Nationnewslead reports that Fears of violence have taken over Ebonyi over who occupies the Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Two factions in the state are laying claim to the secretariat.
The National Working Committee of the party had last week dissolved the State Working Committee (SWC) led by Onyekachi Nwebonyi and other State Executive Committees.
This followed the defection of Governor David Umahi to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
The NWC also set up a nine-man Caretaker Committee for the state led by Elder Fred Udogu, a former Commissioner.
But Nwebonyi, a few days later briefed the media at the Secretariat where he warned that the new executives should not go near the Secretariat.
He threatened it will be suicidal if the new executives come anywhere near the Secretariat.
But Udogu told NNL on Tuesday that Nwebonyi has been sacked by the party and has no right over the place.
He further argued the Secretariat and all the properties of the PDP in the state belong to the National Leadership of the party.
“There is no other SWC other than the caretaker committee inaugurated yesterday (Monday) so any other person there is an illegal occupant.
‘I just came back today (Tuesday) so there is no way we would have taken over today.
“We are a very legal and organised group we would not just rush to take over, we have to first of all take stock of everything. The people there are no longer members of the party.
“The owners of the party are the National Leadership. The NWC constituted the Caretaker Committee and it was confirmed by the National Executive Committee.
“I believe the security agencies are aware that I am the new Caretaker Chairman. We would not fight anybody. We are not touts and we will not fight them. Very soon we will go and take over the place”.
But Nwebonyi, in a swift reaction, said he is the only legally elected and authentic chairman.
He said he and his faction was still occupying the office and warned the Udogu- led faction to steer clear.
He also said he has filed a suit challenging the dissolution in court.
“My Lawyer has also written to the NWC and they should wait for the court to determine the authentic Leadership before moving in”
“I was elected in Ebonyi and inaugurated in Ebonyi. They were selected and inaugurated in Abuja. They should continue to operate from Abuja”, he said.
The Secretariat was built by Umahi when he was chairman of the party during the Governor Martin Elechi administration.
