Ondo PDP justifies suspension of erring members

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State on Thursday explained the rationale behind the suspension of 22 of its members in the state over what it termed anti-party activities.

Speaking on their development, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Banji Okunomo, said the party did not axed those who openly defected to other parties, but with its members who worked against the party during the last governorship election in the state.

Okunomo explained that some member of the party worked for the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Olusola Oke, who came third in the election saying this is against the constitution of the party.

According to him, many of the suspended members pitched their tent with the Biyi Poroye faction of the party in the state, which has been sacked by the Court of Appeal on November 23, 2016.

He however said that the suspension became necessary in order to instil discipline among its members, saying the suspension should not be seen as deliberate attempts to witch hunt the affected members.

According to him, any institution which condones indiscipline would not stand the test of time, saying the PDP cannot just allow itself to be torn apart.

Okunomo maintained that PDP has respect for the right to fair hearing and as such had constituted a disciplinary committee which would look into the allegations levied against the suspended members.

He said the affected persons are to appear before the disciplinary committee of the party on Monday, December 5, 2016 at 10 o’ clock in the morning.