by Isi Esene

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party Olisa Metuh has described those spreading rumours of a conflict between the Party’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Tony Anenih and the National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur as “meddlesome interlopers without any fixed address.”

Metuh said the group, Forum for Equity and Justice, said to have made the allegation was created to bring up controversies to portray an atmosphere of crisis between the party’s BPT Chairman and the National Working Committee.

The Party spokesman explained that the reconciliatory meetings convened by the BoT Chairman, Anenih was not meant to usurp the duties of the NWC but to complement its efforts at maintaining lasting peace in the Party.

He said, “The leadership of the party reiterates that the Chief Tony Anenih led-BoT has in no way usurped the functions of the NWC. His reconciliatory visits complement the reconciliation and consolidation tours embarked by the NWC and they have been yielding desired results.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the Forum for Equity and Justice had reportedly called on the BoT Chairman to recognise his role as advisory. The group said the tour being embarked by Anenih and members of his team to the governors is unnecessary and capable of further polarising the party.

According to the statement signed by its National Co-ordinator, Entangle Ayelabowo, the group said, “Though as the chairman of BoT, we understand that he needs to be acquitted with happenings in the party. But his visits to the governors before his election and after his election at Abuja are enough for him to know the feelings of the governors concerning the crisis rocking the party.

“He does not need to embark on clandestine visits to the governors. The visit is already causing tension in the party as there are those who have the notion that the Anenih team is usurping the functions of the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, led by Tukur.

“We appeal to him to shelve further visits, more so when he is not reporting his findings to the national leadership of the party.”