By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt – The Ogoni Development Drive (ODD) has demanded the removal of the caretaker committee members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), appointed to oversee the party’s affairs in Rivers.
On Wednesday, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP dissolved and reappointed the same executives as caretaker committees to run the party’s Ward, Local Government, and State levels in 19 states.
Speaking to reporters in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the convener of the advocacy group, Comrade Solomon Lenu, expressed concerns that the list appeared to favour supporters of a former governor of the state over Gov, Siminialayi Fubara.
He criticized the actions of the PDP NWC, suggesting that the party seemed indifferent to protecting Fubara from rival factions within the party.
“The PDP NWC should openly declare its stand on the current leadership tussle in Rivers state, and who they are working with.
“The PDP should immediately withdraw that purported list of caretaker committee members that is said to have emanated from the party.
“This is because the list seems to comprise foot soldiers of a former governor stationed in the state to undermine Gov. Fubara of Rivers,” he remarked.
Lenu emphasized that the PDP needed to acknowledge Fubara as the party’s leader in the state.
“Rivers state has made important contributions to PDP’s survival and sustenance, and as such, the state ought to be on the priority list of the party.
“Anything short of this would be an abuse and ingratitude to our magnanimity as Rivers people.
“If the party fails to withdraw the caretaker committee list, ODD shall begin to call on Gov. Fubara to enter into talks with other political parties,” he cautioned.
Lenu praised Fubara as a dedicated governor beloved by the people of Rivers and questioned the PDP’s motives in stripping the party structure from him.
