Rivers PDP expels SSG, 14 commissioners, 3 others

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers on Monday alleged that the state governor, Chibuike Amaechi, and the Acting Chief Judge of the State have plans to scuttle the party’s participation at the national convention.


The secretary of the party, Ibibia Walter, called on Governor Chibuike Amaechi, to leave the party alone if he was tired of the party’s membership.

He said that the party would resist any attempt by the government to use court injunction to stop the party from attending the national convention.

Mr. Ibibia spoke about the readiness of the party in the state to continue to support the national leadership of the party as well as President Goodluck Jonathan.

The secretary explained that PDP in the state would not be intimidated by anybody, irrespective of status or interest in the state.

The Rivers PDP also expelled the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), George Feyii, and 14 commissioners, for alleged insubordination to the party.

The state PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, announced this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt.

Mr. Obuah said the party also expelled Sam Jaja, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman; Tony Okocha, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Sole Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority.

He said that the expulsion was as a result of the members’ negligence and slight to the party’s evaluation committee’s invitation.

“The following persons turned down the invitation of the party’s evaluation committee; neither did they send a report of their activities.

“Discipline must be upheld in the party for the party to progress, so we have no choice than to follow the recommendation of the disciplinary committee,’’ he said.

He said that the expulsion was not designed to witch-hunt perceived political enemies, but a decision to strengthen the party. He also said the expelled members are not loyal to the party, and such can be having divided loyalty to the opposition party.

Mr. Obuah held that the party’s decision was a commendable one in view of the on-coming national convention.

He spoke about the imperativeness of going to the convention as a united front, adding that protection of the party and Rivers was its priority.

He affirmed the party’s preparedness to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy and good governance to Rivers residents in particular and Nigeria in general.

Mr. Obuah heads a faction of the PDP opposed to the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, but supported by the national secretariat of the party.