Outgoing deputy national officers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wednesday, accused the suspended national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, of running a one-man show in his time as party boss.
Speaking at the valedictory session for the outgoing National Working Committee (NWC) at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, they alleged that he ran the party affairs without them.
The chairman, Forum of PDP deputy national officers and deputy national publicity secretary of the PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, who spoke on their behalf, said they were never carried along for the four years Secondus was at the helms.
He said: “Not quite a week after resumption and assumption of office, we were asked to go and read the constitution and that we should abide by the provisions. It was an express order to keep us at bay.
“We were asked to reorientate ourselves of what the constitution says about our offices. Simply, we are to act in the absence of our principal officers. No one would pray for evil over a principal so as to be opportune to act.
“Instead, we always pray for them. We, therefore, remained an unused extra tyre, redundant and useless. Where necessary and where requested, we compliment their efforts.
“I want to place on record that as deputies, we met officially with the former chairman, Prince Uche Secondus only three times. He was never ready to meet with us. Our complaints about engagement were rebuffed. Hope to serve were dashed and we were rendered inconsequential.
“We had to rely on rumour and hearsay for information about our dear party, we had to lobby for engagements and assignments. Of course, our position as deputies did not come with any monetary allowance and so we were not given. Even when there were social outings, we were never taken along. It was that bad.
“In all these oppressive mannerisms, We were not willing to rock the boat. I must however confess that we did not pray for our oppressors neither did we put a curse on them but we told God to reward each and every one of us accordingly.”
While addressing their decision to resign before the last national convention of the party, said it was out of frustration, adding: “We resigned in unison on the basis that if our presence meant nothing to the leaders, our resignation should not be a problem.
“In short, we resigned purely on principle. Our decision to withdrawal our letters of resignation a few days after was based on the negative meanings read to it. On the advise and calls by our leaders, we acted to avoid misconceptions.”
Odeyemi called for a review of the PDP constitution to create roles for deputies in their various offices.
He added: “I, on behalf of my colleagues want to call for a constitutional review of what we have as a constitution. Please scrap the position of deputies or give them roles.
“It considered an act of foolishness for a daughter to teach her mother how to bear children. Mr. Secondus is politically experienced but I however still want to advise him that there is time for everything. Time to sow and time to reap. Time to laugh and time to cry. Time to fight and time to let go. I pray that God will guide him right.”
He advised national chairman-elect, Iyorchia Ayu to be “just, fair and seek God’s guidance on issues that comes to your table,”
“The system that enthroned you can remove you at anytime. It is our style in PDP, hosanna today, crucify him tomorrow. In whatever position we find ourselves, let us be reminded that there will be tomorrow,” he added.
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