Jethro Ibileke/Benin
The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress in Esan North local government area of Edo State, rated its urgly head again, with the suspension of the newly appointed Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Agriculture and Food Security Programme, Prince Joe Okojie.
Others leaders of the party also suspended were Michael Okojie, Chief Jude Okharedia, Mr. Idogei Ogbejele, Mr. Godfrey Alenbalulu and Mr. Joseph Esekhaegbe.
They were suspended after an enlarged Executive Committee meeting of the party held at Uromi, headquarters of the local government.
A statement issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the party in the local government, Mr. Vasco Agwi and Mr. Adolphus Imoisili, respectively, said the affected officials were suspended for sponsoring thuggery in the party.
The statement blamed Prince Okojie for the crisis in the party in Esan North East, which allegedly began when he unilaterally set up an illegal five-man committee at his private residence, with a view to probe the chairman and secretary of the party.
It said the constitution of the five-man committee was not in line with the party’s Constitution.
“The said five-man illegal committee forcefully gained entrance into the party secretariat under the cover of heavily armed thugs. This led to breakdown of law and order and in clear breach of Article 21 of the APC Constitution.
“We pass a vote of no confidence on Prince Joe Okojie as the Leader of the APC in Esan North East and we hereby suspend them following their involvement in illegal activities,” the statement said.
When contacted for his reaction, the State Chairman of the party, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, said he was yet to get full details of the reasons for the suspension.