Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, has said the suspension of Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti, and other suspended members of the party, will not stand.
Within Nigeria had reported how the national working committee of the PDP suspended Fayose, Anyim Pius Anyim, former secretary to the government of the federation, Ibrahim Shema, former governor of Katsina, Dennis Ityavyar (Benue), and Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara) over alleged anti-party activities.
The PDP also asked Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, to appear before a disciplinary committee over the same allegation.
Speaking on Thursday night in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers, Wike said the PDP’s suspension of the aforementioned members is an effort in futility.
He noted that the party’s NWC led by Iyorchia Ayu cannot suspend members because he (Ayu) is guilty of the same allegation when the party abandoned zoning under his leadership.
Wike said Ortom would not appear before the party’s national disciplinary committee.
Wike said referring a governor to a national disciplinary committee is the “height of all insults and we will not take it”.
“Ayu and Sam Anyanwu, the national secretary, and other members of the NWC cannot suspend Ayo Fayose not to talk about referring governor Ortom to a national disciplinary committee,” he said.
“Governor Ortom who has stood firm for the unity of this country, governor Ortom who has come out openly to say that Nigeria must be one is not the type you will say you’ll refer to that your kangaroo committee.
“If there is any person deserving suspension it should be you (Ayu), who played anti-party by refusing to obey the constitution of the party on the zoning of political offices as is required. So, whoever tells you can suspend people, please tell the person that he is not serious.
“If you are talking of anti-party, it is you who could not even deliver your unit, deliver your ward that is involved. Because of the fraudulent activities you are involved in, people have lost hope in you. That is why you cannot win your unit, win your ward.
“You cannot cage any of us (G5). Ortom will not appear before any of your so-called disciplinary committees. Ayodele Fayose will also never appear before any disciplinary committee.”
Ortom is a member of the G5 — a group of five governors in the PDP.