I’ve been sidelined, PDP national woman leader cries out

The National woman leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe has accused some leaders of the party of undermining her office.

Effah-Attoe raised the allegation in a leaked memo she sent to the National Working Committee of the PDP, citing two detailed instances to back her claim.

The memo, titled: “Deliberate attempts to undermine my office, office of the national woman leader and to sideline my humble person: An unacceptable hindrance,” was obtained.

According to her, it became very clear that over time, there had been “several attempts made at undermining my office”, the office of the PDP National Woman Leader.

Prof Effah-Attoe said at the flag off ceremony of the PDP campaigns in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on October 10, 2022, here, serious attempts were made to prevent her from addressing the PDP audience at the Uyo stadium.

“It must be stated here that it is a customary tradition in our party for the National Woman Leader and the National Youth Leader, to address rallies in conjunction with party candidates, party chairmen et al.

“Unfortunately, in Uyo, every attempt was made to prevent me from addressing party faithfuls. I was told that there was a clear directive not to allow me to speak to the crowd. It got to the ridiculous extent of these agents, calling on Senator Uche Ekwunife, to speak to the audience, on behalf of PDP women.

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“Senator Ekwunife was very embarrassed, but she was proud to do it. Iyom Josephine Anenih, a former PDP National Woman Leader, drew the attention of some party leaders to this anomaly. It was then that I was reluctantly called to address the audience on behalf of the PDP women. This unfortunate development did not go unnoticed by party faithful, who found the whole drama very embarrassing and childish.

“At the PDP Kaduna rally on Monday October 7, 2022. At this event, the National Youth Leader was called upon to address the crowd on behalf of the PDP youths, which he did perfectly well, to the admiration of the populace. I was physically present at the event in Kaduna. I was even seated beside the National Youth Leader. But nobody called me to address the audience on behalf of the PDP women.

“Rather, the spectacle was a very ridiculous announcement calling on Dr. Baraka Sani (Director of the PDP Support Groups, in the Campaign Council), to address the crowd on behalf of the PDP women. The entire audience were surprised, mesmerised and confused. People started asking questions there and then. Many wondered why the National Youth Leader was called upon to perform his traditional and official role, while the National Woman Leader was deliberately prevented from doing hers.

“There and then, some people tried to explain that unfortunate scenario in different colourations. While a lot of people found the occurrence very offensive, I smiled over the unfortunate incident in total sympathy with the perpetrators of such childish displays of character.

“It may interest you to know that the happening has gone viral, to the disgust of many Nigerians. Specifically, the Kaduna occurrence has seriously painted our great party in a negative light. Very, very sad indeed.

“I will continue to perform my duties to the best of my ability and to the benefit of our esteemed party, within the confines of my safety and the tolerance level around me.