By Hassanat Adebowale
The Cross River chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has opposed the recall of its suspended state Chairman, Mr. Venatius Ikem, by the National Working Committee (NWC). This was stated in a release issued by the state Secretary of the party, Mr. Anthony Edako, on Monday in Calabar.
The party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) maintained that the chairman remains suspended until the NWC and stakeholders meet to decide otherwise. According to the party, any decision to reinstate the suspended chairman without first holding an expanded meeting to address SEC’s complaint is null and void.
“We have been made aware of a letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by the national organizing secretary reinstating the suspended state chairman. We wish to categorically state that this letter is null and void, as it did not emanate from the proper channel with the authority to write such a letter,” the statement said.
The party emphasized that only the national chairman and national secretary are authorized to write such a letter. “So, the national organizing secretary overstepped his bounds, and his actions are consequently deemed ultra vires,” it added.
The secretary recalled that on Nov. 20, 2024, the NWC dismissed the suspension of the chairman of the Cross River Chapter of PDP, Venatius Ikem, which was initially made on Nov. 15, 2024. “The reason for the dismissal of the suspension was communicated to the SEC of the party. Consequently, the SEC of the party, on Nov. 22, 2024, suspended the state chairman based on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee of the state and communicated the same to the national,” he said.
He further stated that the SEC was invited by the NWC, and after deliberations, it was unanimously agreed that the NWC should convene a meeting with stakeholders from Cross River to determine Ikem’s fate. “The meeting between the NWC and stakeholders from Cross River has not been convened yet. The meeting is a crucial step in ensuring that the decision-making process is transparent, fair, and in line with our party’s constitution,” he said.
The secretary reiterated that any decision to reinstate the suspended chairman without first holding the expanded meeting to address SEC’s complaint is, therefore, null and void. He urged party members and stakeholders to disregard the said letter and continue to recognize the suspended chairman as such.
GI’s Legal Corner
Political parties in Nigeria have their own constitutions, but they must also follow the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.
Section 223(1) of the Constitution requires political parties to maintain internal democracy and follow their rules. PDP must adhere to its constitution, which outlines the powers of various national officers and the procedure for disciplining members.
The claim that the National Organising Secretary acted beyond his authority suggests a violation of the principle of delegated authority, which is recognized in Nigerian law. If true, the SEC’s rejection of the reinstatement letter could be valid, as party officials must act within their assigned powers.
Additionally, Section 82 of the Electoral Act requires political parties to notify INEC of changes in leadership. A contentious reinstatement without due process could lead to legal challenges, with courts typically deferring to properly conducted party processes unless there’s a clear breach of constitutional rights or statutory law.
Conclusively, resolving this conflict will depend on whether the PDP follows its internal dispute resolution procedures. If not, the matter could escalate to the courts, as seen in past political disputes across Nigeria.
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