.
“When the day comes, we will all be alive to have fun collectively as one huge household of excellent religion.
“All our hand work is not going to go to waste, there’s at all times gentle on the finish of the tunnel. We will all stroll and work collectively to witness the evening. Victory shall be ours. It’s properly with you, Sir.”
In the meantime, the Deputy Nationwide Chairman (South) of the get together, Taofeek Arapaja, has addressed the rising requires the suspension of former Rivers State governor and present Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, and different members of the defunct G5 governors throughout the PDP over alleged anti-party actions.
He disclosed in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday in response to the resolutions reached at Thursday’s NEC assembly of the get together and its North Central Zone management assembly held on Wednesday evening.
Forward of the 2 conferences, some high chieftains of the get together, together with former PDP governorship candidate in Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye, had boasted that each high chieftain of the get together accused of anti-party actions would get severe sanctions from the get together’s NEC on Thursday.
On Thursday, the PDP NEC, nonetheless, did not touch upon the alleged anti-party points and additional retained the get together’s former Vice Chairman (North), Umar Damagum because the get together’s appearing nationwide chairman until its subsequent NEC assembly.
Reacting in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, the PDP Nationwide Vice Chairman (South-West) stated each Wike and Ortom can’t be suspended by the get together’s NEC as a result of it’s not the responsibility of the NEC to take action.
He stated, “I feel that’s not a part of the actions of the NEC. We’ve completely different committees just like the reconciliation committee and the disciplinary committee. So we’ve inner mechanisms to cope with issues like that. After which, they’ve by no means been accused; they’ve by no means been charged they usually haven’t introduced themselves for the disciplinary committee or something. So, I don’t suppose that’s for NEC to do.
“Whoever is alleging them of committing anti-party ought to ahead their complaints to the disciplinary committee. That’s simply it. There are many mechanisms and processes that must happen and issues like that aren’t the responsibility of the NEC.”
Damagum survives ouster plot
Within the meantime, Saturday PUNCH has gathered that the appearing Nationwide Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Occasion, Umar Damagum, survived a plot to oust him as a result of governors elected on the get together’s platform salvaged the state of affairs.
Main as much as the PDP 98 Nationwide Government Committee assembly which held on Thursday, an important matter of debate amongst get together officers over the previous two weeks centered on whether or not Damagum ought to retain his place or get replaced.
Beforehand holding the position of PDP Nationwide Deputy Chairman (North), Damagum assumed the position of appearing Nationwide Chairman following the courtroom’s suspension of the get together’s Nationwide Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, in March of the previous yr.
The courtroom’s ruling got here in response to a petition from PDP member Terhide Utaan, prompted by a vote of no confidence handed in opposition to Ayu by his ward executives in Igyorov ward, Gboko Native Authorities Space of Benue State.
From Wednesday via the early hours of Thursday, each the PDP’s Nationwide Working Committee and Nationwide Caucus expressed steadfast backing for Damagum to stay in his appearing position.
Though many get together members anticipated the NEC to make the last word resolution, the 98th NEC assembly, attended by 353 accredited members, postponed the choice course of for Ayu’s substitute, together with Damagum, for the North-Central area, till August 15.
A member of the NEC, who prefers anonymity attributable to lack of authorisation to talk, instructed Saturday PUNCH that the governors performed an important position in resolving the state of affairs.
In keeping with the dependable supply, Damagum’s destiny was determined throughout the assembly of the PDP Governors’ Discussion board, which happened on the Akwa Ibom Governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
He stated, “The PDP governors performed a pivotal position in preserving the day and securing Damagum’s place. Throughout their Discussion board’s assembly, they acknowledged that permitting the NEC to find out Damagum’s destiny amidst the get together’s pressure might result in penalties affecting the get together’s future.
“They resolved that even when the North-Central area had been to appoint Ayu and Damagum’s substitute, it shouldn’t happen throughout the 98th NEC assembly for the sake of peace.
“As an alternative, they aimed to appease the discontented factions. Moreover, they advocate the revisit of Rivers State PDP Caretaker committee record to accommodate all pursuits. They appointed former Deputy Nationwide Secretary, Emmanuel Agbo, because the Director Basic of the get together’s Governors Discussion board to pacify North Central and advisable that Damagum proceed in his appearing capability till August 15.”
One other NEC member, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, emphasised that the choice wasn’t aimed toward appeasing anybody.
He defined that the selection to increase Damagum’s tenure till August 15 was made as a result of it could be imprudent to debate succession simply 48 hours after Ayu’s resignation.
