The Week In Review: Plot To Remove Secondus, Doctors’ Strike And Messi’s Move…

In this edition of the Week in Review, we are reporting the failed plot to remove the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; the unending battle between the Federal Government and Nigerian resident doctors; Lionel Messi’s historic move to PSG and so much more…

Plot to remove and replace Secondus

The past week wasn’t what the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus, hoped for as six members of the National Working Committee of the party called for his removal.

The NWC members felt that the Rivers-born politician had grossly mismanaged the party and described Secondus as highly incompetent.

They claimed that he has factionalized the party and has lost the confidence of PDP members.

With one faction of the PDP House of Representatives caucus headed by Kingsley Chinda calling for his resignation and another caucus headed by Ndudi Elumelu faulting such calls, the main opposition party was heading for a major crisis.

In addition to pressure from some past and present governors of the party, the PDP’s BoT had to step in to save the day!

Following an intense meeting in which Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State reportedly clashed with Secondus, a solution was finally reached.

The resolution of the crisis was announced to newsmen by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal.

Those present at the meeting to resolve the PDP crisis include 13 governors, the Board of Trustees members, Secondus, and representatives of other organs of the party.

According to Tambuwal, part of the resolutions at the meeting was the bringing forward of the party’s national convention from December to October as an overt gesture to placate the group agitating for the immediate removal of Secondus.

He said, “This meeting has agreed that immediately a NEC meeting should be convened for the party to constitute the national convention planning committee and the national convention should be held latest by the end of October.

“As party members of the BoT, members of the governor forum, members of former governors forum, former ministers, former Senators, former Presiding officer of the National Assembly and various stakeholders, we are very happy to announce that we have discussed all matters and we have resolved to continue to work as a united family.

“Also, the zoning committee for the party should also be constituted by the same NEC immediately. The NEC of the party shall meet most likely next week and all the issues will be addressed”

NARD Vs Chris Ngige

The PDP crises only served as a temporary distraction as the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) continued their battle with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige over the non-implementation of an agreement reached earlier this year.

The association had accused the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government of being un-serious in resolving the ongoing industrial action.

With the strike lingering on, the federal government had to deploy youth corpers and consultants to make up for the absence of resident doctors. Ngige had during the week disclosed that he had dragged the NARD to the National Industrial Court over the continued strike.

Bola Tinubu In London

With Nigeria’s health care system in comatose political elites and those who can afford it prefer to make use of health care facilities in foreign countries. This has given more fuel to rumours that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, has remained in London, UK, to recuperate from multiple surgeries on his knee performed in foreign hospitals.

Tinubu’s continued stay in London has resulted in politicians paying him various visits, with Hon. James Faleke following in the footsteps of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to visit the ‘strongman’ of South-west politics.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday joined other politicians in visiting Tinubu – who was pictured with a walking stick – before he returned backed to Nigeria on Friday.

Reports emerged on Saturday claiming that Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State is also in London treating an undisclosed ailment.

Messi’s move to PSG

Ending on a sporting note, with many Barcelona fans still shedding tears over the departure of their greatest ever player, Lionel Messi quickly found a new home in French moneybags, Paris Saint Germain, PSG.

“I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain. Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here.

“I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes,” Messi said after completing his move.

And that’s it for this week! Next week is another time.