- The PDP National Working Committee nullified Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere’s expulsion, stating it violated the party’s constitution and due process
- Ugochinyere was expelled for alleged misconduct, but the NWC reaffirmed his membership, emphasizing adherence to party rules and democracy
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has nullified the expulsion of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the House of Representatives member for Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State.
Ugochinyere, a former spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), was expelled on Thursday by the PDP’s Umuopia/Umukegwu ward in Ideato Local Government Area for alleged insubordination and anti-party activities.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, declared the expulsion invalid and inconsistent with the party’s constitution.
According to Ologunagba, the ward executives’ actions violated Sections 57(7) and 59(3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
“The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported expulsion of Hon. Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu from the Party by the Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward Chapter of the PDP in Imo State,” the statement read.
“The NWC declares the said purported expulsion as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the express provision of Sections 57(7) and 59(3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down rules of our great party.”
Section 57(7) of the PDP Constitution explicitly states that, “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly.”
Additionally, Section 59(3) provides that “Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level except the National Executive Committee shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers or members of any Legislative Houses.”
The NWC’s decision underscores its commitment to upholding the rule of law and internal party democracy. The leadership affirmed that any disciplinary measures concerning members of the National Assembly must be addressed at the national level, as stipulated by the party’s constitution.
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