The Ondo State chapter chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Ade Adetihin, has been suspended by the party for allegedly committing gross misconduct and making statements likely to incite insecurity.
Naija News has learned that a group of disgruntled youths on Saturday besieged the APC Ondo State Secretariat in Akure, the state capital, demanding the resignation of the state party chairman.
Demonstrators reportedly placed palm fronds and a white coffin with the inscription “Adetimehin must go” at the entrance to the party’s new national secretariat in Akure.
The report said young people were outraged by Adetimehin’s alleged call for military intervention in Nigeria.
Subsequently, the APC Executive Committee of Ofosu Ward of Idanre Local Government convened an emergency meeting and suspended Mr. Adetihin for allegedly making inflammatory statements.
The suspension letter was signed by the ward mayor, Olabisi Adepegba, as well as 14 other members of the executive council, including vice-chairman Olabisi Oyewole and secretary Olanrewaju Akinnuoye.
On the contrary, APC Public Relations Manager in Ondo State, Steve Otaroro, issued a statement rejecting Adetihin’s demand for his resignation.
“We want to make clear that this action is not only constitutionally flawed, but also undermines the principles of fairness and due process that our party stands for,” Otaro said.
Party leaders argued that important processes were not followed in the case, making the request for a stay invalid.
“The decision taken by the Ofosu Ward Exco of Idanre Local Government is inconsistent with the provisions of our constitution and is therefore invalid.The reasons given for this suspension lack substance and detail. , suggesting that the measures taken may have stemmed from personal grievances rather than legitimate concerns about the leadership,” Channels Television quoted him as saying.
Mr. Otaroro maintained that Mr. Adetihin remains the APC chairman in Ondo State.
“We would like to reiterate that the College of Engineering, Mr. Ade Adetihin remains the rightful Chairman of the APC in Ondo State. “His leadership is critical as we prepare for the municipal elections. We will not allow diversions by individuals with ulterior motives to hinder our goals,” he said.
He sued for peace within the party and promised that those responsible for violating the protocol would be disciplined.
“We call on the loyal members of the Idanre LG to refrain from any acts of retaliation against the members of Ofosu Exco who were involved in this unjust suspension. Rest assured that you will face the appropriate consequences. For now, our priority is to focus on the campaign and ensure a successful LG election.”
However, Naija News reported that at the time of filing this report, the suspended chairman is yet to issue a public statement regarding the allegations and calls for his resignation.
