The Forum of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Chairmen has suspended the membership of Honourable Austine Nwachukwu (Imo State chapter), and that of Abia State, Honourable Amah Ibrahim Nnana, for allegedly plotting to derail the scheduled November 15 National Elective Convention of the PDP.
Nwachukwu, a former member of the House of Representatives, was until his suspension, the chairman of the Forum and also the Imo state chapter chairman of the body, while Nnana is the Abia state chairman.
The forum, which condemned the alleged plot, said the two worked with the backing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their bid to derail the convention.
‘Specifically, the Forum condemned the actions of Hon. Austine Nwachukwu (Imo State) and Hon. Amah Abraham Nnana (Abia State), who recently sought a court injunction to halt the convention.
‘Their actions were unanimously described as a betrayal of the party’s unity and collective resolve’, the forum said in a statement released on Wednesday following an emergency meeting it held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Forum named Mr Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the Edo state PDP, as its new chairman to replace Nwachukwu.
Recall that Nwachukwu and Nnana are among the plaintiffs in a suit filed before an Abuja Federal High Court, seeking to halt the party’s convention.
Hearing in the case resumes on Thursday, October 16.
The forum, which declared full support for the Ibadan convention, also expressed confidence in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Ambassador Umar Damagum.
Blaming the actions of the suspended members on the APC, the forum said, ‘The Forum strongly condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its undemocratic, desperate, and systematic efforts to intimidate, harass, and coerce PDP leaders-including governors, senators, and members of the National and State Assemblies-into defecting.
‘The Forum described these acts as an assault on democracy, warning that the ruling party’s conduct is a dangerous step toward establishing a de facto one-party state, which Nigerians must collectively resist.’
On the NWC, it said, ‘The forum passed a vote of confidence in the National Working Committee (NWC), the PDP Governors’ Forum, and all statutory organs of the party.
‘It reaffirmed its commitment to work harmoniously with these organs in rebuilding, revitalising, and repositioning the PDP as Nigeria’s credible alternative and leading political force.’
The meeting, said to have been attended by 25 out of the 36 state chairmen and the FCT, called on ‘all party members, supporters, and stakeholders across the country to remain calm, united and steadfast.’
It also ‘pledged continued cooperation with the party’s national leadership as it undertakes deliberate, strategic steps to strengthen the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.’