ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has criticised the protest held by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the United States Embassy in Abuja on Thursday, describing it as the “shameful last kick of a dead National Working Committee (NWC)” made up of “tax collectors.”
In a statement issued the same day, Fayose said that instead of carrying placards at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, the suspended National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Iliya Damagum, and what he called his “gang of tax collectors,” should have travelled to Washington D.C. to protest at the White House if they were truly serious.
The former governor questioned the logic behind taking the party’s internal crisis to foreign embassies, asking how it became the duty of the U.S. or European countries to fix a political party in Nigeria.
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“Is it anyone’s fault that Damagum and his gang of political undertakers have refused to act in accordance with the constitution of the PDP?” Fayose asked.
He recalled that a court ruling delivered last Friday directed the PDP to conclude certain internal processes, including outstanding state congresses, before convening any national convention.
Rather than obeying the court’s order and reconciling with party stakeholders, Fayose accused Damagum’s faction of taking divisive steps by announcing the suspension of key members of the NWC, including the National Secretary, whom he noted was the only person constitutionally empowered to issue meeting notices.
He further faulted the group for filing lawsuits over the party’s legal representation, despite the PDP constitution clearly stating that only the National Legal Adviser has the authority to represent or appoint lawyers on behalf of the party.
“So how are the consequences of their impunity the business of the U.S. or anyone else?, Fayose queried.