The internal crisis rocking the ruling All Progressive Congress in Ekiti took a new dimension on Friday as some statutory members of the State Executive Committee(SEC) suspended Governor Kayode Fayemi over alleged anti-party activities.
According to the allegations against Fayemi, the SEC members said he worked against Edo APC candidate, Pastor Ize Iyamu, and supported Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).
The statutory members of the SEC also imposed sanctions on the party chairman, Paul Omotosho, and other executives by suspending them.
They alleged they were products of the list hurriedly compiled through undemocratic means by Fayemi.
The suspension came barely 24 hours after the party suspended a presidential aide, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, and 10 others following a report of the Patrick Ajigbolamu-led eight-man disciplinary committee set up to probe allegations of anti-party activities leveled against them.
The decision suspending Fayemi and all the state Working Committee was carried out at an emergency meeting of the State Executive Committee of the party on September 23.
The SEC members, in a statement on Friday, said Fayemi was suspended in view of his alleged numerous anti-party activities, especially his role in the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State which is contrary to the provisions of Article 21 (A) (ii) of the APC Constitution.
Signatories to the statement include Senator Tony Adeniyi, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, former House of Representatives members Bimbo Daramola, Hon Robinson Ajiboye, Hon Oyetunji Ojo, former Speaker Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Omirin and Hon. Femi Adeleye.
According to the statement titled: “Re: Dr. Fayemi Anti-party Activities”, Senator Adeniyi was appointed as the SEC acting
chairman owing to what they described as the “absence of direction from the National Body” and was adjudged as “the only one thus capable to call the SEC meeting as duly required by the constitution”.
The ruling APC has been wallowing in a fierce self-inflicted political storm for a long time. The crisis has inexplicably defied spirited attempts made to ensure that peace reigns with the party split into two factions; one camp is led by Governor Kayode Fayemi, while the other is led by Senator Ojudu.
The intense political battle may not be unconnected with a subtle but fierce struggle among its leading chieftains, for the control of the state ahead of the 2022 gubernatorial poll.
