Bayelsa State has suspended its
Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (retd.),
over alleged financial impropriety.
Inokoba was suspended by the
members of the State Working
Committee on Wednesday for
alleged misconduct and diversion
of N40m gift 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 deliberation by
members of the State Executive
Council.
Publicity Secretary of the PDP in
the state, Mr. Osom Makebre, who
confirmed the suspension, declined
to give further details.
He however explained that the
decision of the SEC had been
forwarded to the national
leadership of the party for
ratification.
Makbere said in accordance with
the party’s constitution, it was
expected that the Deputy Chairman
of the party, King Serena Dokubo-
Spiff, would take over the running
of the party within the next 30
days.
A source at the meeting said the
suspended chairman had been
invited to appear before the
enlarged SEC but that he refused
and reportedly travelled to Abuja.
According to the source, SEC
members deliberated on a five-
count charge of misconduct levelled
against Inokoba.
Inokoba was also accused of
refusing to join in the ongoing
campaigns for candidates of the
Bayelsa Central Senatorial district
because the candidates were not his
choice.
The party source, who craved
anonymity, said, “He has since
neglected to carry out his official
duties as party chairman. He
sponsored aspirants during the
party primaries instead of engaging
in neutrality as the chairman of the
party.
“He also publicly, in the presence of
party members, ordered his
security aides and thugs to beat a
party member due to dispute over
party primaries materials.
“He also engaged in promoting
factions within the state PDP and
engaged in financial dishonesty
with funds provided by members of
the PDP from the state and national
level.”
But reacting to the suspension,
media aide to the suspended
chairman, Mr. Nelson Agadi,
described the 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,” Agadi said
Source: PunchNg
