By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako Ward 10, Mr. Oshawo Stephen, has dismissed claims that the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as a member of the party has been lifted, insisting that the ward executives stand by their suspension of the erstwhile National Chairman of the APC.
In a statement on Saturday which was obtained by TheNiche, Oshawo said the ward executives who were elected into office in 2018 remain intact and have not been displaced by anybody, describing the claims of the lifting of the suspension as a charade.
The Ward chairman’s clarification came shortly after news broke that reprieve may be on the way for the embattled Oshiomhole, following the purported lifting of the suspension placed on him by his Ward in Edo State, the reason for which he was sacked by the court.
The recent suspension of Oshiomhole by an order of the Appeal Court, which upheld the ruling of a high court, has led to the leadership crisis within the ruling party.
The Secretary of Ward 10 Estako in Edo State, Mr. Emuakemeh Sule, while addressing a press conference on Saturday after a faction of the Ward 10 executives met with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, said that the suspension was lifted because it lacked merit.
He noted that the resolution of Ward 10 executives was reached at a meeting held on June 4, 2020 at the APC secretariat Apana-Uzairue, Edo State.
Sule stated: “That we have reviewed the circumstances leading to the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and found no merit in the allegation or processes employed.
“We hereby lift the suspension placed on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Ward. We call on all organs of our great party to restore all rights and privileges of membership to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.”
Sule stressed that the resolution was adopted and signed by; Adizetu Jafaru, Vice Chairman; Angela Egherua Assistant Secretary; Imokhai Patrick, Financial Secretary, Alufah Paul, among others.
Speaking, the factional acting national chairman of the party, Mr. Hilliard Eta, confirmed that the NWC had received the resolution of Etsako West Ward 10, adding that 17 out of 27 members signed the resolution.
But Oshawo dismissed the claim that Oshiomhole’s suspension has been lifted.
According to him, “The suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the ward executives remains valid. The statements to the contrary in the media are false and should be disregarded. We stand by our decision and have no reservation on the action as it is in the best interest of the party.
“The ward executives as well as our counterparts at the Etsako West Local Government level stand by the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole for his divisive role in the crisis rocking the APC in Edo State.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of APC in Etsako West LGA, Ezolomhe Rabiat, also affirmed that the LGA executives are still members of the party in the state and stand by the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole.
