The suspension of the chairman of New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and three others by the national leadership of PDP is antithetical to reconciliation efforts in the party, chairman of PDP in Kwara North, Alhaji Isiaka Oniwa, has said.

Oniwa said the suspension announced on Monday by PDP national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh when reconciliation is still ongoing is a dangerous volte-face.

 In a chat with Daily Trust, Oniwa described the suspension as laughable and a decision that cannot stand, saying it has no effect whatsoever on the state PDP. 

 "You are talking about reconciliation and yet you are suspending. It is very clear that the Bamanga Tukur group is not ready for any reconciliation. They don't want peace to reign in the party. As far as we are concerned in Kwara State, Baraje is our man and he remains our man. We are solidly behind him", he said. 

Also speaking, the Kwara Central chairman of PDP, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina described the decision as undemocratic.

"This is democracy for God's sake! How can you say you suspended a man that has the support and backing of his people? It's not done. It is not good for reconciliation and efforts to restore peace in the party", he added.

 However, the decision to suspend Baraje who hails from Kwara State is already generating mixed reactions within the party currently split into old and new with the state PDP leadership pitching tent with Baraje's faction while some members are aligning with the Bamanga Tukur-led executive.

 It would be recalled that the Tukur's  PDP had already called on the party leadership to sanction Baraje and other members of the New PDP which boasts of seven governors including Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

 A member of the Tukur's faction who preferred anonymity said the suspension was a right step in the right direction aimed at instilling discipline in the party.