Sanctioned members of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State have formed a faction in the party with the declaration of a parallel interim committee.
The sanctioned members, some of whom were expelled and others
suspended by the Tiwei Orunimighe-led executive committee recently, met
in Yenagoa to review the state of the party.
The State Executive Committee headed by Orunimighe had recently
expelled two chieftains – Perekeme Kpodoh and Sunday Frank-Oputu.
The SEC also suspended seven others – Godwin Sidi, Fred Akamu,
Rosemary Okeazi, Livinus Opratapu, Harrow Zuokumo, Enoch Koripamo and
Christopher Abariowei.
The SEC had accused the expelled and suspended members of engaging in anti-party activities.
But not satisfied with the punishment meted out to them, the expelled
and suspended members with scores of their sympathisers under the aegis
of Leaders of Legacy Parties claimed they had passed vote of no
confidence on Orunimighe-led state executives.
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They
accused Orunimighe of highhandedness, illegal expulsion and suspension
of members, unconstitutional acts by some exco members, among others.
They, therefore, announced the suspension of Orunimighe; his deputy,
Eddy Julius and the Secretary, Marlin Daniel, alleging they had breached
the party’s constitution and were allegedly culpable of financial
impropriety.
They constituted their interim exco, declaring Chief Perekeme Kpodo
of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party as PDP as the Chairman and
Chief Livinus Opuakpa, of the former ANPP as the Interim Secretary.
Other members of the Interim executive, according to the Legacy
Parties are Christopher Abariowei, Publicity Secretary; Chief Harrow
Zuokumo, Treasurer; Koripamo Enoch, Financial Secretary; Patience
Roberts, Women Leader and the Youth Leader is Festus Modibo, among
others.
Reacting to the purported suspension of Orunimighe-led exco, the
Publicity Secretary, Mr. Panebi Fortune, said their action was laughable
and unconstitutional.
He said, “It is on that note that I, the Publicity Secretary of the
party in the state, deem it necessary to address the issue in order to
avoid malicious lies and rumours. First, let it be on note that the
Constitution of the APC does not give room for any individual or group
to suspend or expel any member.
“For example, can a group suspend a governor or commissioner and
constitute themselves as the executive arm? The answer is no. Our
constitution makes it clear that it is only the national and state
working committees that have the constitutional right to raise their axe
upon any member who default its norms.”
Panebi said by their actions, which include anti-party activities,
the state working committee of the party, had already expelled Kpodo,
who is known for political blackmail over the years, which has been the
source of income.
He said, this time around, Kpodo and his ilk would not succeed but would be disgraced.
He said, this time around, Kpodo and his ilk would not succeed but would be disgraced.
He therefore advised the general public and the APC supporters within
the state to remain calm and continue with their full support for
Orunimighe led executive.
He further advised the public not to give any credit to the
frustrated group as they only sought to gain cheap publicity and
reputation by blackmailing ranking officials.
“Kpodo and his group are failed politicians that will not worth a
dime in the political market. It is therefore, shameful that the likes
of Kpodo would allow themselves to be used so cheaply by the opposition,
” the APC spokesman said.
Source-Punchng
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