The Enugu state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday announced the expulsion of the former chairman of the party, Mr. Ben Nwoye and five others for alleged anti-party activities.
Nwoye, prior to the expulsion, was already serving a suspension slammed on him by the immediate past State Executive of the party led by Prince Chikwado Chukwunta.
While Nwoye’s earlier suspension was converted to expulsion, those freshly expelled, according to the State Secretary, Hon. Robert Ngwu, who read the communiqué at the end of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting include; the former Military Governor of Gombe State, Group Capt. Joe Orji, Mr. Kingsley Uduji, Mr. Chidera Obed, Mr. Obodoeze Ocho and Barr Chukwudi Igwe.
The party alleged that the former chairman, Nwoye “conspired with some elements to illegally break into the party store and unlawfully take away properties and sensitive documents belonging to the party while under suspension from the National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
“All attempts to peacefully recover the properties and documents were unsuccessful. Consequently, our legal team, given the critical requirements of the Electoral Law, has written to the National and Zonal EXCO to help the State Chapter recover the party properties.”
The secretary also accused Nwoye of engaging in anti-Party activities which tend to disrupt the peaceful, lawful, and efficient organization of the Party.
On the expulsion of the five other members the party said that Kingsley Uduji filed Suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/1318/2021 against the party; Suit No FHC/CS/57/22 was filed by Dr Orji Joseph Orji against the party; Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/1536/2021 was filed by Chidera Obed against the Party; and that the cases were being sponsored by one Mr Obodoeze Ochi and Barr Chukwudi Igwe.
According to the state secretary, the sponsorship was contrary to Article 21.(A) (X) which stipulates that anybody who files action against the Party should be expelled.
“Subject to Article 21 (A), subsections (ii), (v), (vi), (vii), (ix), and (x) of its constitution, Group Captain Orji, Mr. Kingsley Uduji, Dr. Joseph Orji, Mr. Chidera Obed, Mr. Ododoeze Ocho, and Barr. Chukwudi Igwe are hereby expelled from the Party for filing court action without exhausting the avenues for redress as provided in its Constitution.
This disciplinary action is in line with Article 13.7, subsection (vi), and takes immediate effect.”
Ngwu announced that the resolution to expel the party members was reached at an expanded meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC), and the Senatorial District Committee (SDC), which was well attended by all, including the 17 Local Government Chairmen of the party.
Responding to questions, the State Chairman of the party. Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah said that his executive will not be distracted by those who want the party to remain in perpetual crisis just so that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who sponsors them, will continue to win all the elections in the state.
He said that Nwoye in particular, who he said, tended to be more PDP than APC, had fought every stakeholder of the party in the state at one time or another including; the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, and Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu.
But reacting to the party’s action, the former chairman of APC, Nwoye described the expulsion as a ruse, adding that it had become overused by the same people.
He said Agballah was only being jittery having heard that he (Nwoye) had bought APC governorship nomination form, a fear he said was unfounded because he was yet to pick the nomination form.
On the expulsion of other party chieftains, Nwoye stated that the party constitution does not forbid members from going to court. Ends
