ANPP Crisis: Aikhomu, Govs Re-instate Etiebet
Our decision is unanimous - Yobe Gov
From Chuks Okocha in Abuja
It was a moment of respite to the embattled National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Don Etiebet, as the Board of Trustees of the party and six governors elected on the party's platform reconfirmed him as the National Chairman of the party.
The Board of Trustees led by Admiral Augustus Aikhomu in a meeting with the governors of Borno, Yobe, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states last night reviewed the crisis in the party and ordered the return to status quo. The governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, was absent at the meeting.
Reading the communiqu� of the meeting, Aikhomu said "all organs of the party remain intact in accordance with the National Caucus resolution of September, 2004 and are to continue to discharge their constitutional duties without let or hindrance from any quarters."
ANPP has been rocked with leadership crisis which resulted in the polarization of the National Executive Committee between groups loyal to Etiebet and Lt.-General Jeremiah Useni (rtd). The Useni group is being sponsored by Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.
According to Aikhomu, the next National Caucus and National Executive Committee meetings of the party will hold in Maiduguri, Borno State capital on November 26 and 27, while the Board of Trustees of the party will meet immediately after to review the state of the party.
He also said the Board of Trustees will "consider the situation in the party and look into the grievances from all quarters in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the party."
He said the party appreciates the patience and exemplary behaviours of members of the party since the beginning of the crisis, while assuring that no stone would be left unturned in the resolution of all issues and problems affecting the party.
Fielding questions from newsmen on what he actually meant by "return to status quo," Aikhomu said "Etiebet is the only national chairman of our party."
"In a family, people do quarrel and that of the ANPP is not an exception. That quarrel has been resolved. Our decision is based on the constitution of the party," he added.
When asked what would happen in case of any dissenting voice to the resolutions contained in the communiqu�, the former vice president under the Babangida military administration said, "We have to apply sanction to any dissent. The Board of Trustee is next in rank to the national convention of the party. We are the soul of the party."
Also, Yobe State governor, Alhaji Bukkar Abba Ibrahim, said the decision that Etiebet should retain his position as the national chairman was unanimously taken by all the governors of the party who were in attendance.
He said the governor of Jigawa State, Turaki, was absent because he was outside the country.
According to Ibrahim, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, "All of us governors at the meeting agreed that the status quo ante must be returned to. There was no single dissenting voice. No area of disagreement, there is absolute unanimity in our resolution for peace."
However, speaking on his relationship with General Ibrahim Babangida, Aikhomu said "IBB is a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Our friendship has nothing to do with politics. This IBB issue should be put to rest."
After the press conference, Aikhomu and General Useni went into a closed door meeting. Details of the meeting were not known at press time. But it is not unconnected with the crisis.
In the heat of the crisis, the Useni group which was motivated by Bafarawa had announced the removal of Etiebet and the appointment of Useni to lead a caretaker committee. The group loyal to Etiebet in retaliation also announced Bafarawa's suspension from the party.
However, following the setting up of the Ibrahim reconciliation committee, all the suspensions including that of national secretary, Ibrahim El-Katuzu, were ordered lifted. The Useni group, however, refused to abide by the decision as it insisted that Etiebet remained removed as the party chairman.
|
