Why PDP Expelled Gov. El-Rufai’s Aide, Jimi Lawal, Others

…. Lawal fights back, saying his expulsion is illegal, a joke taken too far

Following alleged desperation that led him to organize an ‘illegal’ rerun governorship primary in Ogun State, the National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has wielded the big stick against one of its governorship aspirants in the state, Mr. Jimi Lawal.

While announcing the expulsion of Jimi Lawal from the Party, the PDP accused him of what it described as “gross misconduct, forgery, anti-party activities and disobedience to party’s constitution”.

The National Working Committee (NWC), of the Party (PDP), accordingly approved the expulsion of Mr. Jimi Lawal from the party and five others from the Party.

Lawal’s expulsion followed the recommendations of a disciplinary Committee chaired by Mr. Tola Odulaja Esq., that was set up by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP.

Jimi Lawal, a former aide of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state, resigned in April 2022 ahead of the party primary to enable him contest the governorship ticket of the PDP in Ogun State.

Others expelled along with Jimi Lawal were Muyiwa Odebiyi, Moruf Olajide and Ademola Ojoye.

While announcing the expulsion of Jimi Lawal and three others in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, the Chairman of the PDP Disciplinary Committee, Mr. Tola Odulaja said the expulsion was in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

Odulaja said that his committee set up in February, 2022 by the National Working Committee of the party recommended their expulsion following Jimi Lawal’s disobedience to the party laid down rules by organizing ‘illegal’ rerun governorship primary in the state.

But, in his reaction to his expulsion, Jimi Lawal said it was a huge joke and comical acts taken too far.

A statement by Austin Oniyokor, who is the Project Director, Jimi Adebisi Lawal Campaign Organization (JALCO), said the expulsion is illegality upon illegality.

Oniyokor said that the development is contemptuous of the court which will be set aside sooner than later, adding all these shenanigans are no more than a storm in a teacup which will soon fizzle out.

The statement stated; “How can these people take such a step when the initial illegal act is already a subject of litigation at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta; and the parties, including the active participants had been served the court summons.

“As a matter of fact, the matter came up yesterday, Monday, 31st October, 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta. Definite hearing has been fixed for 30th November, 2022”.

“Clearly, the purported suspension and illegal expulsion are comical acts taken too far. These steps cannot stand the test of time and the law. These acts are contemptuous of the court which will be set aside sooner than later as in the case of Amaechi v. INEC & Ors. (No. 1) (2007) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1065) 42,” it said.