Senator Adolphus Wabaea, the Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been suspended.

The action was taken by the Abia State Chapter of the party over anti party offences

In a statement signed by Elder Abraham Amah, Chairman of the Abia State PDP, on behalf of the State Working Committee/State Executive Committee, the party announced the suspension in a release addressed to all party members, stakeholders, and the general public.

The statement reads in full: “As officials of the People’s Democratic Party (Abia State Chapter) and members of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party, who jointly and severally swore to protect and defend the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended), we invite the attention of PDP members, stakeholders, and the general public to the anti-party activities of the BOT Chairman of PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara.

Consequently, in line with the constitutional provisions and the resolution of the State Working Committee/State Executive Committee, we hereby invoke the relevant provisions of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) to suspend Senator Adolphus Wabara from the party, in accordance with the disciplinary procedures and guidelines.

“We, therefore, unanimously resolve as follows: 1. WHEREAS our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Senator Adolphus Wabara, the BOT Chairman of PDP, sometime in October, which was circulated on social media and national dailies, wherein the senator unilaterally endorsed the Labour Party governor of Abia State, Gov. Alex Chioma Otti, for a second term in office—barely five (5) months after his inauguration. This brazen act of sabotage brought the party into disrepute, hatred, and contempt, in violation of the provisions of Chapter 10, Article 58(c) and (f) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), thereby making him liable to punishment under Article 59(1).

“2. WHEREAS 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 offense(s) as provided by the party’s constitution, irrespective of the member’s status.

“3. WHEREAS Article 24(1)(v) of the same constitution confers membership of the State Executive Committee (SEC) on the BOT Chairman, as a former principal officer of the National Assembly, having served as Senate President under the platform of the party.

“4. WHEREAS the unappealed Federal High Court judgment sitting in Ebonyi State, in Suit No. FHC/A1/CS/182/2024 Hon. Ovuta Herbert Onyedikachi & 2 Ors vs. Chief Ali Odefa & 2 Ors, delivered on 29/11/2024, declared unconstitutional and a breach of the principles of natural justice, equity, and good conscience the purported provisions of Articles 57(7) and 59(3) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), which had hitherto granted the senator some level of immunity from disciplinary actions by the State Executive Committee.

“5. WHEREAS Senator Adolphus Wabara has refused, failed, and neglected to refute the statement credited to him and circulated on social media and national dailies since October 2023, despite repeated outcries, demands, and notices to show cause why disciplinary sanctions should not be imposed on him.

“6. WHEREAS the actions and inactions of Senator Adolphus Wabara have undermined the credibility of the PDP, demoralized party members and stakeholders, emboldened the opposition, and gravely constituted gross anti-party conduct.

“7. WHEREAS the need to ensure discipline among party members, irrespective of status, cannot be overemphasized.

“NOW, THEREFORE, let it be known to all party members, stakeholders, and the general public that, following the foregoing and in light of the far-reaching implications of Senator Adolphus Wabara’s acts of sabotage against the party, the SEC hereby invokes the provisions of Articles 57(1), (2), (3), 58(1)(b) & (f), and 59(1) of the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended) and hereby places him on ONE (1) YEAR SUSPENSION from party activities.

“Furthermore, in compliance with the provisions of Articles 59(1)(e) & (f) of the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended), Senator Adolphus Wabara is henceforth barred from holding any party office and is therefore removed from office as BOT Chairman of the PDP.

“In line with disciplinary procedures, a seven-member disciplinary committee will be set up immediately to investigate Senator Adolphus Wabara’s actions.” The statement concluded.