The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has issued a disclaimer denouncing the ” Notice of Rescheduling of the Emergency National Convention” of the party purportedly fixed for January 17, 2025 at DRACC, Lugbe, Abuja.
It called on the Inspector General of Police and Director General Department of State Security Service,DSS, to cause the arrest of those who issued the notice for planning to breach of peace.
Barr. Obidike Okolo, Acting National Secretary for NRM National Management Committee (NMC) said in a statement that the purported notice of rescheduling of the Emergency National Convention did not emanate from the party.
He said the purported notice emanated from Mr. Isaac Chigozie Udeh who is on suspension.The party said that a look at the purported notice/publication would reveal that it was signed by one Mr. Isaac Udeh, who mischievously presented himself as “National Chairman.
” The said Mr. Isaac Udeh is not a member of NRM, neither is he the Chairman, having been validly suspended from the Party since 19th September, 2024.”
The disclaimer also said the National Management Committee of the Party has equally passed a Vote of No Confidence on the said Mr. Isaac Udeh, since September, 24th 2024.
That “despite his suspension from the Party, Mr. Isaac Udeh has perfected plans to surreptitiously convene an illegal, illegitimate and unauthorized Convention of the NRM to forcefully impose one Chief Edozie Njoku and his cohorts as the new National Chairman and National Officers of the NRM, in a clandestine bid to hijack the party through the back door.”
NRM recalled that the said Chief Edozie Njoku was recently removed by the Supreme Court, as the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). The party alleged that Njoku has elected to sail his ship of frustration and insatiable love for power to the anchor of the NRM.
NRM further alleged that Edozie Njoku in crass desperation to hijack the party had boasted that he will deploy his huge resources and connections to intimidate the party leaders in order to achieve his inordinate ambition at all cost.”
“The public is hereby informed that the NMC and NEC of the National Rescue Movement has not agreed to hold any Convention howsoever. More so, NRM Convention for Cabinet reschedule is usually once in 4 years. The last was in 2022 and the next Convention is destined to hold in 2026. “
“Again, to conduct a National Convention, a 21 days’ Notice must be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which MUST be signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary, or two-third majority of the members of NEC. This has not been done.”
“Obidike Okolo, Esq., who is the National Secretary of the Party has never authored, signed or co-signed any letter calling for any Convention and that
Article 12 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022 (the Guidelines) provides thus: “Every political party SHALL GIVE the Commission AT LEAST 21 DAYS’ NOTICE.
While, Article 12 (3) of the above Guideline is on the signatory for the statutory notice conveying the meeting. It states thus: “The National Chairman and National Secretary of the Political Party shall jointly sign the Notice of Convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit same to the Commission.”
That INEC by its letter of January, 9th 2025 has clearly warned the Party against holding the purported ‘Emergency Convention’. However, despite the above admonition from INEC, the said Isaac Udeh is hell bent on unilaterally conducting, what he termed ‘Emergency Convention’ without the approval of any organ of the party in accordance with the constitution of the party.
There are clear indications and plans by Mr. Isaac Udeh and Chief Edozie Njoku and his cohorts to unleash violence to scare aware any dissenting voice.
Consequently, the Party has petitioned the Department of State Security Services (DSS) as well as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) against Mr. Isaac Chigozie Udeh, Chief Edozie Njoku and their cohorts over their conducts and falsely misleading the public over a planned ‘Emergency Convention’, knowing too well that their actions would cause huge security threat, breach of public peace, possible loss of lives and properties and total breakdown of law and order.
The petition which was submitted on Monday, January 13, 2025 was copied to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Hence we implore all Party members and the general public to disregard the said Notice to hold ‘Emergency Convention’, while calling on the law enforcement agencies to cause a discrete investigation aimed at bringing the perpetrators to book and thwart all plans to breach of peace.