PDP Dismisses Ex-deputy Speaker’s Suspension In Rivers

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared the suspension of Senator Dr. George Thompson Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Dr. Austin Adiele Opara, in Rivers State as null and void.

They were reportedly suspended by the party executives of their wards. Sekibo was suspended in ward 2 of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, while Opara was suspended in Ward 10 of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.

National publicity secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, said, “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported suspension of Senator Dr. George Thompson Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Dr. Austin Adiele Opara from the Party, reportedly by the Ward Executives of Ward 2 of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area and Ward 10 of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, respectively.

“The NWC, after a thorough consideration of the petitions by Senator Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara dated April 17, 2023 against the purported suspension, hereby declares the action by the said Ward Executives which borders on issues of discipline, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017).

For clarity, Section 57 (7) provides that “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 relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, deputy governor or member of the National Assembly”.

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The party further charged all leaders, and members in Rivers State and the general public to “disregard the purported suspension of Senator Dr. George Thompson Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Dr. Austin Adiele Opara. 

“The NWC enjoins all Party members in Rivers State to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of our party and the nation.”

“Finally, the NWC is steadily progressing in our reconciliation efforts among all members of our Party across the Country and we are encouraged by the success so far achieved.”