The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a strange twist last night when the National Treasurer of the Kawu Baraje faction, Mallam Tanko Isiaku Gomna, was forced to resign.
The incident was a replay of how a former National Chairman of PDP, Mr. Audu Ogbeh, was pressurised to resign in 2005.
It was learnt that Gomna was invited to the Presidential Villa in Abuja where he was asked to either resign or forfeit his company’s contracts with the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Federal Ministry of Works. Gomna, a nominee of a former Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, sought for permission to consult but he was asked to make up his mind on the spot.
A source in Baraje’s faction said: “Our National Treasurer was summoned to the Villa in respect of an ongoing road project along Ogbomoso axis in Oyo State and others with the Federal Ministry of Works.
“On getting there, he was given the option of either resigning as the National Treasurer of Baraje’s faction or losing his plum contracts.”
Gomna reportedlly pleaded to be allowed to consult but he was asked to take a decision on the spot. The source went on: “Feeling unsafe, Gomna resigned to avoid being harmed. Upon doing so, the forces at the Villa hurled him before TV cameras to announce his resignation.
“But upon coming out, he raised the alarm and called on Baraje’s faction to save his life.”
The Baraje faction, on September 8, constituted its National Working Committee (NWC). The NWC members are: Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje (Chairman); Dr. Sam Sam Jaja (Deputy National Chairman); Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (National Secretary) and Hon. Maode Umar Hiliya (Deputy National Secretary).
Others are: Mr. Timi Frank (National Youth Leader); Hon Binta Koje, National Woman Leader; Mallam Nasir Issa (National Organising Secretary); Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze (National Publicity Secretary); Hon. Wadada (National Financial Secretary) and Mallam Tanko Isiaku Gomna (National Treasurer).
In a statement he issued in Abuja, Gwamna said he resigned after a careful study of the unfolding events in the polity, and a deep reflection of the consequences of such impasse on the party.
“This decision was arrived at after a careful study of the unfolding events in the polity and a deep sober reflection of the consequences of the outcome of such impasse on our party,’’ he said.
According to him, as a lover of democracy, he is of the belief that the impasse will not augur well for the unity, peace, progress and prosperity of the party in particular, and the nation in general. Gwamna, who pledged his loyalty to the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP, called on all party faithful to unite and ensure the amicable resolution of the impasse in the party.
“Our desire is for the PDP to continue to lead while others follow. As such, we must eschew all vices capable of unnecessarily heating up the polity,” he said, adding: “I pledge my loyalty to the Bamanga Tukur leadership, while calling on all party faithful to do same.”
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