PDP in crisis as Mu'azu and Anenih resigns and party looks to expel Fani-Kayode

NIGERIA'S ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) is reeling from a series of aftershocks following its loss in the March 28 presidential election as two of its most senior officials have resigned and it has commenced disciplinary action against one of its campaign chiefs.

 

Party chairman and former Bauchi State governor Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu has resigned amid a barrage of criticism in which he was held responsible for the party's loss at the polls. His resignation was shortly followed by that of Chief Tony Anenih, the chairman of the PDP board of trustees, while Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the presidential campaign's director of media and publicity is facing disciplinary action.

 

Alhaji Mu’azu, resigned after calls for his removal by senior party figures including by Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, his Niger counterpart, Babangida Aliyu and Chief Fani-Kayode himself. A day later, Chief Anenih resigned too, saying he did so on personal grounds in his letter to the PDP's national working committee (NWC).

 

In accepting his resignation, the NWC lauded Chief Anenih's contributions to the party over the years especially in his capacity as the board of trustee's chairman. Elections will now be held to fill both positions, as in the meantime, Prince Uche Secondus, the PDP's vice chairman will act as its administrative head.

 

Professor Wale Oladipo, the PDP's national secretary, said: “As one of the founding fathers of the PDP, the NWC appreciates Chief Anenih’s guiding role in the party over the last 16 years and wish him well in his future endeavours. Senator Walid Jibrin, the secretary of the board of trustees, will hold forth pending the election of a new board of trustees chairman.”

 

While this is ongoing, the PDP is gearing up to expel Chief Fani-Kayode over his recent criticism of the party since the elections. Already the NWC has written to the chairman of his local Osun State branch questioning Chief Fani-Kayode's  membership of the party, amid accusations that some members of the committee worked for the opposition party the All Progressives Congress during the last election.

 

The letter signed by Professor Oladipo, read:  “The NWC at its meeting held on Wednesday, 20th May, 2015 reviewed the press war mounted against it by Femi Fani-Kayode and therefore request: 1. To investigate the membership status of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

 

“2. If he is a registered and financial member, proper disciplinary actions should be meted against him through the ward for engaging in acts contrary to Section 58 (1) (b) of the Party Constitution 3. If not a member, you are to reprimand him as a usurper. 4. Furthermore, all actions taken should be communicated to the National Working Committee.”