The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State is embroiled in confusion following the suspension and counter nullification of Ekiti Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
The APC in the state led by factional leaders of the party announced the suspension of Fayemi on Friday.
A statement by the faction led by Senator Tony Adeniyi, the governor was suspended due to “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.”
However, Governor Fayemi has faulted his purported suspension as a member of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
A statement by Fayemi’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, entitled ‘Governor Fayemi’s purported suspension: A joke taken too far” on Friday, said those behind the governor’s suspension belonged to an “unknown group.”
Again, Yekini Nabena, Deputy National Secretary of the party, in a statement on Friday, declared the suspension of Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi; presidential aide, Senator Femi Ojudu and others a “nullity.”
The development came barely 24 hours after the Omotosho-led executives suspended Ojudu and 10 others following report of the Patrick Ajigbolamu-led eight-man disciplinary committee set up to probe allegations of anti-party activities levelled against them.
The party said: “The attention of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a purported and widely-reported “suspension” of the Governor of Ekiti State, H.E. Kayode Fayemi as well as an earlier reported “indefinite suspension” of some other party members in the state.
“The actions are a nullity as the Party’s National Secretariat is yet to receive communication from the state chapter on the purported “suspensions”. We strongly advise all members to adhere to our Party constitution.
“Governor Kayode Fayemi remains the leader of the party in Ekiti State.
“In line with the mandate of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee and the President’s admonition to party members to ensure and support ongoing amicable and rancour-free settlement of internal party disputes, we call on our esteemed party members and leaders in Ekiti State to be duly guided.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Architect 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.”
The faction led by Senator Tony Adeniyi, said the governor was suspended due to “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.”
They claimed that five days before the Edo Election, Fayemi hosted PDP bigwig Mr. Femi Fani- Kayode in the Government House in Ado Ekiti and planned a coup against Edo APC.
Another allegation leveled against Governor Fayemi was that he played a role in the gubernatorial election in Oyo State and supported the PDP candidate to defeat the APC candidate.
The news of Governor Fayemi’s suspension is coming days after Babafemi Ojudu, a special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari was suspended alongside 10 others.
The statement announcing Ojudu’s suspension was signed by Ade Ajayi, APC’s publicity secretary in Ekiti.
Ojodu was suspended alongside 10 other members which include Omotunde Ojo, a former member of the House of Representatives.
These suspended leaders rejected their suspension and formed a faction which eventually announced that they have suspended Governor Fayemi.
