Abuja — National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo yesterday cautioned party state executive committees, saying they must adhere to the constitutional provisions of the party and stop imposing candidates on the party.
He also condemned the lawless situation in Ogun and Taraba states, telling them that the country is not a banana republic where anything goes .
Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the Ogun State chapter of the party led by the impeached Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Tunji Egbetokun, Nwodo told them pointedly that the NWC is distressed about the situation in Ogun State.
Egbetokun was on Monday removed as Speaker by nine of the 26 members of the House while 14 others were suspended from the House indefinitely. Hon. Soyemi Coker representing Odeda state constituency was reportedly elected to fill the vacuum.
Nwodo who condemned the removal of the former Speaker under controversial circumstances, said lawlessness must not be condoned by anybody even as he stressed that sanctity of the House of Assembly must be restored.
While receiving the delegates along with some members of the National Working Committee (NWC), he warned that the party must keep to the rules of the game and not engage in arbitrariness.
He said efforts by the NWC to resolve the Ogun state problem ran into a brick-wall because of several court cases.
Earlier, Egbetokun had given a graphic account of the lawlessness in the state, saying the executive arm under Gov Gbenga Daniel starved the House of funds for five months.
He described Ogun State as a disaster that needs urgent attention. Also, the former Presidential spokesman Dr. Doyin Okupe and Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of the former President who spoke on behalf of others urged the NWC to save the party in the state by their quick intervention.
Other members of the delegations included Alhaji Sulaiman Onabiyi, Chairman of the Elders Council of PDP in the state, Dr. Olaekan Ojo, Senator Dipo Odojinrin, Hon. Dav Salako, among others.
In another development, addressing a delegation from Taraba State who has listed a number of grievances against the state chairman of the party, Nwodo told them that as umpires in game leaders of the party must remain neutral.
Don't close the door to any aspirants, give them equal attention, if you have interest hide it, he advised them.
He warned that the national leadership of the party will deal with any state or ward official said to be campaigning for any candidate.
Nwodo said neutrality is necessary for leaders of the party so as to give a sense of belonging to all members.
Earlier, the leaders of the concerned elders of Taraba PDP, and former Minister of Youth Development and a Senatorial Aspirant, Dr (Mrs.) Salome Jakanda, accused the leadership of the party of partisanship.
She accused the state chairman of arbitrariness, adding that he has been engaged in some unconstitutional actions like the removal of statutory officers without due process.
Dr. Jakanda urged the NWC to intervene in PDP Taraba affairs and ensure that justice and fairness is returned to the aggrieved members in the state.