By G9ija
Chimaroke Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State and current senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, has taken legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over disciplinary actions taken against him for alleged anti-party activities.
Nnamani filed the suit on February 7, 2023, just a few days prior to his expulsion from the party, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. According to sources, the senator is challenging the decision taken against him and seeking redress through the court.
According to a report by newsmen, Chimaroke Nnamani’s initial suspension from the PDP was due to his declaration of support for Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
Nnamani had explained that his decision was based on the fact that he could not support a northerner to become President after the eight-year tenure of the current President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). The former governor of Enugu State is said to have maintained his position despite facing disciplinary actions from the PDP.
On February 10, 2023, the PDP took further action against Chimaroke Nnamani and some other prominent party members by expelling them for their alleged anti-party activities.
In a court document obtained by a correspondent on Tuesday, Nnamani listed the Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Chairman of the PDP Iyorchia Ayu, and Samuel Anyanwu representing the National Working Committee members of the PDP as defendants in his suit challenging the disciplinary actions taken against him.
Nnamani is seeking a determination by the court as to whether it was appropriate for the party to take such actions against him without first affording him a fair hearing. This move suggests that the senator is challenging the legality and constitutionality of the disciplinary proceedings against him.
Despite facing disciplinary action from his political party, the senator has remained steadfast in his backing of Tinubu, a leading figure in the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).
The senator, Nnamani, released a statement on Tuesday, commending Tinubu for his notable efforts to enhance the healthcare sector during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, spanning from 1999 to 2007.
He said, “It is to Tinubu’s credit that HIV/AIDS prevalence in Lagos State decreased from 6.7 per cent to 3.5per cent between 1999 and 2007 while more than 2,000 women received prevention of mother to child transmission in 10 PMTCT centres set up to prevent the disease.”