Rivers PDP warns senator, others against inciting statements

AUGUST 1, 2013 

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

THE Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Felix Obua, has warned the lawmaker, representing Rivers South East, Senator Magnus Abe, and two others to desist from making “unguarded” statements that could portray the party in a bad light.

The two other members of the PDP that were so warned were the lawmaker, representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, Chief Andrew Uchendu; and his counterpart from Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Mr. Dakuku Peterside.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the PDP Chairman, Mr. Jerry Needam, Obua explained that while the party had been making efforts to quell the political crisis in the state, the lawmakers were throwing spanners in the wheel of progress through their unguarded statements.

Obua described the lawmakers as “dissidents” and reminded them of the provisions of Article 9 of the PDP constitution, which he said forbade members from any act that would portray the party in a light.

He said, “The party will no longer tolerate deliberate acts of indiscipline and disrespect for the party by any of her members in the state, no matter the office he occupies or the social status of such erring party member.

“The decision was taken against the backdrop of recurring intentional malicious utterances and actions by certain members of the party who are bent on dragging the good name of the party to the mud and, or creating dissatisfaction between the party and the general public.

“While the leadership is making frantic efforts to make sure that the raging internal political crisis in the state is checkmated and ensure that all aggrieved members are peacefully reconciled, certain members of the party, notably, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, Hon. Andrew Uchendu, Hon Dakuku Peterside and some others, are busy throwing spanners into the wheel of progress through unguarded statements and divisive actions.

“The party reminds such members and dissidents of the provisions of Article 9 of the party’s constitution which forbids all members from any act that will portray the party in bad light, including publishing or distributing to the media any material which purports to be the view of any faction or tendency within the party.”

He warned that failure to refrain from such anti-party activities, including any form of propaganda detrimental to the party, would leave the state PDP with no option than to refer such cases to the Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action in line with the rules and regulations of the party.

“We therefore enjoin all our party members to be wary of the temptation to challenge the supremacy of the party, as not heeding this advice certainly carries dire consequences,” he further said.

Reacting to the PDP chairman’s warning, Abe said he was shocked to hear that the state PDP was behind the action of the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu.

Mbu had been accused of fuelling the crisis in the state through his alleged bias in addressing the disagreement among some politicians in the state.

In a statement on his behalf by Mr. Gomba Olaka, the Senator explained that rather than blame Abe, the PDP should identify those responsible for the crisis in the state House of Assembly.

The statement read, “Magnus Abe is a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party at the state and national levels. He has the right to join well-meaning party men in guiding the party to the path of growth and unity.

“Rivers people know how tirelessly Senator Abe has worked to bring peace and unity to the party and the state. It is clear to Rivers people that the removal of Mbu Joseph Mbu as the Rivers State Commissioner of Police will not only bring peace, but reduce crime in the state.

“We are shocked to hear that PDP is behind Mbu’s action to the extent that a serving Senator will be threatened with suspension for calling for Mbu’s removal.

“Perhaps, the entire National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be sacked or suspended for calling for Mbu’s removal as police commissioner of Rivers State.”