Written By Isma’il Adamu and Edited by Godwin Duru
The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State has deepened with the suspension of a former National Secretary of the party, Senator Umar Tsauri, over alleged anti-party activities.
Briefing Newsmen at the party Secretariat in Katsina, one of the party’s Spokesmen in the state, Alhaji Lawal-Audi Yaradua, explained that Senator Tsauri was suspended by his ward executives in Kurfi Local Government Area.
“The suspension came from Tsauri ‘A’ Ward of PDP in Kurfi following a meeting of the ward EXCO after they found Senator Umar Tsauri guilty of anti-party activities and use of foul words against some national leaders of the party”.
“The letter was signed by the Ward Secretary, Abdullahi Garba, and the letter explains vividly that Tsauri was found guilty of the said offences”.
“A video clip of him has emerged where he can be heard verbally abusing Chief Nyesom Wike over his decision to be part of the Tinubu administration”.
“The party cannot tolerate this because Wike was invited by the APC administration to serve in it considering the way he transformed Rivers State during his tenure as governor.”
Lawal-Audi said Tsauri will now face a disciplinary committee set up by the party to look into the circumstances surrounding the suspension.
However, when contacted, Senator Tsauri faulted the legality and process followed to effect the suspension.
Quoting Section 58, sub-sections 4,5,6 and 7 of the PDP constitution, the former Senator said a member can only be suspended after being found wanting by a disciplinary committee set up by the party.
“Before any member is suspended, he has to be invited by a disciplinary committee to defend himself against the allegations made against him”.
“Therefore, any suspension that does not follow this constitutional due process cannot not stand”.
“As a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of PDP, no organ of the party can suspend or dismiss me except the NEC itself”.
“Clearly, due process was not followed, up to this moment I have not received any suspension letter, the letter was addressed to the Kurfi Local Government Chairman of the party whom I do not recognize because he was not duly elected”.
“My only offense is that I am among the party chieftains that do not recognize the caretaker committee that organized congresses to elect the people that are now parading themselves as the party executives in the state”.
“We filed a suit in court challenging the legality and legitimacy of the congresses and we are still waiting for the court’s verdict on the suit”, Tsauri maintained”.
Isma’il Adamu
