Col. Sam Inokoba, (rtd.), Chairman of Bayelsa Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has dismissed reports of his suspension by the State Working Committee of the party.

Mr Osom Makebre, Publicity Secretary of Bayelsa PDP, had on Wednesday announced the suspension of the chairman. Makebre said that the decision had been communicated to the national leadership of the party for ratification.

Inokoba allegedly received N70 million from Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke but declared N30 million to the state executives of the party.

The Bayelsa PDP EXCO had set up a panel to probe the chairman on the allegations of diverting N40 million out of the N70 million meant for the party’s presidential rally in the state. It was gathered that the panel hurriedly met and suspended Inokoba, who shunned an invitation to come and respond to the allegation.

Reacting to the development yesterday, Inokoba maintained that the disbursed the funds in compliance with the wishes of the donor and was not guilty of diverting party funds as alleged.

He further argued that the State Working Committee of PDP lacked the powers according to the amended PDP Constitution to discipline him.

The embattled chairman explained that the move violated Section 10 subsection 7 of PDP’s amended constitution which vested such powers in the national leadership of the party. He described the reports of his suspension as rumour and unconstitutional.

•Photo shows Alison-Madueke, whose alleged donation is at the root of the Bayelsa PDP crisis.