Crisis hits Warri South PDP as suspended members threaten legal action

Fresh crisis appears to have hit the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Warri South Local Government Area as members of Team Esimaje Awani Organization, TEA, who were purportedly suspended by the PDP leadership at the ward level, have threatened to institute legal action, if the suspension is not rescinded " within 14 days."

 Warri South Coordinator of Team Esimaje Awani Organization, TEA, Hon. Humphrey Tuoyo in a letter addressed to the Chairman of PDP Warri South Local Government and made available to Fresh Angle International this morning, Saturday December 7, described the purported suspension of its coordinators as victimization and infringement of their fundamental human rights.

The letter, reads inter -alia : " Our attention has been drawn to some purported letters being circulated on social media by the Chairman and secretaries of various wards in the PDP in Warri South Local Government Area. While we consider these claims to be untrue, especially coming from an organization that is regulated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act of 2022, and the PDP Constitution, it is important that we set the record straight and correct any misinformation that may have been communicated to the general public.

"On November 27, 2024, Team Esimaje Awani Organization (TEA), a political group under the PDP, inaugurated its L.G.A and Ward coordinators to oversee administrative activities and continue promoting the party's ideology. TEA has been in existence since 2022, just like many other political groups within the PDP, such as PDP Faithful, PDP Believers, Team Somic, Delta Political Vanguard, Sheriff Believers, More for Delta Youth, Team Godwin Ebosa, Campaign Flow and Team Thomas, to name a few.

"TEA has been in active communication with the party at the state, local government, ward, and leadership levels across all 19 wards in Warri South Local Government Area. "During the recently concluded Warri South Local Government PDP primary, TEA consulted with over 120 PDP leaders across the entire local government area. At no point did any party leader or stakeholder raise concerns or objections regarding the name, ideology, or mission of this political group under the PDP.

"Additionally, during the 2023 general elections, TEA participated actively in the campaign activities to deliver the party's candidates all levels. "Recognition was granted to the team at the grand finale held at the Warri Township Stadium, in the presence of the entire leadership of the PDP in Delta State.

"This group solely represents the ideology and mission of the PDP and has never deviated from or violated any section of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act of 2022, or the PDP Constitution. Therefore, it comes as a shock to the members of this pressure group within the PDP that, out of the hundreds or even thousands of political pressure groups within the party, we have been singled out for such victimization and the infringement of our fundamental human rights.

"This action occurred without any prior notice, warning, or any attempt to utilize the party’s internal mechanisms for dispute resolution, should there have been any.

"We hereby state that the suspension of the Team Esimaje Awani coordinators is not only illegal but also unconstitutional. Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union, or any other association for the protection of his interests.

"There is no evidence to suggest that the underlisted members, who are acting on their constitutional rights as prescribed by law, have acted in any way contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution or any section of the PDP Constitution mentioned in the suspension letters. After carefully reviewing the rules and regulations of our party, we are confident that we have aligned ourselves with the letters and spirit of these rules.

"It is therefore a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of the affected individuals to suspend them without adhering to Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees that a person should be fairly heard before their rights are taken away.

"The suspension letters were posted on social media before the individuals were directed to disciplinary committees in their respective wards. This is a breach of their constitutional right to fair hearing.

"The founding fathers of our great party, who intended to reward the hard work of party loyalists with appointments rather than subject them to malicious treatment, would strongly disapprove of such actions. We, therefore, call for the immediate reversal of these unjust suspensions.

"The suspended members of Team Esimaje Awani Organization (TEA) are:

1 Hon. Humphrey Tuoyo L.G.A Coordinator. 

2 Comr. Solomon Ojobor Coordinator Ward 4 (Ugbuwangue, Ekurede Itsekiri, and Ugbori). 

3 Mr. Monday Edesiri Coordinator Okere Ward. 

4 Omamuzo Ikpuri Coordinator Ejeba Ward. 

5 Mrs. Ejegi Coordinator Okumagba Ward 1. 

6 Mr. Edefe Eburu Coordinator Okumagba Ward 2. 

7 Mr. Tseda Ogi Coordinator Obodo Ward. 

8 Mr. Onos Mowoe Coordinator GRA Ward. 

9 Mr. Dore Solomon Coordinator Pessu Ward. 

10 Mrs. Fatima Umoru Coordinator Bowen Ward. 

11 Mr. Ogbe Michael Coordinator Big Warri Ward. 

12 Mrs. Mercy Awani Coordinator Ogunu/Ekurede Urhobo Ward.

"We are, therefore, calling on those involved in this illegal and unconstitutional act to remedy the situation within 14 days. Failure to do so will leave the individuals affected by this injustice and unprofessional conduct with no other option but to seek redress in a court of competent jurisdiction.

We remain committed, loyal, and registered members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and so it shall remain.

Yours sincerely,

Hon. Humphrey Tuoyo 

(L.G.A COORDINATOR)

Team Esimaje Awani Organization

Warri South Local Government Area

PDP, Delta State (TEA)

 08034972055 / 08035009049 Cc:

The Chairman

Delta State Chapter, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Asaba, Delta State

The National Chairman

People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Wadata Plaza, Abuja."

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