PDP expels gov. aspirant in Ogun state,suspends others

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday,November 1st, expelled a governorship aspirant of the party in Ogun state, Jimi Lawal, for alleged gross misconduct, forgery, anti-party activities and violation of the party’s constitution.

PDP revealed that Lawal’s expulsion followed recommendations made by the disciplinary committee setup by the state executive committee of the party to investigate the role of Lawal and his cohorts in the ‘illegal’ governorship primary election organised by his faction.

The party said three other people were expelled alongside Lawal;Muyiwa Odebiyi, Moruf Olajide and Ademola Ojoye, while four other members of the party  were also suspended.

While addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Barrister Tola Odulaja, said their expulsion was in accordance with the party’s constitutional provision.

Odulaja explained that the committee set up earlier in the year in February 2022 by the National Working Committee of the party recommended their expulsion after Lawal disobeyed the party by organising and participating in an ‘illegal’ governorship primary in the state without the backing of the party. 

Odulaja said, “Jimi Lawal, is the person behind the scene who wants to wreck this party, we recommend his expulsion from the party.”

The chairman of the party in Ogun state, Sikirulai Ogundele,while ratifying the recommendations of the committee said, the disciplinary actions were just and carried out without fear or favour and in accordance with the party’s constitution after granting the offenders a fair hearing where they failed to appear. 

When contacted, the Project Director of

Jimi Adebisi Lawal Campaign Organisation, Austin Oniyokor, described the expulsion as “a joke taken too far”.

“How can these people take such a step when the initial illegal act is already a subject of litigation at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta; and the parties, including the active participants had been served the court summons?

“As a matter of fact, the matter came up yesterday, Monday, 31st October, 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta. Definite hearing has been fixed for 30th November, 2022.

“Clearly, the purported suspension and illegal expulsion are comical acts taken too far. These steps cannot stand the test of time and the law. These acts are contemptuous of the court which will be set aside sooner than later as in the case of Amaechi v. INEC & Ors. (No. 1) (2007) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1065) 42.

“We implore all our long-standing delegates, leaders, elders and stakeholders of the party to remain calm. All these shenanigans are no more than a storm in a teacup. It will soon fizzle out”, Oniyokor said.