The Ali Modu-Sherif faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has summoned Governor Olusegun Mimiko, his deputy, Alhaji Azeez Oluboyo and the governorship candidate in the November 26 election, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), to appear before its disciplinary committee.
Governor Mimiko was alleged to have contravened the constitution of the party through his actions during last Saturday’s poll.
Factional Chairman, Mr. Poroye Biyi, in a statement issued by the Director of Publicity, Mr. Yemi Akintomide, said the committee will investigate all activities of Mimiko and others.
He said, “the seven-man committee which is headed by Senator Omololu Meroyi, will investigate all actions of individuals or group of persons that were in breach of the party’s constitution and its fundamental objectives which led to the failure of the party in the last governorship election.
The party had since before last Saturday been enmeshed in serious internal crisis, a development which caused confusion on its choice of candidate for the election.
The Ahmed Makarfi faction had earlier presented Mr Jegede but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) later substituted his name with that of Mr Jimoh Ibrahim who was from the Sheriff’s faction following the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
However, Jegede who appealed against the judgment, got justice at both the Appeal and Supreme Courts in less than 48 hours to the election.
According to Mr. Biyi’s statement, Governor Mimiko and others who are to appear before the committee breached Section 7 (3) (c) of the party’s constitution which provides that the party shall adhere “to the policy of the rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices in pursuance to the principle of equity, justice and fairness.”
The statement added that “the committee shall look into the acts and commissions of government which impacted the people including public servants negatively, culminating into people’s anger and rejection which affected the electoral fortunes of the party.”
“The committee shall also investigate the conduct of certain individuals in the disbursement of the resources of the party in the mobilization of members for the election,” the statement added.
Others summoned to appear before the committee are Jumoke Akindele, Speaker, of the House of Assembly, Mr. Clement Faboyede, Alhaji Fatai Adams, Mr. Banji Okunomo, Mr. John Ola Mafo, Mr. Wole Ogunyemi, Mr. Bamiduro Dada, Mr. Akin Akinbobola and all commissioners in Mimiko’s cabinet.
The statement said all the concerned persons are to appear before the committee as from today (Thursday).
The Makarfi faction had on Tuesday suspended leaders of the Sheriff’s faction including Poroye and Senator Meroyi.
Publicity Secretary of the faction, Mr. Banji, said the party took the decision after an emergency meeting of its State Working Committee (SWC).
He said the action of the SWC was in line with section 57 of the constitution of the PDP, adding that the party leadership acted based on the powers conferred on the SWC.
Others suspended from the party are Ebenezer Alabi who was the running mate to Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, Dr. Bakkita Bello, the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dare Emiola, former Deputy Speaker, Chief Sola Ebiseni, former Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Olu Ogunye, Chief Mrs. Yemi Ajonibode and 14 others.
Okunomo said, “by the virtue of the Court of Appeal judgment, Biyi Poroye does not only seize to be an executive of the party as he claimed, but he is no longer a leader of the PDP.”
He disclosed that the suspended members were expected to appear before the disciplinary committee of the party next Monday, December 5.
*This story earlier appeared in SUN on December 1, 2016.
