The PDP leadership at Ward M1, Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos says the party’s former State Chairman, Otunba Segun Adewale (aka Aeroland) remains a bonafide PDP member at the ward.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Adewale, whose political base is Alimosho, was suspended by the LGA exco for allegedly causing disaffection in the party and tarnishing the party’s image.
Adewale’s suspension was announced by Alhaji Isiaka Shodiya, the PDP Chairman in Alimosho LGA, at a news conference on June 11 in Lagos.
Similarly, the Lagos State PDP Executive Committee on Friday ratified the indefinite suspension of Adewale, acting on petitions from the LGA executive against the party chieftain.
In a letter signed by Mr Soji Orioye, the State Secretary, the PDP Executive Committee(SEC) also said Adewale’s ward had notified it about his suspension, via a letter.
However, Mr Kenneth Nwaeze, the PDP Chairman, Ward M1, in Alimosho LGA, said the party chieftain was never suspended at the ward.
In a communique issued after the ward executive meeting on Friday, Nwaeze said Adewale remained a bonafide member of the party and should be accorded due respect as a party member.
Describing Adewale as a major party financier at the ward, Nwaeze said that his purported suspension by the LGA and State Executive Committee was illegal.
The chairman said: “We are pleased to inform the general public and PDP stakeholders nationwide that the ward M1 executive dissociates Itself from the purported suspension of Otunba Segun Adewale (Aeroland) from our party.
“We have not, for once, have any reason , whatsoever, to set up a disciplinary committee against Adewale, whom we hold in high esteem and had recently passed a vote-of-confidence in him as a law-abiding, loyal, committed and major financier of our great party at the ward, LGA and state level,” he said.
He said that the news of the ratification of Adewale’s suspension by the state executive committee came to the ward leaders as a surprise.
“We are bold to inform the party leadership nationwide that we didn’t carry out any disciplinary procedure against Otunba Segun Adewale and were not consulted either by the LGA or state before any disciplinary action was unconstitutionally taken,” he said.
He called on the PDP State Secretary, Mr Soji Orioye, to kindly remove the part where he stated that the suspension of Adewale was carried out by the ward.
“This is a malicious fabrication capable of instigating disunity among the peace-loving and long-suffering members of our ward, who have sacrificed for the party in the past. This is an act of incrimination on our part.
“While we continue to show maximum respect for the higher level of our great party, we expected that for the state to ratify an ill-fated suspension of a prominent financier of the party in the state, the state executive or perhaps the State Secretary or Legal Adviser would exercise due diligence.
“The party leaders should have constituted a fact-finding committee to get to the root of the matter at the ward level before taking any action,” Nwaeze said.
He said that the ward leaders believed that the state executive must have been misinformed that the suspension was carried out by the ward as evident in the ratification letter.
“We also wish to state clearly that the LGA can not usurp or override the legitimate and constitutional authorities and procedures vested in the ward executive by our party constitution.
“The purported suspension of Aeroland by the LGA was carried out in bad faith and in total disregard of the constitution of our party which empowers the ward executive to carry out the suspension of a member of our party.
“The disciplinary procedures against erring members as clearly stated in our party Constitution section (57) 1 to 7 is unambiguous.
“The body of the purported suspension letter written by the LGA executive and the procedure was not in any way in conformity with the party Constitution as stated above,” he added.
He said that the state executive acted without consultation and investigation before taking action, saying at no time was the party chieftain questioned over any act of misconduct at the ward.
“Segun Adewale at the moment remains the most popular figure in Lagos PDP as evident in the result of the 2023 general election, where he garnered the highest votes for our party as Lagos West senatorial candidate.
“Adewale deserves utmost respect and appreciation from all levels and organs of the party for his moral and financial contributions to the growth and electoral performance of our party in Lagos State.
“He remains a prominent and one of the topmost financiers of our party in the state,” Nwaeze said.
