Abia PDP exco suspends BoT chairman Wabara over ‘anti-party activities’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia state has suspended Adolphus Wabara, chairman of the board of trustees (BoT).

A statement on Tuesday by Abraham Amah, the state’s PDP chairman, the state executive committee (SEC) said Wabara is suspended for one month pending the investigation of a seven-member disciplinary committee.

“Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Senator Adolphus Wabara, the BOT Chairman of PDP, sometime in October, and circulated on Social media and National Dailies, wherein the said Senator threw caution to the wind and in a brazen display of sabotage to the Party, unilaterally endorsed the labour Party governor of Abia State Gov. Alex Chioma Otti, for a second term in office, barely Five (5) months after inauguration and thereby brought the party to disrepute, hatred and/contempt, which is in violation to the provisions of Chapter 10, Article 58(c) and (f) of the Constitution of Party (2017 as amended) and therefore liable to punishment under Article 59(1) of the Party’s Constitution,” the statement reads.

The SEC said article 58(1) and article 59(1) of the PDP constitution (2017 as amended) empower the state executive committee to discipline any member of the party who commits any offence irrespective of the member’s status.

The SEC alleged that Wabara has “refused, failed, and neglected” to deny reports of his endorsement of Otti for a second term, despite repeated demands, public outcries, and notices urging him to justify why he should not face disciplinary action.

The Abia PDP said the actions and or inactions of Wabara have “undermined the credibility” of the PDP, “demoralised” party members and stakeholders and “gravely constitute gross” anti-party activity/conduct.

The SEC described Wabara’s action as “sabotage”, saying there is a need to ensure discipline amongst party members across the board, irrespective of status.

The development is the latest in a series of suspensions in the PDP in recent months, further deepening the crisis in the opposition party.