Rival factional ward exco suspends Kwara PDP governorship candidate

The ward executive committee accused Mr Hassan of anti-party activities and gross misconduct

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Magaji Ngeri Ward, Ilorin, West Local Government Area of Kwara State has suspended one of the two men nominated as the governorship candidate of the party, Ladi Hassan.

The ward executive committee accused Mr Hassan of anti-party activities and gross misconduct.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Hassan was on Sunday pronounced as governorship candidate by the Tanimu Turaki faction of the PDP.

The pronouncement came days after the state chapter of the party, which embraces the Nyesom Wike-led faction, nominated Suleiman Kawu for the same position, under a consensus arrangement brokered by former Governor Bukola Saraki.

In a suspension letter dated 2 June and signed by the ward chairman, Aliyu Kolawole, alongside the ward secretary and chairman of the ward disciplinary committee, Taofeek Jimba, the party accused Mr Hassan of engaging in acts deemed contrary to the party’s constitution and code of conduct.

According to the letter, the ward executive committee had earlier issued a query dated 30 May detailing allegations of anti-party activities against him and directing him to appear before a seven-member disciplinary committee within 48 hours.

The ward leadership stated that Mr Hassan acknowledged receipt of the correspondence but allegedly failed to honour the invitation, an action it said amounted to an admission of guilt.

“As stated in the said letter, you were directed to appear before a seven-man committee set up by the Ward Executive Committee within 48 hours of receipt. Your failure to comply constitutes an admission of guilt of anti-party activities, acts of indiscipline, and gross misconduct,” the letter stated.

Citing Sections 57 and 59(1) of the party’s constitution, the committee announced a one-month suspension from all party activities and functions with immediate effect.

The sanction bars Mr Hassan from participating in meetings, programmes, and activities of the party at ward, local government, state, and national levels during the period.

The committee also warned that failure to comply with the suspension terms could attract further disciplinary actions in line with the PDP constitution.

Meanwhile, political observers note that the development is within the context of lingering political realignments in the Kwara PDP following the party’s last governorship primary election.

Mr Hassan had reportedly signed the consensus agreement among aspirants, which produced Mr Kawu.

However, when contacted, Mr Hassan described the suspension as a laughable development, retorting, “How can you suspend someone that does not belong to your group ”

According to him, at the appropriate time, he would address the media to brief Nigerians about the entire scenario.

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