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PDP: ‘Inconsequential Action’ – Fayose, Others Reject Expulsion From Party
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Fayose and others have reacted to the expulsion from PDP over party activities.
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The candidates described the explosion by the PDP as inconsequential action.
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According to the candidates, the NWC lacked the power to carry out such action.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the National Assembly candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have rejected their “sudden” expulsion from the opposition party.
In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the candidates described their expulsion from the party as inconsequential and clear disrespect for the laws of the party and that of the country.
EDITOR’S PICKS
The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) on Friday expelled the Ekiti National Assembly candidates over alleged anti-party activities and other grave offences in violation of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
Their expulsion was announced by the spokesperson of the party, Debo Ologunagba at the end of the PDP NWC 566th meeting on Friday.
The candidates expelled are Ajijola Lateef Oladimeji (Ekiti Central), Olayinka James Olalere (Ekiti Central II), Fayose Oluwajomiloju John (Ekiti Central I), Akerele Oluyinka (Ekiti North I) and Emiola Adenike Jennifer (Ekiti South II).
But according to the statement, the embattled PDP members said the party’s NWC lacked the powers to suspend, let alone expel them from the party without due process.
They stated that the lawlessness of the Iyorchia Ayu-led NWC will ultimately fail, adding that they remain candidates of the PDP and only death can change that.
The candidates, however, urged members and supporters of the party in the state to shun the expulsion and continue to work for their victory in the forthcoming elections.
The statement reads: “In the face of the law, we remain candidates of the PDP and only death can change that. Therefore, we will keep working to win our elections while we wait on the court to determine the propriety or otherwise of the party’s decisions.
“Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022, provides that ‘a political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidates whose name has been submitted under Section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal of a candidate.’
“The implication of the above is that the only instance where a validly nominated candidate whose name has been submitted to INEC by a party can be changed or substituted is when the candidate dies or withdraws from the race in accordance with Section 31 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“Therefore, our candidature is intact and we will not be distracted from winning our elections.
“Most importantly, as of last week Thursday, a court of competent jurisdiction already ordered that no further action should be taken by the party. Consequently, any action taken in contravention of the court order will not only be null and void but also contemptuous. We believe that Ayu and his gang know the implications of telling the court to go to hell.
FURTHER READING
“We are unperturbed. Rather, we are being propelled to work harder to ensure victory in the elections. Ultimately, it will be a victory for us as candidates of the PDP.’’
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