BY NATIONAL PANEL REPORTERS
An embattled PDP Chairman in Ebonyi, Prince Tochukwu Okorie said on Tuesday that 'no amount of hooliganism will distract' his party from its 'determination to kick out APC from Ebonyi Government House come 2023.'
He stated this while reacting to his alleged suspension by the Ebonyi State Executive Committee of the PDP over his alleged diversion of funds from his party's bank account.
Okorie however clarified that the State Executive Committee of the Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party held its meeting on Monday, July 4, 2022, and made some resolutions.
According to him, "the State Executive Committee (SEC) appreciates and commends the resilience of the teeming members of the PDP and indeed the entire good people of Ebonyi who have doggedly insisted on standing with the party in the face of the ferocious onslaughts constantly launched against the party by enemies within and without who have bound themselves in blood oath to stop at nothing until they have destroyed or at least weakened the party as the 2023 general elections approach.
"SEC wishes to assure Ndi Ebonyi that no amount of hooliganism will distract from our determination to kick out APC from Ebonyi Government House come 2023.
"To this end, SEC enjoins our people to stay a focused eye on the ball and refuse to be distracted, intimidated and or cajoled as they prepare to cast their votes in forthcoming elections."
He also noted that "under Section 6(3) of the constitution of the PDP 2017 as amended, SEC resolves that the PDP will fully participate in the forthcoming Local Government Council elections as announced by EBSIEC provided the process is visibly transparent and insulated from government influence and or interference.
"The PDP shall not hesitate to challenge any observed infractions or acts capable of robbing the process of credibility and or fairness.
"Consequently, the PDP hereby announces the sale of forms to commence Tuesday, July 5, 2022, and end Thursday, July 14, 2022. Expression of Interest form for Chairmanship sells for One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100’000) only, and Nomination sells for Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400’000) only.
"Expression of Interest for Councillorship sells for Fifty Thousand Naira (N50’000) only while nomination goes for One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100’000) only.
"The timetable of party activities leading up to the election shall be published on various platforms today July 5, 2022. Members and especially aspirants are advised to monitor and comply as required.
"SEC received a memo for the inauguration of the 7-man State Disciplinary Committee brought under Section 57 (1) and (2) of the constitution of the PDP 2017 as amended. The committee was inaugurated and has since been transmitted to the National Executive Committee.
"SEC received a memo for the ratification of the suspension of certain persons. The memo was based on the Decision of the State Working Committee following a petition brought by one Hon. Our Eze Reuben of Akaezeukwu ward against the following persons: Barr. Ifeanyi Nworie, Mr Nwoba Chika Nwoba, Barr. Mudiaga Erhenede and Barr. Obinna Iteshi.
"The above-named persons are accused of infractions as outlined in Section 58 (1) of the constitution of the PDP 2017 as amended.
"The petitioner had also attached an affidavit in support of his petition. SEC unanimously approved and ratified the suspension for one month as presented in the memo.
"For the avoidance of doubt, Barr. Ifeanyi Nworie, Mr Nwoba Chika Nwoba, Barr. Mudiaga Erhenede and Barr. Obinna Iteshi has been suspended from the party for one month beginning July 4, 2022, in line with the extant provisions of the Constitution of the PDP. Accordingly, the suspended members are barred from every activity of the party during the period of the suspension.
"They have also been referred to the State Disciplinary Committee for further hearing on the petition.
"They are advised to avail themselves of the opportunity of the sittings of the Disciplinary Committee to defend themselves in line with the rules of a fair hearing.
"Meanwhile, all documents and properties of the party in their possession must be returned no later than Friday, July 8, 2022.
"In a different development, The People’s Democratic Party Ebonyi State chapter is embarrassed by the show of shame and outright hooliganism reportedly displayed yesterday July 4, 2022, by some members of the State Executive.
"We have credible evidence that a group of Unknown Gun Men were hired, retained and led by Mr Ifeanyi Nworie the State Deputy Chairman of the party and invaded the party’s secretariat at Km 8, Abakaliki-Enugu Road at about 1 pm July 4, 2022, with the active intent to inflict bodily harm and or kill any member of the State Executive Committee in sight. Nworie and his criminal gang reportedly shot sporadically in the air for hours non-stop when they realized that the SEC meeting had ended before their arrival.
"The party condemns in the strongest terms this dastardly act of a desperado who must bring down PDP unless he finds a way to add the title “state chairman” to his name. One wonders what it is Nworie wants.
"The same Nworie who is struggling for the parties ticked for a seat in the House of Assembly is the same one who wants the seat of State Chairman at all costs. Nworie should understand that a hasty climber would sooner fall than later.
"I take this opportunity to call on the commissioner of Police to ensure that Nworie and his murderous gang are brought to book.
"That Mr Ifeanyi Nworie would gather a bunch of dissidents and purport to suspend a State Chairman is not only laughable but illustrates the depth of his pitiable ignorance. As the lawyer that he claims to be, Nworie ought to know the following.
"Every meeting of the party or any organ thereof is at the instance of the state chairman. Section 21 (3).
"Any request for an “extraordinary meeting” must be routed through the state chairman. Section 21 (4)
"Any gathering which falls short of 4(a) and (b) above should be considered a meeting of the committee of friends and not a party meeting.
"He, Ifeanyi Nworie has absented himself from all the meetings of the SWC validly convened by the State Chairman. Consequently, it amounts to self-abuse for Nworie to arrogate to himself the powers to convene a meeting of the State Working Committee, powers that he does not possess.
"No extraordinary meeting has so far been requested by two-thirds of members of the SWC.
“Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, NO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE at any level shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly…” Section 57 (7)
"Allegations of financial impropriety against my person are libellous and I have briefed my solicitors accordingly. The matter is already before the court of law and therefore subjudice.
"In conclusion, the general public is requested to ignore the melodrama orchestrated by Ifeanyi Nworie and his gang of invaders."
