The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has forgiven five of its key members who were suspended in the build up to the 2019 general elections.
According to the party Chairman Comrade Adam’s Oshiomhole, the NWC of the APC, at its meeting at its party secretariat on Monday, lifted the suspension “as part of its moves to end the lingering crises within the party”.
Those who were suspended include the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; ex-Ogun governor, Ibikunle Amosun; ex-Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha; the DG of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu; and a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru.
They were suspended in March by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for their engagement in what the APC terms “serial anti-party activities”
The party is currently battling to douse tension as Edo State prepares for elections next year. Comrade Oshiomhole is locked in a battle for supremacy with the Governor Godwin Obaseki over the leadership and Governing structure in the state.
In a statement by the party’s National Spokesperson Lanre Isa-Onilu reads in part.. “Through the suspension, our party has shown the capacity and willingness to implement its own rules and enforce discipline when there is an infraction. We have also shown that no individual is above discipline and that the party would always apply equity and justice in the day to day running of the party.
“We hope the concerned party members will seize this opportunity to fully reconcile themselves with their ward, local government, and state party structures, key into the party activities, and continue to make their own contributions to the growth and stability of the party.
“We urge them to also take steps to reconcile with groups and individuals that are important to ensuring a lasting solution to any conflict that may exist in their respective states,”
Background to suspension:
In the race to the 2019 elections, Messrs Okorocha and Amosun on different occasions were seen publicly backing opposition candidates to succeed them in their respective states, even though the APC selected its candidates in the two states.
Mr Okorocha handpicked his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu of Action Alliance, to succeed him in Imo State as against Hope Uzodinma who emerged the APC governorship flagbearer for the state.
Similarly, Mr Amosun declared his support for Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), even though Dapo Abiodun was the party’s choice for Ogun State.
The duo, despite losing out politically in the states, still won their senatorial seats. The candidates they backed were defeated in the two states.
Also, Mr Akeredolu was also accused of supporting an opposition candidate into the federal constituency position.
Messrs Okechukwu and Uguru were also alleged of “gross anti-party conduct”, even though they both denied the allegations leveled against them by the party’s NWC.
(C) Control TV 2019.
