Party executives and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ofu local government area of Kogi state have suspended and replaced the LG Chairman, Engineer Gabriel Itanyi.
The suspension letter signed by 26 exco members and stakeholders alleged that the suspended party chairman paralyzed party activities in the local government in the last two years.
The suspension followed an expanded meeting of stakeholders and the executives of the party in the area, held on Tuesday at Ugwolawo, headquarters of the local government.
It noted that the suspended chairman also failed to ensure a functional party office or secretariat despite release of funds by party faithfuls several times.
They replaced Itanyi with the PDP Chairman for Ugwolawo ward, Mr Nda Agbonika who doubles as Chairman, forum of ward chairmen.
Agbonika was appointed as Acting Chairman of PDP in Ofu local government area.
The executives equally alleged that Itanyi and one Idris Igagwu purportedly set up a five man committee to extort money from aspirants and candidates over time, using same to victimize those they felt were not supportive.
Among other weighty allegations were that the two also fraudulently changed the name of adhoc delegates that were submitted in trust by the leaders before the last party primary.
They hinted also that the suspended chairman had prevented those who wanted to defect to PDP as well as frustrated reconciliation attempts among party members.
Following the twelve-point allegations, the party executives and stakeholders therefore, urged Itanyi not to parade himself as Chairman henceforth, while they also directed the immediate suspension of Mr Idris Igagwu as leader of the party, urging him too to stop calling for meetings of whatever form.
The suspension letter was signed by ward chairmen, local government party secretary, youth and women leaders, and other officials and stakeholders.
