The Peoples Democratic Party on Monday announced the suspension of four key members of the New PDP for anti-party activities.
The four are a former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the New PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje; the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja; and the Deputy National Vice-Chairman (North-West), Amb. Ibrahim Kazaure.
Their suspension came barely six days after the Court of Appeal reinstated Oyinlola as the PDP national secretary. It also happened on a day the New PDP vowed to ensure that the Bamanga Tukur-led National Working Committee of the PDP was served the court order to pave the way for the ex-governor’s return as the national secretary of the party.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, at a news conference in Abuja, said the suspension of the four politicians was to serve as a deterrent to others.
He explained that the decision was taken at a meeting of the National Working Committee of the party on Monday.
Metuh said that Baraje, Oyinlola, Jaja and Kazaure had breached some sections of the PDP constitution.
He specifically listed Section 58:1(B),(G)(H)(I) which reads, “Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the party shall have power to discipline any member who:
(B) says or does anything likely to bring the party into disrepute, hatred or contempt” and (G); “engages in disorderly conduct at meetings or rallies or at any party function; and (H) “engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members of the party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party.”
Sources at the Wadata Plaza national headquarters of the party, said the walkout staged by some members of the party, including the suspended politicians and some governors at the PDP mini- national convention in Abuja on August 31, would be used against Oyinlola and others.
Metuh said the four men were expected to appear before the PDP Disciplinary Committee soon.
He accused Oyinlola, Baraje and the two others of stealing identity of the party, which he said had been settled by a law court.
Metuh said, “There is only one PDP, there can never be two PDP. The court has pronounced on this and I tell you that there is only one PDP.
“But we have witnessed an attempt at political identity theft where some aggrieved people are colluding with some unknown people to steal our identity. That has failed.
“We have appealed to our brothers that this is not a Nollywood production or drama. This is a party in power and we have to work with the President to deliver the dividends of democracy.
“The NWC after its meeting today(Monday) has announced, in line with the constitution of our party, and after a preliminary investigation suspended Baraje, Oyinlola, Jaja and Kazaure.
“The suspension of these four members are to be referred to the disciplinary committee for further action.”
Metuh said the party had been slow in taking decisive actions against them for a long time because it thought that they would change their ways.
He said when this was not forthcoming, the PDP had no option but to suspend the four men.
This action, according to him, is to serve as a deterrent to other members of the PDP and also to show the committed members that they must remain loyal.
Asked why the seven governors, who are members of the New PDP were not also suspended, Metuh said they were not holding positions in the splinter group.
The governors are Abdulfatah Ahmed(Kwara); Aliyu Wamakko(Sokoto); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Murtala Nyako(Adamawa); Musa Kwakwanso (Kano) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa).
Metuh said, “The party has decided to suspend these four because of their positions (in the New PDP). That is our position for now.”
On why the party took the decision a few days after the Court of Appeal ordered the reinstatement of Oyinlola, Metuh said its leadership had been busy.
He said that while Tukur had been busy with international engagements, the party was involved in legal matters regarding the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.
The spokesperson for the ruling party also said that the party had yet to be served the Court of Appeal judgment.
But Oyinlola said their suspension was part of the impunity they had been complaining about in the PDP.
He wondered why only four people were singled out for punishment, even when the party was yet to query them.
The former governor, in a short text message to our correspondent, claimed that the party took the decision with a view at circumventing the appellate court judgment.
He said, “This is part of the impunity we are protesting against. None of us has been queried or requested to give explanations for any alleged offence.
“And if they are reacting to the issue of the New PDP, why did they decide to leave out the serving state governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives who have been very vocal?
“It is all an attempt to circumvent the ruling of the Court of Appeal. Certainly, the last has not been heard about this matter and I am sure that the truth will prevail over falsehood.”
Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the New PDP, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, said the PDP under Tukur lacked what he called democratic character.
He said that Tukur and his men did not understand the PDP constitution.
Eze said, “The problem we are having with Tukur and his NWC is that they lack not only democratic character but also common understanding of the PDP Constitution.
“To us this is an abuse of the judiciary and the provision of the 1999 Constitution on fair hearing and most importantly, the PDP Constitution of 2012 as amended in Article 21 section 9.”
The section reads, “Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level except NEC shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the NEC, public officer holder i.e. ministers, ambassadors, special advisers or any member of the legislative houses.”
Eze added that Tukur and his men should also read Article 21:10, which says, “No disciplinary committee at any level except the NEC shall impose any punishment provided under Article 21.7 of the constitution arising from any disciplinary on any person named in subsection 21.9 of this constitution.”
He said with these sections of the party’s constitution and considering that Oyinlola by his position as the national secretary of the party, the suspension was null and void.
Our correspondent gathered that before the decision was taken, the NWC had been involved in a series of meetings.
One of the meetings was said to have been held with President Jonathan, who was said to have expressed his support for the return of Oyinlola .
A member of the NWC, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said that the President also informed the NWC members and others at the meeting that former President Olusegun Obasanjo also called him, saying that Oyinlola’s resumption could also help to heal the wound in the party.
However,Tukur was said to have protested vehemently, alleging that his return could further add to the crisis in the party.
The NWC member said, “Tukur was against the judgment and told the President so. He made the President to know that Oyinlola should be suspended and that coming to the party now would further expose the books of the party to its enemies.”
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