The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has berated the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faulting them for the suspension of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, over allegations of anti-party activities.
While addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Wike postulated that the party’s NWC does not have the power to suspend Mr. Fayose, nor refer Mr. Ortom to a disciplinary committee.
The governor also frowned at the decision of the NWC to summon the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to appear before a disciplinary committee for a similar allegation of anti-party activities.
According to him, the Benue governor ‘will not appear before any so-called disciplinary committee.’
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Wike said the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, is the one who should be suspended for refusing to obey the constitution of the party on zoning of political positions.
He added that Ayu also failed to deliver his polling unit and political ward during the just-concluded general elections, alleging that Ayu has just begun ‘the mother of all political wars’.
The PDP, in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had sanctioned Fayose; ex-Senate President, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar; and Aslam Aliyu for ‘anti-party activities’.
‘The suspension takes effect on Thursday, March 23, 2023’, he added.
Recall that Fayose; ex-Senate President, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar, and Aslam Aliyu for “anti-party activities”.
A statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Thursday also listed Ibrahim Shema as part of the persons suspended.
The suspension takes effect today, Thursday, March 23, 2023, he added.
Fayose had repeatedly blamed the PDP leadership for the party’s loss in the presidential election, saying the party was never prepared for the exercise.
He also did not campaign for the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar – from northern Nigeria – on the basis that power should return to the southern part of the country.