Panafrican News Agency

Nigeria's ruling APC suspends 2 key State govs

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Coming off its victory in the Feb. 23 presidential polls, Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended two State governors - Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun states over anti-party activities.

Its National Working Committee (NWC) wielded the big stick, as the national leadership rose from several hours of meeting at the party’s secretariat and pronounced the suspension, adding that it has recommended the expulsion of individuals to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party for final ratification.

Confirming the suspension which was equally clamped on the Minister of Niger Delta, Usani Usani Uguru, and the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Lanre Isaa-Onilu, noted that the governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu, has been queried over his glaring anti-party activities.

According to the statement, “The NWC of the APC has suspended the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun and the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha for anti-party activities. Also suspended by the APC NWC over anti-party activities are the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, and the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu.

“This decision was reached on Friday at a meeting of the Party’s NWC, presided by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. The NWC has also taken a decision to recommend the expulsion of the suspended individuals to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

“The NWC would also issue a query to the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, over his glaring anti-party activities, which greatly affected the fortunes of our candidates in the recently-conducted Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

“The party reviewed the serial anti-party activities of the concerned individuals before and during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections in their respective states and resolved to enforce party discipline in line with our constitution.

“The NWC noted how the suspended members have continued to campaign openly for other parties and candidates that are unknown to our great party, even while they have constituted themselves as opposition to APC candidates in their respective states.

“Importantly, the NWC is closely monitoring the activities of our members across the country, and particularly, in the states these suspended members belong to. We wish to reiterate that any member of our party who takes any action solely or in line with the directives of the suspended members to undermine our party’s candidates in the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections would face disciplinary actions.”
-0- PANA VAO 2March2019