The Kogi State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been engulfed by a leadership crisis over the constitution of a caretaker committee by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
In a letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the NWC had conveyed the dissolution the Kogi State Working Committee and appointed a caretaker committee to run the party’s affairs for the next 90 days.
Members of the committee are, Chief Sam Ranti Abenemi Chairman; Alhaji Jimoh Mohammed -Secretary; Mrs Rabi Emaiku-member; Alhaji Abubakar Karmar-member; Alhaji Sheik Ibrahim Jubril-member and Mr Fehinti Dada-member.
However, the embattled State Chairman of the party, Moses Peter Oricha has described the constitution of the Caretaker Committee by the National Working Committee of the party as illegal.
Oricha on Thursday alleged that the Chief Sam Ranti Abenemi-led SDP Caretaker Committee was working against the interest of the party in Kogi State.
“We won’t allow the former Deputy governorship candidate to illegally impose himself on us in a party we have built from scratch.
“There was no reason for the National Working Committee to dissolve us in Kogi State.
“If you are going to dissolve an executive, there should be reasons. It could be as a result of anti-party, misappropriation of funds and many more. But in our case, nothing of such.
“After sacrificing a lot, they are now plotting to take us out of SDP. This is the height of impunity. I would further describe this as a coup that has never happened in the history of any political party in Nigeria,” he stated.
On the forthcoming Local Government election in Kogi State, Oricha said, “intending aspirants for the forthcoming Local Government election in Kogi State should not patronize the newly constituted Caretaker Committee of SDP.
“Anything coming from them is illegal, null and void. I remain the constitutionally recognized Chairman of SDP who will supervise the party activities ahead of the forthcoming Local Government election.”
