I will quit PDP in 48 hours – Shema reacts after suspension by party’s NWC

Former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema has given the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) 48 hours to rescind its decision to suspend him.

Shema disclosed this on Friday in a letter he addressed to Dr lyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Shema also urged the NWC to reinstate the duly elected party executives in the state and allow them to complete their tenure if they want peace to reign in the Katsina PDP.

Describing the decisions and actions of the NWC under the current leadership as lacking constitutional validity and a clear demonstration of contempt for democracy, the former Katsina governor said the party would be plunged into more crisis if the situation continues unchecked.

Below is his letter:

“My attention has been drawn to a press statement made on Thursday 23 March 2023 (1” of Ramadan 1444 AH) on above actions by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) as announced by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and aired in numerous media outlets, print, electronic and social.

“The statement also went on to announce suspension of other party leaders in the country.

It is pertinent to state categorically here that Chapter 10 of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Constitution (2017) as amended (Disciplinary Procedure) particularly, Section 56 (6) (7) and Section 59 (3) were not adhered to in reaching these decisions which clearly demonstrate contempt for democracy.

“I was privileged to be Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman One (1) and Chairman of its National Disciplinary Committee who amended and drafted the Disciplinary Procedure as enshrined in our constitution today, in line with principles of justice, fairness and equity.

“I am a member of National Executive Council (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) and CAUCUS of our party and know as of law and fact that the dissolution of a lawfully elected Katsina State Executive Committee cannot bear constitutional validity as well as my suspension from the party.

“Let me also state in clear and unequivocal terms that I have been a loyal and dedicated party member for the past twenty-four years; I have never left or joined any other party despite all manner of challenges I faced and have worked under our party’s constitution and the law.

“I cannot, therefore, continue to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under Dr lyorchia Ayu’s laws, who is duty-bound to preserve, protect and defend our constitution within his limited powers. It is in the height of these developments that I make the following appeals:

“Rescind the National Working Committee (NWC) decision of unlawful dissolution of Katsina State’s duly elected Executive Committee and allow them to complete their tenure and disband the purported caretaker committee similar to which so many court decisions in the land have illegalized.

“Rescind the National Working Committee (NWC) decision of my suspension as member of our party within the next Forty-Eight (48) hours.

“Take notice that failure to effect these two changes above within Forty-Eight (48) hours, this letter serves as my formal and official withdrawal of my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) effective from Saturday, 25 March 2023.

“These actions have caused and will continue to cause monumental damage to our party if unchecked.

“My good wishes to you all.”

Shema along with five other chieftains of the PDP were suspended by the NWC on Thursday for alleged involvement in anti-party activities during the 2023 general elections.