By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The leadership of the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Mr. Okey Asolo, as the acting Chairman of the party.
Asolo’ was suspended by the leadership of the PDP in ward 13 Onitsha- North Local Government Area of the state.
He was accused of violation of the party constitution and anti-party activities.
Asolo had taken over from the former State chairman of the party Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu and had on April 2 suspended a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, Chief Chris Uba, and another chieftain of the party, Chief Linus Ukachukwu.
But, Chief Chris Uba in reaction carpeted the Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu led faction of the party in Anambra state for his alleged suspension, describing it as one that cannot stand anywhere.
Uba in an exclusive telephone interview with ThisNigeria said those behind the said suspension were paid agents, stressing that “they are not my level and cannot be at my level” both in the state and at the National level.
He said such illegality would have attracted his attention if it had emanated from the Ward or National Secretariat of the PDP.
The PDP in a letter of suspension of Asolo which was signed by the party’s ward chairman Mr. Obinna Obialor and ward Secretary Mr. Obinna Obichinyere which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Awka the state capital said that “arising from a crucial meeting of the Ward Executive Committee held on April, 3, the PDP Ward 13 Onitsha North LGA of Anambra suspended Comrade Okey Asolo.
According to the party, “His (Asolo’s) suspension from the Ward is on account of his violation of the PDP constitution and anti-party activities.
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The letter which was sent to the National Secretariat of the PDP, Abuja, stated; “Sir, the suspension of Comrade Okey Asolo is anchored on the provisions of Article 58 (1) and 59 (1) and (2) of the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended.”
The suspension was upheld by the Onitsha North LGA chapter of the party which met on Monday.
The Local Government Area chapter of the party in a communiqué signed by Mr. Alex Anah and Mr. Chigbo Onyia, the chairman and secretary respectively, stated that it deeply considered the notice and came to the conclusion that Comrade Okey Asolo actually violated the provisions of the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended.
They said that “We upheld the said suspension and equally suspend him from the Onitsha North Local Government Area PDP of Anambra State.”
Similarly, members of the Forum of Elected Local Government Chairmen of the party in the state have dissociated themselves from the suspension of Chief Chris Uba and Chief Linus Ukachukwu.
The 14 chairmen in a communique to the national Secretariat of the PDP said Asolo and his group aimed at destabilizing the party.
They said, “We dissociate ourselves from this fragment of imagination of Okey Asolo and Cohorts purporting to have suspended Chief Chris Uba and Chief Linus Ukachukwu from the PDP.”
“By their action, there is no gainsaying the fact that their sole aim is to destabilize the People’s Democratic Party. Therefore, we urge you, members of the National Executive Committee of our party, to disregard the purported suspension of the two high profile leaders of our great party,” they added.
