PDP suspends Nnamani, seven others for anti-party activities

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended senator representing Enugu West senatorial district, Chimaroke Nnamani, and seven others from Ekiti State for alleged anti-party activities.

Spokesman for the party, Debo Ologunagba, announced the suspension in a statement issued Friday night.

He said Nnamani and seven others were suspended over “anti-party activities”.

The party said the decision was taken after an “extensive review” of the party’s activities in the country in line with the PDP constitution.

He listed the seven other suspended members as Ayeni Funso (Ekiti north), Ajijola Lateef Oladimeji (Ekiti central), Emiola Adenike Jennifer (Ekiti south II), Ajayi Babatunde Samuel (Ekiti north II), Olayinka James Olalere (Ekiti central), Akerele Oluyinka (Ekiti north I), and Fayose Oluwajomiloju John (Ekiti central I).

The PDP said their suspension was with immediate effect.

The statement read in part, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after a very extensive review and consideration of the affairs of our Party in the country, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) approved the suspension of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu State) and Chief Chris Ogbu (Imo State) with effect from today, Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to remain united and focused on the mission of our Party to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from misrule.”

Nnamani has publicly expressed his support for Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In December 2022, the former governor of Enugu said he was supporting Tinubu in the interest of the south-east.

“I’m not looking for ministerial position because I have outgrown that. We are doing this in the overall interest of our people,” he said.

He added, “Ndigbo are using our support for Tinubu and APC in 2023 to build bridges across the country.

“Don’t join issues with people who are resorting to insults. Just concentrate on the goal because this is a very serious business.”

Apart from Nnamani, the PDP G5 — a group of five governors — Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia — have not declared support for Abubakar.

The governors are demanding the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as the party’s national chairman.

Their demand for Ayu’s resignation is on the grounds that the PDP national chair and the party’s presidential candidate should not be from the same region.