The Spokesperson of a factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, loyal to a governorship aspirant, Jimi Lawal, Austine Oniyokor has described the suspension of the governorship candidate as a political masturbation and a sad commentary in Nigeria democracy.

Lawal and three others were pronounced suspended by the Ogun State Chapter of the Party following a fresh primary conducted by the faction on Monday.

While confirming that a primary was actually conducted in Abeokuta, Oniyokor explained that the faction was only giving effect to and enforcing judgements of the courts which ordered a fresh primary of the Party in the State.

According to him, the fact that the judgements did not went in favour of the other faction loyal to Ladi Adebutu cannot deny the judgement creditors of the benefit of enjoying their victory.

He described the suspension as purported saying same was a contentious act which cannot stand the test of law.

Oniyokor explained that the primary was conducted by members of the State Executive Committee as directed by the court, adding that same was monitored by all statutory agencies including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

When asked about an intention expressed by the National Working Committee of the Party to appeal the judgement, Oniyokor said, “Even if it is ‘International Working Committee’, an appeal or intention of appeal is not the same as a stay of execution.

“At any rate, a Stay of Execution was filled here (Abeokuta) and was dismissed. Whatever the NWC says cannot supersede the position of the court, they are not bigger than the court.

“What we did was simply to give effect to the judgement, in fact, judgements of the court and whatever purported suspension they are pronouncing is a contemptuous act, it can stand the test of the court.”

The crises rocking the Party in Ogun, Monday, took a different dimension when the suspension of Lawal and four others was announced, for alleged involvement in an illegal primary.

Also suspended were the Party’s Chairman in Ijebu North East, Tope Asiru, the Financial Secretary of the party, Bola Odunmosun, one Fasiu Ajadi, and Kola Akinyemi.

The Secretary of the party, Sunday Solarin announced their suspension at a press briefing at the party's secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital.

According to Solarin, Lawal and the others were suspended for violating the constitution of the party by conducting and participating in an illegal governorship primary election which was not authorised by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Solarin disclosed that, Lawal and the others have been suspended for one month pending the outcome of a disciplinary committee which would be setup to review their action.

A Federal High court sitting in Abeokuta had nullified all the primary elections of the party which produced Ladi Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the Party in the state.

The presiding judge, Justice O. O. Oguntoyinbo in her judgement ordered the party to conduct fresh primaries within 14 days.

The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Hon. Ladi Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the party in the state.

The NWC of the party has however vowed to appeal the judgement.

Following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum, the faction of Jimi Lawal staged a factional governorship primary election at an event center in Abeokuta, the state capital on Monday.

But, the leadership of the party in the state, condemned the action of Lawal and members of his faction, insisting that PDP would not condole any action directed at putting the party into disrepute.