There are strong indications that Rivers
State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his Sokoto State counterpart, Alhaji
Aliyu Wamako, may be in for tougher times.
Our correspondent 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.
(Punch)
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