PDP NWC Dismisses Purported Expulsion of Ugochinyere from Party

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the purported expulsion of the member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State and Spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere from the party by the Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward chapter of the PDP in Imo State.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said: ”The NWC declares the said purported expulsion as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the express provision of Sections 57 (7) and 59 (3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down rules of our great party”.

According to Ologunagba, ”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…”

”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”.

 Accordingly, Ologunagba said: ”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.”

Ologunagba said that the NWC strongly warned 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 NWC’s position, he said, is that “Hon. Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu remains a bonafide member of the PDP with all rights, privileges, recognition, obligations and charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our party in Imo State and the nation to disregard the purported expulsion.”