•declares it null and void
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the purported suspension of the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, by the Abia State chapter, declaring it unconstitutional and of no effect.
In a statement on Tuesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the suspension as “reckless” and a violation of the party’s constitution. He emphasised that no state chapter has the authority to suspend a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) without recourse to the NWC.
“For emphasis, no State Working Committee has the power to suspend or take any disciplinary action against a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party without due recourse to the NWC, as clearly provided under Section 57(7) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017),” the statement read.
The NWC cited Section 57(7), which states: “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors, or members of the National Assembly.”
The party leadership maintained that Wabara, as BoT Chairman and a NEC member, could not be disciplined by the Abia State chapter.
It warned those behind the suspension to retrace their steps or face disciplinary actions from the NWC.
“The PDP, therefore, condemns the purported suspension of Senator Wabara as reckless and unconstitutional and cautions those behind this act to desist, as the NWC will not hesitate to take appropriate measures to preserve the stability of our party and the sanctity of its constitution,” the statement added.
The NWC urged PDP members in Abia State, the South East, and nationwide to disregard the suspension, reaffirming Wabara’s position as BoT Chairman.
The Abia State chapter of the PDP had earlier announced Wabara’s suspension for one month, pending an investigation by a seven-member disciplinary committee.
The state PDP Chairman, Abraham Amah, accused Wabara of endorsing Abia State Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party for a second term, an act it described as “anti-party.”
“Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Senator Adolphus Wabara in October, wherein he unilaterally endorsed Governor Alex Otti for a second term, barely five months after inauguration,” the Abia PDP said in a statement.
The state chapter cited Chapter 10, Article 58(c) and (f) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), stating that Wabara’s actions brought the party into “disrepute, hatred, and contempt.”
It also referenced Article 59(1), which it claimed empowers the state executive committee to discipline any member, regardless of status.
The SEC further alleged that Wabara had ignored multiple requests to clarify his position and justify why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
It described his actions as a “betrayal” that has undermined the PDP’s credibility and demoralized party members.
Wabara’s purported suspension is the latest in a series of disputed actions within the PDP, highlighting ongoing internal crises in the opposition party.
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