The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has formally disowned the leadership of Edozie Njoku, declaring his actions as illegal and a threat to the integrity of the party.
The party also suspended its National Chairman, Isaac Udeh, for allegedly organizing a fraudulent convention aimed at illegitimately consolidating power within the party.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NRM stated that the so-called “Emergency Convention” organized by Udeh and Njoku was a sham, comprising individuals who were neither members of the party nor had any legitimate claim to the party’s leadership.
The party strongly condemned the actions of Udeh and Njoku, describing them as a deliberate attempt to undermine the democratic structures of the NRM.
According to NRM Acting Chairman, Obidike Okolo, the party had long been aware of the efforts by Njoku and Udeh to hijack control, but the fraudulent convention marked a new low in their attempts to illegally seize power.
Okolo noted that the National Executive Committee (NEC) had not called for any such convention and that it was conducted without the approval of the proper party organs.
“The National Rescue Movement unequivocally rejects the leadership of Edozie Njoku,” the statement read.
“His actions, in collusion with Isaac Udeh, have caused unnecessary divisions within the party, and their attempts to hijack the party through fraudulent means will not be tolerated.”
The party emphasized that Udeh’s actions, which included convening a convention that was not recognized by the official party structure, had resulted in his suspension from his position as National Chairman.
The statement further clarified that the legitimate NEC, which is composed of duly elected officers, remains firmly committed to the progress of the party and has called for immediate unity within the ranks of NRM.
“The entire leadership of NRM remains intact, and we are working together to strengthen the party and ensure that the true principles of democracy are upheld,” Okolo added.
“Any attempts to subvert these structures will be met with swift action, as the party will not allow itself to be manipulated by individuals with personal agendas.”
The NRM also addressed the actions of Iliyasu Adamu, who had recently claimed to lead a northern caucus within the party and pledged support for Njoku.
The party reaffirmed that Adamu had been expelled from the NRM in 2022, and there was no recognized northern caucus within the party’s structure.
The party clarified that the so-called northern caucus was simply a fabrication aimed at advancing the fraudulent leadership claims of Njoku and his allies.
In response to the escalating crisis, the NRM leadership urged members of the party to remain loyal to the true cause of the movement and disregard any actions or publications that attempt to mislead them.
The party expressed its commitment to ensuring that all members continue to work towards a common goal of rebuilding and strengthening the party ahead of future political challenges.
“We will not allow the integrity of our great party to be tarnished by those who seek to profit from its name,” the statement concluded.
“The National Rescue Movement will continue to stand for the values of transparency, justice, and democracy, and we will take all necessary steps to preserve the party’s unity and integrity.”
The NRM called on all members, especially those in leadership positions, to remain focused on the vision of the party and to work together for the collective good, rejecting any form of division or manipulation.
The party also vowed to pursue legal actions against any individual found guilty of breaching the party’s constitution and integrity.
