Uche Secondus, the Peoples Democratic Party national chairman, says only the National Executive Committee has powers to discipline him or any member of the National Working Committee (NEC).

Mr Secondus stated this in a statement by his media aide, Ike Abonyi, while reacting to his suspension by his ward executives in Rivers.

He pointed out that Article 59(3) of the PDP Constitution stated clearly that only the NEC has such power to discipline NEC members of the party.

“The media office of Secondus ordinarily should not be responding to every ‘noise’ in the media being engineered by those who set out to distract and destroy the PDP. But it is our responsibility to guide those who are easily persuaded by news in the media hence this response,” said the statement. “Such action is a mere wish as Article 59(3) of the PDP constitution states clearly that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party can discipline the national chairman or any other national officer of the party.”

The PDP ward ‘5’ in Ikuru town, Andoni in Rivers, on Wednesday suspended Mr Secondus from the party.

His suspension was announced by the PDP Ward Chairman, George Christopher, at the party’s extraordinary meeting in Ikuru town, stating that 11 of the 17 executive members endorsed the suspension.

Mr Christopher accused Mr Secondus of not attracting development to the area despite his exalted political profile.

“The ward ‘5’ executive of the PDP in Ikuru town on August 31 discussed issues affecting the party. The ward executive suspended Secondus after a duly constituted meeting convened by the Secretary on the instructions of the Chairman in accordance with the party’s constitution,” he said.

Also, former chairman of Andoni local government council and chairman of the disciplinary committee in the ward, Benson Alpheous, alleged that Mr Secondus was suspended for disobeying the party’s decision to step down as national chairman.

“Until further notice, Secondus remains suspended. For now, until you hear from us again, Secondus remain suspended,” he added.

Meanwhile, to resolve the leadership crisis, the PDP NEC approved October 30 for the party’s elective national convention, scheduled for Abuja, to usher in new leadership.

(NAN)