17th April, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Austin Adiele Opara, a former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives has been kicked out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the executive of his Ward 10 in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State.
His suspension was announced in a statement signed by Chisa Amadi, Chairman of the Ward in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Amadi said in the statement that the former deputy Speaker was suspended following a vote of no confidence passed on him alongside Mr Ikechi Chinda ( former PDP Local Government Area party Chairman in Port Harcourt), Daniel Chinda (PDP Secretary in ward 10) and Richard James (PDP Ward 10 Publicity Secretary).
He added that the decision to suspend the PDP chieftains was reached at a meeting where a review of the Presidential and National Assembly Election as well as the State Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections held on 25th February and 18th March respectively were carried out.
Amadi said it was observed with dismay at the meeting that Opara and others were involved in anti-party activities in clear violation of the party’s constitution and norms during the elections.
The suspended members were also accused of failing to pay their annual subscription fees as provided by section 8 subsection 9 of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended, hence the vote of no confidence and suspension.
The former Deputy Speaker and others were consequently warned that they will not be permitted to enter the premises of the office of the party, unless contacted.
Our Correspondent reports that suspension of Austin Opara from PDP came barely 48 hours after Senator Thompson George Sekibo, representing Rivers East Senatorial District was suspended by the executives of his Ward 2 Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers over similar manner and allegations
However, our Correspondent reports that the crisis in Rivers PDP and the dichotomy between supporters of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential Candidate and Governor Nyesom Wike may have led to the gale of suspensions.
But Sekibo had swiftly dismissed his suspension by his ward executive on Sunday.