The Peoples Democratic Party state chairmen in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have stated that they will submit the names of high-profile figures allegedly involved in anti-party activities during the 2023 election.
Following the 2023 presidential election, numerous party members have sought penalties against specific individuals for their alleged participation in activities against the party’s interests.
Last week, during the PDP NWC meeting with state chairmen in Abuja, the PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, emphasised the need to identify individuals involved in anti-party activities.
In response, the PDP Chairman of Chairmen and Kaduna State Chairman, Felix Hyat, disclosed that chairmen also had the support of the NWC to discipline certain individuals at the state level in line with the party’s constitution.
Hyat, in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, noted that the state chapters will also engage in reconciliation where and when necessary.
He stated, “The issue of discipline and anti-party activities are localised things, it is not an issue of nationally given directives. The national does not also stop state chapters from looking at issues. But you know that the nation also had a problem with some principal actors. Some were calling for discipline of some individuals, and some were calling for reconciliation.
“So all these things are things that depend on the state and the nature of the anti-party. If you are a party man and you don’t come out to vote, of course, it is an act of anti-party because if you have wanted your party to win, you come out to vote.
“But also it is different from somebody who will come out and make a public statement either at the voting centre that votes against another party instead of your party. So the issues of anti-party vary from one place to the other.
“But there are states that took actions on some people, there are states that went on reconciliation, so politics is a local issue, so the state chapters have a right to look at things from their perspective. So, the state chairmen will take the bold step and those who they cannot discipline, their names will be forwarded to the national. Yes, even the constitution is very clear on that.” (Punch)
