The Tsauri ‘A’ Ward Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended the former national secretary of the party, Umar Tsauri.

The position of the committee was announced in a suspension letter signed by the ward chairman, Danjume Abubakar, in Katsina on Sunday.

According to the ward executive committee, the decision was taken at the committee’s sitting on September 14, pending the outcome of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate him on a series of allegations.

Mr Tsuari was accused of anti-party activities and unguarded utterances against the party’s national leadership, actions, and associations, which were capable of embarrassing and bringing the party to disrepute.

According to them, the suspension is in line with Article 59 (1) of the PDP constitution, which empowers ward party executives to take disciplinary action against erring members.

The committee said, “We urge all members of our great party to remain committed to the principles of the party’s discipline and loyalty.

“We must work together to build a strong and united party capable of winning elections and serving the interest of our people.”

Reacting to the suspension, the spokesman of the party in the state, Lawal Audi-Yar’adua, acknowledged the receipt of the suspension letter from the senator’s ward.

He disclosed that the party had set up a committee to investigate the allegations levelled against the senator, saying that no matter the status of any member, the party would abide by the provisions of the constitution in dealing with its members.

Responding to his suspension, Mr Tsauri said the ward and state chapter of the party lack constitutional powers to suspend him as a former national secretary without following due process.

“I was not issued with any suspension letter; I only saw it going around on social media written to the party Chairman, Kurfi Local Government,” he said.

He explained that the party has its rules and regulations, “and before action is taken against any member, certain processes have to be followed.”

The PDP in Katsina State is divided into two factions: Mr Tsauri and Mustapha Inuwa, the former Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Director.

While the other faction is being led by Lado Danmarke, the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections. 

(NAN)