The Enugu East Senator, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani has told Dr. Iyorchia Ayu led National working Committee of the peoples Democratic Party that it has no powers to expel him from the party.
Senator Nnamani who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa made the argument in a letter to the PDP National working committee through his Counsel chief Olusegun Jolaawo , a senior advocate of Nigeria,SAN.
Senator Nnamani said the Ayu led national working committee did not follow due process and strict compliance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution and therefore lacked the powers to suspend or expel him as a member of the National Assembly.
He maintained that the NWC has no powers to suspend or expel him except the National Executive Committee NEC of the party.
He quoted relevant sections of the PDP constitution breached by the Ayu led NWC including Article 57(7) “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 or concern a member of the National Executive Committee.
“Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly, Provided that nothing in this Constitution shall preclude or invalidate any complaint submitted through the National Working Committee to the National Executive Committee concerning any person whatsoever.”
“It is evident on the basis of Articles 57(7) and 59(3) of the Constitution of your party excerpted above, that no organ of the party, including the National Working Committee, has the competence to entertain any question of discipline against our client, except the National Executive Committee of the party”.
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP had earlier today expelled Senator Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State from the party.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr Debo Ologunagba says Senator Nnamani was suspended alongside others for anti party activities and other offenses.
Others expelled from the Party includes; Mr Chris Ogbu Imo State, Ajijola Lateef Oladimej -Ekiti Central, Olayinka James Olalere -Ekiti Central two, Fayose Oluwajomiloju -Ekiti Central one, Akerele Oluyinka -Ekiti North one, and Emiola Adenike Jennifer -Ekiti South two
The statement says the decision of the NWC is sequel to the recommendation of the National Disciplinary Committee that takes immediate effect.
Reporting by Victorson Agberson; Editing by Fany Olumoye, Adeniyi bakare, Chinasa Ossai & Julian Osamoto