Shema, Anyim hit PDP over suspension, ask party to rescind decision

Ibrahim Shema, former governor of Katsina, has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national working committee (NWC) to rescind his suspension within 48 hours.

Shema also asked the NWC to reverse its decision on the dissolution of the Katsina state executive committee of the party.

On Thursday, the PDP announced the suspension of some party members, including Shema over alleged anti-party activities.

The former governor threatened to quit the party if the NWC did not lift his suspension within the 48 hours.

Shema’s position is contained in a letter dated March 24, addressed to Iyorchai Ayu, national chairman of the PDP.

Shema said the PDP NWC did not adhere to section 56 (6) (7) and section 59 (3) of the party’s constitution which calls for a fair hearing in suspending a member.

“This clearly demonstrates contempt for democracy,”  the letter reads.

“I was privileged to be PDP deputy national chairman one 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 the 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 PDP under Dr Iyorchia Ayu’s laws who is duty-bound to preserve, protect and defend our constitution within his limited powers.

“It is at the height of these developments that I make the following appeals: Rescind the National Working Committee (NWC) decision of unlawful dissolution of Katsina State 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 has legalized.

“Rescind the National Working Committee (NWC) decision of my suspension as a 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 the formal and official withdrawal of my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) effective from Saturday 25th March 2023.”

Also, Anyim Pius Anyim, former secretary to the government of the federation, has kicked against his suspension by the party.

In a statement released on Friday, Anyim said his suspension is “null and void” because he was not given the opportunity to defend himself.

Anyim said having performed “so poorly” in the general election, the PDP NWC ought to have pondered on how to correct its mistakes rather than taking actions that further divide the party.

“The action of the NWC is, to say the least, disappointing. I thought the concern of the NWC now would be how to undertake a thorough self-examination on why they performed so poorly in the 2023 elections rather than seek to further divide the party by shifting blame,” Anyim said.

“It smacks of arrogance for the NWC to put up boldface instead of showing remorse and being sober for leading the party to such colossal loss in the 2023 general elections, thereby dashing the hopes and expectations of party members and indeed Nigerians.”