The Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State has suspended its Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (retd.), over alleged financial impropriety.
Inokoba was suspended by members of the State Working Committee on Wednesday for alleged misconduct and diversion of N40m largesse provided for the party by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke.
It was learnt that the decision to suspend Inokoba was taken on Tuesday after an exhaustive deliberation by members of the State Executive Council.
The Deputy Chairman, King Serena Dokubo-Spiff, was however absent from the meeting due to personal commitments in Port Harcout, Rivers State.
Publicity Secretary, PDP, Mr. Osom Makebre, who confirmed the suspension, declined to go into details.
He explained that the decision of the SEC had been forwarded to the national leadership of the party awaiting ratification.
Makbere said in accordance with the party constitution, it was expected that the Deputy Chairman of the party, Dokubo-Spiff, would take over the running of the party within the next 30 days.
A source at the meeting said the suspended State Chairman was invited to appear before the enlarged SEC but he refused and reportedly travelled to Abuja.
According to the source, SEC members deliberated on a five-charge of misconduct levelled against the embattled Inokoba.
Inokoba was also accused of refusing to join in the ongoing campaigns for candidates of the Bayelsa Central Senatorial district because they were not his choice.
But reacting to the suspension, Media aide to the embattled Chairman, Mr.Nelson Agadi (Jnr), described the reported suspension as illegal and a sponsored action.
“The suspension is a lie that cannot hold and it is a violation of the Section 10 sub-section 7 of the party constitution,” he said.
