THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has plunged into crisis after members of the State Working Committee suspended the party’s chairperson, Fatai Adams yesterday.
The party’s National Working Committee however rejected Adams’ suspension, saying that it violated the provisions of its constitution and established regulations.
In a statement, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the party’s national working committee deemed the suspension null and void and of no consequence.
The alleged suspension is coming as political parties prepare for primaries ahead of the November governorship election.
According to the electoral body’s timetable, party primaries are set to take place from April 6 to 27, with the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) online site beginning at 9 a.m. on April 29 and ending at 6 p.m. on May 20.
According to a statement signed by nine NWC members, Adams’ suspension was owing to his engagement in anti-party activities.
“Pursuant to section 58(1) (b. c, f, h and i) of the PDP constitution as amended in 2017, the State Working Committee has approved the suspension of the State Chairman, Mr Fatai Adams, for anti-party activities and for engaging in activities likely to bring the party to disrepute,” the statement read in part.
“He is accordingly advised to appear before the State Disciplinary Committee of the party for further interrogations within the next one week.
“The party wishes to state emphatically that it will deal decisively with any incursion by the ruling party, the APC, into its ranks,” the statement added.
Those who signed the suspension notice included Tola Alebere, Deputy Chairman; Oluseye Olujimi, Secretary; Kennedy Peretei, Publicity Secretary; Dare Akinwale, State Organising Secretary; Amos Fadope, Vice Chairman (South); Dayo Awude, Vice Chairman (Central); Moses Awofade, Legal Adviser; Boluwaji Bamidele, Financial Secretary and Olawumi Fasonu, Treasurer.
Reacting to his suspension, Adams stated that he remained the state party’s Chairman.
He said that the listed members’ reported suspension was politically motivated and aimed at removing him so that they may have their way in the upcoming Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency bye-election.
He warned that the party should not be taken over by unscrupulous forces bent on destroying the party’s democratic values.
“This will not stand; we know what they are trying to do. Their plan is to remove me so that they can execute their evil agenda for the Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency bye election and we will not fall for that,” he stated.
Speaking on the situation, the party national leadership through Ologunagba stated that “For emphasis, no State Working Committee has the power whatsoever to contemplate or suspend a state chairman without due recourse to the National Working Committee as provided by the Constitution of the PDP.
“The PDP is an organised political party governed by strict adherence to the provisions of its Constitution and rules and will not allow any individual or group at any level to violate its Constitution and rules.”
According to Ologunagba, the NWC has warned those participating in the illegal act in violation of the party’s constitution to retrace their steps because the NWC will not hesitate to take necessary disciplinary or punitive actions to protect the stability of the PDP and the sanctity of its Constitution and norms.
“The NWC states that Mr. Fatai Adams remains the Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter of the PDP and charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our party in Ondo State and the nation to disregard the purported suspension,” the statement added.
