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The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Okwesilieze Nwodo, may soon constitute a new caretaker committee to oversee the
affairs of the party in Anambra State, it was learnt yesterday.

However, members of the PDP in the state have kicked against the
proposed action, saying it is a complete deviation from the agreement they
reached during a July 12, 2010 meeting in Abuja. They said Mr. Nwodo had
pledged to conduct elections to appoint a state executive.

The group, led by prominent members of the party, including
Peter Uyanwa, Frank Oramuli and Ken Emekayi, released a communiqué following a
meeting in Abuja yesterday. They said Mr. Nwodo instituted the agreement to
help settle litigation among the members.

“The national chairman stated without reservation that the era
of godfatherism and money politics are over in Anambra and Nigeria in general,
under his watch. [He said] that he intends that the party be taken to the
people and that he will abide by the majority decisions of the stakeholders and
it was on that premise that decision for congresses were arrived at,” read the
statement.

“The information available to us indicates that the national
chairman has somersaulted from the popular Anambra PDP decision reached with
him at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.” The members warned that they would resist if
Mr. Nwodo attempted to renege on his previous decision.

The vice chairman of the Anambra PDP, Newton Iloegbunam, said
that should Mr. Nwodo go ahead with his plan, the party would continue to
suffer at the polls. He noted that similar protests cost the party the last
governorship election and resulted in multiple court litigations. The next
local government elections in the state will come up on December 4th.

Not final decision

Mr. Nwodo’s spokesman, Ike Abonyi, said the issue is still being
debated.

“The issue of Anambra is still on the table of the National
Working Committee and the final decision would be made known. It is not
something to hide.”

But a source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the
decision to conduct congresses was no longer feasible because there was not
enough time before the primaries.

Prominent member, Olisa Metu, said those against the appointment
of a caretaker committee were being unrealistic.

“The people are too much in a hurry. They should await the
chairman’s final decision before they act – a decision which will come up on
August 10th,” he said.

“They cannot give Nwodo any ultimatum or deadline.” Dissolved
Abia executive

Meanwhile, The National Working Committee has voted to dissolve
the Abia State Executive Committee following the confirmation of several
allegations of gross misconduct involving its members.

In a statement by its secretary, Ahmed Alkali, the party accused
the committee members of flagrantly violating the party’s constitution, abusing
their office and disobeying lawful directives. They said the members
precipitated a crisis and fractionalized the party.

Members of the dissolved committee were directed to immediately
hand over to the state administrative secretary.