Lagos PDP crisis gets messier as exco ‘suspends’ Chairman

The crisis rocking the Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deteriorated on Friday as the chapter announced the immediate suspension of the chairman, Engr. Adedeji Doherty, over alleged anti-party activities and misappropriation of funds.

The party stakeholders announced the suspension on Friday after its Exco’s emergency meeting while appointing Mr. Waliu Hassan, the Deputy Chairman of the party as the acting chairman.

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Also, the congress passed a vote of confidence on Shodipe; Mr Gani Taofeeq, State Publicity Secretary and Mr Nurudeen Adewale, State Ex-Officio which the embattled Chairman said were suspended during the week.

Other PDP State Executive members at the briefing included Chief Taiwo Kuye, PDP South-West Caretaker Member; Alhaji Segun Sowole, the PDP Vice Chairman Lagos Central and Mr Tejumade Muyideen, PDP Legal Adviser.

They said Doherty has not been transparent in the management of the party’s affairs.

But Doherty, in a swift reaction, dismissed the move as a charade, insisting that he remained the state chairman as only the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) can suspend him.

Speaking on behalf of the party during the meeting held at its secretariat along Adekunle Fajuyi Way Shogunle, the state Secretary, Muiz Shodipe, alleged that all the money sourced and donated for palliatives for the public and party members were diverted into personal account of the state chairman without the knowledge of the state working committee.

He said Doherty continually engaged in series of anti-party activities by hobnobbing with the opposition party and jettisoning all strategies aimed at winning the just concluded Lagos East senatorial bye-election.

He said: “For the past one year since assumption of office as the state chairman, Doherty has failed to at least convene just one state assembly meeting that comprises all strata of the party at all levels.

“As part of the drive for financial transparency by the National Working Committee as enshrined in the constitution of our great party, and contrary to section 55(1)(2) and (3) of the constitution as explained, our party in Lagos State under the management of the chairman does not operate any single bank account.

“Therefore, all monies meant for the party including the ones given by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, including the ones generated from aspirants in the build up to the senatorial and House of Assembly primaries to the tune of N15 million were all paid into the personal account of the state chairman without recourse to the state working committee and State Exco for proper accountability,” he said.

“The party stakeholders thereby unanimously announced the immediate suspension of Engr. Adedeji Doherty as party Chairman and restrict him from participating in any activities of the party in Lagos,” he declared.

Reacting to the suspension, the party chairman, said the meeting held by the stakeholders was null and void.

He asked them to follow the constitution.

“All these parleys they are holding are mere charades, they should go and follow the constitution.

“The three officers, including the party secretary and others remain suspended and we followed the constitution to exercise the right.

“I remain the PDP chairman in Lagos. Only the NEC of the party can suspend me. All these they are doing, saying that they have suspended me is absolute nonsense,” he said.