PDP-USA Chapter in edgy times
ACHO ORABUCHI
Friday, March 18, 2005
A
court sitting thousands of miles away from the shores of the United States of
America has thrown a wrench into the calm waters in which PDP-USA Chapter has
found itself recently.
Though PDP-USA Chapter is no stranger to controversy, yet it has enjoyed a relative peace after being in the turbulent waters since its inception in 2000. No sooner had the Chapter emerged from an importunate imbroglio that has plagued it since the election of Dr. I.C.A. Okpalobi on April 27, 2002 than the court in Abuja swung an ax on the tranquility that greeted the Chapter after unification of various factions both at the chapter and branch levels. The brevity of the harmony came as a result of a lawsuit file against PDP, Chief Ogbe, and Prince Ogbulafor by Dr. I.C.A. Okpalobi.
Well, Dr. Okpalobi was elected as the Chairman of PDP-USA Chapter during the PDP-USA Congress in Boston on April 27, 2002. Prior to Boston Congress, Ichie Fabian Okeke was the appointed Chairman of the Chapter with another faction of PDP-USA headed by Dr. Tai Otunba Balofin. The Boston Congress chaired by Engr. Mike Ukaigwe may have facilitated the bringing of all the factions under one umbrella.
Following the Boston election, the honeymoon period hardly elapsed before the cohesive Chapter executive group started unraveling. As a result of lingering problems emanating from the executive and spreading to the entire Chapter, the executive under the leadership of Dr. Okpalobi was dissolved and Caretaker Committee was created to conduct another election in New Jersey on October 28, 2003. The 2003 election ushered in Tex Wariboko’s administration that has its own share of internal rancor. Incensed about the process by which he was relieved of his position as the Chairman of PDP-USA Chapter, Okpalobi sued Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria, Chief Audu Ogbe, and Prince Vincent Ogbulafor on behalf of Chapter executive elected at the Boston Congress alleging that the dissolution of his executive was without due process and also contravened the constitution of PDP. The suit filed in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Lugbe in Abuja was heard uncontested. On February 17, 2005, Hon. Justice A.S. Umar ruled in favor of the plaintiff as follows:
“That the purported decision of the National Working Committee of the 1st Defendant in dissolving the PDP – USA Chapter Executive headed by the Plaintiff as Chairman is unconstitutional, illegal, null, and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
“That the appointment of a Caretaker Committee for the PDP – USA Chapter by the National Working Committee is unconstitutional, illegal, and vires its powers, being contrary to PDP Constitution and a flagrant abuse of S.36(1) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“That all actions taken by the Caretaker Committee including any election if conducted for the PDP – USA Chapter is unconstitutional, null, and void.”
In the light of this court ruling, Dr. Okpalobi responded, “My reaction is overwhelmingly gratified. It was a welcome relief. I have been vindicated. He gave me a chance to demonstrate to my members that I am a leader ready, willing, to fight for my people for what we believe, no matter the cost. To demonstrate to them that I can sacrifice for them in a life and death situation.”
Okpalobi continued, “By this verdict I am stronger as a leader. I will now pursue a more meaningful agenda that will assert U.S. position in the cream of Nigerian politics. I will now aspire for full participation in the affairs of PDP. The detail of this agenda will be well articulated in the next CEC meeting scheduled for April 23rd in New Orleans.”
“By this verdict if we can claim it, it assures us maximum peaceful cooperation. This peace has eluded us since the inception of my administration, but now I have a chance to bind all the PDP members in USA into one cohesive body, under one leadership, under one strong chapter. This foundation was laid, unequivocally, by the court verdict. Sooner or later Chief Ogbulafor will make a statement urging people to respect the verdict. Tex's group will be fully welcomed and then you will see a huge success. Chief Ogbulafor made a mistake. He has only one way to go- accept the verdict. Anything else will mean contempt of court. I don’t think he will like to go that route,” he concluded.
On the other hand, Tex Wariboko said, “This Chapter (PDP-USA), rising from the Chapter Executive Committee (CEC) meeting of February 26, 2005, resolved to defer to the Party in Abuja on this matter. The Party and its legal team is presently handling the matter in Nigeria. It is important to note however, that the United States Chapter of The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP-USA) is not a party to the lawsuit, but rather a subject of same. We therefore have no choice but to defer to Abuja on the next course of action. It should be academic to all concerned, that the Party is supreme and we derive our powers and existence from the parent body in Abuja. We are confident that the Party in Abuja will soon take an official position and provide definitive directive, upon availing itself of all available options and remedies.”
“The U.S.A. Chapter will continue to advance and execute its programs, such as the support for the Nigerians In Diaspora Absentee Ballot Voting Rights Bill, about which we recently made presentations to the respective committees of the National Assembly in Abuja. The Chapter will also continue to lobby for the amendment of the PDP Constitution to grant delegate status and other significant rights to Foreign Chapters, about which we also sent a delegation to make a formal presentation to the Party Reform Committee. The Chapter is also preparing to host and facilitate an Investment and Business Summit for Nigeria, scheduled to take place this summer, in the United States.
Finally, we will work tirelessly to meaningfully participate in the 2007 elections to insure that PDP produces the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and work to insure that members of our chapter are represented in all tiers of the next government, including boards and parastals. Members of the Chapter executives and I are determined to insure that PDP-USA Chapter attains the utmost respect and credibility within the Party and country.”
“There is peace in the Chapter pursuant to the Washington D.C. Accord. The former chapter chairman's matter represents one of the many challenges we expect to face as leaders of this great Chapter. We are confident that it too will soon be resolved. The PDP has demonstrated that it is capable of finding solutions to issues, of which this matter is no exception. The great majority of our members acknowledge and understand the importance of an official directive from the Party in Abuja,” he concluded.
“As the Publicity Secretary of the chapter, I plan to continue to push for our agenda until our parent body PDP-Nigeria said otherwise. It may interest you to know that PDP-USA is well and alive and there is peace now than ever,” Ike Ginigeme opined.
In a signed statement dated February 27, 2005, Okpalobi stated, “My fellow Nigerians, the law suit filed in Abuja was not against Mr. Tex Wariboko or Mr. Clement Ezeh who unwittingly acted on the basis of the unlawful framework created by Prince Vincent Ogbulafor that led to the New Jersey elections.”
“I am seizing this opportunity to appeal to all of you for an unprecedented unity behind my administration. I have the best chance to unite all PDP members in the US. I am your servant; therefore, I will listen to your thoughts and concerns. My administration will be accessible to every member across the country. I promise immediate cooperation in all of our branches, and I will try to turn hatred to love and conflict to peace through out our chapter,” Okpalobi pleaded.
“Finally, I implore our branch chairpersons to begin dealing with the Chapter Secretary, Mr. Nicholas Owoyemi, and myself in all their inquiries, and other administrative matters. I am looking forward to having a long-lasting partnership with our branch chairpersons in the administration of our chapter. I thank you; and may God bless you all,” he concluded.
Indeed, the elusive peace in the Chapter has been punctuated by the recent court ruling in Abuja. Rank and file members of the Chapter are once again taking sides based on emotions. Others seem to be cautious while waiting for the official position of the Party headquarters. In an extraordinary twist, there is a realignment and also disconnect between groups that were in opposing and on the same sides respectively. No matter one’s opinion on this latest controversy, most people would agree that it is an edgy period for PDP whose green-white-red-striped umbrella may not be wide enough to contain two factions in USA.