The Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee has rejected the alleged suspension of Senator Adolphus Wabara, the chairman of the board of trustees, calling it unlawful.
The party’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba criticised the suspension in a statement released on Tuesday, claiming that it did not adhere to due process and breached the PDP Constitution (as revised in 2017).
The statement noted, “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 under Section 57 (7) of the PDP Constitution.”
The Intercept reports that the Abia state chapter of the party suspended Wabara for endorsing Governor Alex Otti for a second tenure barely five months into the governor’s administration in October 2023.
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However, the NWC referenced Section 57 (7), which explicitly states that no Executive Committee at any level, except the NEC, has the authority to discipline a NEC member, Deputy Governor, or National Assembly member.
By this provision, the party emphasised that the state chapter has no jurisdiction to suspend Wabara, being a member of the NEC.
The PDP described the action as reckless and unconstitutional, warning those responsible to retrace their steps or face disciplinary measures.
