By Banji Ayoola
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State has insisted that its suspension earlier in the day of the state chairman, Hon Fatai Adams stays contrary to the position of the party’s national body as conveyed in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba.
In a statement by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Hon Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, the state chapter said that Ologunagba’s opinion as contained in a statement he issued shortly after Adams’ suspension violates the spirit and letters of the party’s constitution.
According to the statement: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter is embarrassed by the Statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of our great party Hon. Debo Ologunagba whose opinion about developments in the party in Ondo State is contrary to PDP Constitution as amended.
“For the record, all levels of the party have powers to discipline erring members of their Executive, whether at the Ward, Local Government, State or Zonal levels. The State Chairman, Fatai Adams is a member of the State Working Committee and can therefore be sanctioned in the face of his activities with flagrant disregard for SWC decisions. To this end, the suspension of Fatai Adams stays.
“Unfortunately, Hon Ologunagba who is from Ondo State appears not to have up-to-date information about the party in Ondo State. If he did, he would have been the last person to issue such a misleading statement.
“Nine out of the Eleven State Working Committee (SWC) members signed the suspension letter. That alone is a confirmation that Fatai Adams has overstayed his usefulness as State Chairman.
“Finally, we wish to reiterate that, by the provisions of our Constitution, every level of the party can discipline any officer of the party at that level. Therefore, Ologunagba’s personal opinion should not be misconstrued as the provisions of our Constitution.”
Earlier in the day, the state chapter of the party in a letter titled “Ondo PDP State Working Committee (SWC) suspends State Chairman, Fatai Adams” signed by nine members of the State Working Committee, announced the suspension.
The suspension letter read: “Pursuant to section 58(1b. c, f. h. and i) of the PDP Constitution as amended in 2017, the State Working Committee has approved the suspension of the State Chairman, Mr. Fatai Adams, for anti-party activities and for engaging in activities likely to bring the party to disrepute.
“He is accordingly. advised to appear before the State Disciplinary Committee of the party for
further interrogations within the next one week.
“The party wishes to state emphatically that it will deal decisively with any incursion by the ruling
party. the APC, into its ranks.”
It was signed by Hon. Tola Alebere – State Deputy Chairman; Barr. Oluseye Olujimi – State Secretary; Engnr Dare Akinwale – State Organising Secretary; Elder Amos Fadope, State Vice Chairman, South; Hon Dayo Awude, State Vice Chairman, Central; Barr. Moses Awofade – Legal Adviser; Hon. Boluwaji Bamidele – Financial Secretary; Hon. Mrs Olawumi Fasonu – Treasurer; and Hon. Kennedy Ikantu Peretei -State Publicity Secretary.
However, Adams said that he remains the PDP Chairman in Ondo State, as he declared his suspension as politically motivated and unfounded.
In an interview, Adams reportedly described the action as illegal and unfounded, stressing that it was a plot to remove him so that they could allegedly hatch their plans for the Akoko North East/North East Federal Constituency Bye-election.
Insisting that he remained the chairman of the party in the State, he maintained that the party would not be taken over by allegedly unscrupulous elements to destroy the democratic values which the party is known for.
Meanwhile, the party’s National Working Committee in a statement by Ologunagba, said the state chapter lacked the power to suspend its chairman.
Declaring the suspension null and void and of no effect, the national body said that the suspension was inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP and laid down rules.
It said: “For emphasis, no State Working Committee has the power whatsoever to contemplate or suspend a state chairman without due recourse to the National Working Committee as provided by the Constitution of the PDP.
“The PDP is an organised political party governed by strict adherence to the provisions of its Constitution and rules and will not allow any individual or group at any level to violate its Constitution and rules.
“The NWC cautions those involved in this illegal act in defiance of the PDP Constitution to retrace their steps as the NWC will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary or punitive actions to preserve the stability of our party and the sanctity of our Constitution and rules.
“The NWC states that Mr. Fatai Adams remains the Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter of the PDP and charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our party in Ondo State and the nation to disregard the purported suspension.”
The party, however, urged all its members in the state to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of the PDP and the people.
