The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the expulsion of Ikenga Ugochinyere, the House of Representatives member for the Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, by the Umuopia/Umukegwu ward chapter of the party in the state.
In a statement released on Saturday, the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, declared the expulsion null and void, asserting that it violated the provisions of Sections 57(7) and 59(3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
Ugochinyere, who also serves as the spokesman for the Coalition of United Political Parties, was expelled, according to a statement issued by Imo PDP Publicity Secretary Lancelot Obiak on Friday. The expulsion was reportedly carried out by the PDP executive in Ideato LGA through a letter dated December 5, 2024, signed by LGA Chairman ThankGod Okeke and Secretary Onyebuchi Umeh.
Read Also: PDP Expels Ugochinyere
The reasons cited for the expulsion included alleged gross indiscipline, insubordination, and anti-party activities.
However, Ologunagba emphasized that Ugochinyere’s expulsion was invalid, as it did not adhere to the party’s established procedures.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported expulsion of Hon. Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu from the Party by the Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward Chapter of the PDP in Imo State.
“The NWC declares the said purported expulsion as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the express provision of Sections 57 (7) and 59 (3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down Rules of our great Party.
“Section 57 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP is clear in providing that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly.
“Also, Section 59 (3) of the Constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing that “Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level except the National Executive Committee shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers or member of any of the Legislative Houses.”
The PDP Publicity Secretary emphasized that no ward, local government, or state chapter of the party has the authority to suspend, expel, or discipline a National Assembly member without adhering to the proper procedures outlined in the party’s Constitution, which mandates consultation with the National Working Committee (NWC).
It added, “The NWC strongly cautions that the PDP is an organized political Party governed by strict adherence to the provisions of its Constitution and Rules and will not allow any individual or group at any level to violate its Constitution and Rules under any circumstances whatsoever.
“The NWC states that Hon. Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu remains a bona-fide member of the PDP with all rights, privileges, recognition, obligations and charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our Party in Imo State and the nation to disregard the purported expulsion.
“The NWC calls on all Party members in Imo State to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of our Party and the people.”