Chrys
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national working
committee (NWC) says the suspension of Ahmed Makarfi, a former governor of
Kaduna, by his ward executives, is “null and void”.
On Sunday, the PDP Tudun-Wada ward in Kaduna state chaired
by Saidu Aliyu suspended Makarfi over alleged anti-party activities.
In the suspension notice signed by Aliyu and five others,
the executive members alleged that Makarfi is “self-opinionated and intolerant
of dissenting views” and that his actions have divided the party.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, Debo Ologunagba,
PDP spokesperson, said Makarfi’s suspension is “null, void and with no effect”.
Ologunagba said the ward does not have the constitutional
powers to suspend a member of the national executive committee (NEC).
“The NWC, after a thorough consideration of all the issues
raised by the ward executive, hereby declares the purported decision and action
of the Tudun Wada ward executives which borders on issues of discipline, as
null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the
Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017),” the statement reads.
Ologunagba said section 57 (7) of the party’s constitution
stipulates that no executive committee, at any level except the NEC, shall
entertain any question of discipline as may relate to or concern a member of
the NEC, deputy governor or member of the national assembly.
The party asked all members in Kaduna to “disregard the
purported suspension” of Makarfi by the ward members.
“The NWC also charges all Party members in Kaduna State to
remain united at this critical time especially as the Party leadership is
progressing in our concerted effort to ensure a comprehensive reconciliation in
our Party,” Ologunagba said.
