Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Thursday, vehemently criticized a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for staging a protest at the United States Embassy in Abuja.
Fayose labeled the demonstration, which was reportedly led by the suspended National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, and his allies, as the “shameful last kick of a dead National Working Committee (NWC) of tax collectors,” arguing that the group should instead resolve the party’s internal crises according to its constitution and recent court rulings.
The protest, which took place at the US Embassy, was reportedly organized by members loyal to the faction facing internal party challenges. Fayose’s statement on Thursday followed a court ruling delivered last Friday that mandated the PDP to conclude certain constitutional processes, specifically outstanding state congresses, before proceeding with a national convention. He also questioned the legal competence of the group’s actions, citing constitutional breaches regarding legal representation.
Rather than coming back home to take proper stock and bring all stakeholders together, they chose to announce the suspension of major members of the NWC…the NWC went to court to throw punches over legal representation of the party, despite that it is clearly stated in the constitution of the party that it is only the National Legal Adviser that has powers to represent or appoint lawyers to represent the party in court cases – Fayose
Fayose mocked the protesters’ choice of venue, suggesting they should have taken their protest directly to the source of U.S. power.
Damagum and his gang of tax collectors should have travelled to Washington to go and protest in front of the White House – Fayose
He questioned the rationale behind seeking foreign intervention for what he views as self-inflicted wounds resulting from a refusal to adhere to party laws.
Fayose argued that the leadership’s failure to respect the PDP’s constitution, such as announcing suspensions and challenging the authority of the National Secretary, the only person authorized to issue meeting notices, was the root of the crisis, not any external force.
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