People's Democratic Party (PDP)

By Chuks Okocha

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Friday announced the immediate suspension of its National Vice Chairman, North East, Alhaji Girigiri Lawal for breaching Articles 51(1) (b) (c) (h) of the constitution of the Party.

Also, the party has described the comments of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, that the ACN was a party for the people of the South West as “nepotistic and reprehensible”.

According to a statement announcing the suspension of the Northeast vice national chairman for one month, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh said the action is in furtherance of the resolve of the leadership of the party to entrench discipline at all levels.

He said that following the breach of the constitution of the party by Alhaji Girigiri, he was invited by the National Working Committee for preliminary hearing in accordance with Article 57(3) of the constitution of the PDP.

Metu said, “after the preliminary hearing, the National Working Committee resolved to suspend Alhaji Girigiri Lawal for a period of one month with effect from October, 12, 2012. The matter has been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee of our Party for further action”.

He said that PDP re-emphasize that the issue of discipline is paramount to building a virile party. It therefore expects that the custodians of the constitution of the party be they elected or appointed as well as all members should live by example and adhere to the provisions of the constitution of the Party.

Also in another statement Metuh stated that although it was common knowledge that the ACN was a regional party, it remains condemnable that a governorship candidate would deliberately weep up clannish sentiments for cheap political gains.

According to him, what Nigeria needed at all times was national integration and not ethnic chauvinism, explaining that  with the comments the ACN has reinforced its image as a party willing to pander to whims and caprices of tribal lords and tyrants who have continued to lord it over members.

He urged voters in Ondo State to break out of the cocoon on October 20, 2012, by voting massively for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Olusola Oke, in order to return to mainstream politics.

"Mr. Oke is one of the best candidates we've ever presented for a gubernatorial election, someone who has served his people his people in the NNDC and who has their interest at heart," Mr. Metuh maintained.