The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suspended some party leaders on Thursday for alleged anti-party activities.
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, and two party chieftains, Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State) and Aslam Aliyu, are among those suspended by the party (Zamfara State).
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) also referred Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee.
However, the NWC’s decision to exempt Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Nyesom Wike (Rivers) from prosecution has sparked controversy.
In the run-up to the 2023 presidential election, the governors vowed to work against Atiku, noting that it was the South’s turn to rule the country.
In exchange for their support for Atiku’s presidential campaign, the governors demanded the resignation of the party’s chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
Ayu, on the other hand, insisted on staying in office, despite the demands of the G-5 governors.
According to a member of the party’s NWC who spoke about what happened during the meeting that resulted in the suspension of Fayose and others, the NWC treated each case individually.
The source who spoke on condition of anonymity with Vanguard said;
We treated each case on its merit.
It was as simple as looking at the level of infraction committed by each of those whose cases were brought before us.
His Excellency Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his Enugu State counterpart, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for example, were not overtly hostile to the party in spite of the differences we had.
These two party members contributed men and materials to support our presidential campaigns, especially in their respective states.
They also didn’t openly canvass for support for presidential candidates other than Atiku Abubakar unlike Ortom who openly declared his support for Peter Obi and to add salt to injury also asked his supporters to vote for Obi.
Even when there were speculations that Makinde and Ugwuanyi were supporting the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, they were diplomatic and subtle in their approach.
We are a party governed by rules and regulations. For every action there are consequences.
As for Governor Wike, his case is still being investigated; although he disparaged our presidential candidate, he was careful not to openly canvass for the candidate of another party.
Discussion about this post