PDP Crisis Takes New Twist As Two Deputy National Chairmen Claim Secondus’ Post

Two substantive national deputy chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Elder Yemi Akinwonmi (South) and Senator Nazif Sulieman (North) have locked horns over who should take over the national chairmanship position of the party in acting capacity following the court order on Prince Uche Secondus to step aside.

In a new twist in the ongoing leadership crisis in the main opposition party, Suleiman declared Akinwonmi incapable of assuming the post even when the party’s constitution favours him.

The Deputy National Chairman (South) was the first to declare himself the acting national chairman on Tuesday citing Section 35(3) (b) of the PDP constitution, which says that in the event of the removal or resignation of the national chairman, a national deputy chairman from his zone should assume the post in an acting capacity.

‌Pursuant to this, Akinwonmi had issued a statement proclaiming himself and also announcing the indefinite postponement of the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting planned for Tuesday.

In explaining that he assumed the office in the absence of the substantive National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who was ordered by the court to stop parading as such, Akinwonmi said: “Section 35(3) (b) of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party empowers me to summon and preside over party meetings in the absence of the national chairman.

“Our attention was drawn yesterday evening to a court order which purports to restrain our National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, from summoning and presiding over the meetings of the organs of the party.

"In the foregoing circumstances, as Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, after due consultations and in the exercise of the aforesaid powers, [I] hereby deem it fit and proper to postpone the National Working Committee meeting earlier scheduled for today till further notice to allow for broader consultations in the overall interest of our party,”

However, Suleiman, in a press conference later in the day, said he was the one that has become the acting national chairman of the PDP.

He conceded that going by the constitution, a deputy national chairman from Secondus’ South zone ought to act in his stead but has not been attending meetings because he is allegedly incapacitated.

Suleiman said based on this, he, as the other national deputy chairman of the party, has assumed the position in an acting capacity and has now fixed a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) for Friday.

He said this followed a meeting of the NWC, which he presided over on Tuesday attended by only five of the 18-member committee.

Suleiman explained why he took over the top PDP post: “Members of the NWC, we will recall that this morning we are in possession of a valid court order, from a high court in Degema, Rivers State. Issuing an order removing Secondus as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as National Chairman of our great party.

“A court has also ordered that from the 23rd of August 2021, Prince Uche Secondus should stop parading himself as a National Chairman. NWC hereby comply fully with the court order.