Ekiti APC Describes Ajimobi’s Appointment As Fraudulent

The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has rejected the appointment of the former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, as the new Deputy National Chairman of the party.

The Ekiti chapter of the party described that statement announcing appointment was a fraudulent assertion.

The party in a statement through its spokesperson, Ade Ajayi, described the decision of the National Working Committee as null and void.

Ajayi noted that the South-West caucus of the party had a meeting in Lagos on January 31 and called on chairmen and other members of the caucus to meet and decide on the matter.

The party further revealed that the caucus also met on February 4 at Osogbo, the Osun State capital and it was inconclusive.

“How can the party now issue a statement on March 4 that a decision was taken on Jan. 14? As far as the Ekiti APC is concerned, our nominee for the vacant position of the Deputy Vice Chairman (South) is Sen. Gbenga Aluko and we have not ceded our right to the position”.

The party noted that it is unfortunate that NWC went against the position of NEC which it revealed was the only body empowered by the party’s constitution to ratify the nomination of candidates.

The Ekiti APC also revealed that NWC wrote to the leadership of the South-West caucus in February to submit the name of their nominees to fill the vacant position.

“How come then that the decision for ratification was taken on January 14? Meanwhile, one should ask: whose prerogative is it to ratify the nomination? Is it that of NWC or NEC?”

“From the provisions of the APC constitution, it is clear that only NEC can ratify such nominations. Suffice, therefore, to say that the purported ratification by NWC of Ajimobi’s nomination is an effort in futility”.

The party also recalled that an aggrieved aspirant to the contentious vacant position had instituted an action at the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, praying against any nomination or announcement of anyone to fill the vacant position, pending the determination of the suit.

According to it, all the parties to the suit have been duly served, including the office of the National Chairman.

“For anyone to go ahead to take any decision or action while the matter is pending before a court of competent jurisdiction will not only amount to overreaching the court but contempt and nullity of the purported action and decision.”