UPDATE: Why Amaechi Was Suspended

It is no longer news that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today suspended Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi after an emergency meeting of the party’s National Working Committee.

A statement issued by the party and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, states that the suspension of Mr. Amaechi was aimed at enforcing discipline within the party.

The NWC, which was acting on a petition submitted by the PDP Rivers Executive Committee, said that Amaechi violated Articles 58 1(b), (c), (h) and (m) of the party’s Constitution following his refusal to obey the lawful directive of the Rivers State Executive Committee to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Following his refusal to obey the directive, “The National Working Committee after preliminary hearing, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 57 (3), 59 (3), 59 (5) and 29 (2.b), hereby suspends the Executive Governor of River State, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a member of the PDP and refers the matter to the appropriate disciplinary committee of the Party.

The statement says the suspension is in “furtherance of the determination of the leadership of the Party to enforce discipline at all levels within the Party.”