The Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) wishes to set the records straight on the reasons for the suspension of
the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda
Wamakko as a member of the PDP.
The decision to suspend His
Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko came after very wide and exhaustive
consultations, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the PDP
and in the overriding interest of the Party.
It is important to note that the
reason for the suspension of Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko predates the
Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s election.
Sometime in early April, the
leadership of the Party was concerned with the statements and conduct of the
Governor whereupon the National Chairman placed several calls to draw the
attention of the Governor to the matters concerned.
However, it was not possible for
the National Chairman to speak with the Governor despite several attempts. The
National Chairman thereafter vide a letter dated 12th April, 2013 requested an
explanation to the NWC within seven days.
Instead of replying the National
Chairman, Governor Wamakko directed the Sokoto State Secretary of the Party,
Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto to reply the National Chairman.
The State party Secretary in a
letter dated April 14, 2013 and on the official letterhead of the Sokoto State
Government House, replied the National Chairman on behalf of the governor.
This amounted to gross disrespect
and act of insubordination to a National Officer and a lawful organ of the
party which is in violation of Articles 58.1 (c ), (h) and (m) of the PDP
constitution which prescribed sanctions for any member who (c ) “disobeys or
neglect to carry out lawful directives of the party or any organ or officer of
the party”, (h) “engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among
members of the Party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient
conduct of the business of the Party” and (m) “fails, refuses or neglects to
treat a petition, complaints or appeal timeously” respectively.
Nevertheless, the NWC, vide a
letter dated April 17, 2013 kindly requested His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu
Magatakarda Wamakko to appear before it on the 8th of May, 2013 to clear the
issues thereof.
The NWC also wrote to the State
Secretary, Sokoto PDP, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto requesting explanations for
his actions as a state party officer, in replying the National Chairman.
Regrettably, Dr. Aliyu
Magatakarda Wamakko never honoured the invitation and refused to respond in any
way despite repeated invitations from the NWC, an action which is in clear
violation of Article 58.1 (c), of the PDP constitution.
In the same vein, the State
Secretary, Sokoto PDP also refused to respond to the National Working Committee
(NWC).
Consequently, the NWC at its
336th meeting held on May 22, 2013 suspended the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP
Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto and communicated the decision to him in a letter
dated May 22, 2013.
Why We Suspended Wamakko – PDP
The NWC thereafter extended yet
another invitation to His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko in a letter
dated May 23, 2013 in which it requested him to appear before it on Wednesday,
June 5, 2013 to clarify the issues.
Unfortunately, in complete disregard
to a lawful organ of the Party, His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko,
instead of appearing before the NWC traveled out of the country on Tuesday June
5, 2013 without any form of response to the party.
The NWC frowned at this act of
gross indiscipline and disrespect to the party and was therefore left with no
other option than to invoke relevant articles of the PDP constitution in
furtherance of the determination to enforce discipline at all levels within the
Party.
We wish to state that the
leadership of the Party has immense respect for all elected and appointed
political office holders and in the same vein expects all political office
holders to reciprocate by respecting the constitution and lawful organs of the
Party upon which platform they hold office.
The NWC hereby restates that no
individual or group within the party is, and must be seen to be above the
constitution and lawful organs of the party. All party members are under the
rule of the constitution of the party and must so abide.
Signed
Chief Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary
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