A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, has suspended party elder Bode George and 23 other prominent members over allegations of anti-party conduct. The disciplinary action was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Kayode Ogunbiyi, chairman of the Lagos PDP Disciplinary Committee, and committee secretary Desmond Agho.
Committee Cites Anti-Party Activities
According to the statement, the suspensions followed a disciplinary committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 26, during which petitions alleging misconduct by several party members were reviewed. The committee said it examined complaints related to 'anti-party activities and deliberate infractions of the party's constitution' before reaching its decision. It alleged that the affected members had engaged with rival political parties in a manner considered detrimental to the interests of the PDP in Lagos State.
Twenty-Four Members Affected
Among those suspended are Bode George, Aduke Maina, Abimbola Ogunkelu, Laja Adeoye, Tunji Shelle, Sunday Olaifa, Gbenga Adegbesan, Rita Orji, Kofoworola Bucknor, Onikepo Oshodi, and Idera Sodipo. Others include Adedipe Ewenla, Bode Ogundipe, Aminu Suleiman, Roli George, Adetokunbo Pearse, Adeyemi Moyegun, Taiwo Kuye, Setonji Koshoedo, Muritala Ashorobi, Amos Fawole, and Olumuyiwa Richard.
Suspended Members Barred from Party Affairs
The committee stated that the affected chieftains would no longer be allowed to participate in party activities within the state for the duration of their suspension. It further declared that they were prohibited from representing the PDP in any official or unofficial capacity. The statement also warned that legal action could be pursued against any suspended member found acting against the interests of the party in Lagos State.
Move Deepens Internal PDP Crisis
The latest development is expected to intensify the long-running internal dispute between Bode George and the faction loyal to Wike. George, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, has been a vocal critic of the Wike camp, with tensions between both sides escalating in recent years. The rivalry reached a new level last year when the faction's National Executive Committee announced George's expulsion, further exposing divisions within the opposition party.
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