The National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has nullified the suspension of Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti, by a faction of the party in the state.
This was contained in a statement titled, “Disclaimer: Governor Kayode Fayemi, Other Purported ‘Suspensions’ a Nullity – APC”, signed by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, on Friday.
Nabena said, “The attention of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress 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.”
It would be recalled that the state chapter of the party on Thursday, suspended a presidential adviser, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, and the son-in-law to Senator Bola Tinubu, Oyetunde Ojo, and nine other party leaders for alleged disobedience to the directive of the party’s National Executive Committee.
State Publicity Secretary of the party, Ade Ajayi, announced the suspensions via a statement in Ado Ekiti.
In response, a faction of the party to which Senator Ojodu belongs issued a counter suspension order in a letter titled, “Re: Dr. Kayode Fayemi anti-party activities”, on Friday.
The faction, which claimed to be the authentic State Executive Committee of the APC in Ekiti State, suspended the state governor from the party.
The statement was signed by Senator Tony Adeniyi, Senator Babafemi Ojudu Dayo Adeyeye, and five others.
Meanwhile, in the statement on Friday titled ‘Governor Fayemi’s purported suspension: A joke taken too far”, Fayemi’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said those behind the governor’s suspension belonged to an “unknown group.”
He said, “The All Progressives Congress as a party is governed by laws. Members of the group cannot hide under their recent suspension to announce a dubious suspension they lack the locus to handle.
“While one would have dismissed their claims as another failed attempt to polarise the party in the state, it is also important to put it on record that the action of the group smacks of criminal impersonation as none of those who signed the purported suspension letter were executive members of the party at ward, local government or state level.
“The action is but a joke taken too far as they never had such power they want to arrogate to themselves while they were members of the party, much less now that they have been suspended.
“Governor Fayemi however remains unperturbed by these antics of the suspended members.
“Well-meaning members of the public as well as members of the APC are urged to disregard the news of the purported suspension as it only exists in the imagination of members of the group.
“Fayemi remains the indisputable leader of the APC in the state.”
