The Peoples Democratic Party has suspended its National Vice-Chairman in the North-East, Alhaji Girigiri Lawal, for indiscipline. The party stated this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, on Friday. It said the party took the decision after listening to the defence of Girigiri.
According to the statement, Metuh said the National Working Committee of the party had invited him to come and defend himself on the allegation levelled against him.
It said that the Lawal was accused of breaching Articles 51(1)(b)(c) (h) of the party’s constitution.
“The NWC of the PDP, on behalf of the National Executive Committee, hereby announces the immediate suspension of its National Vice-Chairman, North East, Alhaji Girigiri Lawal, for breaching Articles 51(1) (b) (c) (h) of the constitution of the party. This is in furtherance to the resolution to enforce discipline at all levels in the party.
“Following the breach of the constitution of the party, he was invited by the NWC for preliminary hearing in accordance with Article 57(3) of the constitution of the PDP.
“After the preliminary hearing, the committee resolved to suspend him for one month with effect from Oct. 12, 2012. The matter has been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action. The committee wishes to emphasise that the issue of discipline is paramount to building a virile party.
“It, therefore, expects the custodians of the party’s constitution (elected or appointed) as well as all members to live by example and adhere to its provisions.”
Meanwhile, the party has described the comments of the Action Congress of Nigeria governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu that the party belonged to people of the South West as nepotistic and reprehensible.
Metuh said in another statement that although it was common knowledge that the ACN was a regional party, it was condemnable for a governorship candidate to have made what he described as “clannish sentiments for cheap political gains.”
He stated that what Nigeria needed at all times was national integration and not ethnic chauvinism.