PDP suspends Dino Melaye

The Ward Party Executive Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ayetoro/lluagba Ward 1, says it has suspended Dino Melaye over allegations of engaging in anti-party activities.

Mr Melaye, a former senator and the party’s governorship candidate in the last election in Kogi State, is from Ayetoro/lluagba Ward 1 in Ijumu Local Government of the state.

Mr Melaye’s suspension was announced in a statement by the PDP Ward Chairman, Abayomi Osamika, and Secretary, Yodson Dayo, on Friday in Lokoja, the state capital.

According to the statement, Mr Melaye’s suspension is contained in a Resolution of PDP Ward Exco meeting held in Aiyetoro, on Thursday, 12 September, and signed by all executive members of the party.

The statement said Mr Melaye’s conduct had allegedly brought embarrassment and disrepute to the party, and his continued membership was no longer tenable.

“The Ward Party Executive Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Ayetoro/lluagba Ward 1, met on Thursday, the 12th of September 2024, to review the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate alleged anti-party activities against Senator Dino Melaye, a member of our great party.

“Recall that Senator Dino Melaye was invited to appear before the Disciplinary Committee on 20th August 2024, to answer to certain allegations of misconduct and anti-party activities, in line with the provisions of Article 57(4), of the PDP Constitution.

“However, he failed to show up, disregarding the invitation and the authority of the party.

“After careful consideration and deliberation, the Ward Party Exco resolved as follows:

“That Senator Dino Melaye’s failure to appear before the Disciplinary Committee constitutes a gross disrespect to the party and its leadership.

“That his actions are in clear violation of the PDP Constitution and the principles of party discipline.

“That Senator Dino Melaye’s conduct has brought embarrassment and disrepute to the party, and his continued membership is no longer tenable.

“Therefore, the Ward Party Exco hereby suspends Senator Dino Melaye from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), effective immediately.

“This suspension is in line with the provisions of Article 59(1) of the PDP Constitution, which empowers the Ward Party Exco to take disciplinary actions against erring members.

“We urge all members of our great party to remain committed to the principles of party discipline and loyalty.

“We must work together to build a strong and united party, capable of winning elections and serving the interests of our people,” the statement reads.

Every attempt made by NAN Correspondent to reach Mr Melaye, on the alleged suspension from the party proved abortive, as he was not responding to calls and messages sent to his phone.

Also, efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to speak with Mr Melaye and the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Friday, were unsuccessful.

Dino attacks PDP national leadership

On 24 August, Mr Melaye accused the national leadership of the PDP of destroying the opposition party.

He specifically accused three national officers, namely the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, of destroying the party.

He also alleged that the party has been commercialised and privatised.

“End of the road for PDP as Damagun, Bature and Anyanwu irredeemably destroyed the party. We will talk about the commercialisation and privatisation of PDP. PDP is now once upon a time,” he said in a post on his X handle.

However, Mr Ologunagba debunked the claim, saying, “The party is not commercialised. I don’t know what he means by that. The party is standing.”