The Lagos State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its chairman, Mr. Philip Aivoji, and vice chairman, Mr. Tai Benedict, for alleged violations of the party’s constitution.
Ward Executives of the party in Ward E of Badagry Local Government Area and Ward J1 of Epe Local Government Area in Lagos state suspended them, respectively.
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In a statement signed by the Executive members of Badagry’s Ward E and released to the media by the Ward Chairman, Jamiu Boglo, on Thursday evening, the State Chairman was suspended for anti-party activities.
On the eve of the March 18 governor’s election, he allegedly formed a financial alliance with the Labour Party and directed PDP members in the state to vote for the LP via a message from his Special Adviser on media.
The suspended state chairman was also accused of misappropriating funds received from the national organisation of the party as reimbursement for the purchase of forms by state aspirants. According to them, this violates section 58 (1) D of the party’s constitution.
“Aivodji did not pay his annual dues as required by section 8 (9) of the party’s constitution,” he said.
In a similar statement signed by the Executive members of Ward J1, Epe, and made available to the media by the Ward Secretary, identified simply as Mr.Teslim, the decision to suspend the state Deputy Chairman was reached following a review of his behaviour at the conclusion of the recently concluded governorship election.
Benedict was also allegedly financially induced by the LP to direct PDP members in the state to vote against PDP candidates in the March 18 elections via phone calls and text messages.
Along with the embattled state chairman of the party, he was also accused of making fraudulent claims that the party’s national leadership instructed them to engage in anti-party activities.
“They (Benedict and Aivodji) also implicated the suspended National Chairman of our party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, by alleging that he gave them the order.
Teslim stated, “This act violates Article 58(1)F of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended).”
