Prince Funso Ayeni, the candidate for the Ekiti North senatorial seat, and Otunba Ajayi Babatunde Samuel, Ekiti North II Federal Constituency candidate, have both had their suspensions restored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national leadership.
When the pair came before a Disciplinary Committee, the PDP said it lifted the suspension on them after they expressed regret for their behavior, reaffirmed their party loyalty, and recommitted to the party’s success at all levels in the upcoming general elections in 2023.
The National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lifted the suspension slammed on two out of the seven party members in Ekiti State, namely; Prince Funso Ayeni (Ekiti North Senatorial Candidate) and Otunba Ajayi Babatunde Samuel (Ekiti North II Federal Constituency Candidate).
PDP said it lifted the suspension on the duo after they apologised for their conduct, affirmed loyalty to the party and renewed commitment towards the party’s success at all levels in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, when they appeared before a Disciplinary Committee.
The party had last week suspended seven candidates of the party gunning for federal legislative seats in Ekiti State over alleged anti-party activities. They included Ayeni; Samuel; Ajijola Lateef Oladimeji (Ekiti Central); Emiola Adenike Jennifer (Ekiti South II federal constituency); Olayinka James Olalere (Ekiti Central federal constituandency); Akerele Oluyinka (Ekiti North I federal constituency), Fayose Oluwajomiloju John (Ekiti Central I federal constituency).
The PDP equally suspended a former Enugu State governor and senatorial candidate, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, alongside Chief Chris Ogbu of Imo State chapter of the party over the same offence.
PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said in a statement that Ayeni and Samuel displayed regret when they appeared before the party’s disciplinary committee on Saturday.
The statement said, “The decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) is sequel to the report of the Disciplinary Committee which recommended the lifting of the suspension on Prince Funso Ayeni, Otunba Ajayi Babatunde Samuel on the ground of manifest remorse, apology for their conduct, affirmed loyalty to the Party and the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as renewed commitment towards the success of the PDP at all levels in the 2023 general elections.
“By the lifting of the suspension, the status of Prince Funso Ayeni and Otunba Ajayi Babatunde Samuel as members of the PDP and especially as PDP Candidates for Ekiti North Senatorial District and Ekiti North II Federal Constituency respectively in the 2023 general election are fully restored.
“The NWC urges all members, supporters and teeming members of our Party in Ekiti State to remain united and continue to work together for the success of the PDP at all levels in the 2023 general elections.”