PDP suspends chairman, deputy in Lagos

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ratified the suspension of its Chairman, Philip Aivoji and his Deputy, Mr Tai Benedict, pending the outcome of court cases.

Aivoji and Benedict were suspended respectively by their ward executives on April 14 over an alleged gross violation of the party’s constitution.

The party’s Publicity Secretary in Lagos State, Hakeem Amode, stated on Tuesday in Lagos that the State Working Committee reached the resolution after appraising the outcome of the 2023 general elections.

He stated that at a meeting held on Tuesday, the committee deliberated on saving the soul of the main opposition party in the state.

He added that the committee consequently confirmed Lagos PDP Vice-Chairman (West Senatorial District), Sunday Olaifa, the acting chairman, pending the outcome of court cases.

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Amode revealed that the committee also constituted a seven-man disciplinary committee to look into all matters affecting the suspended officials.

”Members of the disciplinary committee are Chief Abayomi Kuye (Chairman), Mrs Esther Egbi (Secretary), Alhaji Isiaka Shodiya, Princess M.A Coker, Messrs Kayode Ariwayo, Femi Oluokun and Segun Oriyomi.

Amode added that the post-election disciplinary committee was expected to revert to the State Working Committee one week from the date of its constitution.

”Members of the State Working Committee at the meeting were Olaifa, Mr Agboola Akinpelu (Youth Leader), Mr Ismail Olatunji (State Auditor) and Mr Adio Salami (State Organising Secretary) and Amode.

“The five members in attendance constitute the majority of the nine members in the State Working Committee out of the original 14 members that can take the decision.

“Three of the original 14 members had decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), thereby reducing the membership of the State Working Committee to 11.

“The embattled chairman and his Deputy were part of the 11 remaining members and since they can’t adjudicate in their own case, only nine members were left to take decisions.”