…It is a sponsored and illegal action, says Embattled Chairman
Christopher Uche, Yenagoa
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The Bayelsa State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col. Samuel Inokoba (rtd) was yesterday suspended by the members of the State Working Committee (SWC) over alleged charges of misconduct and diversion of N40million out of N70 million largesse provided for the Party by the Minister of Petroleum Resources,Dr. Diezani Allison-Madueke.
The decision to suspend the State PDP Chairman,Sam Inokoba,was taken on Tuesday after an exhaustive deliberation by members of the State Executive Committee(SEC).The Deputy Chairman,King Serena Dokubo-Spiff was however absent from the meeting due to personal commitments in Port Harcout,Rivers State.
It will be recalled that prior to the visit of Mr. President to Bayelsa state for the recent Presidential rally, the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Mmadueke allegedly donated N70 million to the state PDP for the visit, but the Chairman allegedly diverted N40 million to his pocket and released only N30 million to the party.
The Publicity Secretary of the Party,Barr.Osom Mackbere,who confirmed the development to news men, refused to go into details,explaining that the decision of the State Executive Committee (SEC) has been forwarded to the National Leadership of the Party and awaiting ratification.
Barr.Osom Mackbere announced that in accordance with the Party constitution,it is expected that the Deputy Chairman of the Party,King Serena Dokubo-Spiff will take charge of the running of the Party within the next 30 days.
A source at the meeting, however stated that the suspended State Chairman, Col.Sam Inokoba(rtd) was invited to appear before the enlarged Executive Committee but refused and reportedly travelled to Abuja.
According to the source,the members of the State Executive Committee(SEC) deliberated on a Five charges of misconduct levelled against the embattled State Chairman,”he was accused of refusing to join in the ongoing campaigns for Candidates from the Central Senatorial district because they were not his choice.”
“He has since neglected to carry out his official duties as Party chairman and sponsored aspirants during the party primaries instead of engaging in neutrality as the Chairman of the Party.He also publicly,in the presence of party members,ordered his security aides and thugs to beat to death a party member due to dispute over party primaries materials.”
“”He also engaged in promoting factions within the State PDP and engaged in financial dishonesty with funds provided by members of the State PDP from the State and National level.”
In his reaction, the embattled Chairman of the party, Col. Sam Inokoba (Rtd), denied pocketing the money, and said the fund was distributed according to the directive of the donor.
He warned desperate politicians and their sponsors to use their energy, resources and power for the development of the people and the stage at large, calling on Bayelsans to dismiss such rumor.
The Chairman further described the reported suspension as illegal and a sponsored action, saying the suspension is a lie that can not hold and it is a violation of the section 10 sub section 7 of the party.
According to him, “No executive committee at any level, state, local government and ward, except the National executive committee shall entertain any question of discipline, sack or sanction as may relate or concern a member of the National executive committee”.
