Alabh George Turnah, the Legal Adviser, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), South South Zone, Edo State, has dismissed the expulsion of some chieftains of the party.
The Edo State Working Committee of the party had on Wednesday taken the decision held in Benin which had the Chairman of the Edo PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, and seven other members of the SWC, including Tony Anenih Jr., who joined virtually, in attendance.
In the meeting, prominent leaders of the party, including Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South South, H.E. Rt. Hon. Phillip Shaibu, and Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbede-Ihama were expelled.
However, Turnah threw out the decision to expel these party leaders, describing it as unconstitutional and void.
READ ALSO: Wike, Yusuf, Eno, Obazee, Aremu win ThisNigeria gold prize award
The statement read, “It has come to the attention of the Legal Adviser, South South Zone of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that the Edo State PDP State Working Committee, in a meeting held on Wednesday, 19th June 2024, purportedly expelled prominent Leaders of the party, including Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South South, H.E. Rt. Hon. Phillip Shaibu, and Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbede-Ihama without regard to the Party’s Constitution and established procedures. As the legal adviser of the South South Zone, I declare their action unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void.”
The legal adviser further said, “First and foremost, it must be emphasized unequivocally that no State Working Committee of the Party, including that of Edo State, possesses the authority to discipline any Zonal or National Officer of the Party. This principle is enshrined in Article 59(3) of the Party’s Constitution, which clearly delineates the powers and procedures for disciplining officers at various levels within the Party hierarchy.”
Turnah argued that the actions purportedly taken by the SWC contravened the Party’s Constitution.
“Let it be clear that any further attempt to undermine the constitution will be met with the full force of legal recourse available to uphold the integrity and unity of the People’s Democratic Party,” he warned.
