PDP Crisis: Jonathan Plotting To Arrest Obasanjo, Atiku, Others
The ‘new’ Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) yesterday alleged that there is a plot by the Presidency to arrest former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his former deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over their perceived support for the breakaway faction of the ruling party.
A statement by the national publicity secretary of the nPDP, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, which made this claim, also stated the G-7 governors are also penciled down for crackdown by the presidency and noted that they had resolved neither to retreat nor surrender in their bid to reclaim the party.
The Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led PDP wondered why Obasanjo was being targeted for arrest as the former president was not linked to the existence and operations of their party and stated that the plot to arrest Obasanjo was to demystify him.
According to Eze, the targeted governors include Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano).
Part of the nPDP statement reads: “Some days ago, we received intelligence reports that the Presidency was putting finishing touches to what it calls “Operation Total Crackdown on G7 and their allies in the New PDP.
“When we got details of the plot to arrest and commit the leadership of New PDP to prison without charge we thought it was a joke. The reality, however, dawned on us after we read the interview of our friend and brother Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo in the PREMIUM TIMES, September 26, 2013, confirming that President Goodluck Jonathan is under pressure to arrest former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar without any further delay.
“The sin of these two distinguished Nigerian statesmen, according to those plotting their “demystification”, is their alleged support for the New PDP, including the G7 governors. That this evil plot is being conceived by the Presidency confirms that the Abacha days are truly here again with us.
“We do not know why General Olusegun Obasanjo is being linked with the new PDP. Let us state unequivocally that this foremost nationalist has not in any way – either directly or by proxy – had anything to do with our existence and operations. Ridiculing and plotting the arrest of such a distinguished personality that fought to keep this nation as one entity and contributed immensely in making PDP the most vibrant, virile, versatile and biggest political party in Africa as a nobody is not the best strategy to use to fight the cause of President Jonathan, who knows what Chief Obasanjo did to make him President in the first place.”
The party summoned an emergency meeting in view of what it called “the devilish plot to crack down on us” and resolved “not to be intimidated as members of the party leadership have been advised to write their Wills.” It stated that it won’t back down on any of its demands as it meets with the President Jonathan on October 7.
Source: Legit.ng
