The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, over alleged anti-party activities.
State PDP Chairman, Abraham Amah, announced the decision during a State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting in Umuahia on Tuesday.
He stated that Wabara’s suspension was linked to his endorsement of Governor Alex Otti for a second term, just five months into Otti’s administration in October 2023.
Amah stressed the party’s commitment to maintaining discipline and loyalty among its members, saying, “True leadership and progress require a dedicated and loyal team and not a crowd. The PDP needs individuals who understand the sacrifices necessary to reposition the party for electoral success and for the transformation of Abia State.”
He cited a memo from the party’s State Treasurer, Chizurum Kalu, calling for Wabara’s suspension due to statements deemed detrimental to the party’s interests.
The memo, he explained, accused Wabara of actions that violated the PDP Constitution, specifically Chapter 10, Article 58(c) and (f), which prohibit conduct that brings the party into disrepute.
“In moving a motion that was seconded by the State Organising Secretary, Obinna Okey, the State Treasurer requested that the BOT chairman be debarred from holding any party office and as well, suspended as the BOT chairman,” Amah said.
He called for a renewed focus on strengthening the party, urging members to actively contribute to its growth.
“If you are in this party, be ready to stand for it, work for it, and defend it. We do not need passengers, we need partners in progress,” he stated.
The PDP chairman further explained that the SEC invoked Articles 57(1), (2), (3), 58(1)(b) & (f), and 59(1) of the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended) to suspend Wabara for one month and bar him from holding any party office.
He added, “Article 58(1) and Article 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) empower the State Executive Committee (SEC) to discipline any member of the Party, who commits any offence(s) provided by the Party’s Constitution, irrespective of the member’s status.”
Amah noted that despite several demands for Wabara to clarify or refute the statement attributed to him, he failed to respond.
“Our attention was drawn to a statement credited to Senator Adolphus Wabara, sometime in October and circulated on social media platforms and national dailies, wherein the said Senator threw caution to the wind and in a brazen display of sabotage to the Party, unilaterally endorsed the Labour Party Governor of Abia State, Gov Alex Chioma Otti, for a second term in office, barely five months after the inauguration and thereby, brought the party to disrepute, hatred and contempt,” he stated.
To ensure due process, the party has set up a seven-member disciplinary committee to investigate Wabara’s actions. The committee will operate within the party’s established disciplinary framework.
The PDP leadership urged members to reaffirm their commitment to the party’s objectives, emphasizing the need to reclaim its influence in Abia State politics.
