The zonal working committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South South zone has set aside and lifted the suspension of its Acting Zonal Secretary, George Turnah, by the Bayelsa State Working Committee.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the zonal organizing secretary of the PDP South South, Arc. Ekom Nsed, on Tuesday.
Recall that Turnah was suspended by the Bayelsa PDP in a meeting held on Saturday at the Party Secretariat in Yenagoa which was presided by the state’s party chairman, Solomon Agwana, deputy chairman, Ben Odon, Secretary, Gesiye Isowo and attended by other members of the exco members for one month over an alleged gross misconduct.
The South South zone PDP in the statement noted that the decision was reached in a meeting held at 8:OO am on Tuesday where Turnah’s appeal was said to have been considered and was found having merit.
“After careful consideration of the appeal and taking into consideration the relevant provisions of the party’s constitution, the committee found that the appeal has merit and accordingly granted the relief sought therein.
“Consequently, the suspension of George Turnah (MON) by the Bayelsa State Working Committee is hereby set aside and lifted by powers conferred on the Zonal Working Committee of the party, South South zone.
“The public is hereby advised to note the setting aside and lifting of the suspension,” the statement partly read.
Our correspondent gathered that , George Turnah (MON), earlier appealed his suspension by the Bayelsa State chapter of the PDP.
Turnah had in a letter dated 18th February and addressed to the national vice chairman of the PDP South South zone Port Harcourt said he is making his appeal as part of the rights given to him by the constitution of the PDP, 2017 as amended.
Turnah made his appeal on the following grounds:
“That the resolution passed by the state working committee for suspending him did not disclose any offense known to the constitution of the Party, “neither did it disclose any particulars of any offence constituting gross misconduct as envisaged under Article 58 of the constitution 2017 as amended.
“That the letter of invitation extended to him by the Bayelsa State chapter disciplinary committee did not disclose or inform him of any specific offence alleged against him by the state working committee.
He added that the letter failed to inform him of what specific conduct he has engaged in that has caused dissatisfaction among members of the party or disrupt the peaceful and lawful conduct of the business of the party.
“That as a member of the zonal working committee which he said is a higher organ to the State working committee in the administrative structure of the party, and as a
Acting Secretary, being an officer and above every single member of the state working committee in the hierarchy of the leadership of the party, the state working committee lacks powers to exercise any form of discipline against him, adding that it is an abberation.
He also said by the provision of Article 8 of the PDP constitution, membership is at the ward level and that only the ward executive committee can determine his membership at all times.
He added that the executive committee of Ogbia ward 9 has dismissed the “Illegal and unlawful suspension by the state working committee” and has equally passed a vote of confidence on his person and office.
Turnah following the above grounds prayed the zonal working committee to upturn and lift the suspension.
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