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Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday threatened a showdown over the suspension of some of his political allies in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for alleged anti-party activities.
He vowed to challenge, in particular, the dissolution of the Ekiti State Executive Council of the party believed to be loyal to a former governor of the state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
Fayose is an ally of the Rivers State governor.
Wike told the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that its decision to suspend his supporters was off course.
Former governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani who was similarly axed in the suspension gale, also protested the action against him.
He said he was neither told his offence nor given an opportunity to defend himself before a disciplinary action was taken against him.
Wike and his colleagues in the G-5 (Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia) are opposed to PDP’s ceding of its presidential ticket and national chairmanship of the party to the North.
They consequently opted out of the campaign of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and called for the resignation of the chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
Wike, speaking yesterday during the inauguration of the State PDP Campaign Council in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of the state, said the suspension of party members loyal to the G-5 governors would not help the PDP in the February/March elections.
He branded the dissolution of the Ekiti State executive committee of the PDP as an act of tyranny that would be challenged in court.
He branded the dissolution of the Ekiti State executive committee of the PDP as an act of tyranny that would be challenged in court.
He dared Ayu to suspend him or any of his colleagues in the G-5.
He said: “Let me also use this opportunity to say to Iyorchia Ayu and his team, your dissolving Ekiti State Exco will not help you in any way. Your suspending people will not help you in any way.
“The battle line has been fully drawn. As I speak to you, we will do everything legally possible to challenge any decision we know is illegal.
“So, don’t think you can threaten people by saying so, so persons have been suspended. Rubbish! Complete rubbish! We are above that level that you think you can threaten anybody; intimidate anybody with whatever illegal decision you have taken.”
Continuing, Wike said: “We are waiting for you to announce my own and any other of my friends. Like I have said, when a man says you will not sleep, he too, will he sleep? Will Ayu sleep? Will those his cohorts sleep?
“So don’t worry, we have the capacity to pay back. We have the capacity to tell you that enough is enough.
“You are doing what will give you more headaches as far as this election is concerned. We are watching and we are waiting for you to announce more of my friends.
“When a man says you will not sleep, will he sleep too? Will Ayu sleep?”
Wike urged Rivers electorate in Khana to vote for the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the national and legislative candidates in the 2023 general election to consolidate on the achievements of his administration.
Fayose’s son, Ajijola, five others reject suspension
Seven National Assembly candidates of the PDP in Ekiti State yesterday rejected their suspension by the party’s NWC.
They are all loyalists of Mr. Fayose and one of them, Oluwajomiloju, is even his son.
The younger Fayose is seeking election into the House of Representatives from Ekiti Central I.
The other suspended chieftains include Ayeni Funso and Ajijola Lateef, senatorial candidates for Ekiti North and Central respectively.
Others are Emiola Jennifer (Ekiti South II), Ajayi Samuel (Ekiti North II), Olayinka Olalere (Ekiti Central II) and Yinka Akerele (Ekiti North I).
They dismissed the purported suspension as a joke, a grave misstep by the party leadership and a ploy to distract them from pursuing their aspirations.
Their words: “Section 57 (6) of the PDP constitution is clear and unambiguous. It states that ‘Any decision taken against a member who has not been informed of the charges against him or has not been given any opportunity of defending himself shall be null and void.’
“Also, Section 33 of the Electoral Act is very clear on candidates for elections and as it is, we remain candidates in line with law and we shall remain focused. Our party is a constitutional institution and we will ensure it obeys its constitution.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 33 of the Electoral Act provides clearly that ‘A political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under Section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate.’
“We are therefore unperturbed. Rather, we are being propelled to work harder to ensure victory in the elections while we explore appropriate means of handling the issues.
“Ultimately, it will be victory for us as candidates of the PDP.”
They appealed to members of the party and supporters across the 177 wards in the state to remain calm in the face of the alleged injustice.
Nnamani: PDP violated my right to fair hearing
Dr. Nnamani who has been expressing support and admiration for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, took to his Twitter handle @ChimarokeNamani at 12.54 am yesterday to respond to his suspension.
In the response entitled To All My Teeming Supporters, he said: “Earlier tonight, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced the decision of the National working Committee (NWC) of PDP suspending me from the party.
“I have since been inundated with telephone calls and messages from various persons, seeking my clarification on the matter.
“Just like every other person, the decision and announcement of my purported suspension from the PDP came to me as a rude shock and huge surprise.
“I was never at any time notified of any petition or complaint against me or informed of the grounds that formed the decision of the NWC of the PDP to suspend me from the party.
“I was not also invited to any meeting, proceeding or hearing of the NWC of the party where my supposed offence (s) was/were discussed. I was, therefore, not afforded the opportunity to make representations on my behalf at any meeting where the proposal and decision to suspend me from the party was made.
“My right to fair hearing was consequently violated against the provisions of the Constitution of the party, especially in disciplinary proceedings. More importantly, the Superior Constitution of the FRN.
“I therefore appeal to all of you to remain calm and law abiding while we continue our campaign to a hopefully victorious conclusion. To God be the glory.”
Announcing the decision of the PDP NWC’s decision on Friday, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after a very extensive review and consideration of the affairs of our Party in the country, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) approved the suspension of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu State) and Chief Chris Ogbu (Imo State) with effect from today, Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities.
“In the same vein, the NWC has approved the suspension of the underlisted Party members in Ekiti State also with effect from today, Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities.
The suspended members in Ekiti State are:
1. Ayeni Funso -(Ekiti North)
2. Ajijola Lateef Oladimeji -(Ekiti Central)
Others are;
1. Emiola Adenike Jennifer -(Ekiti South II)
2. Ajayi Babatunde Samuel -(Ekiti North II)
3. Olayinka James Olalere -(Ekiti Central)
4. Akerele Oluyinka -(Ekiti North I)
5. Fayose Oluwajomiloju John -(Ekiti Central I)
The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to remain united and focused on the mission of our Party to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from misrule.
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