Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not have the power to suspend the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, or recommend Governor Samuel Ortom to a disciplinary committee.
Wike said this on Thursday while reacting to the decision of the PDP leaders over the alleged anti-party activities of the two chieftains and others.
Recall that the PDP in a statement on Thursday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba announced the suspension of former Governor, Ayodele Fayose, a former Senate President/Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim and others.
The party also referred Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom to its Disciplinary Committee for alleged anti-party activities.
However, addressing journalists in Portharcourt at the Rivers State government house on the development, Wike argued that the party’s NWC does not have the power to take such actions.
According to him, the Benue governor “will not appear before any so-called disciplinary committee.”
Wike said the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, is the one who should be suspended for refusing to obey the constitution of the party on the zoning of political positions.
He added that Ayu also failed to deliver his polling unit and political ward during the just-concluded general elections, alleging that Ayu has just begun “the mother of all political wars”.
In the words of Wike “I want to state clearly and let members of the party and Nigerians hear it clearly, the National Working Committee made up of Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who they say is the chairman of the party; Sam Anyanwu, the national secretary and other members of NWC cannot suspend Ayo Fayose, not to talk about referring governor Ortom to national disciplinary committee.”
He added: “Referring a governor to your so-called national disciplinary committee is the height of all insult, and we will not take it. Therefore, be ready for whatever you see as far as this party is concerned.
“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.”
