1st November, 2022
By Adejoke Adeleye, Abeokuta
The National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party has recommended one of its governorship aspirant in Ogun State Otunba Jimi Lawal for expulsion.
The NWC and NEC’s set-up disciplinary committee made the recommendation following gross misconduct, forgery, anti-party activities and disobedience to party’s constitution.
The former aide to Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who was expelled barely six months after joining the governorship race alongside three others who are Muyiwa Odebiyi, Moruf Olajide and Ademola Ojoye, while four other members were also suspended.
While addressing journalists at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Tola Odulaja said their expulsion was in accordance with the party’s constitutional provision.
Odulaja hinted that the committee was set-up in February, 2022 by the National Working Committee of the party, which made the recommendation for their expulsion following Lawal’s disobedience to the party by organizing ‘illegal’ rerun governorship primary in the state.
Odulaja said, “Jimi Lawal, the person behind the scene who wants to wreak this party and we recommend his expulsion from the party.”
The chairman of the party, Sikirulai Ogundele said the disciplinary actions were carried out without fear or favour and in accordance of the party’s constitution.
He added that the offenders were given fair hearing, but that they failed to appear before the committee after series of invitations to them.
But reacting, the Project Director of Jimi Adebisi Lawal Campaign Organization (JALCO), Mr. Austin Oniyokor described the expulsion as “a joke taken too far”.