The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has suspended one of its governorship candidates, Jimi Lawal for organising what was termed an illegal primary election.
GoldenNewsNg reports that Others suspended by the party are the State Financial Secretary, Hon. Bola Odumosu; Fasiu Ajadi from Abeokuta South; Alhaji Kola Akinyemi and the Chairman of the party in Ijebu North East, Aremo Tope Ashiru.
The five PDP members were suspended by the party’s State Working Committee at a meeting held at the PDP Secretariat in Abeokuta on Monday.
They were sanctioned for organising a congress against the decision of the party at all levels and act described as contravening the constitution of the party.
The Financial Secretary, Odumosu was said to have signed a letter, “misinforming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)” that a congress of the PDP would hold today.
Addressing newsmen at the meeting, the Ogun PDP Secretary, Dr Sunday Solarin said the party did not authorise Odumosu to write INEC, saying “the constitution of the party does not empower him to write a letter, asking INEC to come and monitor a congress.”
Solarin said the five persons would remain suspended for the next one month; stating, however, that they have the right to fair hearing before a disciplinary committee would be announced later.
He added that the party would continue its investigations as others found in similar acts would be handed similar sanctions.
The Secretary disclosed that the PDP National Working Committee had appealed the judgment of an Abeokuta Federal High Court nullifying the party’s primaries in Ogun, saying Lawal and others were being sponsored by opposition parties.
He urged party members to await the outcome of the Appeal Court on the said judgment, expressing confidence that the candidates of the party would contest the 2023 elections.
“They will have to come and explain themselves why they should not be suspended or why the suspension should not translate to expulsion,” he said.
