There is considerable uncertainty about the reported lifting of suspension on the embattled erstwhile chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole by Ward 10, Etsako West local government area chapter of the party.
The executive committee of the ward said yesterday that it had lifted the suspension slammed on Oshiomhole.
The ward secretary of the ward, Mr. Emuakemeh Sule, who led the executive members to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, said the resolution followed a review of the circumstances that led to former chairman’s suspension, stressing that there was no merit in the allegation, or processes employed.
“That we have reviewed the circumstances leading to the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and found no merit in the allegation or processes employed.
“We hereby lift the suspension placed on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Ward. We call on all organs of our great party to restore all rights and privileges of membership to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.”
He added that the suspension was lifted because it lacked merit.
He said the resolution of Ward 10 executives was reached at a meeting held on June 4, 2020 at the APC secretariat Apana-Uzairue, Edo state.
Sule stressed that the resolution was adopted and signed by Adizetu Jafaru, vice chairman; Angela Egherua assistant secretary; Imokhai Patrick, financial secretary, Alufah Paul, among others.
Receiving the ward executives, the party’s acting national chairman, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi, thanked them for invalidating Oshiomhole’s suspension.
“Let me say 17 of the 27 members signed this resolution. Let me also say that in matters of this nature, our constitution provides for 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,” said AJimobi who was represented by the national vice chairman, south-south, Mr. Hilliard Etta.
However, the APC Chairman in Etsako Ward 10, Mr. Oshawo Stephen, dismissed claims that Oshiomhole’s suspension as a party member had been lifted.
He said in a statement that the ward executive “stands by the suspension.”
He said contrary statements are false and should be disregarded.
Stephen said the ward executives who were elected in 2018 remain intact and had not been displaced by anybody.
Stephen who described the claim of the lifting of the suspension as a “charade” said: “The suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the ward executives remains valid. The statements to the contrary in the media are 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.”
Similarly, the chairman of APC in Etsako West Mr. Ezolomhe Rabiat, affirmed that the council executives were still members of the party in the state, and stood by Oshiomhole’s suspension.
