Ekiti PDP Expels Aluko, Three Others

THE internal crisis rocking the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened yesterday as the faction loyal to Governor Ayodele Fayose announced the expulsion of the Secretary of the party, Dr Tope Aluko, and three other members of State Executive Committee (SEC).

But the expelled officers in a quick reaction described the purported expulsion as a “huge joke by the jesters masquerading as politicians”. The other affected officers are Tunde Olatunde (Vice-Chairman, North), Mrs. Busola Oyebode (Women Leader) and Tunji Olanrewaju (Assistant Secretary).

The expulsion of the officers was said to have followed the adoption by the SEC, the recommendations by the Disciplinary Committee set up by the party to probe the alleged anti- party activities leveled against them.

But Aluko, who responded on behalf of the affected officers said the factional chairman of the party, Chief Idowu Faleye, whom he described as an impostor, lacks the power to suspend members of SEC.

The embattled secretary added that his tenure and that of the purportedly suspended SWC members expired March 18, 2016, describing Faleye’s action as an affront to the party’s constitution.

He said: “They are jokers. One, they should know that the PDP is not a party of  jesters. They should stop toying with the future of the party and its constitution.

These people cannot just come from the Labour Party (LP) and start messing up our party. “These hijackers that we didn’t know. I mean impostors, talking about suspension, are not known to the constitution of the PDP. “So, this is impunity at the highest level and an affront to the party.

Our tenure expires March 18, 2016. Somebody, somewhere must be illiterate. They came into this party few years ago, they should stop trampling on our constitution, which stipulates how a member can become member of the SWC or be removed. “Whoever that is pushing them must come out openly.

Just look at the timing; I mean when I am about doing the wedding of my daughter today (Saturday), they took the illegal action. I am going to expose what is between us to the whole world”, Aluko threatened.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Faleye and the outgoing Organising Secretary, Alhaji Lateef Agbaje, said the SEC affirmed its support and recognition of Faleye as the state chairman as confirmed by the National Working Committee of the party.