PDP CRISIS: Secondus Denied Access To National Caucus Meeting

Prince Uche Secondus on Friday returned to office as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The development was as a result of a Kebbi State High Court order, directing him to do so.

But he was not allowed to attend the meeting of the national caucus of the party holding the same day.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE reports that the seat usually reserved for him at the meeting was occupied by the acting National Chairman of the party, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi.

Secondus had been seen in the company of other party leaders including Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal, coming from his office to NEC Hall, the venue of the caucus meeting but was apparently prevailed upon not to enter.

In his opening remark at the meeting, Akinwonmi disclosed that a letter was served on him Friday morning just as he arrived for work at the secretariat.

He told the caucus that the letter was very important and wanted it discussed before any other matter.

However, he was encouraged to step it aside as he went to give his remaining opening address.

When Secondus came into the Wadata Plaza Abuja national secretariat of the main opposition party Friday morning, he headed straight to his office.

He was later seen on his desk flanked by Elder Akinwonmi and former Ogun state governorship aspirant of the party, Ladi Adebutu.

Pressed to speak on his resumption, Secondus said the Kebbi state Court order that restored him to the office was being obeyed just as the previous one from Degema in Rivers state asking him to step aside, was obeyed.

He declined to speak more, saying that it was not yet time to grant an interview.

Recall that following the Rivers state High Court order, the party through its organs including the Board of Trustees (BoT) and PDP Governors Forum affirmed Akinwonmi as the acting National Chairman.

However, the National Secretary of the party, Senator Umar Tsuari in response to a question Thursday had alerted that if there was another court order on Secondus, the party would still obey it.

In his remark at the commencement of the National Caucus meeting, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said that the governors under the party were working together for the good of the party and Nigeria.

He assured that the party leaders have the capacity to resolve all its problems.

Addressing the issue of Secondus return at the end of the meeting, Tambuwal told reporters that the party was yet to receive the court order restoring him to office.

He said a committee set up by the National Caucus would look into the matter and make appropriate recommendations.

Briefing on the resolutions of the National Caucus, the Sokoto state governor disclosed that it recommended September 29-30, 2021 to the National Executive Committee (NEC) as the national convention dates.

He also said that the meeting set up a panel headed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki to work with members who have cases in court to withdraw them.

Among the party leaders who spoke before the commencement of the National Caucus meeting were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who observed that PDP had been through bigger crises and came out stronger