BREAKING: Fintiri rejects expulsion of Wike from PDP

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Adamawa governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has disassociated himself from the expulsion of Nyesom Wike the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as announced at the ongoing national convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Fintiri, who was one of the PDP governors present at the convention where the decision to expel Wike and eight others were taken dissociated himself from the action few hours after it was announced in a post on his social media handles.

The Adamawa governor who is the chairman of the national convention committee said his opposition the expulsion of Wike was based on his desire for peace and reconciliation within the party.

The Adamawa State Governor said the decision to expel Wike is not in the best interest of the party and may lead to more crisis for PDP.

He added that he will not be part of any problem that will compound the problems of the PDP or lead to the disintegration of the party.

Fintiri, who is an associate of Wike also promised that he will continue to work for reconciliation and peace within the PDP.

He said “I, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Governor of Adamawa State, wish to categorically state that I dissociate myself from the position of expelling the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, @GovWike , from @OfficialPDPNig (PDP). I believe that this decision is not in the best interest of the party, and I will not be party to any attempt that could further plunge the PDP into unending crisis.

“As a faithful party member, my position is clear: I stand for the peace and stability of the PDP, and I will not support anything that could lead to its disintegration. I believe that peace and reconciliation are the only ways forward for our great party.

“I urge all stakeholders to work towards healing the divisions within the party and to strive for unity and cohesion. As a party man, I am committed to supporting efforts that promote peace, stability, and progress within the PDP.

“Let me reiterate that my position is guided by the desire for peace and reconciliation, and I will continue to work towards achieving this goal.

Suspended for anti-party activities

Aside Wike, the other PDP members expelled at the ongoing convention are Ayodele Fayose, Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Austin Iwachukwu, Umar Bature, Muhammad AbduRahman, Mao Ohuabunwa, Abraham Ama, George Turner, and Dan Obi.

Former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Bode George moved the motion for their expulsion over alleged anti-party activities.

He Wike and others had brought ridicule to the party.

George said that PDP members were bound by and must adhere to Section 40 of its Constitution as amended.

According to him, political parties are voluntary organisations and members may wish to join or not.

“These people above have committed various breaches of the constitution by holding parallel congresses, canvassing votes for other parties, and sponsoring litigations against the party, among others,” he said.

The motion was unanimously supported by party members present at the convention.