Yesterday, the State Executive Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State announced the expulsion of eight political associates and aides to President Goodluck Jonathan, including the head of the Directorate for Research and Documentation for the Presidential Campaign Committee of the Party in 2015, Senator Nimi Bariagh-Amange.
Also expelled by the Party were the former Deputy Governor and State Coordinator of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Hon. Werinipre Seibarogu, the Former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Nestor Binabo and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters, Hon. Waripamowei Dudafagh, Hon. Osom Blackson, the Personal Assistant to Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Former Woman leader for the PDP, Apostle Joyce Fuyuowei and Chamberlin Ikedi.
While addressing members of the State Executive Committee at about 10.30pm, after a closed door meeting to deliberate and compose the report of the Disciplinary Committee of the Party, the Acting Chairman of the PDP, HRH King Serena Dokubo-Spiff, said they were expelled based on the gravity of the offenses under anti-Party activities and disrespectful attitude toward the Party in the State.
The State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly were present at the State Executive Committee meeting held at the State Party Secretariat.
According to Dokubo-Spiff, "The decision came after careful deliberation of the report and unanimous adoption through a voice vote. Some were expelled, others suspended. While some were reprimanded and others exonerated. The Committee worked diligently and in accordance to the Party constitution.Those invited by the Disciplinary Committee were adequately invited and many turned up. But those expelled shunned the committee sitting."
Dokubo-Spiff, however announced that the recommendations of the Committee on the duo of the suspended Party Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba and the Senator Representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Senator Emmanuel Paulker have been referred to the National Working Committee of the Party for action,"this was done on account of the constitutional provision on the positions held within the Party."
Dokubo-Spiff also announced that a Contact and Reconciliation Committee has been set up by the leadership of the Party to reach out to those genuinely aggrieved and bring them back into the fold of the Party, "the Committee will reach out and bring them back into the family.The PDP is a responsible and responsive party. We can on one hand and reprimand with the other. If they showed genuine remorse and turn from their bad ways, the PDP will embrace them."
"We are better, not totally better but we have established the tenant of fair hearing. If it one or two genuine party members are left,we shall soldier on and victory shall be ours."
Earlier in his submission to the State Executive Committee of the Party, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Cleopas Moses, said the committee invited a total number of 72 persons over alleged anti-Party activities. 33 persons appeared before the Committee, while 39 others shunned the invitation extended to them.
The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, in his comment at the meeting, commended the members of the State Executive Committee of the Party for their quick response and decision on the disciplinary measures against the accused Party members,"I appreciate members for their clarion call on issue of discipline.This is a show of prompt response to call for loyalty and discipline in the PDP. We cannot allow Party leaders to sponsor opposition candidates against the choice of the Party during elections."
"From now on, it will be an issue of Party loyalty. We are going forward in doing the job. Party discipline does not mean they can not aspire for offices.But when a candidate emerged after the primaries of the party, they must work for the choice of the Party."