Olusegun Ariyo
The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has described the expulsion of the House of Representative member from Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, as null and void.
PDP National Working Committee, NWC, said Ugochinyere’s expulsion by his Ward chapter of the party was of no effect.
The PDP Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward chapter of the PDP had expelled Ugochinyere for gross indiscipline, insubordination and anti-party activities.
Ugochinyere’s expulsion was contained in a letter from the Ideato LGA chapter of PDP, dated December 5, 2024.
The letter was signed by the LG party chairman, ThankGod Okeke, and the secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh.
Ugochinyere’s expulsion followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee, dated November 27, 2024, which investigated misconduct charges against him in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP Constitution, 2017, as amended.
The lawmaker was initially suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, after failing to honour an invitation to appear before the ward executive committee on October 5, 2024.
He was summoned to answer allegations of disciplinary offences and ignored reminders and further invitations sent to him on October 7, 2024.
However, in a statement on Saturday, the PDP NWC insisted that Ugochinyere is a bonafide member of the party with all rights and privileges.
Parts of the statement, signed by PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) @OfficialPDPNig has been drawn to the purported expulsion of Hon. Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu @IkengaImo from the Party by the Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward Chapter of the PDP in Imo State.
“The NWC declares the said purported expulsion as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the express provision of Sections 57 (7) and 59 (3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down Rules of our great Party.”
The party relied on Section 57 (7) of its Constitution to affirm Ugochinyere’s continued membership.
Meanwhile, the LG chairmen of the PDP in Imo State at the weekend named Ugochinyere the leader of the party in the state.
Ugochinyere is the highest-ranking government official elected on the PDP platform in Imo State.
The Imo PDP local government leaders, who passed a vote of confidence on Ugochinyere, also insisted that the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagun, and national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, should be immediately removed to pave the way for the reinvigoration of the opposition party.
