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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja, George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has dismissed the purported expulsion of the member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, from the party.
The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the purported expulsion was not in line with the provision of Sections 57 (7) and 59 (3) of the Constitution of the party’s (as amended in 2017) and laid down rules.
Earlier, Imo State chapter of PDP, in a press release statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiku, and made available to journalists at the weekend, said Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Downstream sector was expelled as a result of his alleged refusal to honour several invitations by the party’s Disciplinary Committee set up by the LGA leadership of the party.
The Imo PDP also disclosed that the lawmaker had already been suspended by his Umuopia/ Umukegwu ward since October 14, 2024.
The statement said: “The expulsion was conveyed in a letter by the Ideato LGA chapter of the party dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh which they addressed to the state chairman.”
It added that the expulsion followed the report of the party’s Disciplinary Committee, dated November 27, 2024, which investigated misconduct charges against Ugochinyere in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended.
However, Ologunagba noted that Section 57 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP is clear in providing 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 Governors or members of the National Assembly….”
He added that: “Also, Section 59 (3) of the Constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing that ‘Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution 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, President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers or member of any of the Legislative Houses.”
Consequently, the opposition party stated that “it is therefore clear that no Ward, Local Government or even State chapter of the party has the power to suspend, expel or discipline a member of the National Assembly in any form whatsoever without due recourse to the National Working Committee as provided by the Constitution of the PDP.
“The NWC strongly cautions that the PDP is an organised political party governed by strict adherence to the provisions of its Constitution and Rules and will not allow any individual or group at any level to violate its Constitution and Rules under any circumstances whatsoever.”
The PDP NWC maintained that Ugochinyere remains a bona-fide member of the party with all rights, privileges, recognition, obligation.
The PDP leadership, while calling on all its leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters in n Imo State and the nation to disregard the purported expulsion, charged party members in the state to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of the party and the people.
