The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress in Ekiti State took a new twist on Wednesday as alleged synchronized plot to suspend the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu back fired.
The party leaders and ward executives in ward 8; Ado-Ekiti local Government Area of Ekiti State allegedly defied the APC State Working Committee to initiate the suspension process on Ojudu over alleged insubordination.
The presidential aide and Governor Kayode Fayemi has for some time been throwing salvos and tantrums at one another over the latter’s alleged poor performance and dictatorial style in running the affairs of the party.
Apart from the war of words, Ojudu alongside Dr Wole Oluyede, Oyetunde Ojo, Chief Akomolafe, Ayo Ajibade, Bunmi Ogunleye and Ben Oguntuase, on behalf of other aggrieved leaders of the party, are in court challenging the validity of the process that led to the emergence of the Ekiti APC ward, local government and state executives.
Ojudu had last week raised alarm that the APC State Working Committee had mandated the party executives in Ojudu’s Ward 8, Ado Ekiti who were allegedly working on the instructions of Fayemi to begin the suspension process.
He alleged the Ado Ekiti APC Ward 8 Chairman, Mr. Clement Afolabi, was abducted and taken to unknown destination to compel him effect Ojudu’s suspension.
But rather than suspending him, the party’s ward executives acted contrary to the alleged synchronized and financially-induced plot by SWC and passed a vote of confidence on the presidential aide.
The party executives after its marathon meeting on Wednesday maintained that Ojudu has not committed any infractions to warrant any suspension, describing him as a loyal APC chieftain who has contributed immeasurably to the growth of the party in the country.
In a communique signed by Afolabi and made available to newsmen, the party executives noted that no amount of intimidation and financial inducement would make them to suspend Ojudu, stressing that the survival of the party should remain the priority of genuine leaders.
He stressed that Ojudu has not goofed with all the allegations of undemocratic tendencies allegedly being exhibited by Fayemi, appealing to party’s leaders to salvage the state chapter from sinking by adhering strictly to the principle of internal democracy as enshrined in the party’s constitution.
According to him, “Senator Babafemi Ojudu hailed from ward 8 and he is our ambassador and representative. He is very diligent, bold, hardworking and responsible son. There is no doubt he is a well-recognized stakeholder in the party and in the community at large.
“Ojudu has committed no offence as such deserve no punishment or victimisation at all for merely expressing his displeasure over issues. That on the basis of above we jointly pass a vote of confidence in him as a loyal party member.”
