PDP Crisis: Relief For Secondus As Dep. Nat. Pub. Sec, Odeyemi Withdraws Resignation Letter

By Ayodele Oni

National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, is swimming in calmer waters this Thursday than Tuesday and yesterday, Wednesday. The coup against him which was meant to throw him out of office has been foiled.

Wednesday morning, it all seemed that he already lost the battle to remain the Chairman of the main opposition.

The coup which had long been in the pipeline, an alleged baby of a Governor, seemed all good to go when seven members of the National Executive Committee, NEC, in one fell swoop, resigned from their offices. This was quickly followed by the dumping of the party by a Board of Trustees member, Senator Joy Emordi in preference to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, by Wednesday evening, all organs of the party had been activated to broker peace – BOT, Elders’ Forum, Governors Forum and more. And Secondus rallied round to fight back, putting the blame on an unnamed ambitious Governor who is wasting public money to oust him.

But a meeting of the BOT, held Thursday, seems to have finally brokered peace.

One of those who resigned on Tuesday, Prince Diran Odeyemi, has withdrawn his resignation letter.

In a letter to the Secretary of the Party on Thursday, Odeyemi, who had accused Secondus of incompetence, pledged to work with him for the progress and success of the party.

Following is his letter withdrawing his resignation.

“I write to withdraw my letter of Resignation as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of our great party.

“This decision is taken in view of the activation of the internal method of resolving issues by our leaders across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

“I also wish to state expressly that whatever embarrassment the resignation has caused the party, its leaders, members and supporters is highly regretted.

“Most importantly, in view of the fact that the tenure of myself and other members of the present National Working Committee (NWC) will expire in another three months, it is my view that the boat should not be rocked under any guise.

“Consequently, I pledge my loyalty and commitment to the party and the Prince Uche Secondus led NWC, and will continue to play my roles to ensure a successful National Convention, which will usher in new national officers.

“May God endow our leaders with wisdom to navigate the ship of the party to a safe harbour. Amen.”

It is not known yet if the other six who resigned, along with him, will withdraw their own letters of resignation. It seems most likely.

The Party’s National Convention is in three months time.