The Abia State Working Committee (SEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it suspended the BoT chairman, Mr Adolphus Wabara for alleged anti-party activities.
Premium Times quoted the chairman of the PDP in Abia State, as confirming the suspension.
According to the paper, Amah Wabara was suspended for endorsing the state governor, Mr Alex Otti of the Labour party for a second term in October 2023, barely five months into his administration.
Describing Wabara’s endorsement as “a brazen display of sabotage” against the PDP, Amah said the action brought the party to disrepute, hatred and contempt which is in violation of the provisions of Chapter 10, Article 58(c) and (f) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended).
He said the Wabara’s removal from party positions was in line with provisions of Articles 59(1) (e) & (f) of the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended).
“Now therefore, let it be known by all party members, stakeholders and the general public, that sequel to the foregoing and consequent upon the far-reaching implications of Senator Adolphus Wabara’s acts of sabotage against the party, the SEC hereby invokes the provisions of Articles 57(1),(2),(3), 58(1)(b) & (f) and 59(1) of the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended) against Senator Adolphus Wabara and hereby places him on one-month suspension from party activities,” he said.
“In line with disciplinary procedures, a Seven man disciplinary Committee will be set up immediately, to investigate Senator Adolphus Wabara’s actions,” Amah said.
Meanwhile, national working committee (NWC) of the party has described Wabara’s purported suspension as unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.
Spokesman for the party, Mr Debo Ologunagba said this in a statement in Abuja
He said the purported suspension was not consistent with the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and the party’s laid down rules.
“For emphasis, no state working committee has the power to suspend or take any disciplinary action against a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party without due recourse to the NWC, as clearly provided for under Section 57 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017)
“Section 57(7) is unambiguous in providing this.
“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 governors or members of the National Assembly,” he said.
Ologunagba said the explicit import of the section is that the Abia chapter of the PDP has no power whatsoever to take any disciplinary action against Wabara, who is a member of the party’s national executive council.
“The PDP, therefore, condemns the purported suspension of Sen. Wabara as reckless and unconstitutional.
“The party cautions those behind this act in defiance of the PDP Constitution to retrace their steps, as the NWC will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary actions to preserve the stability of our party and the sanctity of its constitution,” he said.
Ologunagba also called on all PDP leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters in Abia, the Southeast zone and, indeed, across the country to disregard Mr Wabara’s purported suspension.
With Premium Times and NAN reports
