The Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, Apapa Local Government chapter has suspended a former chairman of the local government, Hon Elijah Owolabi Adele for dragging the party to court, describing the act as disgraceful.
The party had accused Adele of anti-party which he had since denied.
In a letter of suspension signed by the party Vice Chairman, Comrade Oye Olumide; Secretary, Adediwura and others and dated 26th July 2021, the party said it was shocked by the move made by the former council boss, despite signing an undertaking to abide by any decisions taken by the party on the primary election.
The letter read in part, “We are shocked by your recent behaviour of taking the party, APC to court, an act which you had vehemently kicked against earlier.
The case of a party member, Mr Bamidele Avose comes to mind. Bearing this in mind and also the undertaking signed by your humble self as one of the chairmanship aspirants during the last primary election held on the 29th day of May 2021 to abide by the party’s decision on the primary, we hereby suspend you from the party through this letter.”
Justifying its decision to suspend the former council boss, the party quoted Article 21 of the party’s constitution to support its action.
As a fallout of the primary election held on May 29, the Lagos APC has been enmeshed in intra-party squabbles which Adele claimed to have won but was denied the ticket of the party.
Consequently, he dragged the party to court seeking redress and to reclaim his mandate as he said he was unfairly treated.
Reacting to the development, the State’s Legal Adviser of the party, Barr. Sadiq Ademola, said, the action of the local government chapter of the party is in line with the provisions of the constitution of the party, adding that the local chapter of the party has the power to discipline any erring member.