The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked its members in Kaduna state to disregard the purported suspension of a former governor of the state, Ahmed Makarfi by his ward officials.
The Tudun-Wada ward of the PDP in Makarfi, headquarters of Makarfi Local Government Area of the state, chaired by Saidu Aliyu, had on Sunday, announced the suspension of the former National Caretaker Chairman of the party 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, the spokesperson of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba,
said Makarfi’s suspension is “null, void and with no effect” as the ward does not have the constitutional powers to suspend a member of the NEC.
The statement said, “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)”.
It maintained that 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 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,” the statement said.
