IFEANYI EZUGWU,ENUGU.
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, recorded first casualties in Enugu State over the weekend following the suspension of the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Barr. Amaechi Okolo from the party.
Also suspended is the commissioner for commerce and industry in the state, Mr. Jude Akubuilo, the Special Assistant to Governor Sullivan Chime on education, Mr. Sunny Agu, Hon. Chijioke Agu, commissioner for youth and sports and O.A.U Onyema.
The chairman of the PDP in Udi Council Area, Hon. Uche Ogbodo, who briefed journalists in Enugu said the five persons were suspended for attending illegal meeting.
He said contrary to appropriate sections of the party’s constitution, which rests power to convene meeting on the executive, the five members organized and held a PDP stakeholders’ meeting on Friday without the knowledge of the exco.
He accused Agu of creating bad blood in the party by victimizing members who are close to the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“I want this made known to the public that a group of people have been calling meeting without deference to the party’s constitution. I have personally called them but they don’t want to retrace their steps.
“The person at the helm of this is Hon. Chijioke Agu, commissioner for youths and sports. He has been on my neck because he wants to go to House of Reps.
“Last week, he called and told me that security network is watching, that they are not comfortable with my relationship with the Deputy Senate President.
“I told him that he is our senator, that we elected him, and for that I don’t understand why they want me to keep away from him.
“Today, they held a meeting again without the consent of the party exco. For that reason, we met at the party secretariat in Udi where we suspended Hon. Chijioke Agu, Sunny Agu, Jude Akubuilo, Barr. Amaechi Okolo and O.A.U Onyema.
“They shall remain suspended until we get clarifications from them; our decision will be communicated to the state executive council of the party”, he said.
