Newly elected governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state, Jimi Lawal, has described his purported expulsion from the party as “a joke taken too far”.
He described the party members who arranged the said expulsion as “dissidents” and noted that their action is an “illegality upon illegality”.
The Project Director of Jimi Adebisi Lawal Campaign Organization (JALCO), Austin Oniyokor, was reacting to reports that the candidate and some members of the state working committee have been expelled from the party.
Read the full statement:
RE: PURPORTED EXPULSION OF JIMI LAWAL, OTHERS
Our attention has been drawn to the purported expulsion of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Jimi Adebisi Lawal and other chieftains of the party by some dissidents.
This is a joke taken too far. Indeed, it is illegality upon illegality, all amounting to illegalities. How can these people take such a step when the initial illegal act is already a subject of litigation at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta; and the parties, including the active participants had been served the court summons. As a matter of fact, the matter came up yesterday, Monday, 31st October, 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta. Definite hearing has been fixed for 30th November, 2022.
Clearly, the purported suspension and illegal expulsion are comical acts taken too far. These steps cannot stand the test of time and the law. These acts are contemptuous of the court which will be set aside sooner than later as in the case of Amaechi v. INEC & Ors. (No. 1) (2007) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1065) 42.
We implore all our long-standing delegates, leaders, elders and stakeholders of the party to remain calm. All these shenanigans are no more than a storm in a teacup. It is will soon fizzle out!
Signed
Austin Oniyokor
Project Director
Jimi Adebisi Lawal Campaign Organization (JALCO)
1st November, 2022.