The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the expulsion of former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, and six others from the party.
The party stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Friday.
The six others expelled from the party, according to Ologunagba, are Chris Ogbu (Imo State), Ajijola Oladimeji (Ekiti Central), Olayinka Olalere (Ekiti Central II), Fayose John (Ekiti Central I), Akerele Oluyinka (Ekiti North I) and Emiola Adenike Jennifer (Ekiti South II).
He said that the seven members were expelled for anti-party activities and other grave offences in violation of the Constitution of PDP (as amended in 2017).
Ologunagba said that the expulsion of Nnamani, who is currently representing Enugu Central senatorial district at the Senate, and six others was approved by the NEC at its 66th meeting on Friday.
“The decision of the NWC is sequel to the recommendation of the National Disciplinary Committee and pursuant to Sections 58 and 59 (1)(g) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).’’
Ologunagba said that the expulsion took effective from Friday, February 10.
He charged all PDP members across the country to remain united and focused on the mission of the party to rescue, rebuild and redirect the nation.
Meanwhile, Nnamani, in a swift reaction, described his expulsion as a nullity, saying the NWC has no powers to suspend or expel him from the party.
Nnamani, in a letter to the party, through his Counsel, Olusegun Jolaawo, said that the NWC did not follow due process and strict compliance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution.
The counsel said that based on Articles 57(7) and 59(3) of the PDP Constitution, no organ of the party, including the NWC, has the competence to entertain any question of discipline against Nnamani.
He said only a properly constituted National Executive Committee of the party could entertain such question of discipline against him.
The Enugu-East Senator says the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP has no powers to suspend or expel him from the party.
Nnamani explained in a statement in Abuja on Friday that NWC did not follow due process and strict compliance with the provisions of the PDP constitution.
According to him, the NWC, therefore, lacked the powers to suspend or expel him as a member of the National Assembly.
Nnamani, in a letter to the PDP NWC, through his Counsel, Olusegun O. Jolaawo,SAN, stated that the NWC had no powers to suspend or expel him, except the National Executive Committee ( NEC).
He quoted copiously the relevant sections of the PDP constitution allegedly breached by the NWC.
“Article 57(7): “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may or concern a member of the National Executive Committee.
Furthermore, “Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly, provided that nothing in this constitution shall preclude or invalidate any complaint submitted through the National Working Committee to the National Executive Committee concerning any person whatsoever”.
Acccording to him, “Article 59(3) stated that: “Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline relating or concerning a member of the National Executive Committee.
Such members include President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers or member of any of the legislative houses.
“ On January 20, the NWC conducted preliminary disciplinary hearing against our client and approved his suspension from the party for one month, purportedly acting pursuant to Article 57(3) of the Constitution of the PDP.
“It is evident on the basis of Articles 57(7) and 59(3) of the Constitution of your party that no organ of the party, including the National Working Committee, has the competence to entertain any question of discipline against our client, except the National Executive Committee of the party.
He stated that the purported “proceeding of the National Working Committee of the party held on January 20 and the decision reached there at, suspending our client from the party is null and void.
”Our client was neither invited to the meeting nor given the opportunity to be heard before the decision against him was taken.
“See Article 57(6) of the Constitution of your party; the National Working Committee lacks the requisite powers to entertain any question of discipline against our client to the extent of suspending or expelling him from the party.
“The proceeding and decision reached at the meeting of the National Working Committee of your party which was held on January 20 is therefore, both illegal and a nullity.
“It therefore gives us great concern, that your proposed disciplinary hearing of February 8, 2023 as stated in your letter of 1st February is built and erected on the illegal and invalid meeting and decision taken by the National Working Committee of your Party.
“Your letter to our client dated 1st Feb made it abundantly clear that the complaint against our client was made to your committee by the National Working Committee.
He said by virtue of the proviso to Article 57(7) of the constitution, the National Working Committee was required to complain on any disciplinary matter against a member of NASS, only to the National Executive Committee of the Party.
Your committee had not claimed to be the National Executive Committee of the PDP and in fact, is not.
“Your committee therefore, has no powers under the constitution of the party, to entertain or hear any question of discipline against our client as he is a member of the National Assembly.
“Only a properly constituted National Executive Committee of the party can entertain such question of discipline against him.
“ We, therefore, urge you to reconsider your proposed disciplinary hearing against our client and abort it immediately.
”We have only requested your committee to comply strictly with the clear provisions of the constitution of the party under which you claim to be proceeding.
”Your proposed disciplinary hearing of February 8 is wholly erected on illegality and your committee equally has no powers under the constitution of the party to invite our client for the purpose of entertaining any disciplinary matter against him.”
Nnamani maintained that he is still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in spite of his purported suspension by the National Working Committee (NWC).
He said the NWC did not follow due process in suspending him from the party as it was not in compliance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution.
“The NWC lack powers to suspend or expel me from the party as a member of the National Assembly,” he said.
Nnamani said the proceeding and decision reached at the NWC meeting on 20 January was both illegal and a nullity and urged the party to reconsider the action.
” Your proposed disciplinary hearing of February 8 is wholly erected on illegality and your committee equally has no powers under the Constitution of the party to invite me for the purpose of entertaining any disciplinary matter against me,”Nnamani said.
