A former political adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Barrister Ahmed Ali Gulak, has dragged the National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party to court for allegedly refusing to initiate the process of filling the position, which is occupied by Prince Uche Secondus in acting capacity.
Gulak, in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday alleged that the acting national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, had refused to initiate the process of filling the vacancy created by the resignation on May 29, 2015, of the former chairman, Adamu Muazu.
According to him, “the constitution of the party is clear that there shall be NWC which shall be headed by a chairman. As it is today, the NWC of the PDP is not properly constituted. And any act or correspondence purported to be made by anybody in acting capacity is null and void. That is why I have gone to court”.
Gulak, who was the political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, said the PDP could not be put back on track unless the constitution of the party is followed.
“On May 29 immediately the PDP lost the election at the federal level, the former chairman, Adamu Muazu, resigned his position as chairman of the party. And the constitution of the party is clear about the fact that somebody from the northeast where Muazu comes from should be appointed to replace him. But the deputy national chairman, Uche Secondus, who is claiming to be acting chairman, has refused to initiate any process for the fulfilment of this constitutional provision.
“Some past leaders and elders of the party went to the NWC and told them that if we want to re-brand the PDP and ensure it bounces back, we must follow the constitution and properly organise and constitute the organs of our party, especially the NWC and the BoT where two vacancies exist because both chairmen resigned. But it appears that members of the NWC are not ready and willing to comply with the constitutional provision that calls for the replacement of those that resigned.
“I had earlier written and submitted my letter of intent, among others from the northeast that are interested in filling the vacancy. Myself, Amb Damagun, Alhaji Gambo Lawal, Senate Bala Mohammed and Senator Paul Wamkpama. All of us wrote our letters indicating our interest in filling the vacancy created by Muazu’s resignation. It was incumbent on the NWC to initiate the process where a replacement will be obtained. My state chapter of the party sent a letter to them, recommending me from the northeast, but they’re hell bent on flouting the constitution of the party. The constitution of the party is clear that there shall be NWC which shall be headed by a chairman. As it is today, the NWC of the PDP is not properly constituted. And any act or commission or correspondence purported to be made by anybody in acting capacity is null and void. That’s why I’ve gone to court”.
Gulak, who was a governorship aspirant of the PDP in Adamawa State during the last elections, said the suit he filed at Court No. 4 of the FCT High Court is coming up for hearing on November 25, 2015.