The South-South Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its Zonal Secretary, Chief Felix Omemu, for one month over alleged misconduct.
Omemu’s suspension was announced at the south-south executive committee meeting held on Saturday in Benin.
A statement by the zonal committee said that Omemu’s suspension followed issuance of unauthorised statements and his actions.
The party alleged that Omemu had, in a statement in Yenagoa, declared as illegal, the meeting called by the PDP National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih.
The embattled zonal secretary claimed that the Zonal Working Committee (ZWC) never deliberated nor agreed to convene a meeting of the zonal executive council.
It was learnt that the motion for Omemu’s suspension was moved by the Speaker of Rivers House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, at the meeting.
Amaewhule, while moving the motion, accused Omemu of misconduct and division.
He said that Omemu’s suspension was due to his unauthorised statements in the media, discouraging members from attending the South-South ZEC meeting.
“Chief Felix Omemu must be suspended, and a disciplinary committee must be set up to investigate him,” Amaewhule said during the meeting.
The speaker also described Omemu’s actions as illegal, aimed at causing disunity and preventing members from attending the South-South ZEC meeting in Benin.
The motion was further seconded by member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Godwin Offiono.
Following Omemu’s suspension, the PDP Zonal Legal Adviser, George Turnah, was sworn in as the acting zonal secretary.
Speaking shortly after the suspension, the national vice-chairman (South-South) praised the ZEC’s decision, calling it a crucial step toward reshaping the party and curbing excesses.
Orbih said that lack of an internal reward system for loyalty had harmed PDP at both state and national levels, thereby affecting its progress.
