APGA probes suspended leader

The leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has constituted a three-man committee to investigate allegations of anti-party activities levelled against its leaders in Edo State.

The National Chairman of the party, Victor Oye, also ordered the immediate suspension of the state’s executive council of the party.

In the interim, the party approved a 20-man Ad-hoc Election Committee.

Consequently, it has appointed Mr. Emmanuel Ani and Frank-Gold Oikerhe as interim state chairman and secretary of the party in the state.

The APGA’s south-south National Vice Chairman, Ogbuechi Tony Eboka, who addressed newsmen after the meeting, said the party had no intention of fronting for any other political party.

The suspended state’s chairman, Mr. Godfrey Ehimen was alleged to have sourced funds from other political parties.

He explained that the action of the suspended leaders negated the spirit and letters of the party, in line with Article 22 of the APGA’s constitution.

He said APGA took the decision to suspend them after its meeting at the party’s state campaign headquarters in Benin City yesterday.

According to Eboka, it also deliberated on matters relating to the forthcoming governorship election and resolved that it would participate in it.

It re-affirmed that the party’s candidate, Osaro Onaiwu is still contesting the rescheduled polls, which are scheduled to hold on Wednesday next week.

Parts of the communiqué issued by the committee reads: “That in line with the APGA constitution, the state chairman Elder Godfrey Ehimen remains suspended indefinitely from office, pending the investigation and report of the allegation against him.

“That the people masquerading as APGA members, negotiating and soliciting funds from other political parties for the Edo governorship election are disgruntled and faceless persons looking for bread and butter.’’