The crisis rocking the Delta State arm of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reached higher levels on Tuesday with the suspension of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsdey Orubebe by a faction of the party in Burutu Local Government Area of the state.
Orubebe’s suspension was predicated on allegations gross misconducts likely to caused disaffection in the party. Nine others — Owotorufa Ayiba-Ebe, Arebebe Ongulu, Sagbegha Korokorosei, Timidi Agbabi, Elmina Eselemo, Roland Akemfa, Asheta Oyabebefa, Augustine Gomoromo and Ekenwa Okwagbe — were equally suspended.
“At our meeting held in Burutu town, headquarters of Burutu LGA, on June 1, members of the party received petitions from concerned PDP faithful against Elder Orubebe and nine others,” factional council chairman, Pastor Kenneth Ogeibiri wrote in a statement equally signed by four others.
“After a preliminary hearing, pursuant to section 21.4 of the PDP constitution 2009, as amended, and by the virtue of the powers conferred on us, the Working Committee of the party, via section 21.4 of the same constitution, we, hereby, place Elder Orubebe on suspension. In the light of the above, the affected persons are hereby, referred to PDP Disciplinary Committee, Burutu council chapter, for further investigation.”
However, the suspension was countered by Sagbegha Korokorosei, who is still laying claim to chairmanship of the party in Burutu council.
“I wish to inform you that I, Mr. Korokorosei, remain the authentic Chairman of PDP Burutu council. Whosoever is impersonating and or purporting to suspend Elder Orubebe, the Minister of Niger Affairs, such an action amounts to illegality,” Korokorosei said.
“Nobody has the power to do so, because the people purporting to be doing so are a frustrated group being used by people opposed to me. Please, ignore whatever they might have said because the man in question committed no offence.”
