PDP Suspends Odili, Sekibo, 17 Others

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja yesterday suspended members of the party who belong to the PDP ‘Reform Group’ for failure to meet with the National Working Committee (NWC).

Prominent among those suspended are former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, his  Secretary to Government and later Transport Minister, Dr Abiye Sekibo, former Senate Presidents Ken Nnamani and Adolphus Wabara, former speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Bello Masari, and former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa.

A statement issued by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, PDP National Secretary, said that the NWC expressed surprise at the refusal of the group to appear before it in spite of invitations extended to them. “The NWC is of the view that the concerned members had adequate notice but declined to utilise the opportunity granted them by the invitation.

“The decision to dishonour the invitation to appear before it is a calculated attempt to disregard lawful directives of the party in order for them to continue to ridicule the party contrary to Article 12.1 of the PDP Constitution,” it said.

The statement said that members of the group were suspended in accordance with Article 21.4 of the party constitution.

Others also affected by the suspension include Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Chief Tony Ukasanya, Chief Suny Iroche, Sen. Emmanuel Agboti, Sen. Sylvanus Ngele, Sen. Ifeanyichukwu Ararume and Chief Rochas Okorocha.

The rest are Chief Chris Ekpeyong, Mr Auwal Tukur, Mr Bawa Bwari, Prof. ABC Nwosu, Mr Kelechi Igwe and Chief Benard Eze.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Steering Committee, Nnamani, said at a meeting of the forum in Abuja yesterday that there was a need for better organisation of the party in the interest of the nation.

He said the purpose of the forum was not to haunt anyone or group but to generate ideas that would move the party forward to ensure the delivery of the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.