As the National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party meet today, former Federal Commissioner for Information and notable South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has called for the creation of a Disciplinary Committee.
Clark aims for this committee to investigate the roles played by the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and others in the PDP’s loss during the 2023 elections.
The elderstateman identified the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (Wike) as a significant challenge within the party. He accused Wike of leveraging the party structure for its potential demise. Clark stressed the importance of addressing Wike’s manoeuvres through a well-equipped disciplinary committee resistant to financial inducements.
In a statement issued from Abuja, Clark also demanded the immediate dissolution of the existing National Working Committee of the PDP due to their detrimental actions against the party’s interests. He underscored his point by referencing the article titled “As the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party meets: A Poser- PDP: To be or not to be?”
Following the committee’s disbandment, Clark insists that an Acting National Chairman should be appointed as per the party’s constitutional guidelines. He recalls a similar instance during Prince Uche Secondus’ legal challenges, where the party had previously appointed an Acting National Chairman.
Moreover, Clark advocates for a critical review of the party’s online membership registration to minimize dependence on influential individuals. This system was first introduced by then-chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, aiming to curtail the influence of wealthy members over the party’s operations.
Clark warned against the PDP nominating former Vice President and the party’s 2023 Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the upcoming 2027 elections, suggesting it could lead to further decline of the party’s prominence.
Clark shared, “While I have stepped back from active and partisan politics, I remain committed to political engagement as it is crucial for our nation’s well-being. The PDP was originally formed for democracy’s restoration and national reconciliation, but now, it seems it has been overtaken by individuals for personal gains.”
He further criticized the overreach of certain party members who have shifted the party’s focus from collective goals to personal ambitions, emphasizing the need for strong leadership and adherence to democratic principles within the PDP.
Clark said, ”I know that many people who read this article will say to themselves that they thought Chief Edwin Clark said he has retired from active and partisan politics. Yes, I said I have resigned from partisan and active politics. But it was one of the famous philosophers Aristotle, who said “Man is by nature a political animal.” He went on to narrate that because no human can flourish on their own, there is a natural tendency of man to partner with their fellow men.
“And one of these partnerships is that relating to polis, which is the Greek word for community; from where is derived political partnership. Therefore, for as long as Almighty God keeps me alive, both physically and mentally, I will continue to speak on governance and political matters, especially when it is tending to adversely affect our nation.
“The Peoples Democratic Party was set up by leaders of like mind who assembled in the nation’s capital, Abuja, on 28th July, 1998, to work together “for the speedy restoration of democracy, achievement of national reconciliation”, amongst others. Some of us joined immediately the idea of such an egalitarian political party was enunciated, because we felt that was what our dear country needed and still needs.
“But what has happened today? Some overzealous members of the party have hijacked it for their selfish gains. Some of us have been shouting and warning against this. I recall that in order to avoid “money bags” taking over the party, instead of the National Working Committee of the party, as provided by its Constitution, a one-time National Chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of Enugu State, during his tenure, proposed in accordance with the party’s provisions, payment of membership dues by all members with which the party will be run. He denounced the issue of deep pockets taking over the party when in his acceptance speech in 2010 stated “Needless to say, we need money to prosecute our elections but I can assure you that Ghana-Must-Go bags will not be needed at the National Secretariat of PDP in order to win primary elections. There will be no room for cash-and-carry democracy in the PDP because it is the bane of true democracy.
“My sincere advice to the members of the party’s NWC which is composed of notable politicians, is that they should be courageous enough to: Set up a Disciplinary Committee to investigate the anti-party activities, particularly the roles played by some members which led to the failure of the PDP in the 2023 elections;
“To dissolve the existing NEC of the party for their anti-party activities;
“To appoint an Acting National Chairman in accordance with the Constitution of the party. This was what happened during the tenure of Uche Secondus, who was still in court, when the party appointed another Acting National Chairman;
“The party should immediately revisit the on-line registration of its members as it was initiated by the then National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, to save the party from depending on individuals, because as they say, he who pays the piper, dictates the tune.”
