A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State has suspended Mr. Okey Asolo, the acting chairman, for insulting Chief Chris Uba, a member of PDP Board of Trustees and Chief Linus Ukachukwu, a chieftain of the party.
Asolo was suspended by the PDP ward leadership in Ward 13, Onitsha North Local Government, wqhich accused him of violation of party constitution and anti-party activities.
Asolo, who took over from Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu as acting chairman, had on April 2 suspended Uba, a member of PDP Board of Trustees and Ukachukwu, a chieftain of the party.
The notice of suspension was contained in a statement in Awka yesterday. It was signed by Messrs. Obinna Obialor and Obinna Obichinyere, chairman and secretary of the party at the ward.
According to the statement, arising from a crucial meeting of the Ward Executive Committee held on April, 3, the PDP Ward 13 Onitsha North Local Government suspended Okey Asolo.
“His suspension from the ward is on account of his violation of the PDP constitution and anti-party activities.
“Sir, the suspension of Asolo is anchored on Article 58 (1) and 59 (1) and (2) of the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended,” it said.
The suspension was upheld by the Onitsha North Local Government chapter of the party, which met on Monday.
The chapter, in a communiqué by Messrs. Alex Anah and Chigbo Onyia, chairman and secretary, said it considered the notice and came to the conclusion that Asolo violated the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended.
“We upheld the said suspension and equally suspended him from the Onitsha North Local Government Area PDP of Anambra State,” it said.
A group, Forum of Elected Local Government Chairmen in Anambra, has dissociated itself from the suspension of Uba and Ukachukwu.
The chairman, who wrote to the national leadership of the party in a communiqué, said Asolo and his group activities were aimed at destabilising the party.
“We dissociate ourselves from this fragment of imagination of Asolo and his cohorts purporting to have suspended Uba and Ukachukwu from the PDP.
“By their action, there is no gainsaying that their sole aim is to destabilise the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Therefore, we urge you members of the National Executive Committee of our party to disregard the purported suspension of the two high profile leaders of our great party,” the communiqué said.