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Tag: ‘Ondo APC

  • Rumpus in Ondo APC over adoption of indirect primary

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is presently embroiled in crisis over the adoption of indirect primary system for elections in the state.

    Last Tuesday, there was a stakeholders meeting of the party at the party’s state secretariat in Akure, where Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was in attendance.

    After the almost three hours deliberation, the party resolved that all its candidates for all elective posts in the 2019 General Elections will emerge through indirect primary system.

    The National Executive Committee (NEC)  of the party had earlier agreed on direct primaries.

    However, many relevant stakeholders of the ruling party were not present where the decision on indirect primaries was sealed.

    The likes of the Senator representing Ondo North District, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice and members of the House of Representatives, including Afe Olowookere (Akure North/Akure South); Babatunde Kolawole(Akoko Southeast/Southwest) and Bamidele Baderinwa(Idanre/Ifedore), among others, did not attend the meeting.

    A member, Board of Trustee of APC and former Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi, who was at the meeting, disagreed with the adoption of indirect primary against the NEC resolve to go on direct primary.

    At the forum, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oloyelogun, moved the motion for the adoption of the indirect primary system. He was seconded by the chairman of the party in Owo Local Government Area of the state, Chief S. Ogunleye.

    The state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, who presided over the meeting, said the leadership of the party in the state took the decision in line with the party’s constitution.

    Speaking with reporters after the meeting, the senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Tayo Alasoadura, said the leadership of the party arrived at the decision to adopt indirect primary to benefit its members.

    The lawmaker insisted that direct primary could give room for manipulations and irregularities as nonmembers of the party could participate in the election, while indirect system would be hitch-free and peaceful.

    Alasoadura said “The constitution of the APC allows either direct or indirect primary system and as a party we have decided to adopt indirect primary system to ensure that the process that will produce our candidates in Ondo State will be fair and thorough,”

    He said many new members of the party did not have the party’s membership card to use for election if the party adopts direct primary system; hence the adoption of the indirect system which he said is less expensive to apply.

    However, the lawmaker representing Ondo North District, Prof Ajayi Boroffice, said he was not aware of the purported meeting where it was agreed that the party had adopted indirect primary for all elections.

    According to a statement by his press secretary, Kayode Fakuyi, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology said such decision was not the true reflection and correct representation of the position of the APC.

    He said whatever the decision they took was subject to approval or rejection of the National Working Committee (NWC).

    Also, members of the Unity Group (UG) within the APC said the leadership of the party erred as there was a pending suit challenging the composition of the party’s executive in the state.

    Speaking through the Osun State Commissioner for Regional

    Integration, Bola Ilori, the group insisted that the faction was in support of the decision of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party and President Muhammadu Buhari over the primary elections of the party.

    Ilori said “since there is no executive on ground for the APC in Ondo State in the face of the law, whatever decision taken at the purported stakeholders meeting was a nullity and it cannot stand.

    He said the group was in support of Buhari and the NEC of APC, stressing that they would abide by the resolutions of NEC.

    The crisis within the APC in Ondo State was the fall-out of the 2016 election when Aketi group of Governor Akeredolu severed relationship with Boroffice’s group on the claim that the latter worked against the victory of the ruling party.

    It was the same factor that was responsible for the last parallel congresses both at ward, local and state levels, leading to the emergence of two parallel party’s Exco.

    With the same problem, the screening of local government council aspirants for December 1, is being affected at present.

    Already, the dispute has attracted litigation at the Federal High Court, Abuja, where the factional group is contesting the alleged manipulation of the party congresses in favour of Aketi group.

  • Why we opted for indirect primary, by Ondo APC

    Executive members and leaders of the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have said they are not intimidated by the adoption of any lawful option for the party’s primary.

    They said the state chapter opted for the delegates’ method of electing party candidates because it would create few problems for the state than the direct option.

    In a statement yesterday in Akure, the state capital, by the Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, the APC chiefs said: “The Ondo State government is in dire need of all the money it can garner to boost its agricultural vision, educational programmes and infrastructural development. It is, therefore, not convenient for the state to expend millions, if not billions of naira, on security and logistics in implementing the direct primaries.

    “Besides, there is hardly any state chapter that can boast of a comprehensive membership register, and this makes conducting credible direct primary a mirage.

    “The party would also avoid possibilities of chaos and security challenges that may crop up, in the event of sharp disagreements among members, and possibilities of infiltration by opposition members.

    “The thinking of the chapter is to embrace a lawful option that would unite the party ahead of the main elections, rather than plunge it into avoidable crisis.

    “It is unfortunately that members of other parties are being surreptitiously recruited to castigate any state, including our dear state, especially those who prefer the delegates’ option.”

  • You deserve second term, Ondo APC tells President Buhari

    The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday inaugurated its new State Executive Committee (SEC).

    The event was coordinated by the state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ifedayo Abegunde, Commissioner for Agriculture, Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati and other state officials in attendance.

    Adetimehin hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for tackling the various challenges confronting the country with sincerity and dedication.

    According to him, the integrity of Buhari, especially his zero tolerance for corruption, is unprecedented.

    Adetimehin said: “The long period of looting spree and pillaging of the country under the corruption-infested administration of the former President Goodluck Jonathan cannot be curtailed within four years.

    “It will be in the interest of the country to return President Buhari and the ruling APC to office for another four year, after the 2019 elections.”

    The chairman recounted the “unwholesome” activities and crises that characterised the political space during the last executive committee, especially during the governorship primary and election in 2016.

    He added: “The then leadership of the party displayed a condemnable act of sabotage and gross indiscipline by engaging in anti-party activities to deny the party and its candidate the deserved victory which had been ordained by God.”

    The chairman hailed the national electoral officers saddled with the responsibility of the various congresses in the state for doing an excellent job.

  • “Ondo APC”ll be fair to all”

    The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin, yesterday assured residents of the state, irrespective of tribe, of equal treatment by the party. He gave the assurance while receiving representatives of the Igala community during a courtesy visit to the party’s secretariat in Akure, the state capital. He said the APC-led government would not discriminate against any tribe or group in its welfare packages.

    “I want to assure you that your dues will not be taken away from you. Besides, where you find anything unpleasant about our party or something difficult for you to comprehend, please come to the secretariat and I assure you of convincing explanation,” he said while soliciting the visitors’ support for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu-led administration in the state.

    Igala community leader in the state, Abah James said, “it is interesting to watch how you have disappointed those who doubted your capacity to preside over the affairs of the State APC with your landmark achievements.” He commended the APC-led government in the state for equal treatment to all residents, irrespective of tribe, pledging his peoples’  unflinching support for the party and government in future elections.

  • Scores injured as Ondo APC holds parallel congresses

    •Thugs invade venue, assault delegates, journalists
    •Adetimehin emerges APC State Chairman

    NO fewer than 50 persons yesterday sustained severe injuries at the state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State when political thugs invaded the venue of the congress held by a faction of the party.

    The factional congress held at the BTO hall, along Ilesa road, had started peacefully before the hired thugs, suspected to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) invaded the venue and brandished various weapons, including guns, cutlasses, cudgels and axes among others.

    Leaders of the party, including the member representing Ifedore/Idanre Federal Constituency, Hon Bamidele Baderinwa, and the Osun State Commissioner for Regional Integration, Bola Ilori, were beaten to pulp.

    Reporters especially our Correspondent, Damisi Ojo, his colleague with The Sun newspaper, Bamigbola Gbolagunte, and some other media organisations at the venue of the congress were brutalised by the thugs. They were given instant medical treatment after the experience.

    The hoodlums blocked all the entrances to the hall when they perpetrated their dastardly act.

    The Commissioner for Regional Integration, Bola Ilori narrowly escaped, but some of his aides were not fortunate as they sustained matchete cuts on their heads.

    Also, the lawmaker representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Bamidele Baderinwa, who was just recuperating from protracted ailment, was assaulted. His white Buba and Sokoto were torn into shreds.

    Some of the thugs claimed that they acted on “authorities from above.” The thugs who came in seven buses and went straight to the hall where the delegates were seated threatened to kill people if they fail to co-operate with them. They proceeded to beat the delegates and other innocent people despite the presence of heavy security operatives.

    The faction recognised by the national secretariat of the party also held its congress at the International Events Centre, Akure.

    The state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, who was the only contestant, emerged the state chairman from the congress. He described the exercise as peaceful and authentic and dissociated his faction from the violence that rocked the venue of the parallel congress.

  • ‘No reconciliation, no headway for Ondo APC’

    A member of House of Representatives, Kolawole Babatunde, at the weekend reviewed the situation of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.

    He said without reconciliation, the party would not thrive ahead of next year’s general election.

    The lawmaker representing Akoko Southwest/Southeast, who addressed reporters in Akure, faulted the claim that all was well with the Ondo APC.

    He spoke at the 1st Ondo State Role Model Award & Lecture Series in honour of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, who received the 2018 Ondo State Role Model of the Year Award.

    The event was chaired by the APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Pius Akinyelure. The Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, was the special guest of honour.

    Babatunde said: “The ruling party in the state is factionalised, as we have team Aketi, so also there is team Boroffice and other rival groups capable of dwindling the fortune of the party.”

    He attributed the division to pre/post 2016 governorship election when stalwarts were wrongly accused of working for another party, which the legislator described as a lie.

    Babatunde, a supporter of the lawmaker representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Prof. Boroffice, said those behind the blackmail were in minority.

    He said estranged APC members were influential and could use their connections to move the state forward.

    The legislator said: “Truth must be told, the majority of us are foundation members of APC, who contributed to its success by moving it from opposition to become the ruling party.

    “I believe that no tenant will be too smart to eject the landlord from the house he built. We jointly nurtured APC with the mandate of our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. I believe there is no way we can continue with the friction among APC stakeholders in Ondo State.

    “When some elements are saying all is well with Ondo APC, majority supporters know that many things are wrong. There is litigation over the 2016 primary election; there is another case over the chairmanship tussle. Is this a peaceful scenario?”

    Babatunde advocated the creation of a common ground, stressing that estranged members were ready for peace.

    He said he would re-contest his seat on APC platform, assuring his admirers of victory with their support.

  • Court affirms Adetimehin as Ondo APC chair

    •’We are justified by the verdict’

    A Federal High Court in Akure yesterday struck out a suit challenging Ade Adetimehin as the Ondo State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It refused to reinstate ex-Chairman Isaac Kekemeke.

    The suit was filed by Olugburo Akinola, on behalf of the former Vice Chairman of the party, Gboyega Adedipe and ex-Legal Adviser Desmond Adejumola.

    The court agreed with Charles Titiloye, counsel to APC and the defendants that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit.

    It upheld the seven grounds of preliminary objection filed by Titiloye that issues raised by the plaintiffs were matters within the internal affairs of APC and the internal means of resolution.

    The court said: “The plaintiffs are the real violators of APC constitution, having failed to first exhaust means of resolving their grievances as provided for by the party’s constitution before bringing the action before the Federal High Court.”

    Adedipe and Adejumola were adjudged by the court as meddlesome interlopers, who lacked the locus standi to challenge the removal of Kekemeke without joining him in the suit as a necessary party.

    The court agreed with Titiloye that the matter was too contentious to be started by originating motion; rather, the plaintiffs ought to have filed the suit through a writ of summons.

    It contended that there was no registered party in Nigeria by the name ‘APC Ondo State’, and struck out the name of the 4th defendant.

    The court ruled that the proper court to hear the case was the state High Court and joinder of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), an agent of the Federal Government.

    “An ancillary relief in the suit will not confer jurisdiction on the Federal High Court to hear the case.”

    Justice F.A. Olubanjo struck out the case.

    Titiloye hailed the judgment, describing it as a reference point in administration of parties.

    He said it would increase the disciplinary power of parties over their members.

    Akinola said his clients would file a stay of execution and appeal the judgement.

    He said the judge refused to rule on the substantive suit that would have dealt with the issue at stake, stressing that his clients would not accept the verdict.

    APC said yesterday that the verdict of the court justified the fairness of the national leadership.

    The party, in a statement by its Director of Media & Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said Kekemeke was removed from office based on the allegations levelled against him by members, following his activities before and during the governorship election last year.

    It said: “Before the governorship election, the party machinery were against Kekemeke -the youth wing, women’s wing and elders’ forum. They passed a vote of no confidence in him, judging by the way he conducted himself before the primary election.

    “Members were angered by his conduct, which they described as being biased. They accused him of supporting a particular aspirant, using the party machinery against other aspirants.

    “No doubt, he has a right to support an aspirant, but using the party machinery as the chairman to do so to the detriment of others was where he erred.

    “He was also alleged to have worked against APC during the governorship election.

    “This protest prompted the setting up of a three-man fact-finding committee headed by Abayomi Adesanya. Kekemeke turned down the invitation of the committee during investigation. Having found him guilty, the committee recommended his removal in its report submitted to the National Working Committee.

    “However, the national leadership asked Kekemeke to step aside, pending when it would analyse the findings of the committee. It, therefore, appointed Adetimehin, who was the deputy of Kekemeke, to step into the office of the chairman in an acting capacity.

    “Rather than allowing the committee to conclude its investigation, Kekemeke headed for the court, using his cronies, Gboyega Adedipe and Desmond Adejumola, as a decoy to upturn the decision of the national leadership.

    “It is unfortunate that it is the court that pointed out to Kekemeke and his cohorts that they are “the real violators of APC constitution, having failed to first exhaust means of resolving their grievances as provided for by the APC constitution.

    “It is important to reiterate that Governor Akeredolu has called on members, who went on sabbatical leave, to return to the party, despite the obvious anti-party roles they played, particularly during the governorship election.

    “Many of these category of members have returned to our party without any rancour.

    “To prove that Governor Akeredolu was not out to witch-hunt anyone, he was instrumental to the return of Mr. Olusola Oke, a lawyer, who defected to Alliance for Democracy (AD) and contested as its governorship candidate.”

    The statement said the party was still open to all, particularly members outside for one reason or another.

  • Challenge of reconciliation in Ondo APC

    Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Senator Ajayi Boroffice are battling for the soul of the Sunshine state. The two All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains are at loggerheads over the 2016 governorship primary and the management of the party. Who will reconcile them? Asks Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU.

    There is no end in sight to the acrimony between Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Senator Ajayi Boroffice, who is representing Ondo North District in the Senate. The question is: when will the two All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains sheathe their swords?

    The rivalry played itself out at the recent 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium in Lagos. As Akeredolu entered the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, the venue of the historic event, dignitaries on the front row, including Prof. Boroffice, rose up as a mark of honour. Beaming with smiles, the governor responded to the gestures by greeting, embracing and shaking hands with them. The guests included Senator Abu Ibrahim from Katsina, former Secretary to Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former Chairman of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) Yusuf Ali, Hon. Tunde Braimoh, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Barnabas Gemade, Hon. Raphael Igbokwe, Senator Babajide Omoworare and Senator Solomon Adeola. Boroffice sat between Gemade and Igbokwe, the leader of Southeast Caucus in the House of Representatives.

    Akeredolu, who greeted Gemade warmly, shunned Boroffice, who had already stretched his hand for a handshake. Later, the governor shook hands with Igbokwe. Gemade and Igbokwe were shocked. An embarrassed Boroffice told Gemade: “That is how he behaves to me.”

    Since 2012, the legal luminary and former university don have been rivals. Both wanted to rule Ondo State. But, the personality clashes got to a peak during the 2016 governorship primary. The shadow election, which polarised the party, led by Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke, was perceived as a war of sorts by supporters of various aspirants. Only the moles stepped down, ahead of the exercise.

    Although Akeredolu emerged as the flag bearer, the animosity continued in the post-primary period. One of the contenders, Chief Olusola Oke, left the APC for the Alliance for Democracy (AD), where he lost his deposit. He recently retraced his steps to the party. Kekemeke was suspended as chairman. His deputy, Ade Adetimehin, has been acting as chairman. Another aspirant, Dr. Segun Abraham, is still in court protesting the outcome of the primary.

    However, while the two lawyers-Akeredolu and Oke-have reconciled, the gulf between the governor and the senator has widened. The frosty relationship is a concern to many APC stalwarts.

    Few months ago, Akeredolu said he had embarked on reconciliation with some aggrieved members in the chapter. Thus, when President Muhammadu Buhari mandated Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to reconcile aggrieved chieftains nationwide, the governor said there was no need for any national reconciliation train to roll into Ondo State, adding that the chapter was peaceful. At the party’s unification rally in Akure, the state capital, where Oke returned to the fold, the former AD candidate praised the magnanimity of the governor.

    But, the governor inadvertently disputed the claim of harmony when he said he only recognised two APC senators from the state-Tayo Alasoadura from the Central District and Yele Omoguwa from the South, and not Boroffice, who the governor’s camp accused of anti-party-activities.

    Boroffice objected to Akeredolu’s claim, saying that Ondo APC is disunited.

    According to a source, there is a bone of contention between the governor and the senator. “The Asiwaju of Akokoland and the state party leader, Arakunrin Akeredolu, are not in good terms. The governor has reconciled with Oke, who left for the AD, but has now returned. But, he is not happy that the senator stayed in the APC during the election, but working for the AD. There was the speculation that Oke’s running mate, Ganiyu Dauda, a former member of the House of Representatives, had the backing of Boroffice. The governor believed that was anti-party activity,’ he said.

    Collaborating the source, the APC Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said: “It is incontrovertible that Boroffice, who came a distant fourth in the party primary, immediately ordered his supporters to move en mass to the opposition party. But, being a sitting senator on the platform of our party, APC, he couldn’t openly canvass for the opposition. He however, engaged in anti-party activities behind closed doors.”

    Besides, Otaloro said Boroffice has been docile in his legislative duties, adding that he has trifled away six good years playing mere politics and pursuing personal ambitions. He predicted that the senator will not get the ticket for re-election at the senatorial primary, owing to what he described as his “depleting popularity” among the people of his district.

    Ahead of next year’s poll, senatorial aspirants are already warming up in the North District, based on the calculation that the governor will not back a senator he has not recognised for re-election. The aspirants include Hon. Olemoga, who is representing Akoko Noertheast/Northwest in the House of Representatives, human rights lawyer Dr. Tunji Abayomi, former House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Victor Olabimtan, and Prince Solagbade Amudeni.

    Boroffice denied allegations of anti-party activities against him, saying that he is a loyal stalwart. He said the attack on him by the governor was unwarranted, urging him to separate facts from frictions.

    Boroffice said in a statement by his media aide, Kayode Fakuyi, that he has always supported Akeredolu in the best interest of Ondo State, “despite the underlying differences,” recalling that he rallied his colleagues in the Senate to support the governor when he sent two private communications to the Upper Chamber.

    He complained that he had been sidelined in Ondo APC, stressing that Akeredolu has never carried him along on any party matter since he assumed the reins last year.

    Boroffice said: “The governor has not extended any invitation to me, let alone turning down any of such invitation to attend any meeting or an APC’ s events since Arakunrin Akeredolu became Governor of Ondo State.”

    The senator also said he has added value to his district through his legislative activities and the infrastructural facilities he has attracted to the zone.

    Boroffice said it was not true that he worked against the party during the last governorship election. He said despite the “controversial” emergence of Akeredolu as the party’s candidate in 2016, he worked tirelessly for the victory of the APC in the November poll.

    The senator chided the governor for intolerance, saying that his attitude to other party leaders in the state who did not see things from his perspective has polarised the chapter and alienated critical mass of the party leadership and supporters.

    Boroffice added: “All is not well with the APC chapter in the Sunshine state and rather than for Governor Akeredolu to embrace the challenges of leadership and reach out to every leader of this party in Ondo State, he prefers to run the party and government of Ondo State with his trifling followership and continue to assert that he alone owns this party and others can go to hell. He continues to threaten others with expulsion from the party.”

    He urged the APC national leadership to intervene in the Ondo APC crisis, stressing that issues that polarise the chapter should not be swept under the carpet.

    Boroffice stressed: “It is for this reason that His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari has called for reconciliation of leaders and resolutions of disputed issues. This is the wise road to travel and we cannot dissent and we fully support our National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu on this course.”

    In Otaloro’s view, it is appalling that Boroffice has accused the governor of polarising the party and concocted a non-existing feud. He said the senator was only engaging in a blame game.

    He said: “We want to make it clear that the governor does not in any way intervene in the affairs of the party. The party affair is solely run by the leadership of the party in the state, led by Ade Adetimehin.” According to observers. the submission is disputable because the governor is the party leader.

    Otaloro said it is the senator that is fighting the governor. “It beats our imagination if Senator Boroffice could be referring to the governor as a controversial candidate after one year in office and still claim to have worked tirelessly and voted for him. It also remains irreconcilable why Boroffice, who sent a congratulatory message to the governor through his media after his victory at the poll, did not attend the inauguration ceremony of the governor,” he added.

    Akeredolu is consolidating his hold on the Ondo APC as the party leader. He still faces a challenge from Abraham, who is in court.  The governor and other party chieftains, including Boroffice, may still flex muscles as the political family warms up for next year’s federal and state parliamentary elections.

    The question is: who will reconcile Akeredolu and Boroffice in Ondo?

     

  • Ondo APC 2016 primary: ‘Ojudu’s remarks derogatory’

    The Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted a comment reportedly made on the party’s 2016 primary by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

    The presidential aide had described the 2016 primary, which produced Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as “Ondo Formula”.

    A statement by APC’s state Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said it was shocking that Ojudu undermined an election which his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, applauded and described as acceptable.

    The statement noted that Ojudu was not in tune with President Buhari’s vision of entrenching a democratic system, beginning with APC’s internal democracy.

    APC added: “It is unfortunate that Ojudu decided to disparage the party leadership, which was responsible for the conduct of the primary in question in order to cast aspersions on Akeredolu’s government.

    “The party’s primary, which was conducted by the election team under the leadership of Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, had received wide encomiums from every well-meaning Nigerian for being free, fair and transparently conducted, having been given live coverage by the media. Even major players in the primary have accepted the outcome of the election.

    “Recently, one of the gladiators in the primary has teamed up with the APC to work with Akeredolu and the greater good of APC, saying it is God who chooses leaders.

    “It remains a mystery why Ojudu decided to make snide remarks about the primary, almost two years after.”

    The statement warned Ojudu to be cautious of his utterances, saying: “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

    ‘’Perhaps, the controversies that welcomed his emergence as the senatorial candidate of his party in Ekiti State in 2011 is still haunting him.”

     

  • Oyegun not responsible for suspension of Ondo APC chair – Party

    Oyegun not responsible for suspension of Ondo APC chair – Party

    The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the report credited to its former state chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, blaming his suspension on the national leadership of the ruling party.

    The party in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said Kekemeke in an effort to ‘distort’ allegations levelled against him by the party leading to his suspension, descended on the APC national leadership.

    It noted that the former chairman faulted the letter from the national secretariat that appointed Ade Adetimehin as the acting state chairman.

    The statement also quoted Kekemeke of accusing the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun of unilaterally suspended him from office.

    In a statement which reads in part, the party said: “It is unfortunate that Kekemeke deliberately maligned our party national chairman and denigrated the highest authority of our party with a view to portraying himself as being innocent of all the allegations levelled against him.

    “All the allegations he levelled against the national chairman, according to him, are based on hearsay.”

    The party also pointed out that the former chairman as a lawyer should know that it was faulty to rely on hearsay to blame the national chairman in order to exonerate himself from allegations against him.

    It noted that the choice of Oyegun as APC national chairman was not only based on his political prowess but his dignity to speak the truth at all times.

    The party, however, advised Kekemeke to wait till the issue will be sorted out by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s reconciliatory committee, stressing that his ‘concocted’ claims would not help his case.

    “The timing of this falsehood is wrong most especially when President Muhammadu Buhari has saddled the national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu with the role to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party,” it concluded.