The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed purported suspension of the former acting national chairman of the party and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, saying those who embarked on such mission against him would face disciplinary action.
Besides, the state Chairman of the party, Hassan Hyat, who addressed newsmen in Kaduna, yesterday, said seven people from Tudun Wada ward in Makarfi Local Council have been identified by the party executive council in the state, and are already penciled down for disciplinary action, for being behind the move to suspend Senator Makarfi.
Hyat said: “We have already identified those behind the statement by some black sheep in our party, who gathered themselves to congratulate Uba Sani, when INEC declared him winner against our governorship candidate, Isah Ashiru.
“The seven element who pretended to be members of our party are working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). And they are behind the suspension of our leader, Makarfi. Let me say it loud and clear that Senator Makarfi is above board, he is the heart of PDP in the state and he is also our national leader. Those trying to embarrass him with the suspension have failed and they shall be disciplined.”
Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed alleged suspension of Makarfi, saying those who announced his suspension don’t have powers to do so. In a statement he signed yesterday, Ologunagba said: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported suspension of former Governor of Kaduna State and former acting national chairman of our party, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, reportedly by the Ward Executive of Tudun Wada Ward of Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“The NWC, after a thorough consideration of all the issues raised by the ward executive, hereby declares the purported decision and action of the Tudun Wada ward executives, which borders on issues of discipline, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017).”
According to Ologunagba, “for clarity, Section 57 (7) provides that notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no executive committee, at any level except the National Executive Committee (NEC), shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the NEC, Deputy Governor or member of the National Assembly.
“The NWC therefore charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members, teeming supporters of our party in Kaduna State and the general public to disregard the purported suspension of Senator Makarfi by the ward being a member of the NEC of our party.
“The NWC also charges all party members in Kaduna State to remain united at this critical time, especially as the party leadership is progressing in our concerted effort to ensure a comprehensive reconciliation in our party”, he added.
