PDP suspension: strange and funny, says Fayose on July 24, 2013 By MPP ADO EKITI — The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, yesterday, took a new turn, as the State Working Committee, SWC, of the party, announced the suspension of the former Governor Ayodele Fayose and three other executive members for alleged anti-party activities. Speaking through his Director of Media, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, the former governor said he could only be suspended from his ward. “It is a news to me. It is an ignoble news. Ogundipe is not a member of Fayose’s ward. “You can only suspend from the ward. Suspending Fayose from the PDP is like suspending PDP from Ekiti. Ogundipe must learn from the past. “Fayose is an institution in Ekiti politics and it will be funny for anybody to suspend him from the party.” Still dismissing his purported suspension Fayose said Ogundipe has no power whatsoever to suspend him from the party. Those who were suspended along with Fayose include: Dr. Tope Aluko, secretary; Mr. Kola Oluwawole, the publicity secretary; Mrs. Busola Oyebode, women leader. Speaking with the newsmen in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, the chairman of the party in the state, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe said the SWC took the decision to save the party from total collapse. Ogundipe, who resurfaced in the state capital after about two weeks, disclosed that the party took the decision having allegedly found them guilty of anti-party activities and acts of insubordination. Responding to his purported suspension, the former governor described the action as strange and out of tune with the lay-down procedure. Ogundipe said PDP is a disciplined party that would not tolerate any act of indiscipline from any member of the party, “no matter how highly placed.” The PDP chairman said what had transpired at the secretariat of the party last week, where two members of the party were wounded during a fracas, was unwarranted and highly regrettable. Commenting on his purported suspension by seven members of the SWC for alleged bribery, Ogundipe said those that carried out his purported suspension lack constitutional power to do so in line with Section 21(9) of the party’s constitution. He disclosed that only the National Executive Council of the party has power to suspend him from office. “Anybody sitting in Ado Ekiti and talking about suspending me must be a huge joker. Only the National Executive Council can suspend me in line with section 21(9) of the PDP Constitution. “Where did they derive their powers. It is either those people are mischievous or ignorant of the constitution. Our National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur still recognises me as the authentic Chairman of PDP in Ekiti.” Commenting on the consensus committee which may have been responsible for the current crisis, the PDP boss said: “The party will do everything necessary to make the party move forward.” Also, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Pastor Oluwawole dismissed his suspension as an aberration. Oluwawole insisted that the PDP chairman had earlier been suspended and would have to face a disciplinary action to clear himself of complicity in bribery.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 09:22:58 +0000