By Gideon Njoku
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a bid to instill some sanity, and avoid a complete destruction of the Party in Rivers State, has dismissed the suspension, from the Party, of a number of high profile members, including a serving Senator, George Sekibo, and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara.
Sekibo and Opara were suspended from their Wards by their Ward Executives in Ward 2, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area and Ward 10, Porthacourt City Local Government Area, respectively, on trumped-up charges of anti-party activities.
However, not a few Party loyalists in the State are alleging that the rhythm to which the Ward Executives are dancing is being played for them by a higher authority. They point accusing fingers at the Governor, Nyesom Wike, insisting that the Ward Executives will never have the courage to suspend such high profile members unless they had the support of the Governor.
Wike has been at loggerheads with the two men, as well as with a former Minister for Transportation, Dr Abiye Sekibo, former Governor, Celestine Omehia, former Senator Lee Meaba and many others. His problem with them, for which he has made them irrelevant in the scheme of PDP affairs in the State, stemmed from their good relationship with Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate for the PDP, who Wike fought to a standstill for, among, other issues, not picking him as his running mate.
In reaction to the suspensions, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, dismissed the action as null, void and of no effect.
In a statement signed by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said:
“The NWC, after a thorough consideration of the petitions by Senator Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, dated April 17, 2023, against the purported suspension, hereby declares the action by the said Ward Executives which borders on issues of discipline, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017)”
Following is the full text of the statement titled:
PDP Dismisses Purported Suspension of Senator Sekibo, Dr. Austin Opara
“The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported suspension of Senator Dr. George Thompson Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Dr. Austin Adiele Opara from the Party, reportedly by the Ward Executives of Ward 2 of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area and Ward 10 of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, respectively.
“The NWC, after a thorough consideration of the petitions by Senator Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara dated April 17, 2023 against the purported suspension, hereby declares the action by the said Ward Executives which borders on issues of discipline, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017).
“For clarity, Section 57 (7) provides that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee, at any level except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governor or member of the National Assembly.
“The NWC, therefore, charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members, teeming supporters of our Party in Rivers State and the general public to disregard the purported suspension of Senator Dr. George Thompson Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Dr. Austin Adiele Opara.
“The NWC enjoins all Party members in Rivers State to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of our Party and the Nation.
“Finally, the NWC is steadily progressing in our reconciliation efforts among all members of our Party across the Country and we are encouraged by the success so far achieved.”
However, not a few people warn the NWC to watch its back. Using the same method of getting the Ward to suspend such high profile members in PDP, followed by going to Court to perfect it, inspired of the NWC voiding and anulling the suspensions, Wike had, allegedly, dealth with former National Chairman, Uche Secondus, and the now suspended National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
