Ex-senator to Kogi PDP: You can’t suspend me — I already joined ADC

Ahmed Ogembe, former Kogi central senator, has dismissed his suspension by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state.

The Kogi chapter of the PDP suspended Ogembe on grounds of alleged anti-party activities, accusing him of boasting of collapsing the party’s structure in Okene LGA into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In the suspension letter dated August 22, signed by Anthony Momoh, PDP zonal vice-chairman (central) and chairman of the Okene LGA caretaker committee, Ogembe’s action was described as “gross misconduct, betrayal of trust and deliberate acts capable of undermining the interest and survival” of the party in the state.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday, Ogembe said he had left the PDP for the ADC before his suspension was announced. 

“You cannot suspend someone who is no longer under your platform,” the statement reads. 

“Senator Ogembe and the authentic PDP executives in Okene LGA formally resigned from the PDP and have since been fully integrated into the ADC with all structures and supporters.

“PDP in Okene has been practically emptied, and only paper ‘remnants’ exist.”

In the resignation letter dated August 10, addressed to the PDP ward chair in Upogoro/Odenku ward, Okene LGA, Ogembe said his decision was taken after “careful consideration and wide consultations” with his political associates, supporters, and family members.

“While I remain grateful for the opportunities and platform the PDP has provided over the years, I believe it is time to pursue a new political direction in the interest of my personal convictions,” the letter reads.

Nuhu Suleiman, the ward chairman, received and acknowledged the letter on August 18.