Rivers PDP Suspends Rep. Abiante for Alleged Anti-Party Activities

Rep. Awaji-inomek Abiante, a member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State and a prominent figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has been suspended by his local ward over alleged anti-party activities.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ward 1 in Ngo town, Andoni, Mr. Dike Bara, and the Secretary, Mr. Dokubo Jackson. The statement, released on Monday, detailed the reasons behind the decision to suspend Rep. Abiante from the party.

According to the statement, Rep. Abiante was accused of promoting factions within the ward and affiliating with groups that do not align with the party’s constitution. The party cited section 58(l)(j) of its constitution, which prohibits factionalism and membership in unauthorized groups, as grounds for the suspension.

Additionally, the statement claimed that Rep. Abiante had engaged in organizing, training, and equipping certain groups within the party with the intent to use violence and coercion, a clear violation of section 58(l)(k) of the PDP constitution.

“We are committed to the party and determined to weed out bad eggs who are acting as agents of opposition political parties to weaken our party, no matter how highly placed,” the statement read. “Our ward will remain PDP despite any inducement or threat.”

The suspension of Rep. Abiante has drawn attention to internal conflicts within the Rivers State PDP and raised questions about party unity and discipline. While the party leadership asserts its commitment to maintaining order and rooting out disruptive influences, the suspension of a high-profile representative underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining cohesion at the ward level.