Confusion over reversal of Oshiomhole’s suspension

By Taiwo Amodu, Abuja

There was confusion at the weekend over reprieve granted the ousted national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who had been suspended by his Ward 10, Etsako West local government of Edo State.

The Appeal Court last week upheld the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole based on his earlier suspension by his ward.

But certain chieftains of the party who claimed to be the APC ward executives from his Etsako ward stormed Abuja on Saturday and announced that the suspension has been lifted.

Announcing the reversal of the suspension order, Secretary of the ward, Emuakemeh Sule, said 17 out of the 27 members of the executive took the resolution to lift the suspension.

But Sule and his group’s pronouncement was countered by the chairman of the ward, Mr Oshawo Stephen, who announced that the suspension has not been reversed.

Stephen, who declared in a statement that his executive which was inaugurated in 2018 was still in place, alerted the party faithful that the reprieve allegedly granted Oshiomhole was a charade.

He said: “The suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the ward executives remains valid. The statement to the contrary in the media is false and should be disregarded. We stand by our decision and have no reservation on the action as it is in the best interest of the party.

“The ward executives, as well as our counterparts at the Etsako West Local Government level, stand by the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole for his divisive role in the crisis rocking the APC in Edo State.”

Speaking earlier while receiving the group led by Emuakemeh Sule, the national vice chairman South-South of the party, Hillard Eta, who represented Senator Abiola Ajimobi, thanked the team for their action.

“We have received the resolution of Etsako West Ward 10 as has been read out by the secretary of that ward.

“Let me say that 17 out of 27 members have signed this resolution. Let me also say that in matters of this nature, our constitution provides for only a simple majority and 17 out of 27 is indeed more than a simple majority. So, we want to use this opportunity to thank Etsako West Ward 10 for what they have done. History will be on your side.

“I am also in receipt of the acceptance and ratification of that resolution by the Etsako West LGA executive dated the 9th of June 2020 and signed by the chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Akokia and the secretary, Hon Dauda Ahmed.

“I am also in receipt of further ratification by the state executive committee of the APC in Edo State signed by Col David Imuse (retd), the acting state chairman and Lawrence O. Oka, state secretary,” Eta said.

The national vice chairman, South-South also announced, Worgu Bom, whom he claimed to be a replacement from Rivers State chapter of the party for Victor Giadom, the deputy national secretary who has since proclaimed himself as acting national chairman based on a court judgment.

Eta further claimed that Victor Giadom has ceased to be a member of the APC NWC.

“You are aware that on Friday, a competent court of jurisdiction declared Chief Victor Giadom as not being a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) and should never parade himself as such.

“Even before then, there was a resolution by the NWC asking the South-South zone of the party which I head to transmit a name for his replacement or filling of the vacancy made possible by his resignation to contest as the deputy governorship candidate of our party in Rivers State.

“I want to announce to the world that I am in receipt of the name of a distinguished member of this party from Rivers State to the zone for ratification in the person of Worgu Boms, a former attorney general of Rivers State. His name has been transmitted to my good office and I want to announce that in the earliest time possible, the South-South zonal executive committee will meet and ratify that name and send same to the NWC of our great party.” (Nigerian Tribune)