Presidency Wants Kalu Expelled from PDP
Governors seek Anenih's removal as Trustees Chairman
From Chukwudi Nwabuko in Abuja and Emeka Osondu in Umuahia
Ahead of today's meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling Peoples Democra-tic Party (PDP), governors elected on the party's platform met last night with President Olusegun Obasanjo at the Presidential Villa, apparently to discuss recent happenings in the party.
THISDAY gathered last night that the meeting centred on the moves to expel the Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu as well as to put before President Obasanjo the governors' position that Chief Tony Anenih be removed as the Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees.
Sources told THISDAY that prior to the meeting with Obasanjo, the governors had met earlier with the party's National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh, where they expressed their misgivings about happenings in the party.
Checks reveal last night that the governors got wind that the Presidency wanted Kalu expelled from the party for making public a letter he wrote to Obasanjo long before the President received it and for his public criticisms of the Obasanjo administration.
However, Ogbeh was said to have argued that being a member of the party's NEC, Kalu could not only be expelled by the NEC, the decision must be ratified by the National Convention of the party.
The governors were said to have argued along the same line, saying that they are not happy with the way the Orji Kalu matter was being handled. It was their contention that Kalu had done nothing to warrant being expelled from the party.
Also, the governors were said to have demanded that Anenih be dropped as Chairman of the Party's Board of Trustees, saying that as things were, the president had hijacked the party.
Sources said that Obasanjo insisted on having Kalu expelled.
As at the time of going to press, the governors were still meeting with the president.
Today's NEC meeting is expected to review the local government election, particularly with regards to the states controlled by the party that held election into newly created councils.
The meeting is also expected to deliberate on Kalu's response to the order that he apologize to the party, the Federal Government and Anenih, following his claim that Anenih threatened to kill him.
Among governors present at the meeting were Obong Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom), Chief Lucky Igbinedion (Edo); Chief Achike Udenwa (Imo); Alhaji Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Chief James Ibori (Delta); Chief Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo); Dr. Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Dr. Chris Ngige (Anambra); Mr.. Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna).
Kalu had recently alleged that his deputy Dr. Chima Nawfor informed him that he would be treated the same way the late Justice Minister, Chief Bola Ige, murdered in his Ibadan residence December 2001, was treated.
Following the controversy the issue generated, the PDP waded into the matter and invited Anenih, Kalu and Nwafor for questioning.
Finding the allegation baseless the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP had Wednesday last week given Kalu a 14-day ultimatum within which to apologize to the party, Anenih and the Federal Government for raising 'false alarm'.
But in a swift reaction, Kalu's aides ruled out any apology to the former Minister of Works and Housing.
Instead, the Abia Governor called for the setting up of a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation he levelled against Anenih.
Although Kalu later apologised to the party he insisted that "the issue of apology to Anenih does not arise", pointing out that the matter was already in court.
He also refused to apologize to the Federal Government saying that he was awaiting a response on the letter he wrote to the government where he alleged Anenih threatened his life.
The PDP said it is leaving open options it would take in the light of apology which Kalu tendered to the party without extending the same to the Federal Government and Anenih.
Meanwhile over 200 members of the Orji Uzor National Support Organisation (ONSO), a pro-democracy group, yesterday stormed Government House, Umuahia to express their solidarity for Kalu.
The demonstrators, bearing portriats of Kalu with inscription: "Our Hope, Our Vision, Orji Uzor Kalu... President" gathered before the Government House gate at about eleven o'clock in the morning, singing and dancing.
The National Co-ordinator of the group, Dr. Uwaoma Uche, told the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, who later addressed them that nobody can expel Kalu from the party since he has committed no offence by seeking to protect his life.
According to him, "we want to caution all those fighting against him (Kalu) that they are fighting against the wish of the people. And the wish of the people will triumph over the face of evil and tyranny."
Responding Orji commended the leadership and members of ONSO for their expression of solidarity to the governor, especially at this trying time when he was being persecuted for standing up for the cause of nation building.
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