For Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, his purported suspension from the All Progressives Congress (APC)is joke taken too far.
His reaction comes as the National Working Committee (NWC) moved to douse tension in the crisis-ridden party in the State.
In a statement on Friday, same day a faction of the party suspended Fayemi, his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said, “The All Progressives Congress as a party is governed by laws. Members of the group cannot hide under their recent suspension to announce a dubious suspension they lack the locus to handle.
“While one would have dismissed their claims as another failed attempt to polarise the party in the state, it is also important to put it on record that the action of the group smacks of criminal impersonation as none of those who signed the purported suspension letter were executive members of the party at ward, local government or state level.
“The action is but a joke taken too far as they never had such power they want to arrogate to themselves while they were members of the party, much less now that they have been suspended.
“Governor Fayemi however remains unperturbed by these antics of the suspended members.
“Well-meaning members of the public as well as members of the APC are urged to disregard the news of the purported suspension as it only exists in the imagination of members of the group.
Recall that Fayemi and the Paul Omotosho-led State Executives Council were suspended for alleged anti-party activities by a faction.
A day earlier, the Omotosho-led State Working Committee Senator Babafemi suspended Ojudu and 10 others following report of the Patrick Ajigbolamu-led eight-man disciplinary committee set up to probe allegations of anti-party activities levelled against them.
In a disclaimer, the NWC said the suspension of Governor Kayode Fayemi and others is a nullify.
It said in a statement by Yekini Nabena, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary
said: “The attention of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a purported and widely-reported “suspension” of the Governor of Ekiti State, H.E. Kayode Fayemi as well as an earlier reported “indefinite suspension” of some other party members in the state.
“The actions are a nullity as the Party’s National Secretariat is yet to receive communication from the state chapter on the purported “suspensions”. We strongly advise all members to adhere to our Party constitution.
“Governor Kayode Fayemi remains the leader of the party in Ekiti State.
“In line with the mandate of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee and the President’s admonition to party members to ensure and support ongoing amicable and rancour-free settlement of internal party disputes, we call on our esteemed party members and leaders in Ekiti State to be duly guided.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Architect Paul Omotosho-chaired APC Ekiti State Working Committee is the authentic, valid and duly recognised Executive as no factions or divisions exist in the State Chapter”.