By Adeyemi Adeleye
The Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Chief Muka Popoola, has explained why the party reaffirmed the suspension of Chief Olabode George and 23 others.
Popoola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that the action was necessary to protect the party’s identity and prevent confusion among members and the public.
He said the affected leaders were already under suspension following an earlier decision of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
According to him, the Lagos PDP merely reaffirmed an existing disciplinary measure taken by the national leadership of the party.
“The Lagos State chapter of the PDP merely reaffirmed the suspension of Chief Bode George and others as earlier decided by the party’s National Executive Committee in 2025.
“The suspension was not a fresh action. It was a reaffirmation of an existing disciplinary measure taken by the national leadership of the party.
“The decision had already been taken at the national level and what the state chapter did was to restate and reaffirm that position,” Popoola said.
The chairman alleged that some of the affected members had aligned with other political parties while still identifying themselves as PDP members.
He said the conduct was capable of creating confusion and division within the party.
“Many of the affected persons have since aligned with other political parties. There is nothing wrong with leaving the PDP for another party.
“However, once individuals leave the PDP, they should also relinquish the identity of the PDP after their departure.
“Our concern is that some former members continue to associate themselves publicly with the PDP while operating within other political platforms,” he said.
Popoola said the party viewed such actions as misleading and contrary to its interests.
He added that some members were allegedly promoting unauthorised alliances involving the PDP.
“For instance, a person cannot belong to another political party and still present himself as a PDP member.
“Such actions are capable of creating factions and misleading the public about the true position of the party.
“If individuals choose to operate within another political platform, they should do so without laying claim to the PDP identity,” he said.
The chairman also dismissed reports of any approved alliance between the PDP and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, no organ of the party authorised such collaboration.
“No such collaboration was approved by the leadership of the PDP.
“Individuals are free to join any political party of their choice, but they should not attribute to the PDP positions, agreements or alliances that were never authorised by the party,” he said.
NAN reports that the Lagos PDP Disciplinary Committee on Friday announced the suspension of George and 23 other members over alleged anti-party activities.
The committee, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Elder Kayode Ogunbiyi, and Secretary, Mr Desmond Agbo, said the decision followed petitions against some leaders and members.
It said the petitions bordered on anti-party activities, deliberate infractions of the PDP Constitution and actions capable of causing disaffection among members.
The committee said it reviewed the earlier action taken against George by the party’s NEC and reaffirmed that he remained under suspension.
It added that cases involving members alleged to have defected to other political parties or engaged in unauthorised collaborations against the PDP were also considered.
Among those suspended were Mrs Aduke Maina, Dr Abimbola Ogunkelu, Mr Laja Adeoye and Capt. Tunji Shelle.
Others included Chief Sunday Olaifa, Mr Gbenga Adegbesan, Mrs Rita Orji and Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor.
Also suspended were Chief Onikepo Oshodi, Mrs Idera Sodipo, Prince Adedipe Ewenla and Mr Bode Ogundipe.
Mr Aminu Suleiman, Dr Roli George, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse and Mr Adeyemi Moyegun were also suspended.
Others were Chief Taiwo Kuye, Mr Setonji Koshoedo, Alhaji Muritala Ashorobi and Dr Amos Alabi Fawole.
The committee said the suspended members could no longer participate in PDP activities in the state or represent the party in any capacity.
It also recommended legal action against any suspended member found acting contrary to the interests of the PDP in the state. (NAN)