Why PDP chair can’t resign, by Metuh

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh has explained why National Chairman Bamanga Tukur cannot resign from office as demanded by the Kawu Baraje’s faction.

He said the national chairman was duly elected by the party delegates and can only be removed from office in accordance with the laid down rules and constitution of the party.

Reflecting on the crises, Metuh said the size and many interests accommodated by the ruling party may predispose it to some challenges, adding that the leadership was on top of the situation. He said it is curious that the seven governors, who had done the party proud through their outstanding performances in their states, were waging war against the party leadership.

Metuh, a lawyer, spoke with reporters in Lagos on the PDP crises and the reconciliation mooted by the party elders. He said the party will emerge stronger after the crises and win the next presidential election. He said the opposition parties lacked the strength and support to rub shoulders with the PDP in 2015.

The National Publicity Secretary acknowledged that the party has challenges, assuring that the logjam will soon be over. He said Tukur and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are committed to the on-going reconciliation aimed at forging unity, cohesion and peace in the divided fold.

Metuh, however, frowned at the demand for Tuku’s resignation as the national chairman by the aggrieved governors, saying that it lacked merit and substance. He said the demand was improper, impracticable and unfair, pointing out that the removal of the party chairman is laid out in the PDP constitution.

The Publicity Secretary also also objected to the insinuation that the perceived second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan was responsible for the crisis, explaining that the President’s fate lies with the PDP constitution, the 1999 and court.

He said: It is undemocratic to prevent somebody from pursuing a second term ambition, unless the constitution or the court says otherwise. It is within the right of the President to contest. It is unfair to hinge the peace move on his second term ambition.

“Also, the Chairman, Alhaji bamanga Tukur cannot go. There are conditions for the removal of the chairman. They are being unfair. They should tell us why he should go. They can’t ask Tukur to go because he is supporting the President. The National Working Committee (NWC) has been supporting the PDP Presidents. The demand is undemocratic, unfair and it is not practicable.

In Metuh’s view, the demand for internal democracy by the aggrieved chieftains is legitimate, adding that the demand should not be accompanied with disrespect and disloyalty to the party.

He wondered why the state PDP chairmen, who cooperated with the governors to achieve success in their states, were not comfortable with the extension of the same courtesy by the national chairman to the President, who is the PDP national leader.

Metuh said that it is incumbent on the national officers to cooperate and support the activities of the President, stressing that the success of the President translates into the success of the PDP.