There is palpable acrimony within the major opposition party in Osun State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as three suspended members are kicking against their suspension, describing it as mockery of judiciary.
The trio, Awosiyan Olalekan Kingsley, Ojetade Thomas and Awodire Sina Peter, through their counsel, Olufemi Ayandokun at a press conference in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, faulted the suspension.
Ayandokun argued that there is a pending case over the suspension at an Osogbo High Court, saying, “It came to us therefore as a rude shock to hear the news making the rounds and orchestrated by a statement signed by Bola Ajao, Osun State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party that Messrs Awosiyan Olalekan Kingsley, Ojetade Thomas and Awodire Sina Peter who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State have been expelled from the Peoples Democratic Party.
“It cannot be overemphasized that law remains a valid tool for regulating human affairs in order to achieve a sane society.
“Court is put in place in a civilized and democratic society as ours to forestall resort to self-help in the resolution of disputes which are bound to occur given human interaction.
“For reasons of clarification we state that Messrs Awosiyan Olalekan Kingsley, Ojetade Thomas and Awodire Sina Peter who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State are our Clients who briefed us on the 30th day of November, 2018 to file an action at the Osogbo High Court seeking an Order of Court setting aside their purported suspension from the membership of the Peoples Democratic Party on account of non-compliance with Chapter 10 of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party which deals with Disciplinary Procedure in the Party.
“On the 3rd day of December, 2018 we filed Suit No. HOS/M.165/2018 at the Osun State High Court Osogbo challenging the purported suspension of our clients from the membership of the Peoples Democratic Party and sought an Order of Court setting aside the said suspension.
“Thereafter, the said Suit No. HOS/M.165/2018 was assigned to Court No. 4 at the Osun State High Court Osogbo presided over by Hon. Justice Adedoja Olayinka Ayoola and duly served on and brought to the notice of the Respondents in the Suit who are i. Peoples Democratic Party, ii. Chief Uche Secundus (Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party) and iii. Mr. Soji Adagunodo (Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Osun State).”
“The said Suit No. HOS/M.165/2018 to which the Respondents have not responded notwithstanding service of the Court processes and a letter of caution of April 1, 2019 on them is presently ongoing. Best practice does not permit for us to comment on the proceedings as they are currently pending.”
“In the protection of the subject matter of the said Suit No. HOS/M.165/2018 from being eroded and the Court brought to po, we have taken steps to formally bring to the attention of the Court, details of the purported expulsion of our clients from the Peoples Democratic Party in spite of the pendency of the Suit before it.
“In all the circumstances we expect that the said decision will be rescinded,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the party, Mr Bola Ajao, when contacted for reaction, declined comment, saying he would not say anything on the matter.
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