Elumelu Laughs Off PDP’s Suspension As Unfair

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu has laughed off his purported suspension by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as hasty and unjustifiable.

He expressed shock that the Party’s leadership, through the National Working Committee (NWC), without recourse to due process and fair hearing decided to suspend him for one month.

A statement released by the Delta State lawmaker on Friday in Abuja said being bereaved following the lost of an Aunty; he had to leave Abuja immediately after Thursday’s plenary for Delta State.

Chief Elumelu, who represents the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in Delta State, explained that it was the gate-man who received the letter of invitation at about 7:45 pm on Thursday when he was already out ot town.

He said after the gate-man called at about 8pm to deliver the message, he made desperate moves to reach other members listed in the letter to see if they could be at the meeting.

According to him, it was an unfortunate coincidence that other members were also not in town which informed the decision to direct one of his Special Assistants to convey the apologies to the NWC with a request for fresh date.

The Minority Leader said it was therefore surprising and shocking “that the National Working Committee of our great party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) can sit and take a decision without giving room for fair hearing.

“I had expected that if the date we suggested was not convenient for the party, they would have proposed another day when we could appear before them.

“I have great respect for the party and am ready to serve.”

Describing the Party’s action as unfortunate and ill-advised, Elumelu said; “It is unfortunate if the party suspends its most loyal members for towing the path of honour and constitutionalism.

“I owe my party and its leaders a duty of care to advise appropriately as one the ranking member of the house and I have discharged that duty.

“I advised my leaders appropriately about the House Rules and provisions on nomination of leadership and that PDP alone cannot do it without other eight minority political parties.

On allegations of sabotaging the PDP’s preferred candidate for the House Speaker, Hon Elumelu said; “On the Speakership, PDP had no candidate, I followed my conscience, I follow what my constituents clamoured for, I followed practices and conventions.”

Forefront recalls that the PDP’s NWC had directed Elumelu and other House Minority principal officers to appear before the committee and explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for thwarting the Party’s stand over the selection of principal officers.