THE political fortunes of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsdey Orubebe, yesterday, suffed a set back, following his alleged suspension by a faction of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Burutu Local Government Area chapter, Delta State.
He was said to have been suspended alongside nine others over alleged “gross misconducts likely to bring about disrepute, hatred, contempt and anti-party activities.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Sagbegha Korokorosei, who said he remains the authentic Chairman of PDP Burutu council, asked the people to disregard the purported suspension of Orubebe.
Factional PDP chairman in the council, Pastor Kenneth Ogeibiri and four others, in a statement, said: “At our meeting held in Burutu town, headquarters of Burutu LGA, on June 1, members of the party received petitions from concerned PDP faithful against Elder Orubebe and nine others.
“After a preliminary hearing, pursuant to section 21.4 of the PDP constitution 2009, as amended, and by the virtue of the powers conferred on us, the Working Committee of the party, via section 21.4 of the same constitution, we, hereby, place Elder Orubebe on suspension.”
Also suspended, according to the statement, were: “Owotorufa Ayiba-Ebe, Arebebe Ongulu, Sagbegha Korokorosei, Timidi Agbabi, Elmina Eselemo, Roland Akemfa, Asheta Oyabebefa, Augustine Gomoromo and Ekenwa Okwagbe.”
The faction added that “in the light of the above, the affected persons are hereby, referred to PDP Disciplinary Committee, Burutu council chapter, for further investigation.”
Urging the people to disregard the said suspension, Korokorosei said: “I wish to inform you that I, Mr. Korokorosei, remain the authentic Chairman of PDP Burutu council. Whosoever is impersonating and or purporting to suspend Elder Orubebe, the Minister of Niger Affairs, such an action amounts to illegality.
Nobody has the power to do so, because the people purporting to be doing so are a frustrated group being used by people opposed to me. Please, ignore whatever they might have said because the man in question committed no offence.”
Source; Vanguard