Suspended members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Aliyu Wammako may be in for tougher times, as there are indications that hardliners within the National Working Committee of the party were pushing for their expulsion on the grounds that they had remained recalcitrant.
A source in the NWC, who confided in our correspondent on Sunday that the party was prepared to go the “all the way” to instil discipline in its ranks.
He said, “We are not under any illusion about the place of discipline in any organisation, especially in a political party such as ours. The PDP has the capacity to manage its internal issues.
“Yes, we have suspended the two governors and they could be expelled if the need arises. They have remained recalcitrant. We must have a disciplined party.
“Those of them (governors) who are being deceived by the opposition can go if they so wish. We all have a constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of association.
“The party is insisting on discipline because it is better to go into a battle with a compact, disciplined, loyal and well- equipped army than go with a motley crowd of people pretending to be troops.
“History has shown that such troops will desert you at the most critical point in battle. Let’s look at it this way, who among these governors challenging the President (Goodluck Jonathan) today can take half of what they are giving him (Jonathan) from local government chairmen in their states?
“This is not about Jonathan as a person but about a PDP Presidency and the supremacy of the party. We are prepared to expel them if it becomes necessary.”
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, denied knowledge of any such a move.
Metuh, who said the mood within the party was that of peace and reconciliation, explained that the PDP had been receiving pleas from well-meaning Nigerians and party elders concerning the matter.
He assured that, “We are not taking an extreme position since everybody is preaching peace. By tomorrow (today), we will look at our (PDP) constitution and do what’s best for the party.”
Going into specifics about the two cases, he said, “In the case of Rivers State, we have an investigative panel in place; so saying anything now will be wrong.
“What I am aware of is that in the case of Sokoto State, we have not instituted any panel yet. We are not unmindful of the peace being preached; we also have to listen to these pleas.
“We have received pleas from our leaders on this and other cases; we will look at them in the overall interest of the system and our party.”
The Publicity Secretary added that the recent constitution of a panel by the President to broker peace within the party was one of the steps towards a lasting peace in the PDP.
The PDP suspended Governor Amaechi hours after he emerged as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
He was alleged to have flouted an instruction by the Rivers State chapter of the party to reinstate the Obiakor Local Government chairman and councillors who were sacked by the State House of Assembly.
Wamakko earned his suspension for alleged gross disrespect and insubordination to the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and his office.