The Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, expelled a governorship aspirant of the party, Jimi Lawal, for alleged gross misconduct, forgery, anti-party activities and violation of the party’s constitution.
The party said Lawal’s expulsion followed the recommendations of the disciplinary committee setup by the state executive committee of the party to investigate the role of Lawal and others in the “illegal” governorship primary election organised by his faction.
The party said three other people expelled alongside Lawal were Muyiwa Odebiyi, Moruf Olajide and Ademola Ojoye, while four other members of the were also suspended.
Addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Barrister Tola Odulaja, said their expulsion was in accordance with the party’s constitutional provision.
Odulaja explained that the committee set up in February 2022 by the National Working Committee of the party recommended their expulsion following Lawal’s disobedience to the party by organising and participating in an ‘illegal’ governorship primary in the state.
Odulaja said, “Jimi Lawal, the person behind the scene who wants to wreck this party, we recommend his expulsion from the party.”
The chairman of the party, Sikirulai Ogundele while ratifying the recommendations of the committee said, the disciplinary actions were carried out without fear or favour and in accordance of the party’s constitution.
He added that the offenders were given fair hearing but failed to appear before the committee after series of invitations to them.
When contacted, the Project Director of
Jimi Adebisi Lawal Campaign Organisation, Austin Oniyokor, described the expulsion as “a joke taken too far”.
“How can these people take such a step when the initial illegal act is already a subject of litigation at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta; and the parties, including the active participants had been served the court summons?
“As a matter of fact, the matter came up yesterday, Monday, 31st October, 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta. Definite hearing has been fixed for 30th November, 2022.
“Clearly, the purported suspension and illegal expulsion are comical acts taken too far. These steps cannot stand the test of time and the law. These acts are contemptuous of the court which will be set aside sooner than later as in the case of Amaechi v. INEC & Ors. (No. 1) (2007) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1065) 42.
“We implore all our long-standing delegates, leaders, elders and stakeholders of the party to remain calm. All these shenanigans are no more than a storm in a teacup. It is will soon fizzle out”, Oniyokor said.
