Why we suspended Amaechi, PDP

The PDP NWC on Monday announced the suspension of Amaechi 'for violating Article 58 1 (b), (c ), (h) and (m) of the PDP Constitution following his refusal to obey the lawful directive of the Rivers State Executive Committee to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.'

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, said the decision to suspend the governor was taken after an emergency meeting by members of the NWC.

He said the NWC at the meeting, considered a petition written by the Rivers State chapter of the party against the governor for violating some sections of the party's constitution.

These sections of the party's constitution read, 'Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the party shall have power to discipline any member who (b) says or does anything likely to bring the party into disrepute, hatred or contempt; (c ) disobeys or neglects to carry out lawful directives of the party or any organ or officer of the party; (h) engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members of the party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party; (m) fails, refuses or neglects to treat a petition, complaints or appeal timeously.'

Metuh said the NWC derived the powers to suspend the governor from various sections of the party's constitution.

He said, 'The NWC after preliminary hearing, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 57 (3), 59 (3), 59 (5) and 29 (2.b) hereby suspends the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a member of the PDP and refers the matter to the appropriate disciplinary committee of the party.

'This is in furtherance of the determination of the leadership of the party to enforce discipline at all levels within the party.'

 Metuh said Amaechi's suspension would remain until Gadzama panel submitted its report.

Members of the panel included the National Legal Adviser of the party, Mr. Victor Kwon; Inalegwu Onche, Friday Nwosu, Udorji Amedu and Ola Kukuyi.

Others are Wakil Mohammed, Yusuf Jangwe, Bola Doherty, Tanimu Adamson and Anicho Okoro.

No time limit was given to the committee to submit its report.

Metuh said that at the end of the investigation, the governor would be re-admitted into the party.

'If at the end of the day, the panel clears him, the party's constitution had been tried, tested and is working. We have not come to say he is wrong or he should be destroyed,' Metuh said.

But Amaechi faulted his suspension, saying he had nothing to do with the suspension of Obio/Akpor Local Government chairman over which he was being suspended.

He pointed out that the NWC of the PDP met around 7am on Monday and took a decision to suspend him for allegedly failing to rescind the decision of the State House of Assembly on the suspension of the council chairman.

Amaechi said, 'Who has power to suspend Obio/Akpor council? The governor did not suspend Obio/Akpor council, I hope you know. My power is to dissolve and remit it to the House of Assembly, but I have not done that yet. What the Assembly has said is 'we are investigating corruption'. Then the party says we should not investigate corruption. Is that fair?'