PDP Disciplinary Committee recommends expulsion for Oyinlola, Baraje …I remain PDP National Secretary, says Oyinlola

The Umaru Dikko-led disciplinary committee of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recommended the expulsion of Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Dr Sam Sam Jaja from the party, declaring they are guilty of charges filed against them by the party's National Working Committee (NWC).

The deputy chairman of the committee, Chief Ebenezer Babatope disclosed the recommendation of the committee while addressing newsmen at the Legacy House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

According to him, 'three of the accused party chiefs, namely Baraje, Oyinlola and Jaja, are guilty as charged. As for Ibrahim Kazaure, we still want to inquire from him on the details of the charges levelled against him.

'We recommend extension by a month, the suspension of Kazaure and he is to report before us in the next two weeks, that is by December 10.' Asked whether the accused party chiefs appeared before the committee, Chief Babatope said they were duly invited and that they had ignored the invitation of the committee.

He, however, stated that the recommendation of the committee was to be forwarded to the NWC for further actions.

The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Umaru Dikko; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Hajia Nana Abdukadir and the secretary of the committee, Solomon Onwe were also at the briefing. Meanwhile, Oyinlola has said he remains the national secretary of PDP, despite the fusion of the New PDP into the APC. A statement issued in Abuja by Oyinlola's principal secretary, Femi Adelegan, said the former governor would continue to lay claim to his legal status as the scribe of the party.

'Following several inquiries from various quarters, particularly from well-meaning political associates, friends and well-wishers, it has become necessary to clarify the position of things as they concern Prince Oyinlola on the current political terrain in the country.

'Prince Oyinlola remains the national secretary of PDP and will continue to lay claim to his legal and valid status as the national secretary of the party,' the statement read.

It also noted that 'Oyinlola's purported suspension does not invalidate his substantive position as PDP national secretary,' adding that the former governor was resolutely committed to leadership through dedicated and selfless service.

The statement added that 'Oyinlola was elected at the PDP national convention of March 24, 2012 and confirmed by the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the exercise, as well as the Court of Appeal, through its judgment on November 6, 2013.'