APC elders reject Oni’s suspension

By Victor Akinkuolie
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Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the two wards in Ifaki Ekiti , in Ido/Osi local government area of the state, have  condemned the suspension of former  Governor Segun Oni from the party.

The leaders who are from the home town of the former Governor in their unanimous decision, rejected the move and branded it as shameful and illegal, having allegedly violated party’s constitution.

According to a statement by the elders, those who signed the statement from the two wards rejecting the party’s position are: Michael Durodola, Tayo Okanlawon, Ebenezer Ogunlana and Sola Ilori.

The APC executives in Ifaki ward II, had on  May 1, 2019, slammed Oni with indefinite suspension from the party for allegedly involved in action tagged as anti-party.

Apart from other undisclosed allegations tagged anti-party, Oni had shortly after the July 14, 2018 governorship election won by governor Kayode Fayemi went to court to challenge his eligibility to participate in the May 12, 2018 primary of the party.

Oni, among other issues, described Fayemi’s refusal to resign as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as infraction and flagrant violation of the party’s constitution and guidelines.

The letter conveying Oni’s suspension was signed by the Chairman and Secretary of Ifaki ward II, Shina Akinloye and Ogunyemi Taiwo , respectively and 24 other executive members in the ward.

Meanwhile, a statement signed by some leaders of the party on Saturday dissociated themselves from the suspension, saying it was an act of disrespect .

The statement read: “The ward executives’ decision to suspend Segun Oni did not receive the blessing of  the generality of Ifaki wards’ APC Leaders.

Oni’s suspension from the party also enjoyed the backing of the APC executive in Ido /Osi local government through its Assistant Financial Secretary and Assistant Organising Secretary, Messrs A. Suleiman and Olanrewaju Olamope, signed respectively .

Apart from being a former governor, Oni also served as the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party under the tenure of Chief John Oyegun.

The letter titled: ‘Suspension From All Progressives Congress Ward II, Ifaki Ekiti’ reads: ” Subject to Article 21 Subsections I, II and X of the APC constitution 2014 as amended, we undersigned executive members of the APC hereby suspend you indefinitely from our great party, based on your refusal to honour our invitation for investigation and fact finding into the allegation of anti party activities leveled against your person by the members of our party.

The party , had in a letter dated 24th April,2019 and signed by the ward executive invited Oni to appear before a panel.

The letter of invitation was received on Oni’s behalf by one Segun Adetunji on 25th April, 2019.

But the supreme court in its judgement dismissed Oni’s suit for lack of merit, saying Fayemi didn’t breach the law by resigning after the primary.

Though, Fayemi in his reaction to the court verdict spread olive branch to Oni, with a promise to work with him to move the party forward.

Reacting personally to his kinsmen’s action, Oni, who said he was not sure of the said suspension, said: “I am not sure. There is a structure in the party. There is a way things are done in the party.

On his failure to heed the invitation of APC Ifaki Ward as conveyed in a letter dated April 24, the former governor queried the people behind the said invitation. He said: “Who are they? I am not a nobody in the party. So I cannot be expected to honour such a faceless invitation.

“Who are they? What is their pedigree? If a group of rascals signed a letter, how can they expect me to give any thought to such. Let those who wrote the letter show face and levy allegations,” Oni said.