Blank NEWS Online can reveal more facts on why the Delta state Democratic People’s Party (DPP), expelled Senator Pius Ewherido, representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, for alleged “gross misconduct and anti-party activities” as well as other grey issues on merger with the yet to be registered All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that the State Executive Council of the DPP, had on Thursday, May 01, 2013, expelled Senator Pius Ewherido, the acting national deputy chairman, Olisemeka Akamukale; the vice chairman of Delta Central Senatorial District, Henry Olori; as well as one Cyril Ogodor, a leader of the party in Sapele Local Government council.

The chairman of the Delta State DPP, Tony Ezeagwu, affirmed that they remain expelled from the party, adding that the decision was reached at the state executive council held in Asaba, the state capital.

Ezeagwu disclosed that the DPP bigwigs were suspended “because of gross misconduct and engaging in anti-party activities.”

Admitting that the party had applied to be part of the APC, Ezeagwu explained, “We inaugurated a 12-man committee to midwife our joining the APC and we officially applied but the application was not approved. But Ewherido and Akamukale went ahead and been attending APC meetings when we have not been admitted into that fold. Akamukale went to INEC to say that he is the acting national chairman of the party in his bid to force us into the merger.”

He further stated that the DPP has officially pulled out of the APC because a majority of its members, including those in the House of Assembly, do not want to be members of an unregistered political party.

With reference to the acting national deputy chairman, he said, “Akamukale did not go to the national as an elected deputy national chairman. We appointed him to the position in acting capacity after the resignation of Frank Kokori who [was] elected during our convention. So we are only recalling him from that position.”

In a telephone contact with the Delta state chairman of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Chief Tony Ezeagwu on Thursday, May 2, 2013, he confirmed by saying “It is true. We suspended him yesterday.”

According to a document made available to Blank NEWS Online by the DPP state chairman, the subsequent motions for their expulsion was unanimously moved in three parts and signed by Chief (Amb) Tony Ezeagwu (DPP Delta state Chairman), Chief (Engr.)  Lance Orhiehor, RDN (DPP Delta state Secretary) and Prince Charles Orakpokuenuke Ikpama (DPP state Treasurer) respectively.

Also in a quick response to the move made by the DPP at the state level, unperturbed Senator Pius Ewherido, in his right of reply, told Blank NEWS Online that,
“We had at the National level opted for merger. Those doing this are those opposed to our joining APC as ratified by our Convention two days back.

“Whatever they have done is a total nulity because the vast majority of us have ratified the merger. Democracy is about freedom of choice.”

Blank NEWS Online Presents EXTRACTS OF THE MINUTES OF MEETING OF DPP DELTA CHAPTER ON 1ST MAY 2013 AND THE MERGER DEAL: