PDP queries Amaechi over grounded plane, suspends lawmakers

THE crisis rocking the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party worsened on Monday when the executive of the party issued a 48-hour ultimatum to State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, to explain the ownership of the aircraft that was recently banned by the Federal Government.

The state PDP also announced the suspension of 27 out of 32 members of the Rivers House of Assembly from the party for refusing to rescind their decision to suspend the Obio-Akpor Local Government Chairman, Mr. Timothy Nsirim, the vice chairman of the council and 17 councillors.

Among those suspended from the party for allegedly disobeying the party’s directive are the Speaker, Mr. Otelemaba Amachree; the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Leyii Kwanee; and the House Leader, Mr. Chidi Lloyd.

Speaking with newsmen at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt, the state chairman of the party, Mr. Felix Obuah, said Amaechi would face disciplinary action if he failed to comply with the ultimatum by the party over the controversial aircraft.

Obuah directed that the governor should explain within 48 hours how his (Amaechi) administration spent billions of naira on the purchase of the aircraft and warned that the PDP would not condone a situation where public funds were mismanaged.

He said, “The Rivers State Government should within 48 hours explain how billions of naira from the state coffers was used to purchase the aircraft. Where is the aircraft purportedly bought with the Rivers State funds and tax payers’ money?

“From the records made available to us made available to us and the statements credited to the Acting Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Joyce Nkemakolam, the aircraft Bombardier D.D700, Global Express aircraft with Registration Number 5N5N65 RS purportedly bought by the Rivers State Government was false as its registration showed that it is owned by the Bank of Utah Trustee of Salt Lake City, Utah Limited States of America.”

But, the Leader of the House of Assembly, Mr. Chidi Lloyd, said there was already a court injunction restraining the state PDP from suspending the lawmakers.

Lloyd pointed out that the court order, which was delivered on Monday, had nullified any suspension by the state PDP.

Also, an aide to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Jim Okpiki, said the state PDP did not possess the constitutional powers to remove lawmakers from their positions.

PUNCH