Taraba: PDP crisis worsens as police seal party secretariat
The leadership crisis rocking the Taraba State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a different dimension, as two individuals are claiming the chairmanship position in the state.
Newsmen observed that supporters of the former chairman, who was recently removed from office by Justice Nuhu Adi of the State High Court, prevented the embattled acting chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Bakari, from assuming office.
Recall that Justice Adi, in a recent judgment, granted all the requests of Bakari and instructed him to immediately assume office as the party’s acting chairman, warning the other individual, Bawa, to stop presenting himself as the party’s chairman.
The situation within the party has become chaotic, with both leaders vying for the position. Consequently, the state police command has sealed off the party’s state secretariat.
At the moment, heavily armed anti-riot police and civil defence personnel have taken control of the party’s secretariat, which is located in the heart of Jalingo metropolis.
The state police command has confirmed these actions, stating that they were necessary to prevent unrest in the state.
Abubakar Usman, the spokesperson for the command, said the swift intervention of the police prevented the secretariat from being set on fire by supporters of the two factions.
He also stated that both Bawa and Inuwa have been directed to desist from going to the secretariat until the matter is resolved amicably.
The command further warned supporters of both parties to stay away from the secretariat, cautioning that anyone found in the premises will face severe consequences.
Bawa, who previously served as the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the former governor, when contacted, claimed to have a Federal High Court judgment recognising him as the substantive chairman of the party.
He denied being responsible for the unrest and expressed confidence that his judgment from the federal high court would ultimately vindicate him.
Also speaking, Bakari, the recently declared acting chairman by the State High Court, refuted Bawa’s claim, stating that the court did not rule in favour of his opponent.
He added that the court declared it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. Bakari urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid actions that could disrupt the existing peace in the state.
To address the leadership crisis threatening the party’s future in the state, the state governor, Agbu Kefas, established a committee headed by former ambassador Alhaji Idris Waziri to resolve the issue.
