16th December, 2014
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers state, who was expelled from the party for his strident criticisms of the state executive of the party led by Felix Obuah and Nyesom Wike, former Minister of State for Education, now the governorship candidate has been recalled.
Ogbowu, a former lawmaker and two-time commissioner in the state was expelled after he and Chief Anabs Sara Igbe another PDP member appeared on a radio programme in Port Harcourt lambasting the PDP executive for working against the Upland and Riverine arrangement in the state and against sharing of governorship slot in the state.
However, in a surprise reversal the party in an online statement said “the Working Committee, Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, acting on the relevant sections of its constitution, has deemed it necessary to recall into its fold, one of the expelled members of the Party, Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu.”
According to the statement, Hon. Ogbowu’s re-admission into the party followed due administrative process and was in strict adherence to the rules and guidelines relating to issues of suspension and expulsion of members.
It further said that by his recall, Hon. Ogbowu will continue to enjoy all privileges and entitlements due all legitimate and genuine members of the PDP.
The statement was however silent on the fate of Chief Anabs Sara Igbe who was expelled along with Ogbowu.
The statement went further to state that the Chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah, while welcoming Hon. Ogbowu back into the Party, has also congratulated him for his patience and calm disposition, which aided the decision of the State Working Committee of the party to consider and approve his recall to his original family.
The party wished him well and said that this great feat born out of the elixir to achieve peace and unity in its fold, will further cement the unalloyed support and success of the party in the state and the nation.
“The party further wishes to advise other aggrieved members, including all suspended and expelled members willing to return to the party to conduct themselves responsibly and show appreciable remorse to earn pardon and subsequent readmission into the party, stressing that its leadership, made up of true democrats and responsible people, will remain committed to discussions and dialogue aimed at moving the Party forward, sustaining the peace, unity and massive support/membership base of the party.