The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has suspended Senator Dino Melaye, the party’s former gubernatorial candidate, over alleged anti-party activities.
The suspension was announced in a letter dated September 12, 2024, by the party’s executive committee in Ayetoro Gbede, Ward 1, News About Nigeria reports.
The party stated in the memo, “The Ward Party Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ayetoro/Iluaagba Ward 1 met on Friday, the 12th of September, to review the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate alleged anti-party activities against Senator Dino Melaye.”
According to the PDP, Melaye was summoned to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee on August 20, 2024, to address accusations of misconduct.
However, the party claimed that he failed to appear, disregarding the invitation.
The executive committee’s statement said that Melaye’s absence constituted a “gross disrespect” to the party’s leadership and violated the PDP constitution.
They further described his conduct as an embarrassment to the party, prompting the immediate suspension.
“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,” the statement read.
The disciplinary committee, which included Chairperson Owonibi Babarinde and several members, recommended the suspension after Melaye failed to respond to multiple summonses.
The committee’s report was ratified by the ward executive.
The suspension follows allegations that Melaye mismanaged party funds during the November 2023 governorship elections and made statements deemed reckless, further damaging the party’s reputation.
PDP elders in Kogi State had previously described Melaye as a “liability” and called for his suspension to restore the party’s focus on credible leadership.
