Amid accusations of improper behaviour, financial irregularities, and violations of the party constitution, the National Rescue Movement has suspended Isaac Udeh as its national chairman.
Salisu Dawaki, the North Deputy National Chairperson, and Prof. Lawson Ihijwe, the South Deputy National Chairperson, were also recommended for suspension on the grounds of potential complicity in the constitutional violations by the party.
Obidike Okolo announced the suspension during the party’s 4th National Executive Committee meeting, which took place on Monday in Abuja.
“This action is in line with the principles of natural justice. The National Chairman cannot be a judge in his case; he cannot preside over the affairs of the party while being investigated,” said Okolo, NRM’s Acting National Secretary.
The PDP’s unilateral public endorsement of Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections is one of the accusations made against Udeh, which allegedly denigrated NRM candidates and was taken without consulting any party organ.
The Chairman was also accused of financial irregularities and corruption, including the unproven allegation that $25,000 and N250 million were exchanged without the party’s knowledge.
The NRM’s National Welfare Officer, Prince Chinedu Obi, has been named the acting national chairman, though.
Speaking after his appointment, Obi said, “We must put an end to further damage and disintegration. We must recover lost ground and bring back our dedicated though disgruntled members who have left due to ineptitude and bad leadership style. We therefore encourage you all to join hands to rescue our great party from destruction.”
Shortly after his suspension, Isaac Udeh responded by outright denying it and pledging to sue to overturn it because the accusations against him were unfounded.
Even though he did meet with Atiku’s team and the leaders of four other political parties, he further admitted that he never formally endorsed the PDP candidate.
“Let me be clear, they (Atiku’s team) did not invite me, and I’m glad about that. I was the only one who did not declare an endorsement for the PDP presidential candidate because I had not had a substantial discussion about the matter with the relevant organs of the NRM,” Udeh stated.
He also asserted that the accusations made against him were only an attempt to have him fired as chairman.
Udeh challenged the claims and demanded specific proof to back them up. He thinks that these activities are part of a plan to dominate the party.
“They have no evidence. This is simply an attempt to manipulate the party to their advantage. It’s nothing more than a baseless allegation. I’m not suspended. An allegation is just that, an allegation. It cannot be used until it’s investigated. As I’ve always maintained, I’m still the national chairman of the NRM. I’m not suspended until the validity of these allegations is determined.”
