The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it did not authorize the inauguration of some persons as local government areas chapter chairmen of the party in Niger state.
The party said it was shocked that some leaders, operating without the mandate of the party, illegally inaugurated at the PDP secretariat in Minna, the state capital, without the approval of the National Working Committee (NWC) which has the statutory powers to direct any of its organs to undertake such functions.
Crisis over who controls the party’s structure had factionalised it into two groups.
While some are identifying with the immediate past chairman of the party, Tanko Beji, others are loyal to the former Governor of the state, Muazu Babaginda Aliyu.
All attempt by the national secretariat to reconcile the factions has so far failed.
It was learnt that the former governor on Friday, allegedly supervised the inuaguration of some persons as executives of the party at the local government level.
However, a statement by Theophilus Dakas Shan
National Vice Chairman, North Central said the party condemned the action in the strongest possible terms, adding it was an abuse of privilege which cannot be condoned under any guise whatsoever.
“The Niger State Caretaker Committee, acting on the directive of the NWC, will not tolerate the activities of such individuals who have no legal powers to preside over the affairs of the Party in the state.
“Accordingly, the purported inauguration of some unidentifiable persons as LGA party Chairmen in Niger state is unknown to the party, illegal, of no effect and should stand disregarded.
“Furthermore, such persons are advised, in their own interest, not to parade themselves as officials of our party, as such would attract unpleasant consequences,” it noted.
The statement cautioned those behind the “illegal inauguration” to desist from actions that undermine the dictates of the constitution of the party as such would attract very stringent sanctions by the NWC.
“The PDP advises our members in Niger State to be wary and to distance themselves from such persons as their activities are without the consent of our party.
“We urge the members of our PDP in Niger State to remain steadfast, and await further directives from the NWC,” it said.
