The crisis rocking Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new twist following the suspension of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who is representing Ondo South Senatorial District, for alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.
Ibrahim, a governorship aspirant who contested the ticket of the party with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was suspended by 27 executive members in Igbotako Ward II and two party exco members in Okitipupa Local Council.
In a communiqué issued after a meeting by the ward exco in Igbotako, the APC members hinged their actions on the resolve of Ibrahim to take legal action against the party.
Among those who signed the communiquè are the ward Chairman, Omotola Adetokunbo; the Vice Chairman, Oseyemi Arikawe, and the secretary, Sola Omotoye, among others.
However, no fewer than 55 executives and members of the party in the ward have passed vote of confidence on the senator.
The loyalists of the party, during an emergency meeting held in the ward, pledged their support for the senator over his stance to seek the intervention of the court in the shadow election, which he described as a mega fraud.
Those who signed the resolutions include Otekaye Alana Sunday and Oluwole Musa, Secretary and Assistant Public Relations Officer of the party, respectively.
Meanwhile, Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Alex Kalejaye, said that the state chapter was not aware of the purported suspension of the senator.
The communiqué reads in part: “We, the members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Council of Ondo State, convened a meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024.
“During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members.
“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to violate the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities.
“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator JimohFolorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities under Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.
“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25, 2024, in Abuja.
“During the meeting, Ganduje urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent governor of Ondo State, Lucky OrimisanAiyedatiwa.
“Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proceeded to sue the governor and the APC, blatantly disregarding the party’s instructions.
“Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt the APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about the party in various media outlets.”
