Former Enugu State Governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, has protested his suspension by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying his right to a fair hearing was allegedly violated.
The suspension of Nnamani, one of several others sanctioned on Friday, was based on allegations of anti-party activities levelled against the Enugu East senator and was taken by the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Responding to the punitive action against him, Nnamani took to Twitter on Saturday to describe the decision and announcement of his suspension as a “rude shock” and “huge surprise.”
The former governor added that he was never at anytime notified of any petition or complaint against him or informed of the grounds that formed the decision of the PDP NWC to suspend him from the party.
“I was not also invited to any meeting, proceeding or hearing of the NWC of the party where my supposed offence (s) was/were discussed,” he said.
“I was therefore, not afforded the opportunity to make representations on my behalf at any meeting where the proposal and decision to suspend me from the party was made.
“My right to fair hearing was consequently violated against the clear provisions of the Constitution of the party, especially in disciplinary proceedings. More importantly the Superior Constitution of the FRN.”
He appealed to his followers to remain calm and law-abiding, “while we continue our campaign to a hopefully victorious conclusion.”
Nnamani has always been vocal about his support and open campaign for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, though he is a member of the main opposition PDP.
The statement suspending Nnamani read: “National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after a very extensive review and consideration of the affairs of our Party in the country, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) approved the suspension of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu State) and Chief Chris Ogbu (Imo State) with effect from today, Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities.”
Nnamani, a sitting PDP Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, was in September 2022 surprisingly been listed as a member of the APC Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
Nnamani, a former Governor of Enugu State between 1999 and 2007, but currently representing Enugu East Senatorial District in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, is listed as a member of the Local Government Directorate. He was the 350th slot on the APC’s 422-member PCC list signed by the Secretary of the Council, James Faleke.
Nnamani is also seeking a return to the Senate for the third time and is listed by INEC as the PDP Senatorial candidate for Enugu East in the February 2023 election.