Members of the State Executive Council of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State on Thursday suspended the state chairman, Chief Johnson Onuigbo.
According to a communique made available to journalists in Abuja, Onuigbo was suspended over alleged breach of the party’s constitution.
The communique was signed by members of the state executive council and the party’s zonal leaders representing Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South Senatorial Districts.
In all, 19 state executives and zonal chairman signed the communique.
The signatories claimed that Onuigbo violated sections 21(3) and 24(3) of the PDP Constitution.
They claimed that the suspended chairman had refused to summon regular meetings as required by the party’s constitution.
The communique also indicated that the state Deputy Chairman, P.C. Onyegbu, was appointed to replace Onuigbo in acting capacity.
Onyegbu is expected to set up a seven-man committee to probe activities of the suspended chairman.
The communique read in part, “That the state chairman has so far piloted the affairs of the party as a private estate, characterised by usurpation of offices, impunity and imposition as a demi god.
“That on the above premise, we therefore pass a vote of no confidence on the state chairman, Chief Johnson Onuigbo.
“That he is hereby suspended accordingly and the Deputy Chairman, P.C. Onyegbu, is accordingly appointed the acting state chairman of the PDP, Abia State.
“That the acting chairman is hereby mandated to set up a seven-man disciplinary committee to duly investigate the alleged illegalities and maladministration of the suspended chairman, Johnson Onuigbo.”