ONDO APC CRISIS DEEPENS AS JIMOH IBRAHIM’S WARD EXCO SPLIT OVER HIS MEMBERSHIP STATUS

Confusion has engulfed the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday as the Igbotako ward II executives remained sharply divided over the membership status of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim in the party.

In a letter signed by the ward secretary, Mr Sola Omotoye, and 15 others, Ibrahim was suspended from the party over alleged insubordination and anti-party activities. 

Other key figures in the ward who signed the suspension letter included Abdulkadri Saliu (Organising Secretary), Akinbobola Seyi (Youth Leader), and 10 assistant ward executives.

However, another letter signed by the ward chairman, Adetokunbo Omotola, and 21 others passed a vote of confidence on the senator, representing Ondo South at the National Assembly. 

Notable party executives who signed the document include the Vice-Chairman, Oseyemi Arikawe, Secretary, Omotayo, Treasurer, Mewayenu Olayemi, Women Leader, Abiye Balogun, Youth Leader, Oluseyi Olasanmi, Legal Adviser, Tayo Adeyelu, and others.

About 20 elders of the party in the ward and two local government executive members, Otekaye Sunday, Secretary, and Oluwole Musa, Assistant P.R.O., were also part of those who passed the vote of confidence.

Interestingly, the names and signatures of the Ward Secretary, Omotoye, and the Youth Leader, Olasanmi, were included in the document supporting Ibrahim, despite their involvement in the suspension letter.

The ‘News Eyes Daily’ gathered that the meeting where the members passed a vote of confidence on Jimoh Ibrahim was held last week Thursday. 

During the Thursday meeting, they backed the senator’s decision to challenge the APC governorship primary election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate for the November 16 poll at the court.

They expressed shock at how the Governor Usman Ododo-led Committee came about the figures it allotted to contestants in the election.

They declared their unflinching support for the senator in his pursuit of justice in court concerning the governorship primary of the party in which several wards and all aspirants were deprived of voting.

However, in the letter of suspension, another faction led by the Secretary accused Ibrahim of insubordination and anti-party activities. 

The faction cited Ibrahim’s decision to sue the party and his anti-party activities as the basis for his suspension, stating that these actions violated the party’s constitution.

Senator Ibrahim’s sususpension is effective immediately, in accordance with Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.

The letter reads, “We, the members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, convened a meeting on Monday, May 13th, 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 Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities By Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.

“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja.

“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions. 

“Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them. 

“Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets”.