By Danlami Nmodu
Nigeria’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP has suspended the governor of oil rich Rivers State.The decision to suspend him was announced in a communiqué of an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee of the party today signed by Olisa Metuh,its national publicity secretary.
The statement titled :”Communique Issued At The End Of An Emergency Meeting Of The National Working Committee Of The PDP On Monday, May 27, 2013 ” said ,”The National Working Committee at its emergency meeting on Monday, 27 May, 2013 considered the petition submitted by the PDP Rivers Executive Committee against His Excellency, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State for violating Articles 58 1 (b), (c ), (h) and (m) of the PDP Constitution following his refusal to obey the lawful directive of the Rivers State Executive Committee to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Therefore ,”The National Working Committee after preliminary hearing, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 57 (3), 59 (3), 59 (5) and 29 (2.b), hereby suspends the Executive Governor of River State, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a member of the PDP and refers the matter to the appropriate disciplinary committee of the Party.
“This is in furtherance of the determination of the leadership of the Party to enforce discipline at all levels within the Party” Metuh said.
The suspension is coming on the heels of Amaechi’s reelection as the chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum.He defeated Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State who is believed to the candidate of the presidency.Presidential spokesman ,Reuben Abati has said ,President Goodluck Jonathan was not involved in the election of NGF chairman.
No official reaction was available from Rivers State at the time of writing this report but one of Amaechi’s associates described the suspension as a huge joke.He said the party ought to be working now to heal itself and avoid distractions.
Read the Communique below:
Communique Issued At The End Of An Emergency Meeting Of The National Working Committee Of The PDP On Monday, May 27, 2013
The National Working Committee at its emergency meeting on Monday, 27 May, 2013 considered the petition submitted by the PDP Rivers Executive Committee against His Excellency, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State for violating Articles 58 1 (b), (c ), (h) and (m) of the PDP Constitution following his refusal to obey the lawful directive of the Rivers State Executive Committee to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The National Working Committee after preliminary hearing, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 57 (3), 59 (3), 59 (5) and 29 (2.b), hereby suspends the Executive Governor of River State, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a member of the PDP and refers the matter to the
appropriate disciplinary committee of the Party.
This is in furtherance of the determination of the leadership of the Party to enforce discipline at all levels within the Party.
Signed:
Chief Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary