A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Daboikiabo Warmate, has strongly criticized the PDP Governors’ Forum for endorsing Sunday Udey-Okoye as the party’s national secretary, describing the move as unconstitutional and a “coup” against the party’s membership.
Warmate, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Tuesday, called for the immediate withdrawal of the forum’s resolution, which was issued following its Monday meeting in Ibadan.
The communiqué recognized Udey-Okoye as national secretary, a decision Warmate insists violates both the PDP constitution and a Supreme Court judgment.
“This resolution is nothing short of an unconstitutional declaration of a state of emergency and a coup against members of our great party,” he said.
He emphasized that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the substantive national secretary, stating that he has not resigned nor has the position been declared vacant.
“The PDP constitution clearly stipulates how a national officer of the party can be elected, appointed, replaced, or removed. Anyanwu has neither resigned, nor has the office become vacant to warrant any replacement,” Warmate noted.
He argued that only the party’s National Convention has the authority to appoint or remove national officers and accused the governors’ forum of overstepping its constitutional boundaries.
“The PDP Governors’ Forum has usurped the duties of the National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, and the convention. They lack the constitutional power to impose such a decision,” he stated.
Warmate also alleged that the forum’s decision was politically motivated, driven by unresolved issues with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“I urge the governors’ forum to resolve their personal rift with Wike and not compound issues by meddling with the position of the national secretary,” he said.
He warned that the move could have dire consequences for the party’s unity and electoral prospects. “The Gov. Bala Mohammed-led forum must take full responsibility if the party fails to meet the expectations of Nigerians,” Warmate added.