ABUJA- NATIONAL Working Committee, NWC of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP yesterday slammed its hedge hammer on the Chairman, Senate Committee Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Senator Andy Uba and suspended him from the party as a member of the PDP.
Also suspended along side Senator Uba, is his junior borther, Chief Chris Uba, the factional chairman of the party in the state, Chief Ejike Oguebego, Benjamin Udeozor; and Mrs Anthonia Nwankwu who were accused of conducting a parallel state congress for the nomination of governorship candidate in Anambra state last Saturday.
However, Chief Chris Uba, yesterday said that news of his suspension from the party by the National Working Committee, NWC took him as a surprise.
Senator Andy Uba
The suspension of the Ubas as gathered is preceding planned expulsion from the party by the leadership of the PDP. In a letter signed by the Acting National Secretary, Dr. Charles Aderemi Akitoye and directed to these chieftains and obtained by vanguard, however explained to them on their current status having snubbed the NWC which invited to explain the role they played at the parallel congress.
The letter which was addressed individually to them and dated August 29, read “the National Working Committee, NWC at its 353rd meeting held on Wednesday, 28th August, 2013 reviewed the happenings in Anambra PDP regarding the Anambra Primary Election.
“It was noted that you organized a parallel state congress which was unauthorised by the party contrary to section 58 (1) a, b, c, f, h and j of the PDP constitution (2012 as amended).
“As a result of this, you were invited to meet with the NWC on Wednesday 28, August, 2013 for fair hearing, but you did not appear.
“In view of the seriousness of the issues involved, you are hereby suspended from the party and the case referred to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee for further necessary action”.
However, it was learnt that the affected party chieftains have obtained a Court order stopping the party from taking any disciplinary action against them, just as the party had served them with the decision before they got the court order.
It will be recalled that the NWC had constituted itself into a disciplinary committee and summoned them to appear on Wednesday, but the invitees vehemently refused, even as the PDP also asked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate how the Ubas and others where Andy Uba emerged procured sensitive PDP electoral materials.
It will also be recalled that last Saturday produced two parallel congresses of the party where two governorship candidates, Tony Nwonye and Andy Uba emerged.
While Nwoye emerged from the primary conducted by the electoral panel set up by the national leadership of the party and led by Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, Uba emerged at another congress which was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were detailed to monitor the PDP primary.
Prior to the conduct of the parallel primary, there has been dispute between the electoral commission and PDP as to who was the authentic state chairman of the party in the state, with INEC recognizing Ejike Oguebego, while the party disowned him and recognised Kenneth Emeakayi.
It will be recalled that in a statement by the acting national publicity secretary, Tony Okeke, on Tuesday, had said that the PDP “condemns the strongest possible terms the organization of a parallel primary election to elect a candidate for the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra state other than the one conducted by the party on August 24, 2013.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the only Governorship Primary election recognized by the party was the primary election conducted by the Electoral Panel under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema which was appointed by the Party.
“The organization of another primary election other than the one referred to above is a clear breach of our party’s constitution and is therefore totally unacceptable and cannot be condoned.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to forthwith commence investigations into the illegal procurement of sensitive party materials for the illegal governorship primary election by persons who paraded themselves as working for the PDP.
“In view of their participation in the breach of our constitution referred to above, the following persons are hereby invited to appear before the National Working Committee for a preliminary hearing at the PDP National Secretariat, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 10 am prompt to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against them”.
No need for his suspension and that of his brother – Chris Uba
Speaking to Journalists yesterday, Uba who noted that there was no need for his suspension and that of his brother, Senator Andy Uba and three others, said, “It is a surprise to me. I did not organise any congress. I’m a loyal party member. I was told that there is a three- man delegate and that there was a court order to follow Ejike Oguebego.
Dr. Chris Uba
“I came to Abuja on Wednesday evening from Enugu and I was given a letter from the PDP, and as soon as I read the letter, I knew where they were going to. I did not do the congress and I was not a party chairman in the state.
” So, I rushed to court yesterday and the court asked us to come on Friday. I was surprised to hear that I have been suspended. I want us to respect democracy and the rule of law. We must protect the rule of law and the judiciary.
“Why the rush in suspending me and the five others? There were more than a million PDP members at the congress. They should have suspended all of us.”
The letter of invitation to Chris Uba which was signed by the Acting National Secretary, Dr. Charles Aderemi Akitoye inviting him to a meeting and titled, “Invitation to meet with the NWC”, read, ” You are hereby invited to meet with the NWC tomorrow, 28th August 2013 by 12 noon to explain why disciplinary measures should not be taken against you for allegedly organising a parallel Congress in Anambra State on the 24th August, 2013, contrary to chapter VIII of the PDP constitution(2012 as Amended).
“The meeting will take place at the NWC Hall, PDP National headquarters, Plot 1970 Michael Okpara Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.”
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