Allies of Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo have been suspended by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Working Committee (NWC) .
The allies were suspended for engaging in alleged anti-party activities.
The suspension was announced during a briefing by the APGA National Chairman, Chief Edozie Njoku, to journalists in Abuja on Thursday. He outlined the party’s decision to address various infractions and instances of indiscipline within the organization.
According to Njoku, this action stems from their alleged involvement in illegal primary elections and congresses in Anambra State, contrary to the party’s constitution.
The suspended members include Barr. Sylvester Ezeonwuka, Mr. Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, and all candidates who emerged from the illegal exercises.
Additionally, the APGA NWC condemned the actions of Chief Victor Oye, who is awaiting sentencing at the trial court for allegedly disrespecting court judgments.
APGA praised INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mamood, for obeying court orders and purging himself of contempt charges.
The party also warned other national and state assembly members elected on the APGA platform, including Governor Soludo, to desist from anti-party activities or face disciplinary action.
Njoku stated that a disciplinary committee has been set up to investigate the suspended members and make recommendations to the NWC.
He said, “APGA has a rich history of discipline upon which it was founded. That trend must be sustained at all cost. Any member of the party whose activities or conduct, which is likely to embarrass the Party or have adverse effect on the Party or bring incalculable harm to the Party or cause public ridicule or disrepute shall be suspended at the instance of the NWC for a period of six months.
“Consequently, the following members are hereby suspended: Barr. Sylvester Ezeonwuka, Mr. Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, and all those that participated in the illegal Anambra Local Government congresses and primaries, and emerged as purported candidates in Gov. Soludo’s list (as LG Chairmen and Deputies in all the 21 LGAs and the Councillorship Candidates in all the 326 Wards) of Anambra State as published by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) for the coming LG elections of September 28, 2024.
“Clearly, the party members involved in this have shown utmost disdain and disrespect to the Supreme Court Judgment, and we have given them enough opportunity to retrace their steps and return to the fold. Unfortunately, what they wanted to achieve with this suit was to ensure my removal so that the illegal candidates they fielded as APGA candidates for the forthcoming Local Government elections in Anambra can succeed. This is unacceptable.
“The NWC equally condemns in strongest terms the brazen disrespect of the judgments of Courts by Chief Victor Oye, who is awaiting sentencing at the trial Court. On the other hand, we commend the INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, for his obedience and law-abiding nature, by taking steps to purge himself of the contempt charge on him.
“The NWC strongly condemns the actions of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and other National Assembly and State House of Assembly Members elected on APGA platform and advise them to take steps to redeem themselves from these anti-party activities or face appropriate disciplinary actions. The NWC restates its confidence in the leadership of Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA and urges all party members that the Party is Supreme.”
