Crisis rocks Kogi PDP as LG chairmen asks for sack of Senator Danjuma La’ar-led State Caretaker Committee

The oppositions Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Kogi State is enmeshed in protracted crisis as the 18 out of 21 Local Government Councils party Chairmen have demanded for the sack of the Senator Danjuma-led Caretaker Committee.

The LG Chairman operating under a forum had n a petition which was signed by the Chairman of the forum, Hon. Abejirin Olajide Johnson, a copy which was made available to CAPITAL POST on Thursday in Lokoja accused the Caretaker Committee Chairman of bias and misconduct that were not in the interest of the party in Kogi State.

The petition dated 29th July, 2024 and addressed to the National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, said, the forum passed a vote of no confidence in the Caretaker Committee over conducts considered as inimical to the growth of PDP in Kogi State.

The forum insisted that the recently conducted Ad-hoc Delegates Congress was peaceful and in line with the party constitution, a development they said, was contrary to the position of the Caretaker Chairman and Secretary.

They called for dissolution of the Caretaker Committee to save the party from continuous slide into obscurity in the State, adding that political activities for the next election were beginning to gear up, hence, there is need for the opposition party to reposition for the challenge ahead.

Earlier, the petitioners said, “As major stakeholders in the just concluded Ad-hoc Delegates Congress that took place Saturday, 27th July, 2024, we state unequivocally that the exercise.

“To elect three (3) Ad-Hoc Delegates each, was done in all the 239 Electoral Wards of the 21 Local Government Areas in Kogi state;
“The process was peaceful, free, fair, and credible.

“The process was orderly, hitch-free with no single incident of suppression, malpractice, and violence.

“The Electoral Team, sent from PDP’s National Headquarters was firm, thorough, and transparent.

Petitioners alleged manipulation attempt during the congress, but which was resisted by the electoral team, a situation they noted was good for the party, even as no stakeholder could fault the process that led to the success of the delegates congress.

They said: “We commend Ambassador Damagum, and the National Working Committee, NWC, of our great party for ensuring that thorough, necessary processes were emplaced towards the overwhelming success of the Kogi state Ad-Hoc Delegates Congress.

“We dissociate and condemn outrightly the preposterous and mischievous statement issued by Senators Laah Danjuma and Philip Gyunka; Chairman, and Secretary Caretaker Committee of Kogi state chapter of PDP.”

“The statement is total falsehood, misleading, misinforming and determined to confuse party faithful and the NWC.

“Senators Danjuma and Gyunka who knows that the process was very credible and meets every requirements of Wards Election only released the statement having failed to please ‘their associates’ in manipulating the process.”

They wondered why the caretaker chairman chose to address a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in a matter that is purely intra-party.

Adding that it was a known fact that the power to superintendent over congresses lies with the National Secretariat of the party and not the state caretaker committee.

By this singular act, the party chairmen noted, the caretaker committee has conducted itself in a manner capable of bringing the party to disrepute in the eyes of not only the electoral body to which the petition was addressed but also the uninitiated public.
This action they argued should be investigated and those found culpable appropriately sanctioned.

The petitioners further said, “It is our view that the caretaker chairman is in no position to impugn the integrity of the officers saddled by the National Secretariat to conduct the congress, since it is same authority that appointed both parties.

“To gloss over the overriding authority of the National Secretariat and addressing a petition to INEC is an unpardonable affront that speaks volume about the true intentions of Senator Laah Danjuma and his co-travellers.”

It was gathered that the party chairmen are protesting what they consider an attempt by a former Senator who is also a party leader to hijack the party structure using the current caretaker committee.