The 2015 governorship ambition of Godsday Orubebe, the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, suffered a setback today as he was suspended by the Burutu local government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his home state, Delta. The chapter also suspended nine other members along with the controversial minister.
A leader of the party told SaharaReporters that Mr. Orubebe and the other suspended members were guilty of various forms of misconduct that had brought the party disrepute and embarrassment. “We decided to have them suspended because they have been engaged in anti-party activities,” said the source.
In an official press statement released today after a meeting in Burutu, the PDP chapter said the suspensions were triggered by a series of petitions by concerned party members against Mr. Orubebe and his nine cohorts. The statement was signed by Kenneth Ogeibiri, the PDP chairman in the area, as well as Ozano Ayedi, the secretary, and three other officials.
“The suspension is triggered off by [a] series of allegations of gross misconduct ranging from acts likely to bring the party to disrepute, hatred, contempt and anti-party activities (sic). In light of these, Elder Godsday Orubebe and the affected nine others are hereby referred to the PDP disciplinary committee, Burutu Local Government Area chapter for further investigation.”
The party stated further that, after a preliminary hearing, the working committee of the party decided to suspend Mr. Orubebe and the nine others.