The crisis rocking the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State chapter deepened on Thursday when the party leaders resolved to send a protest letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, demanding immediate removal of their Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (retd.).

It was gathered that the decision to formally lodge complaints to Jonathan was borne out of a discovery that Inokoba was enjoying the protection of the Presidency.

Inokoba was recently suspended by the State Working Committee (SEC) over some allegations, including diversion of N40million out of the N70million donated to the party by the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke.

The SEC and other party leaders were said to be angry that few weeks after they had recommended the sack of the chairman, NWC remained indifferent.

The leaders, therefore, threatened mass defection to the opposition if the Presidency continued to shield the chairman.

The stakeholders, comprising the SWC, all the party chairmen in the local government areas and wards as well as non-executive officials, were said to have signed up for the protest letter demanding the sack of the chairman.

Copies of the letter, it was gathered, will be sent to the governor, the National Chairman of the party and the National Secretary.

They were said to have resolved to write the letter after extensive deliberations in series of meetings they held in Yenagoa.

“The signed list revealed that out of the 14 state working committee members, 13 of them signed and one person was absent. Out of the 15 non-working committee members, all of them signed.

“Going by the party structure, the 15 non-working committee members are like assistants to the 14 working committee members. Also, the eight local government chairmen who make up the complete structure of the party and which make up the state executive, all signed the suspension letter,” a source said.

The source further said that the leaders in the letter accused the chairman of undermining the collective decision of the executive committee to pursue a selfish agenda.

“They are urging the President not to treat the matter lightly or else risk the party’s fortune at next month elections and future elections.

“They have every reason to believe that Inokoba is acting the scripts of some persons at the corridors of power in Abuja, particularly those with vested political interest in the power equation and control of the state.

“Unfortunately, it is one script that is sure to consume the party and everyone in the state if not quickly checked.

“They are calling on the President not to be deceived by Inokoba’s antics and political theatrics which are backed up by some persons who are hell bent on hijacking the party structure in the state,” the source also disclosed.

Adding, the source further stated: “The leaders want to go into the election as a united family whose strength cannot be compromised by filthy lucre. The leaders said they had done everything to resist the attempt by Inokoba’s backers and sponsors to induce them with cash so as to surrender the party’s machinery.”

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