The splinter faction of the People Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Abubakar Baraje has cried foul of the alleged plots by President Goodluck Jonathan to witch-hunt its members spread across the country.
The “New PDP” claimed in a statement yesterday that its intelligence reports revealed that the presidency has initiated the scheme to ensure that its members are victimized and imprisoned as soon as possible.
This however, could be linked to the critical and raging rivalry between the presidency and the seven governors alongside other party stalwart who walked away from the August 31st Special convention of the party.
They have insisted that the PDP leadership under Bamanka Tukur has been inequitable to them as well as unmerited of the party’s leadership.
Besides, the PDP faction has denied former president Olusegun Obasanjo as a member of the splinter group adding that the group’s intelligence reports got wind of the plots of the pressurized president to immediately 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” it was further revealed.
The group insisted that the former chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees was not a member and “has no proxy with regard to the existence and operations of the group”.
The statement by the “New PDP” National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze, revealed: “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, confirming that President Goodluck Jonathan is under pressure to arrest former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar without any further delay.
“Though it is sad that instead of employing diplomacy to attend to the issues that brought this conflict to bear, the Presidency prefers to use force, we are not disturbed as we are ready for any of its tactics.
“That this evil plot is being conceived by the Presidency confirms that the Abacha days are truly here again with us.
“In view of the seriousness of this devilish plot to crack down on us in total disregard of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, National Chairman of the new PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, summoned an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party to brainstorm on how best to respond to the situation.
“Our conclusion at the end of the meeting was that we would not be intimidated for any reason.”
The member has however stated their readiness for the arrest as they urged the presidency to fast track its plans saying “those detailed to attack us should not to waste further time or wait till October 7 to start arresting us”
“There are thousands of Nigerians ready to step into our shoes and fight this cause to its conclusion” it was assured.
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