The Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, Chief Francis Inegbeniki, has been expelled from the party for alleged anti-party activities.
Also expelled alongside with the Vice Chairman for the similar offences are Prince William Shaka Momodu (Ward 5), Raphael Ehimen (Ward 5), Ijeh Aire (Ward 4), Unuane Isesele (Ward 7), Abudu Ugbesia (Ward 1), Pius Igene (Ward 3) and Chief Godfrey Odalo of Ward 3, all in Esan central local government area of Edo state.
Their expulsion was contained in a letter dated 21/04/2023, and addressed to the Edo state APC Chairman, titled: LETTER OF EXPULSION OF EIGHT APC MEMBERS IN ESAN CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT OVER ANTI PARTY ACTIVITIES. The letter was signed by the Rawlings Ekeoba (Chairman) and Mr. Austin Aqua Eigbiremolen (Secretary), as well as 23 other executive members of the party in the Esan Central local government area.
Their letter of expulsion from the party stated that: “Penultimate to the March 18, 2023 House of Assembly and House of Representatives elections, the eight of them held meetings in a Hotel in Eidenu Irrua where they resolved to work against the All Progressives Congress in the election.”
The letter further stated that: “While some of them worked for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), others worked for the Labour Party (LP), just to ensure that the APC Candidates failed in the election.”
It would be recalled that, on the 20th of March 2023, a meeting of the Esan central local government APC executive members, as well as some critical stakeholders in the local government was held, to ascertain the reasons that led to the failure of the party in Esan central Local Government Area in the March 18th House of Assembly and House of Representatives elections, and it was at that meeting that facts about their anti-party activities were revealed, prompting the setting up of a five-man panel to thoroughly investigate the allegations leveled against the suspended persons.
Their expulsion letter stated that only Mr. Theophilus Okoh of Ward 1 made a representation to the Committee through some persons from his ward and also made a video call to the Committee to deny his involvement in any form of anti party activities.
The letter also inferred that the same set of people had earlier, at some point, rebelled against the party.
“The letter read in part:
“It is noteworthy to state that, these same actors went to court immediately after the House of Assembly primary election to depose to the affidavit claiming that the party primary election conducted by our party and monitored by INEC, was illegal and should be declared null and void.
“… therefore, the Exco has resolved that Chief Francis Inegbeniki be relieved of his appointment as Vice Chairman, Edo Central Senatorial district and in his place, a new person should be appointed without delay.”
In a phone conversation with our Correspondent, Barr. Eni Adaghebalu, a State Ex-Officio of the party, said: “The expulsion decision was taken in line with the provisions of the constitution of the party,” adding that, “the party gave all the expelled members the opportunity to defend themselves before a panel that was set up, but it was only Mr. Theophilus Okoh that appeared before the panel by proxy, and followed it by a video call that he made to defend himself against the allegations, while the others ignored the invitation by the panel, perhaps, they felt they are bigger than the party or because of the overwhelming evidences before the committee.”
Barr. Adaghebalu, Chairman of Disciplinary Committee, said: “Well, they have been recommended for expulsion from the party, and the report to that effect has been submitted to the LGA authority of the party.'”
