Rivers PDP faction moves to suspend Senator, others

The Felix Obuah faction of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has threatened to suspend Senator Magnus Abe, Mr. Andrew Uchendu and Mr. Dakuku Peterside over alleged anti- party activities.

Meantime, a political associate of Senator Abe and leader, Eleme Legislative Assembly, Gomba Olaka, who commented on the threat, said it was shocking that the faction of the party could contemplate such action.

Factional chairman of the party, Obuah in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Jerry Needam, accused the party leaders and members  of the National Assembly of alleged  indiscipline and disrespect to the party.

 He said: “The party will no longer tolerate deliberate acts of indiscipline and disrespect to the party by any of her members in the state no matter the office he occupies or the social status of such erring party member. 

“While the leadership is making frantic efforts to resolve the raging internal political crisis in the state and ensure that all aggrieved members are peacefully reconciled, certain members of the party notably, Senator Abe, Uchendu, Peterside and some others are busy throwing spanners into the wheel of progress through unguarded statements and divisive actions.”

The party reminded such members and dissidents of the provisions of Article 9 of the party’s constitution, which forbade all members from any act that will portray the party in bad light, including publishing or distributing to the media, any material which purports to be the view of any faction within the party, among others.

Olaka said “Senator Abe is a leader of PDP at the state and national levels. He has the right to join well meaning party men in guiding the party to the path of growth and unity. Rivers people know how tirelessly Senator Abe  worked to bring peace and unity to the party and the state.

“It is clear to Rivers people that the removal of Mr Joseph Mbu as the Rivers State Commissioner of Police will not only bring peace, but reduce crime in the state. We are shocked to hear/imagine that the state PDP is behind Mbu’s action to the extent that a serving Senator will be threatened with suspension for calling for Mbu’s removal.

 “Perhaps, the entire National Assembly should be sacked or suspended for calling for Mbu’s removal as Police Commissioner of Rivers State. Those accusing Senator Abe should have the courage to name those that fueled the crisis that engulf the Rivers State House of Assembly, “he said.