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PDP USA crisis borders on integrity-
Hadjesmaili, party stalwart
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) USA chapter is
embroiled in another crisis and there is no end in sight. In this interview with
ACHO ORABUCHI, the acting chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
USA Chapter, Hon. Felicia Mbanaja Hadjesmaili, a soft-spoken "Iron Lady",
spoke on the genesis of the crisis that has engulfed the chapter, the current
status and way out of the problem. Excerpts:
What is your status in PDP USA chapter,
and who is the chairman of the chapter?
I am the deputy chairman, PDP USA chapter.
Currently, I am serving in the capacity of acting chairman of PDP USA chapter.
Mr. Tex Wariboko has been the chairman of
the chapter since he was elected into office in October 2003. However, in view
of the fact that he is undergoing an investigation currently, I am the Acting
chairman of the chapter.
There were three successive meetings of
CEC a few weeks ago—May 22, in Atlanta, June 19, in Atlanta, and June 26, in New
Jersey. Who called these meetings?
Mr. Tex Wariboko, called the meeting of
May 22, held in Atlanta, Georgia, the venue of our quarterly CEC meeting. On
June 19, Mr. Wariboko called a meeting in Atlanta after the notice of the
meeting of June 26, had been sent out. The meeting held in Elizabeth, New
Jersey, hosted by New Jersey PA branch, on June 26, was called by two thirds of
the Central Executive Committee (CEC), of PDP USA chapter.
Were these meetings constitutional? If so,
how?
The May 22, meeting was constitutional,
like I said earlier, that was a quarterly CEC meeting. However, the meeting held
in Atlanta, less than 30 days after we had just visited the city, was
unconstitutional, as it was summoned by Mr. Tex Wariboko, who at the time, had
lost control of over 2/3 of his executive members - a makeup of 10 out of 14
branch chairmen, and the majority of the CWC members, due to a motion -of
-no-confidence passed on him and the general secretary, Dr. Stanley Onye, before
he adjourned the meeting. The meeting held in Elizabeth New Jersey on the 26th
of June was constitutional. It was an emergency extraordinary meeting called to
address the impasse that originated from the meeting held in Atlanta on the 22nd
of May, 2004. As I mentioned above, it was called by 2/3 of the chapter CEC.
Over 40 people were in attendance.
Why did you have these meetings?
In a nutshell, the meeting of May 22nd was
a regular scheduled CEC quarterly meeting. The meeting held on June 26th, was
called by 2/3 of the CEC members to address the outcome of the May 22nd, 2004
meeting—the content of the motion—the vote of no confidence. As for the meeting
held on the 19th of June, I really do not know.
What did you resolve in these meetings?
The meeting of May 22, 2004 had no
resolutions, except for the vote of no confidence on the chairman and the
secretary. The meeting was chaotic. As far as I am concerned, the meeting on
June 19th, 2004, was and is not a meeting that had constitutional backing, as it
was not able to form a quorum, therefore, a resolution would be and is out of
the question. In any case, the extraordinary emergency meeting held in New
Jersey on the 26th of June, not only met the constitutional requirements, but
also surpassed it. The resolution states thus, " (1) Hence the chairman and
general secretary, Atty. Wariboko and Dr. Onye respectively were well informed
of the meeting, and chose not to attend, based on the allegations on them, which
included misappropriation of party funds, intentionally ignoring the powers
vested in the chapter CEC - the power of rectification, before certain actions
are taken or decisions are made, illegal creation of branches. etc., there was
again a vote of no confidence passed on them and seconded. The vote was counted
and it was unanimous. Both parties were at this point suspended. Their deputies
would have to assume their positions, as acting chairman and acting general
secretary, respectively, pending the outcome of investigation. (2) That a seven
man investigatory committee was set to find facts concerning the allegations on
the chairman and the secretary. (3) That the party bank account should be
suspended pending fact-findings. (4) That the next CEC meeting will be held in
Washington DC, on September 11th, 2004.
The chapter appears to have two factions.
What is the genesis of this problem?
I wouldn’t want to look at the chaos as
constituting two factions, but to answer your question, the genesis of the
problem in my opinion would be the absence of the decency to follow orders. Less
than a month after the new administration settled into office, the chairman and
the secretary set off on the wrong footing. They took laws into their hands
practically. It was visible and clear that they were not going to include
consultation in their agenda, as part of the day - to - day activities of the
party affairs. The secretary described himself as the SECRETARIAT. While the
chairman made it clear to us that THE BUCK STOPS WHERE HE IS. For those of us
here in the U.S., that means when he speaks or takes any decision, it is final.
As time went on, their unconstitutional and unethical method of doing business
was constantly brought to their attention by well meaning party stakeholders,
which they discarded without remorse. Sometimes the chairman, Mr. Wariboko would
apologize for his mistakes, and the very next second, will do something worse
than the previous. When a vote of no confidence was passed on the chairman and
general secretary, the only civilized thing to do as leaders of such a great
party, or any party, would have been to use the art of wisdom, which they had
been crowned with when they assumed office. They should have been focusing on
proving themselves innocent and finding the keys to the hearts of those who no
longer have confidence in them. Rather they chose to disregard the voice of the
people and go about their business as usual, like they could actually move on
without the 2/3 of CEC already in existence. Remember, this 2/3 comprises of 10
out of 14 branch chairmen and over half of the CWC. Entertaining such thoughts
by anybody is a total fallacy. PDP USA chapter should be a model of transparency
and accountability. We are working to make that a reality.
The Wariboko faction contends that the
meeting you held on June 26, 2004 in New Jersey was unconstitutional. What is
your reaction?
My reaction is simple. I strongly believe
that the end will justify the means. The Tex Wariboko I know would never say
that. I know Tex Wariboko to be smart and well acquainted with laws and
constitutional matters.
Also, the Wariboko faction is claiming
that Prince Vincent Ogbulafor is supporting them. Have you any reason to fault
that?
I have spoken to Prince Ogbulafor on
several occasions and I wouldn’t conclude that to be a fact. The Hon. Secretary
is quite disappointed with the group of persons he put together, less than a
year ago. He wishes that we could find a way to resolve this issue as soon as
possible. " We expect more from you guys in the US. Why can’t you do the right
thing," Prince Ogbulafor has asked us. He categorically stated that all Abuja
wants from us is STATUS QUO AS OF NEW JERSEY AND BOSTON CONGRESSES. NOBODY
SHOULD WAKE UP ONE MORNING AND DECIDE TO UNSEAT AN EXISTING BRANCH CHAIRMAN OR
AN ELECTED OFFICER. These are also some of the problems this chapter has. These
actions have been supported by the chairman and secretary, and sometimes they
even engineer these unconstitutional acts. If everything he told me is what he
told Mr. Wariboko and Dr. Onye, I could tell you that they have gone contrary to
his wishes.
Madam, how do you react to rumours that
you were plotting to remove Mr. Wariboko so that you will become the chairman?
Definitely not! That is not a fact. I did
not ask for this, however by virtue of my position and the constitution, I was
placed in this position. It is not my will to be the chairman of the chapter
otherwise I would have run for that position. Remember, Mr. Wariboko and Dr.
Onye are the individuals involved. Am I plotting to be the secretary too? Right
now like I said earlier, these individuals are temporarily on suspension. An
investigatory committee has been set up and work is in progress. At the end of
the investigation, if they are found innocent, they will definitely get their
seats back. If they are found guilty, we will allow due process to take its
course.
Do you expect the party leadership in
Abuja to intervene in this crisis?
Yes. In one way, and one way only. I
expect the Hon. Secretary to issue an address or statement, clearly stating that
he takes no sides and that justice must be served, that due process must take
its course and must be respected. Furthermore, that we must follow the
constitution closely, as it is our Bible. This will help us continue to run
party affairs smoothly.
How do you expect the crisis to be
resolved?
There are measures being taken to resolve
this issue internally among us here in the U.S. As long as the Wariboko-led
group complies with these steps towards peace, we would not need Abuja to
intervene. In the same breath, we want them to know that as peace loving as we
are, we, the party stakeholders of this chapter are determined to put
corruption, unprofessionalism, lack of morals and values, acts of dictatorship,
and actions leading to disaffection within our chapter, out of our system once
and for all. We will not entertain any such behavior now or in the future. When
the time comes, we will resolve this crisis. The time is not ripe yet.
What is the position of Abuja on your
crisis?
To the best of my knowledge, they have
taken a neutral position, so far. However, I believe that if the problem lingers
any further, they might attempt to do something about it. In the mean time, we
have formally informed them in writing, that the party will continue to
function, with or without Mr. Wariboko and Dr Onye.
People in Nigeria are looking up to those
of you in the diaspora to help solve some of the problems in Nigeria. The crisis
in PDP USA chapter may be a big disappointment to many people. Do you people
ever think of how the people might feel?
Patience is virtue. What we are doing
right now is setting a standard for PDP USA, to be emulated by PDP Nigeria. The
people we shall hand over to must have principles guiding them, to become even
better leaders.
What specifically have you done to resolve
the crisis?
In my capacity as the acting chairman of
the chapter, an investigatory committee has been set up to look into these
allegations. The stakeholders/elders of PDP USA are working closely with me, as
regards solutions to these problems lingering. We have sent several
correspondences to the secretariat in Abuja, with facts they need to properly
address this crisis, if need be.
Can you qualify the loss incurred by the
party as a result of the crisis?
This ordeal has not been easy on well-meaning party
loyalists. You must realize that the party headquarters in Abuja does not fund
us. We have put together our hard earned money, to run the party’s affairs.
Every penny spent must be accounted for. This exercise going on is simply a test
of commitment. It is taking up money, time, and energy. Believe it or not, time
is the most expensive thing in America, and we are donating it for a just cause.
For me, THERE ARE NO REGRETS!!!!!!
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