By Lucy Omakpo
The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has carpeted the statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, purportedly dismissing the suspension of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara.
The Abia state chapter, in a statement signed by the Chairman Elder Abraham Amah stated that the decision of the Abia State Executive Committee (SEC) to suspend Senator Wabara met every constitutional requirement of the Party and cannot be invalidated by a mere statement from the National Publicity Secretary, which is not a by-product of any official resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Quoting relevant sections of the constitution of the PDP, it stated that the BoT chairman of the PDP stand suspended. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Abia State PDP, in taking this decision, relied on the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as follows:
1. Section 58(1)(b) & (h) – This section provides that a member of the Party may be sanctioned for engaging in anti-party activities or any conduct likely to bring the Party into disrepute. The endorsement of a sitting governor from another political party, as done by Senator Wabara, clearly constitutes a violation of this provision.
2. Section 59(3) – This section explicitly states that the Board of Trustees is not immune from disciplinary actions where necessary. As such, the decision to sanction Senator Wabara is well within the powers of the Abia State PDP.
3. Section 59(4) – This provision affirms that the Party can take disciplinary actions against any member whose conduct contravenes the principles of the PDP, further reinforcing the legality of the SEC’s decision.
4. Section 57(6) – While the National Publicity Secretary referenced Section 57(7), he conveniently ignored Section 57(6), which provides that the power to take disciplinary action against any member is vested in the relevant executive committees at all levels of the Party, subject to due process. The Abia PDP has acted within this legal framework.
Furthermore, we affirm that only a competent court of law or the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP has the authority to overturn the decision of the Abia State Executive Committee. Until such a competent authority pronounces otherwise, the suspension of Senator Wabara remains in full effect.
We urge the National Publicity Secretary to exercise restraint and avoid issuing statements that lack constitutional basis or mislead the public. The PDP as a Party must uphold discipline and accountability at all levels, and no individual, regardless of position, is above the Constitution of the Party.
As a State Chapter, we shall not hesitate to seek appropriate judicial redress should any attempt be made to subvert the decision of the Abia PDP SEC through unconstitutional means.
