Ogun PDP faction suspends Abati, Sowunmi, others

Rather than thaw, the crisis in Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened.
A faction of the party has suspended Dr. Reuben Abati, running mate to the INEC-recognised governorship candidate, Senator Buruji Kashamu; Segun Sowunmi, the spokesman of the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; and 37 others for anti-party activities.
Freedom Online learned that the National Working Committee (NWC) has endorsed the suspension which was announced in a communique on Thursday.
The communique, signed by the Chairman of the faction, Sikirulai Ogundele, suspended members of the Bayo Dayo-led faction of the party and also recognised candidates for state and national legislative elections.
Ogundele said the decision to suspend the affected members was ratified at a state meeting of the party held at Legacy House, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, the state capital.
He said the suspension “is at the instance of the Ward and Local Executive Committees which noted that affected members failed to appear before them and also did not respond to queries served on them.”
He said the suspended members were found guilty of various offences ranging from factionalisation of the party against the mainstream leadership of Prince Uche Secondus-led NWC, making statements in the media capable of bringing the party to disrepute and organisation and participation in unlawful congresses, among many others.
Apart from Abati and Sowunmi, others suspended were Sosanwo Adeola Ayoola, Odunjo Odunlaye Abiodun, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu, Taiwo Shote, Segun Showunmi Anthony, Abimbola Lanre Balogun, Sunmonu Monsuru Olusegun, Kojeku David Sunday, Ajose Paul, Adesina Lateef, Adekoya Adesegun, Lawal Alaba, Azeez Ola Ogedengbe and Adisa Akintomiwa.
Also suspended were Biliaminu Owolabi, Sakiru Oladimeji, Babatunde Tajudeen, Wasiu Boladale, Samuel Adeyemi Ope-Ifa, Sunmonu Kayode, Taiwo Akinfenwa, Awojope Alao, Adebayo Benjamin, Bayo Raphael, Abiodun Sylvester Niyi, Segun Oduniga Kaka, Seun Adesanya, Awoyemi Olusegun Afolabi, Adeluyi Solola, Hassan M. A. Olajide and John Tosin Oludoyin, Fatai Adebimpe, Babatunde Sikirulahi, Okulenu Ojonla M., David Tayo Oluwole, Ayomide Babatunde, Kalejaiye Sunday Idowu and Akinsonwon Adekunle.
The communique added: “The affected members are suspended until the reports of the disciplinary committees set up by the party are presented”.