By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially withdrawn from the February 25, 2023 election in Enugu East Senatorial Zone.

The party on February 10 expelled Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who is their candidate running for the seat.Nnamani had earlier on January 20th, been suspended by the party.

According to the National Secretary of PDP, “the NWC of the party has after a very extensive review and consideration of the affairs of our Party in the country, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) approved the suspension of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu State)with effect from today, Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities”.

Nnamani had been heavily involved with campaigns for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the All Progressives Congress(APC) presidential candidate.

He had even intensified his activities after he was suspended, and dared his party to do its worst.

Consequently, on February 10, PDP decided to completely expel him.

Having officially expelled him from the party, PDP has withdrawn from the senatorial race, as, according to Nigeria’s electoral law, one can only run for political office in Nigeria if he is sponsored by his party.

Despite having filed a case against PDP for suspending him, Nnamani has continued his support for Tinubu, refusing to back down on his anti-party activities.

At the moment, Nnamani has no backing from his party, which, through the expulsion withdrew from the Senate race. He is therefore out of the race.

So, for the first time since 1999, the PDP will not be fielding any candidate for the 2023 Senatorial Election.

Reacting to the situation, former National Auditor of the party, Barr. Ray Nnaji, confirmed that by his expulsion, PDP has no candidate for the Enugu East Senate position.

According to Nnaji, it’s not a matter of Electoral Act; it’s a constitutional matter. The constitution says for one to contest for any electoral position, he must belong to a politcial party.

“There is no room for a private candidate. So, by virtue of that expulsion, Chimaroke is not qualified to contest election.

“He also has no business at the Senate as it stands. The party should move to declare his seat vacant because he has no party as a Senator.”

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