The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the purported expulsion of Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the House of Representatives member for Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, describing it as null and void.
The expulsion, announced by the Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward chapter of the PDP in Imo State, accused Ugochinyere of gross indiscipline, insubordination, and anti-party activities.
The decision was reportedly based on a disciplinary committee’s report dated November 27, 2024.
In a letter dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the Ideato LGA PDP chairman, ThankGod Okeke, and secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh, the lawmaker’s expulsion was confirmed after his suspension by his ward on October 14, 2024, for failing to appear before the ward executive committee to address misconduct allegations.
However, in a statement on Saturday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, reiterated that Ugochinyere remains a bona fide member of the party, enjoying all rights and privileges.
“The NWC declares the said purported expulsion as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the express provision of Sections 57 (7) and 59 (3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid-down rules of our great Party,” Ologunagba stated.
The NWC affirmed Ugochinyere’s membership citing Section 57 (7) of the PDP Constitution and dismissed the actions of the ward chapter as lacking constitutional backing.
In a related development, PDP local government chairmen in Imo State have named Ugochinyere the leader of the party in the state.
Ugochinyere, who is the highest-ranking government official elected on the PDP platform in Imo, received a vote of confidence from the local leaders.
The chairmen also called for the immediate removal of the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, to rejuvenate the opposition party ahead of future elections.
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