All Power Comes From God, Atiku Reminds Supporters

 

Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, stated that only God Almighty has the ability to provide authority.

Atiku's statement followed the ongoing dispute around the conclusion of the Peoples Democratic Party's 98th National Executive Committee meeting, which was held in Abuja on Thursday. The stance of the 2023 PDP presidential standard-bearer was expressed in a WhatsApp group conversation on Friday with a few of his national supporters.

In an effort to further assure its stability, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, reports that the party authorized the reformation of its Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees on Thursday during intra-party resolutions.

The party named former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, to lead its Disciplinary Committee, while former Senate President Bukola Saraki continues to lead its Reconciliation committee, as one of the major choices reached during the NEC meeting.

However, following the NEC meeting, Atiku informed his followers in the WhatsApp group that power comes solely from God. 

His response comes after his followers implied that he had been duped by certain party members.

"There is God," declared the former vice president, who had unsuccessfully run for president of Nigeria six times. Power does not come from anyone other than God.

In response, a supporter of his on the social media group stated, "This is very true, Sir, and this same God will answer both ours and your heart's desires."

"We will all be here to celebrate as a single, large family of good faith on that day.

"Our laborious efforts will not be in vain; there is always hope for improvement." To see the night, we'll all walk and cooperate together. We are going to win. 

You're doing good, sir.

Taofeek Arapaja, the party's Deputy National Chairman (South), has responded to the mounting demands for the suspension of Nyesome Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the former governor of Rivers State, as well as other former G5 governors from the PDP due to purported anti-party activities.

In response to the decisions made at the party's Thursday NEC meeting and its Wednesday night North Central Zone leadership meeting, he revealed in a Friday interview with Saturday GoodyNews.

Prior to the two gatherings, a few prominent party members, such as Senator Dino Melaye, a former PDP candidate for governor of Kogi State, had boasted that the party's NEC on Thursday would impose harsh penalties on any member suspected of engaging in anti-party actions.

However, the PDP NEC chose not to address the purported anti-party concerns on Thursday and instead named Umar Damagum, the party's former vice chairman (North), as acting national chairman until the NEC's subsequent meeting.

The PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), responding in a Friday interview with Saturday GoodyNews, stated that the NEC of the party is not obligated to suspend Wike or Ortom. 

Damagum Eludes the Plot of Removal

Meanwhile, Saturday GoodyNews has learned that governors elected on the party platform saved the day for Umar Damagum, the interim national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, who escaped a conspiracy to remove him.

The question of whether Damagum should stay in his position or be replaced has been a major point of contention among party officials in the lead-up to the PDP 98 National Executive Committee meeting on Thursday.

After the party's National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, was suspended by the court in March of the previous year, Damagum, who had previously served as the PDP National Deputy Chairman (North), took on the position of acting National Chairman.

The PDP member Terhide Utaan filed a case, and the court answered. 

The petition was sparked by a vote of no confidence that Ayu's ward executives in Igyorov ward, Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State, had passed against him.

Both the PDP's National Working Committee and National Caucus reaffirmed their unwavering support for Damagum to continue in his acting capacity between Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday.

The 98th NEC conference, which was attended by 353 accredited members, delayed the selection process for Ayu's replacement, including Damagum, for the North-Central region until August 15, despite the expectation of many party members that the NEC would make the final decision.

Because they are not authorized to speak, the NEC member who wishes to remain anonymous informed Saturday GoodyNews that the governors were instrumental in bringing about a resolution.

The trustworthy source claims that Damagum's fate was decided at the PDP Governors' Forum meeting, which was held at the governor's lodge for Akwa Ibom in Asokoro, Abuja.

He declared, "Damagum's position was secured and the day was preserved thanks in large part to the PDP governors." 

In the middle of the party's conflict, the Forum realized that letting the NEC decide Damagum's fate could have negative effects on the party's future.

"They decided that, for the sake of peace, the North-Central area should not propose Ayu and Damagum's replacement during the 98th NEC conference.

Rather, their goal was to placate the unhappy groups. They also suggest that the Rivers State PDP Caretaker committee roster be reviewed in order to take into account everyone's interests. 

In an effort to appease North Central, they designated Emmanuel Agbo, a former deputy national secretary, as the party's governor general and suggested Damagum stay in his temporary role until August 15.

Dr. Eddy Olafeso, another member of the NEC, emphasized that the decision was not made to please anyone.

He clarified that it would be unwise to consider succession barely 48 hours following Ayu's resignation, which is why Damagum's term was extended till August 15.