PDP Suspends Lawmaker Over Facebook Post
Information reaching Naija News House says that PDP Suspends Lawmaker Over Facebook Post
Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Otor-Owhe/Akiewhe, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state, has suspended a 2019 aspirant for a seat in the House of Assembly, Blessing Obomovo for one month over a Facebook post.
Obomovo had on August 22, 2021, made a post on his Facebook page, throwing his weight behind the candidature of Paul Emumena Michael (alias MC Paul) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the September 11, 2021, Isoko South constituency 1 House of Assembly bye-election.
In the controversial post, Obomovo said, “This candidature is closer to our people than the others and I believe he will serve the interest of the masses more as a member of the House of Assembly as he won’t be answerable to any godfather. Please my people from Oleh, Emede and Irri, let’s do this for the sake of posterity. Let’s support our own. September 11 MC Paul is my choice.”
Our correspondent gathered that after the post, the state chairman of the party, Kingsley Esiso allegedly directed the Isoko North chairman of the party, Godwin Ogorugba to suspend Obomovo for one month and set up a committee in his ward to probe him for anti-party activities.
Meanwhile, some PDP sources who are not happy with the suspension have described Obomovo’s suspension as a witch-hunt.
They said Obomovo only expressed support for MC Paul and asked the masses to support him, saying the aspirant has no godfather to push him against the wishes of the masses if elected.
It was learnt that the local government party chairman, Ogorugba directed Obomovo’s ward executive to give him one-month suspension which was done.
The letter of suspension titled “Resolution Reached At The End Of Owhe ward 6 PDP Exco Meeting Held On the 18th of November, 2021 Regarding The Anti-Party Issue Raised Against Sir. Bldr Blessing Obomovo”, was signed by the ward chairman, Onoyiwita Omosioni and Secretary, Egilibe Obuke.
The letter, which was obtained by SaharaReporters, stated that Obomovo had refused to make himself available on an invitation for clarification.
It, therefore, said the party was left with no option but to slam him with a one-month suspension from the party pending the outcome of the investigation of the committee set up to look into his alleged anti-party activities.
“Sequel to a meeting held by PDP Owhe ward 6 regarding anti-party activities of Sir Bldr Blessing Obomovo during the Isoko South by-election held on the 11th of September, 2021, the Exco resolved that he should be called and invited for self clarifications regarding the purported Facebook post.
“That a disciplinary committee of 7 persons be set up to investigate the alleged anti-party activities of Sir. Bldr Blessing Obomovo in accordance with the dictates in section 57 of the constitution of the party. Pending the outcome of the disciplinary committee report, he is hereby suspended with immediate effect for a period of one month,” the letter read.
A member of the ward executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that “Obomovo’s suspension was misconceived”.
The source further said, “Some members of the party in the local government executive are afraid and intimidated by the rising profile of Obomovo. Obomovo has his business and doesn’t believe in government contracts.” “He’s an asset to the party and if he decides to leave the party today because of the suspension, I bet you over 10,000 party members and supporters across the local government area will leave with him because of his generosity and care for the masses and the old. He’s a man of the people, so, PDP should be careful, especially now that 2023 is fast approaching.”
Reacting to his suspension, Obomovo said he was not bothered about it.
He alleged that it was orchestrated by the local government and the state party chairmen, adding that “since the existence of the party in my ward, I have never been called for a meeting for once, so their purported suspension is actually laughable”.
