The Deputy Publicity Secretary, acting as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, has explained the reason behind the suspension of the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, and Legal Adviser, Kamarudeen Ajibade.
In a press conference in Abuja, on Friday, Abdullahi said, the duo were suspended for insubordination and disloyalty.
According to him, the NWC took the decision at its meeting late on Thursday.
The Ag. Spokesperson noted that the matter was discussed at the meeting and out to vote where 8 members voted in favour and four voted against their suspension.
Speaking on the crisis in the party, he said, “We are a Democratic Party that is why every member wants to remain.
“We are the only political party that has survived over two decades since independence.
“With 13 governors you would expect some internal bickering but we have internal mechanisms of resolving our problems.
In response to a question on the specifics of their offence, Abdullahi explained that while the party decided to steer clear of the just concluded Local Government Election in Rivers State, the duo issued a statement to the contrary.
Asked why they were not referred to the Tom Ikimi-led Disciplinary Committee, he said, “The Tom Ikimi-led Disciplinary Committee is handling the major cases but the NWC has powers to handle the discipline of its erring members.
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He also dismissed speculations that the the Damagum-led NWC was induced to move against the two officers.
He said, “There’s nobody induced us to do what we are doing.”
He also noted that the Board of Trustees, BoT, advised Damagum to look into knotty issues with respect to the just concluded nationwide congresses including the case in Rivers.
He added that the two persons will be investigated for two weeks after which if found innocent, they’ll be restored to their positions.
He said, “Rivers is still a PDP State. The Governor Siminlaye Fubara, he has not informed anyone that he is leaving the party.
“And there is no indication that he will do so. Something good is going to come out of this I assure you.
“Section 35 of our constitution does not specify for how long a National Officer can act in a position. The courts have spoken.