Suspended PDP chairman vows to reclaim office

Dr. Haruna Dabin, the suspended chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is hoping that crisis in the party would soon be resolved by the party’s national secretariat, so that he can return to office.

Dabin, who was suspended on Monday at an extraordinary meeting of the state executive committee in Jos, debunked the allegations against him.

“I still hold that the meeting was illegal and [I] will therefore not address the issues raised there, but the party headquarters will soon intervene and resolve the issues,” he said.

“The party is interested in peace in its state chapters, especially with elections around the corner, so the differences will soon be resolved.”

A communiqué issued at the meeting claimed that majority of the members of the state working committee of the party were dissatisfied with the handling of the party by Dabin.

The communiqué accused Dabin of failure to call periodic meetings, refusal to render financial accounts to the party, and instigating some members of party to institute a lawsuit against it.

The communiqué stated that Dabin would remain suspended pending the outcome of investigations by the disciplinary committee, whose reports is expected in two weeks.

It named Mr Raymond Dabo, the deputy chairman, as acting state chairman, and frowned at the tendency to rush to court without exhausting the party’s internal mechanisms for conflict resolution.

“Henceforth, members are warned that the party will not hesitate to mete out disciplinary measures against such violations,” the communiqué read.

It also emphasised the need for fairness to those aspiring for political offices, and advised members of the state executive council seeking to contest elections, to resign as their continued stay as party leaders would “affect fair play, natural justice and good conscience’’.

Those who signed the communiqué were Simon Mwadkon, representing federal lawmakers; Mr. Tim Golu, plateau house of assembly chief whip, representing the Plateau house of assembly; and Noel Maiyaki, chairman, PDP in Quan-Pan, for the local government chapters.

Others were Mr. Caleb Mutfwang, chairman, Mangu Local Government, on behalf of the executive chairmen of local governments; and Mr. Gyang Badung, representing the state PDP Executive Council.