The National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the expulsion of former Governor of Enugu State, Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani, and six others from the party.
The party stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Friday.
The six others expelled from the party, according to Ologunagba, are Chris Ogbu (Imo State), Ajijola Oladimeji (Ekiti Central), Olayinka Olalere (Ekiti Central II), Fayose John (Ekiti Central I), Akerele Oluyinka (Ekiti North I) and Emiola Adenike Jennifer (Ekiti South II).
He said that the seven members were expelled for anti-party activities and other grave offences in violation of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
Ologunagba said that the expulsion of Nnamani, who is currently representing Enugu Central senatorial district at the Senate, and six others was approved by the NEC at it 66th meeting on Friday.
“The decision of the NWC is sequel to the recommendation of the National Disciplinary Committee and pursuant to Sections 58 and 59 (1)(g) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).’’
Ologunagba said that the expulsion took effective from Friday, Feb. 10.
He charged all PDP members across the country to remain united and focused on the mission of the party to rescue, rebuild and redirect the nation.
Meanwhile, Nnamani, in a swift reaction, described his expulsion as a nullity, saying the NWC has no powers to suspend or expel him from the party.
Nnamani, in a letter to the party, through his Counsel, Olusegun Jolaawo, said that the NWC did not follow due process and strict compliance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution.
The counsel said that based on Articles 57(7) and 59(3) of the PDP Constitution, no organ of the party, including the NWC, has the competence to entertain any question of discipline against Nnamani.
He said only a properly constituted National Executive Committee of the party could entertain such question of discipline against him.
My expulsion a nullity, Sen. Nnamani blasts PDP
Meanwhile, Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani (PDP-Enugu) has said he is still in the PDP in spite of his purported suspension by the NWC.
Nnamani, who represents Enugu-East at the National Assembly said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
He said that the NWC had no powers to suspend or expel him from the party.
Nnamani, also a former governor of Enugu State said the NWC did not follow due process in suspending him from the party as it was not in compliance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution.
“The NWC lack powers to suspend or expel me from the party as a member of the National Assembly,” he said.
Nnamani said that he was neither invited nor given the opportunity to be heard before the decision against him was taken.
He said that going by article 57(6) of the PDP constitution, the NWC lacks the requisite powers to entertain any question of discipline against him to the extent of suspending or expelling him from the party.
Nnamani said the proceeding and decision reached at the NWC meeting on 20 Jan was both illegal and a nullity and urged the party to reconsider the action.
”Your proposed disciplinary hearing of Feb. 8 is wholly erected on illegality and your committee equally has no powers under the Constitution of the party to invite me for the purpose of entertaining any disciplinary matter against me,” Nnamani said.