The internal crisis rocking the National Rescue Movement worsened on Monday with its National Executive Committee suspending its former presidential candidate, Mazi Okwudili Nwaanyajike and 14 other members.
The NEC members took the decision through a unanimous resolution taken at the 2nd quarter meeting in Abuja.
Nwaanyajike who was initially the party’s 2023 presidential candidate was replaced with Felix Johnson Osakwe for allegedly not meeting the party conditions.
The national chairman of NRM, Ambassador Isaac Chigozie Udeh, in an address at the NEC meeting insisted that Felix Johnson Osakwe has replaced Mazi Okwudili Nwaanyajike as the presidential candidate of the party.
According to him, the party took the right decision to replace Mazi Okwudili Nwaanyajike with Felix Johnson Osakwe.
He said, “The leadership took a golden decision on this matter at that material time making sure that every step taken was in accordance with our party guidelines, the Electoral Act and the INEC guidelines were not overstepped.
“Also the decision was taken in good faith to brighten our chances in all the Constituencies we are fielding candidates in 2023 general elections.
“This issue generated unwarranted controversies by some selfish elements that are poised to make gains from any misunderstanding no matter how little, despite all their antics, we remain committed.
“We shall not be discussing much on it as the matter is already in court.”
The NEC meeting, through a voice vote, also extended the tenure of the national executive officers from a year to four-year pursuant to its Article 11.1.
Other decisions were the approval for its National Working Committee to constitute the campaign council for the 2023 general election and replacement of its Deputy National Chairman (North), with Salisu Dawaki.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, local observers, among others.
ThePUNCH
