Our reporter
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 6, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, has suspended its Chairman, Comrade Philip Ojo.
This action, announced by the Ward Vice-Chairman, Comrade Peter Apeke, was reportedly due to Comrade Ojo’s failure to respond to multiple queries regarding his conduct.
The suspension was formally declared on 29 December 2024 in Okpella, Edo State, though the letter outlining the decision had been issued on 26 December 2024. The Ward leadership stated that Comrade Ojo was given a 48-hour ultimatum, beginning on 24 December 2024, to respond to allegations but failed to do so.
According to Comrade Apeke, the suspended Chairman faced three key accusations: Failing to manage the affairs of the Ward in accordance with the party’s constitution, Mismanaging funds, including one million Naira reportedly provided by Honourable Amanero Dekeri, the member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, to mobilise voters for INEC voters’ card collection, Accepting items allegedly as bribes to sign documents supporting the suspension of Honourable Amanero Dekeri, without proper consultation or adherence to party protocols.
The Ward Executive demanded that Comrade Ojo immediately relinquish all party assets and liabilities in his possession and refrain from representing himself as the APC Ward 6 Chairman. Failure to comply, they warned, would lead to legal consequences.
In response, Comrade Ojo dismissed the suspension as “null and void,” claiming it lacked legitimacy. Speaking to journalists via telephone, he asserted that three of the signatories to his suspension letter had themselves been suspended, a decision he claimed was already recorded at both local and state levels. Comrade Ojo accused the Ward Executive of acting outside the bounds of legality and vowed to challenge their actions.
The suspension has further deepened tensions within the APC Ward 6 in Etsako East, as party members await the outcome of the dispute.
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