SENATOR Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been suspended by the state chapter of the party over alleged anti-party activities.
His suspension comes amid ongoing internal crises within the opposition party.
The party stalwart has been at the forefront of efforts aimed at restoring sanity in the party. The former Senate President has not hidden his support for the anti-Nyesome Wike-led elements within the party.
The announcement was made today (Tuesday) by the state party chairman, Abraham Amah, during a meeting with the State Executive Committee in Umuahia.
According to Amah, Wabara’s suspension was triggered by his endorsement of Governor Alex Otti for a second term barely five months into the governor’s administration in October 2023. This move was deemed a betrayal of the party’s principles.
“The party cannot tolerate members who wear its badge but compromise, sabotage, or betray its core values,” Amah stated.
The decision was further supported by a memo from the state’s Treasurer, Chizurum Kalu, who called for Wabara’s suspension over what he described as unfounded statements.
Citing sections 57, 58, and 59 of the party’s constitution, Amah urged the State Executive Committee to ensure that discipline is upheld across the party, regardless of status.
He said, “True leadership and progress require a dedicated and loyal team and not a crowd. The PDP needs individuals who understand the sacrifices necessary to reposition the party for electoral success and for the transformation of Abia State.”
According to the memo tendered by the state treasurer, the BoT chairman was accused of endorsing Governor Alex Otti for a second tenure, an action the memo outlined was inimical to the party.
In moving a motion that was seconded by the State Organising Secretary, Obinna Okey, the State Treasurer requested that the BoT chairman be debarred from holding any party office and as well, suspended as the BoT chairman.
The Abia PDP chairman called for the rebuilding of a strong and viable team that would not just occupy space but actively contribute to the advancement of the party and the development of the state.
“If you are in this party, be ready to stand for it, work for it and defend it. We do not need passengers, we need partners in progress.
“Our attention was drawn to a statement credited to Senator Adolphus Wabara, sometime in October and circulated on social media platforms and national dailies, wherein the said senator threw caution to the wind and in a brazen display of sabotage to the party, unilaterally endorsed the Labour Party governor of Abia State, Alex Chioma Otti, for a second term in office, barely five months after the inauguration and thereby brought the party to disrepute, hatred and contempt, which he said is in violation to the provisions of Chapter 10, Article 58(c) and (f) of the Constitution of the party (2017 as amended) and therefore, liable to punishment under Article 59(1) of the party’s Constitution.
“Article 58(1) and Article 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) empowers the State Executive Committee (SEC), to discipline any member of the party, who commits any offence(s) provided by the party’s constitution, irrespective of the members status, adding that the party having considered the implications of Senator Adolphus Wabara’s acts of sabotage against the party, invoked the provisions of Articles 57(1),(2),(3), 58(1)(b) & (f) and 59(1) of the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended), against Senator Adolphus Wabara and thereby, placed him on one month suspension from party activities and also in compliance with the provisions of Article 59(1) (e) & (f) of the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended), the party debarred the former senator from holding any party office and therefore, equally removed from office as BoT Chairman of PDP.”
The PDP state chairman said due to the immunity that covered the BoT Chairman from being sanctioned on disciplinary grounds by the State Executive Committee, the party made repeated outcries, demands and notices to show why disciplinary sanctions should not be meted on him.
He added that Wabara refused, failed and neglected to refute the said statement credited to him and circulated on social media and national dailies, since October 2023, even when his actions and inactions undermined the credibility of the PDP, demoralised party members/stakeholders, emboldened the opposition and as well, gravely constituted gross anti-party activity/conduct.
Meanwhile, the party constituted a seven-man disciplinary committee to investigate Wabara’s actions in line with the disciplinary procedures of the party, while urging members to reaffirm their commitment to the mission of the party, which is to reclaim their place and lead the state to greater heights.
Eighteen-Eleven Media