By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kumo East, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe, has announced the expulsion of its member, Dr. Bashir Abdullahi (Gaddafi), over alleged sponsorship of thugs to disrupt a gathering of top party officials in Gombe.
Speaking to Jewel Times, the Kumo East PDP Chairman, Amadu Sule, said the party is fed up with the atrocities being perpetrated by Gaddafi, which he described as against the party’s missions for peace and development.
“Based on our guidelines and manifestos, whoever mistreats our elders, we shall not hesitate to deal with him decisively. This is not the first time Gaddafi has violated our party rules and regulations, but has been pardoned. This time, he has pushed us to the wall, as he publicly ordered kalare thugs with all sorts of weapons to attack, harass, and intimidate our elders, officials, and members. We can no longer condone his atrocities in the PDP. Therefore, based on the powers vested in me as party chairman in Kumo East, we hereby expel Gaddafi from our beloved party, the PDP. We no longer want him here,” Amadu declared.
He said the decision became necessary for peace to reign in the party. “It’s not that we dislike him, but we can no longer tolerate his violent behavior,” the party chairman added.
Amadu noted that the party had warned Gaddafi twice for his irresponsibility within the party, maintaining that they could not tolerate a third offense. Hence, the decision to expel him.
“I happen to be the closest to him in the PDP,” Amadu said, “but since he decided to resort to violence, I have no choice but to abide by the party rules and regulations and do what’s necessary,” he added.
While declaring that nobody had ever committed such atrocities in Akko PDP, the Kumo East PDP chairman discouraged other party members who may resort to violence. He stressed that the party would not hesitate to deal with any erring member who goes against the its regulations.
An eyewitness, Muhammad Jalige, told Jewel Times that “Gaddafi sponsored over 20 Kalare boys carrying sticks, machetes, and knives. They attacked our party elders and officials at the meeting, destroyed property, and stole several personal belongings of attendees. They carted away valuables and even rice,” he confided.
However, all efforts to reach Gaddafi for comment proved unsuccessful. His phone was not reachable, and messages sent to him were not replied to at the time of publication.
A media house in the state has reported Gaddafi announcing his resignation from the PDP.
Gaddafi was the party’s flag bearer for Akko Central in the 2023 General Election where he came second after being defeated by the Speaker Gombe State House of Assembly Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
After the announcement of results, Gaddafi challenged Luggerewo’s victory at tribunal, a tussle that ended at a federal high court.