Edo APC lawmaker-elect dismisses suspension by party – Tribune Online

An Edo State House of Assembly member-elect, Mr. Chris Okaeben has faulted the recent suspension slammed on him by the Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over anti-party activities.

Okaeben (Oredo West), was among the 16 of the 24 lawmakers who were not invited during the last June 17 inauguration of the House because of his opposition to the choice of the Speaker, Mr. Frank Okiye (Esan North East 1), a loyalist of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The aggrieved lawmaker who spoke in Benin yesterday insisted that the local branch of the party, which had also suspended Gen. Charles Arhiavbere, a former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate before switching camp to the ruling party, has no such power to suspend him.

He said: “Only the APC State executive council has such powers to suspend me and must be approved by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. Martin Osakwe of Oredo Ward 2, is a defector from the PDP who recently joined the APC and does not know the workings of the party.”

The suspension was announced on Friday at an enlarged meeting of APC members in the local government area followed the recommendations of a 5-man panel set up on July 1, to investigate Okaeben’s misconduct.

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According to Mr. Godwin Alabi, the chairman who read the report of the findings to members of the party noted that move was in line with the provisions of Article 21 of the party’s constitution which stipulates disciplinary actions for erring members.

Alabi explained that the suspension of the lawmaker-elect was as a result of his failure to honour several invitations extended to him to disclose his grievances against the party.

“Following his utterances, the APC in the council area asked him to apologise but he refused to comply with the party’s directive, rather he threatened the life of the chairman of the party in the council area, Godwin Alabi.”

The Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Mr. Jenkins Osunde, said “the party has taken a decision on Chris Okaeben” and urged that the party’s attention should now be focused on supporting Governor Godwin Obaseki to deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo people.

A member of the party in Oredo Ward 7, Mr. Tony Alile, who moved the suspension motion, said Okaeben violated the party’s rules and was subsequently suspended for his action while Martins Osakue of Oredo Ward 2, said the suspension was in order, as there was need to put members in check from time to time, assuring that Okaeben could be forgiven if he apologises.

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