By Victor Ogunje
The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, Ekiti chapter, on Friday escalated as a group loyal to Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, and ex-Minister Dayo Adeyeye suspended Governor Kayode Fayemi from the party for alleged anti party activities.
Also hammered with suspension, was the State APC chairman, Hon Paul Omotoso, for being allegedly brought into office by Fayemi via illegal means.
Sequel to Fayemi’s suspension and the widespread belief that Omotoso didn’t emerge through a credible process, the factional group elected a former National Assembly member, Senator Tony Adeniyi, as Acting Chairman of the State Executive Council pending the time a validly elected body will be put in place.
This sordid scenario played out barely 24 hours after Ojudu and 10 other party stalwarts were suspended by APC, for allegedly defying the directive of National Executive Committee that all cases pending in court should be withdrawn.
The Fayemi’s alleged suspension was communicated in a statement signed by Ojudu and other bigwigs like: Senator Adeniyi, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Hon Robinson Ajiboye, Hon Oye Ojo, Hon Adewale Omirin and Hon Femi Adeleye.
They alleged that Fayemi manipulated the congress that brought Omotoso and members of the State Working Committee into their respective offices, while also using his position to work against the party in some elections.
Acting on the alleged infractions, the group said: “That Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Executive Governor of Ekiti State is hereby suspended from the Party in view of his numerous anti-Party activities especially his role in the recent concluded governorship election in Edo State which is contrary to the provisions of Article 21 (A) (ii) of the APC Constitution.
“For five days prior to the Edo elections Governor Fayemi hosted Mr Femi Fani- Kayode in the government house in Ado Ekiti . It was here they perfected the coup against our party in Edo State.
This is same Fani-Kayode who daily abuses President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. We have evidence of celebration by his aides in Ekiti government house and on social media.
“We also recall his role in the gubernatorial election in Oyo State where he supported the PDP candidate to defeat the APC candidate. A second tranche of money he sent to Governor Makinde in the election was intercepted by soldiers.
“That the Paul Omotosho led faction of APC Executive in the State is hereby declared illegal and suspended from the Party for failure to emerge in accordance to the Constitution of the Party.
“Re: Dr. Kayode Fayemi Anti-Party Activities”.
But APC Chairman, Omotoso, who reacted through the party’s Director of Media, Sam Oluwalana trivialised the issue and directed the signatories to deny the publication with immediate effect.
The statement signed by Omotoso said: “The attention of the Ekiti State APC SEC has been drawn to the publication which is in circulation in the social media titled, “ Dr. Kayode Fayemi Anti-Party Activities” purportedly signed by the following people: Senator Tony Adeniyi, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Congressman Bimbo Daramola, Hon. Robinson Ajiboye, Hon. Oye Ojo, Hon. Dr. Adewale Ominrin and Hon. Femi Adeleye.
“We hereby call for the confirmation or denial of the said publication by the purported signatories between now and the close of work today, September 25, 2020”.
