Lagos PDP Chair Accuses State Officials Of Forgery; Defies Suspension

The Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Pastor Phillip Aivoji has dismissed his removal by some officials of the party.

He was suspended alongside his deputy, Tai Benedict, on April 14 on the allegation of violating PDP constitution and working against the party during the just concluded election.

The party said the two officials will remain suspended pending the outcome of court cases instituted by the party.

But Aivoji has remained defiant saying he will overcome the shenanigans of some members of the PDP executive in the state who suspended him.

The embattled Chairman told The Nation on Tuesday that it is wrong to accuse him of anti-party activities after wining his ward for the PDP during the recently concluded general election.

He expalined that the signature of his wards members that purportedly suspended him were forged, adding that the matter has now been taken to court.

According to him, “The situation is that you would have been seeing reports that the so-called ward exco members that suspended me have alleged that their signatures were forged and that the purported suspension is not true and we expect the law to take its course.

“Also, these people have approached the court, and the court has ruled that parties must maintain the status quo. It is rather unfortunate that those who went to court are now in breach of the judiciary by their action.

“In our constitution, it is me that has the power to call the Central Working Committee, except where I direct the secretary of the party to do so. Those promoting this idea didn’t follow all the laid down processes as specified by our party’s constitution.

“I can tell you that myself alongside all the exco members will come out in full force to debunk all their shenanigans.”

While announcing his suspension last month, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode said the State Working Committee reached the resolution after appraising the outcome of the 2023 general election.

He said the decision was taken to save the soul of the party.

Consequently, Amode announced Sunday Olaifa, the party’s Vice Chairman as acting chairman, pending the outcome of court cases.

He said the committee settled for Olaifa being the vice chairman of the suspended chairman’s senatorial district.