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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ngor Ward 1, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has suspended the member representing Andoni/Opobo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Abiante.
This was contained in a communique read to newsmen after a meeting of the PDP leaders and stakeholders held at the party’s office in Ngor town, on Monday evening.
Abiante is one of few federal lawmakers in the National Assembly loyal to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The resolution, which was signed by the PDP Ward Chairman, Dike Bara, and Ward Secretary, Dokubo Jackson, as well as 12 other executives, was unanimously adopted by the leaders and stakeholders of the party in the ward.
Reading the resolution to newsmen, Bara said Abiante’s suspension was due to his promotion of factions within the party.
He also accused the federal lawmaker of his involvement in unauthorized publicity of disputes within the party and creating a parallel party organ at the ward level, among others.
The party also accused Abiante of breaching section 58 sub-section 1j of the party’s constitution.
“That Hon. Awaji-inombek Dagomie Abiante should be and is hereby suspended from the party for not only promoting factions at the ward level, but also belonging to a group under the guise of the party; not being a group provided for in the party’s constitution. Which action is in breach of S. 58(1) (j) of the party’s constitution.
“That the suspension of Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante is also predicated upon his involvement in unauthorised publicity of disputes within the party, creating a parallel party organ at the ward level and his involvement in anti-party activities.
“Thereby, causing disaffection among members of the party and threatening peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party at the ward level, this in breach of S.58(1)(i),(e)&(h) of the party’s constitution.
“Furthermore, the suspension of Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante became indispensable, putting into consideration his involvement in organising, training, equipping and encouraging the organisation, retention, training, equipping of a group of members for the purpose of employing violence, coercion and other forms of intimidation within the party, thereby breaching S. 58(1) (k) of the party’s constitution.
“The party at the ward states clearly that we are committed to the party and are determined to weed out all bad eggs who are acting as agents of opposition political parties to weaken our party, no matter how highly placed, and to ensure that our ward remains PDP no matter the amount of inducement or threat,” Bara said.
Recall that Abiante had in December 2023 led a protest by some groups against the presidential agreement during the political crisis in Rivers State.