The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended the federal lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State and spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has been expelled from the PDP.
Ugochinyere’s suspension was announced on Friday by the Imo State leadership of the party, who accused the lawmaker of “Gross indiscipline, insubordination, and anti-party activities.”
However, in a new twist to the matter, the chairman of the 27 LGA chapter of the party in the state on Saturday announced Ugochinyere as the leader of the opposition in the state.
They said: “We the leaders of PDP in Imo state after wide consultations and deep reflection on the state of our party in the state and the country, resolved to appoint the member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Barr Ikenga Ugochinyere as our leader.
“This is based on his antecedents, sterling leadership qualities and commitment to the protection and promotion of the ethos of our party over the years. Judging from his ingenuity, we are confident in his ability to be the rallying point of PDP in Imo state for the party to rebound ahead of future poll
It would be recalled that the Ugochinyere’s suspension was announced In a statement released on Friday, and signed by Imo PDP Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiak, who disclosed that the decision was made by the Ideato Local Government Area (LGA) chapter of the party.
Obiak said the suspension was made through a letter, dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, ThankGod Okeke, and Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh, who officially communicated the expulsion to the State Chairman.
The statement revealed that the disciplinary actions followed a report submitted by the party’s disciplinary committee on November 27, 2024.
The committee said it investigated allegations against Ugochinyere following Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended) and it revealed multiple breaches of party rules, prompting the LGA Executive Committee to adopt the findings and enforce expulsion.
Ugochinyere’s issues with the party began when he was suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, following his failure to appear before the ward Executive Committee on October 5, 2024, to respond to allegations of disciplinary offences.
Despite multiple reminders and an additional invitation on October 7, 2024, Ugochinyere failed to honour the summons, leading to further disciplinary proceedings.
The Ideato LGA Executive Committee, after reviewing the disciplinary committee’s findings, concluded that Ugochinyere was guilty of several infractions, including deliberate absence from party meetings and activities, unauthorized publicizing of internal disputes, forming parallel party structures at the ward, LGA, and national levels, and making provocative public statements against the party and its national leaders.
The expulsion letter stated: “In light of this, Hon. Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwonu is hereby expelled from the party (PDP) with immediate effect and ceases to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Umuopia/Umukegwu ward of Ideato North LGA.”
The party emphasized its commitment to maintaining discipline and unity within its ranks, noting that Ugochinyere’s conduct undermined these principles.
Efforts to reach the expelled lawmaker for his reaction were unsuccessful as of the time this report was filed.
