Gulak Drags PDP To Court Over ‘Delay’ In Appointing National Chairman
Former SA on Political Matters to Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Ahmed Gulak[/caption]
A former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, has dragged the Peoples Democratic Party to court over the delay in appointing a National Chairman for the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In suit number FCT/HC/CV/153/2015, Gulak joined the party and its acting National Chairman, Uche Secondus, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The matter is slated for hearing on November 25.
Gulak, who has indicated his interest in becoming the party’s next chairman, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that he instituted the suit because of the need to put the PDP back on track.
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According to him, after the party lost the March 28 presidential election, its then chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, resigned his position and that the party’s constitution made it clear that somebody from the North-East, where Mu’azu hails from, should be appointed to replace him.
He expressed regret that despite this constitutional provision, Secondus, “who is claiming to be the acting chairman”, has refused to initiate the process for the fulfillment of that provision.”
He stressed that the National Working Committee of the PDP as currently constituted was not operating within the rules of the party, contending that all acts purported to have been taken by anybody in acting capacity was null and void.
“Some past leaders and elders of the party went to the NWC and told them that if we want to rebrand the PDP and ensure the party bounces back, we must follow the constitution and properly organise and constitute the organs of our party, especially the NWC and the BoT, where two vacancies exist because both chairmen resigned.
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“But it appears that members of the NWC are not ready and willing to comply with the constitutional provision that calls for the replacement of those that resigned.
“I had earlier written and submitted my letter of intent, among others from the North-East that are interested in filling the vacancies; myself, Ambassador Damagun, Alhaji Gambo Lawal, Senator Bala Mohammed and Senator Paul.
“All of us wrote our letters, indicating our interest in filling the vacancy created by Muazu’s resignation. It was incumbent on the NWC to initiate the process where a replacement will be obtained.
“My state (Adamawa) chapter of the party sent a letter to them, recommending from the North-East, but they are hell-bent on flouting the constitution of the party. The constitution of the party is clear that there shall be NWC, which shall be headed by a chairman.
“As it is today, the NWC of the PDP is not properly constituted. And any act or commission or correspondence purported to be made by anybody in acting capacity is null and void. That is why I have gone to court,” he argued.
