All seems set for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to slam the leadership of the defunct new PDP as the Disciplinary Committee of the PDP has recommended the expulsion of former secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former chairman of new PDP, Alhaji Kawu Barage and former deputy national chairman of the new PDP, Sam Sam Jaja.
The committee, however, recommended that extension of the suspension of Alhaji Ibrahim Kazuare, who was vice chairman of the North west of the defunct group. for one month pending his appearance before them on December 10 to clear himself of the charges against him.
The PDP had on November 11 suspended Oyinlola, Barage, Jaja and Kazure for engaging in anti party activities.
The disciplinary committee is headed by former minister of transport, Alhaji Umaru Dikko.
However briefing newsmen on behalf of the chairman of the disciplinary committee of the PDP, its deputy chairman, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, rubbished claims that their recommendation to expel leaders of the defunct group is premeditated.
He explained that the expelled defunct new PDP members had refused to appear before the committee after invitations.
Oyinlola and others refused to appear before the committee yesterday.
He added that the committee was “not aware” of a law suit in court instituted by Oyinlola and others over their suspension.
Babatope said “some cases were referred to us and these cases affected Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Alhaji Kawu Barage, Sam Sam Jaja and Alhaji Ibrahim Kazaure.
“We have examined all the charges very meticulously and very critically and we have arrived at these conclusions that we are passing on to the National Working Committee.
“Three of them have been found guilty of charges brought against them;and they are Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Alhaji Kawu Barage, and Sam Sam Jaja. We have recomended to the NWC that they should be expelled immediately from the party.”
In the case of Kazaure he said “On the fourth person Alhaji Kazaure, the committee took time to examine his case very well and discovered that there are certain things we want to find out from him because we feel that there are some things that should be resolved to him on the basis of the charges being proved beyond reasonable doubt.
“So we have tried to listen to his case again. First of all the committee has recommended that his suspension should be extended by one month and then he should report to us in two weeks time December 10 by which time we would be able to talk to him and find out from him all the things the committee wants to find out.
“So the position of the committee is that three stands expelled and one has his suspension extended by one month and for him to report to the committee in two weeks time. All these recommendations are being passed on to the NWC for their final decision.”
On the insinuation that their recommendations were premeditated and hence unfair, Babatope said “we met last week, we gave them seven days to appear, they were duly informed and so if some people say premeditated fine but all we know is that this committee is composed of men and a woman of integrity.”
He further said their recommendation is open to ratification by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP.
It was however gathered that the life-line offered Kazaure is connected to the declaration by the Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who distanced himself from the merger with the APC. Kazaure hails from Jigawa state.
Recalled that Lamido had upon the announcement of the merger between the APC and the new PDP disassociated himself from it, insisting on his membership of PDP.
The Niger State governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu also refuted his involvement in the merger.