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•Gov Dismisses Action
•All ‘Suspensions’ Nullity, APC Declares
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee, yesterday, waded into the crisis rocking the Ekiti State chapter of the party by declaring that the indefinite suspension slammed on Governor Kayode Fayemi by a faction of the party as well as an earlier suspension of some other party members in the state were nullities.
The party said the national secretariat was yet to receive communication from the state chapter on the purported “suspensions.”In a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, APC said: “We strongly advise all members to adhere to our constitution. Fayemi remains the leader of the party in Ekiti State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Paul Omotosho-chaired APC Ekiti State Working Committee is the authentic, valid and duly recognised executive, as no factions or divisions exist in the state chapter.”
Earlier yesterday, in a move that signaled the deepening of the crisis, a faction of the party led by Senator Anthony Adeniyi announced the suspension of Fayemi for alleged anti-party activities.
The party had last Thursday suspended 11 of its leaders in the state, including a presidential aide, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, for alleged disobedience to the order by the party’s leadership that members should withdraw all court cases against the party. Adeniyi’s factional executive, on their part, accused Fayemi of violating the provision of the party’s constitution hence his suspension.
They alleged that the governor worked against the interest of the APC in the just concluded governorship election in Edo State by supporting the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The faction alleged that Fayemi has polarised the party in the state, adding that they were out to salvage it from destruction.
Those who signed the communiqué announcing the governor’s suspension included Senator Ojudu, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Bimbo Daramola, Robinson Ajiboye, Oyetunde Ojo, Adewale Omirin and Femi Adeleye.
The communiqué read in part: “That Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Executive Governor of Ekiti State is hereby suspended from the party in view of his numerous anti-party activities, especially his role in the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State, which is contrary to the provisions of Article 21 (A) (ii) of the APC Constitution.
“For five days prior to the Edo elections, Fayemi hosted PDP bigwig, Mr. Femi Fani- Kayode, in the Government House. It was here they perfected the coup against our party in Edo State. This is the same Fani-Kayode who daily abuses President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the APC as a party as well a vital section of our country. We have evidence of that meeting.
The faction also said that the executives, led by Paul Omotosho, should stop parading themselves as the party’s executives, describing them as illegal.
“The Paul Omotosho-led faction of APC Executive in the state is hereby declared illegal and suspended from the party for failure to emerge in accordance with the constitution of the party,” they added. But Oyebode said the faction had no power to announce a ‘dubious suspension’ of party members.
“The action is but a joke taken too far as they never had such power they want to arrogate to themselves while they were members of the party, much less now that they have been suspended.
“Governor Fayemi, however, remains unperturbed by these antics of the suspended members. Well meaning members of the public as well as members of APC are urged to disregard the news of the purported suspension as it only exists in the imagination of members of the group. Fayemi remains the indisputable leader of the APC in Ekiti State.”
