Fresh crisis rocks party as Jonathan's ex-aide declares self National Chairman

The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday took a new dimension as Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, the former Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters declared himself as PDP National Chairman.

Gulak, who arrived at the PDP national headquarters, Abuja, at about 1.45 p.m. immediately addressed a news conference and announced that he had assumed the position of the party's national Chairman.

He said that his assumption of office was to complete the tenure of Dr Adamu Muazu, from the North East, who resigned his position as the national Chairman of the party on May 20, 2015.

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Gulak had late 2015 approached the court to order the party to appoint somebody from the North East to complete Muazu's tenure.

He also urged the court to stop Prince Uche Secondus, from parading himself as the acting National Chairman of the party.

Gulak said that the court had on Wednesday struck out the motion for stay of executives filed by the defendants/applicants.

"The court order on Dec. 16, 2015 was that within 14 days, my humble self or any other person from the North East zone be appointed to replace Dr Adamu Muazu who resigned his position as the national Chairman of our party on May 20, 2015.

"At the expiration of the 14 days the defendants failed, refused or neglected to obey the court orders by appointing me or any other person from the North East zone.

"By operations of the law and the court order, I now assume duty as the National Chairman of our great party, especially as the court has today struck out the motion for stay of execution.

"Base on our sincere commitment and loyalty to our party, we cannot continue to leave our party headless," Gulak said.

He said failure to assume duty as the national chairman would leave the party's National Working Committee, the National Executive Council (NEC) and the National Caucus improperly constituted.

He said that his assumption of office was to prepare the ground for the NEC of the party to take the most appropriate decisions.

READ:Metuh says Secondus remains PDP chairman

Gulak said that his leadership was willing to partner with all relevant stakeholders on efforts towards the tasks ahead.

"I crave the indulgence of the other NWC members to partner positively with me in our efforts to pick up the pieces and rebuild our party."

Some of the party's loyalists who accompanied Gulak to the party Secretariat include Dr Doyin Okupe, the former Special Assistant to Jonathan on Public Affairs and Mr Moshoud Adegoke a former member of the House of Representatives from Lagos State.

Reacting to the development, the PDP National Legal Adviser, Mr Victor Kwon, condemned the action of Gulak.

Kwon said that what the court order was for the party to appoint someone from the North East to complete Alhaji Mu'azu's tenure and not specifically Gulak.

He added that the party was not aware of any ruling by the court on its application for a stay of execution of the earlier judgment.

Kwon added as a law abiding party, PDP would respect the orders of the court and the right of the North East to complete its tenure.

"From what happened, today, it means that Gulak is a fifth columnist recruited to tear the party and he will not succeed.

"Consultations are going on to arrive at an agreeable for person from the North East.

"NEC will be convened soon and new National Chairman appointed. So I advice Gulak, if he is interested to be National Chairman to lobby," he added.

Kwon blamed the delay in appointing someone from the North East to serve out Mu'azu's tenure on series of events that followed after the 2015 general elections.

He, however, added that section 47 (6) of the PDP constitution does not prescribe time limit for an acting capacity.