PDP Suspends Oyinlola, Baraje, Jaja For Breaching Party’s Constitution

L-R: ABUBAKAR KAWU BARAJE, OLAGUNSOYE OYINLOLA, SAM JAJA & IBRAHIM KAZAURE

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje and Chief Sam Jaja for violating the party`s constitution.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh, announced the suspension on Monday in Abuja at a news conference.

Also suspended from the party according to its spokesman is Alhaji Ibrahim Kazaure, Vice Chairman of the party`s North West chapter.

Metuh said that the action was taken because the suspended members breached the party`s constitution by forming a parallel leadership.

According to him, they violated Section 58 sub section (1) (b), (g), (h) and (i) of the party`s 2012 constitution as amended.

He said that the party NWC took the decision in line with the provision of the party`s constitution after the preliminary hearings.

According to him, the party constitution says anyone who does or says anything that can bring the party to disrepute, hatred and contempt has committed a disciplinary offence.

In a reaction to the suspension, Oyinlola said, “this is part of the impunity we are protesting against.

“None of us has been queried or requested to give explanations for any alleged offence.

“And if they are reacting to the issue of the new PDP, why do they decide to leave out the serving governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives who have been very vocal”.

Oyinlola maintained that the suspension was an attempt to circumvent the ruling of the Court of Appeal that reinstated him.

“Certainly, the last has not been heard about this matter and I am sure that the truth will prevail over falsehood”, he said.

Oyinlola is the National Secretary of the PDP splinter group while Baraje and Jaja have been referring to themselves as its Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Abdul Kafarati on Jan. 11, nullified Oyinlola`s election as PDP National Secretary.

The ruling was based on a suit filed by the Chairman of Ogun State chapter of PDP, Mr Adebayo Dayo.

However, Oyinlola was reinstated by Justice Joseph Tor of the Appeal Court on Nov. 6, who ruled that he was the authentic National Secretary of PDP.

The National Legal Adviser of PDP, Mr Victor Kwom, said the party was still studying the Appeal Court’s judgment and would react at the appropriate time.