A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Aboh Mbaise LGA, Chief Ikay Njoku has been suspended by the party.
In a letter of suspension made available to Trumpeta Newspaper, and signed by the Aboh Mbaise LGA PDP chairman, Nze Ansalem Ikwu, and Secretary, Hon Irechukwu Okereke respectively, the party said Chief Njoku was suspended because of anti party activities.
The letter also stated that a Seven-man Disciplinary Committee with Hon Cletus Ugwo as chairman and Bar Jude Nwakanma as secretary has been set up to investigate the allegations leveled against Chief Njoku, and make appropriate recommendations to Aboh Mbaise PDP Executive.
One of the allegations against the PDP chieftain was that he called a meeting in his house to host a candidate of the United Peoples Party, UPP, Chief Clifford Ogbede.
The party said “This act was viewed as a serious anti-party activity and the LGA Executive Committee of our party resolved to suspend you from our party with immediate effect”.
However, speaking to Trumpeta on phone on the issue, Chief Ikay Njoku said he was not aware that he has been suspended from the party, as no letter or contact has been made to him from the party.
On the hosting of Chief Clifford Ogbede, of UPP, he said the candidate paid a visit to him as a leader in his Ward, devoid of party affiliation, pointing out that PDP candidate, Hon Bede Eke also paid him same visit where he openly told his followers to vote for Hon Bede Eke, which he said contributed to Eke winning in Aboh Mbaise LGA.
Chief Njoku said if he was to be suspended by the party, he ought to have been invited first, and allowed fair hearing before any suspension could be slammed on him.
The Aboh Mbaise born strong politician also told Trumpeta that the tenure of the Aboh Mbaise PDP executive has expired, but was asked to continue in office until the next congress and therefore lacks the locus standi to suspend anybody. He threatened to instruct his lawyers to take up the matter.
“Please, it is import to state that their action is clear character assassination since nobody has informed me or written to me to that effect. The Executive should realize that their tenure had expired” Njoku told Trumpeta
