The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday announced the suspension of its South-South Zonal Secretary, Chief Felix Omemu, for one month over alleged misconduct.
Omemu was suspended by the PDP’s South-South Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) as the internal crisis within the party escalated.
At an excos meeting held in Benin, the Edo State capital, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Chike Amaewhule, moved the motion for Omemu’s suspension.
The motion was seconded by Godwin Offiono, a member representing Ogoja/Yala constituency of Cross River State at the 10th National Assembly.
Amaewhule accused Omemu of misconduct, breach of trust, and attempting to sow division within the party
He specifically cited Omemu’s unauthorised public statements urging members to boycott the ZEC meeting.
“Chief Felix Omemu must be suspended, and a disciplinary committee should be set up to investigate his actions,” The Guardian quoted Amaewhule as saying.
He described the embattled zonal secretary’s conduct as illegal and an attempt to destabilise the party’s leadership in the South-South.
However, Omemu swiftly rejected the suspension, stating that the meeting convened by Chief Dan Orbih, PDP’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), was illegal.
In a statement from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, he argued that, according to the PDP constitution, a ZEC meeting could only be convened with the approval of the Zonal Working Committee—an approval that he claimed had not been granted.
Following Omemu’s suspension, the PDP Zonal Legal Adviser, George Turnah, was appointed as Acting Zonal Secretary.
Chief Dan Orbih welcomed the decision, commending the ZEC for taking what he described as a necessary step to restore unity and discipline within the party.
As the crisis deepens, party stakeholders are watching closely to see how the PDP leadership will manage the internal rift and restore cohesion ahead of future political engagements.
