Prince Chinedu Obi has emerged as the acting national chairman of the National Rescue Movement after the suspension of Isaac Udo, the former chairman, over alleged violations of the party’s constitution.
The announcement was made by Prince Obidike Okolo, the acting National Secretary of NRM, during the party’s first-quarter National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.
The meeting, initially set for February 28, was rescheduled to address urgent issues affecting the party. Okolo emphasized the importance of the meeting in resolving internal conflicts and ensuring discipline within the party. He specifically referenced an unauthorized gathering on January 17, which had claimed to be an emergency convention but was deemed illegal and unconstitutional by the party.
Okolo accused Udo of organizing the unauthorized convention without the necessary approval from the party or its members. He revealed that Udo had informed the Independent National Electoral Commission about the event, prompting INEC to declare it illegal and call for adherence to the party’s constitution. Okolo added that Udo had repeatedly violated the party’s rules and failed to respond to multiple invitations to address these issues.
The National Management Committee had already passed a vote of no confidence in Udo due to his alleged misconduct and disregard for party processes. A committee has been formed to review the allegations against him and make recommendations to the NEC. If Udo is found innocent, he will be reinstated as National Chairman.
The meeting also addressed the filling of vacancies within the party’s national executive, caused by the departure of several key officers in recent years. Positions such as the National Publicity Secretary, National Organizing Secretary, and National Auditor were filled during the NEC meeting to ensure the smooth operation of the party.
Okolo reaffirmed the party’s commitment to fairness and due process, emphasizing that the investigation into Udo’s actions would be thorough and just. He also reminded party members that the constitution does not allow anyone to assume a national office within one year of joining the party unless granted a waiver.
As the acting National Chairman, Obi will lead the NRM in the interim. The NEC meeting also appointed new executive members to key positions within the party, including Barr. Seprebofa M. Oyeghe as Acting Deputy National Legal Adviser, Dr. Mustapha Umar Kumshe as Acting National Vice Chairman, Magdalena Samuel Gali as Acting National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Musa Salisu Kafisoli as Acting National Auditor, Hassan Aminu Ibrahim as Acting National Secretary, Chief Sir Victor Iwualla as Acting National Welfare Secretary, and Omotaiwo Peter Letsuwa as Acting National Publicity Secretary.
“You would recall that on January 17, there was an unauthorized gathering claiming to be an emergency convention. This supposed convention was illegal, unconstitutional, and a direct violation of our party’s constitution,” Okolo said.
He continued, “Sadly, Mr. Isaac Udo has been involved in repeated infractions against our constitution and has ignored several invitations to address these issues.
” While Mr. Udo has been suspended pending an investigation, a committee has been set up to review the allegations against him and make recommendations to the NEC. If found innocent, he will be reinstated as National Chairman.”
” We have processes in the party that must be followed, and our constitution does not allow anyone to assume a national office within a year of joining the party unless granted a waiver,” Okolo concluded.
