NCP Crisis deepens, Presidential Primary holds, National Chairman asked to step down

Success Damian: 

The crisis within the National Conscience Party (NCP) appears to have no end in sight, this is the public perception as the party gets set for National Presidential Primaries holding in Abuja from September 28 – 30, 2018, even as the National chairman has been requested to step aside.

In a press release filed by the duo of Prince Goodluck Obi, National Deputy Chairman South-East and Pastor Peters Omoragbon, National Deputy Chairman South-South, the party national Chairman, Mallam (Dr.) Tanko Yunusa was asked to step aside.

This follows an investigation by NEC in session into the allegation of financial impropriety levied by a Presidential Aspirant (from the South-South) against one of the state executive committee with the full knowledge of both the National Chairman and General Secretary, which has just been formally brought to the attention of the National Deputy Chairman, South-South. 

According to the demands made by the aspirant, name (withheld) include:

“A demand that, Mallam (Dr.) Tanko Yunusa step aside as the

Chairman of the Party during the NEC meeting and duration of the entire proceedings of the Primaries because he is also an aspirant for fairness, justice and equity.”

He also relied on the party constitution for basis of his demand saying that “Article 4.4.2 (e), of the Party Constitution is relevant in this circumstance.”

According to the release some of the executive see the activities of the Chairman and Secretary as an infraction and that barely four (4) days before the commencement of the activities leading to the election of the Party Presidential flag bearer for the 2019 General Elections, members of NEC are yet to receive any update(s) concerning the planning and activities for this very special event, adding that no member of NEC has been inundated with any information as to whether a NEC meeting will hold before the Primaries.

“It is our sincere hope, that the secretariat is very much aware of the import of a Pre-Primaries NEC meeting to review the report of the Presidential Primaries’ Committee vis-a-vis, list of aspirants, the amount paid by every aspirants and also review/approve or otherwise other matters that may relate to Not Only the Presidential Primaries, but other Primaries from across the nation,” the release highlighted.

It also said “We are guided by Article 4.3.2 of the Party constitution in making this intervention.

“In line with the foregoing, we will want to request the National Secretary to include on the agenda for NEC intervention the followings:- A complete review/reversal of the exorbitant ‘’ Nomination fees’’ for all aspirants from the state and national elective offices unilaterally set up by the Secretariat without recourse to/approval of NEC. (Where this was done, we would appreciate a copy of the NEC minutes where this was approved)

“A full audited financial Statement of the Party account made available to all NEC members as submitted to INEC by the National Secretariat since 2012 without any discussion of approval of same by NEC. 

“An explanation by the National Chairman and General Secretary why the elected National Financial Secretary of the Party has been denied access to the Party accounts and refused to be made a signatory to the Party account since the 2015 National Congress held in Akure contrary to Articles 4.4.6 (a-f) of the Party constitution. Even when the elected National Financial Secretary petitioned NEC about this infraction and the denial of his constitutional roles, the National Secretary has refused to include the matter for discussion at subsequent NEC meetings. It must be noted that, Pastor Peters Omoragbon was once National Financial Secretary whilst Chief Gani Fawehinmi, (SAN) of blessed memory, Barrister Femi Aborisade were both Chairman and General Secretary. He was allowed unfettered access to the Party accounts. He signed every single check of the Party and in 2005 at the National Congress, a copy of the Bank Financial Statement from 2002 was distributed to all the delegates.

"A demand that, Mallam (Dr.) Tanko Yunusa step aside as the

Chairman of the Party during the NEC meeting and duration of the entire proceedings of the Primaries because he is also an aspirant for fairness, justice and equity," among other demands.