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Less than 24 hours to the commencement of the 2019 general elections, the readiness of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Ogun State has been dampened with the suspension of key members and contestants in the elections.
On Thursday, a faction of the party, loyal to a member of the House of Representatives and a claimant to the party’s governorship ticket, Oladipupo Adebutu, suspended 39 members.
They include the deputy governorship candidate of the party recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Reuben Abati; spokesperson of Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Segun Sowunmi; and 37 candidates of the party loyal to Buruji Kashamu for anti party activities.
The faction, led by Sikirulahi Ogundele, announced the suspension in a statement in Abeokuta on Thursday.
The statement read in part, “The suspension is at the instance of the ward and local executive committees which noted that affected members failed to appear before them and also did not respond to queries served on them.
“Recall that similar disciplinary action was taken on Senator Buruji Kashamu, Prince Bayo Dayo, Segun Seriki and Semiu Sodipo.
“The decision to suspend the affected members was ratified at a state meeting of the party held at Legacy House, Onikolobo, Abeokuta and contained in a communiqué signed by the Chairman of the party, Hon. Sikirulahi Ogundele.”