The former minister who defected to the All Progressives COngress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is accused of trying to destroy the former
- He is also allegedly being used by a former governor in the state to cause tension and confusion in the APC
Nigeria’s former minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory, Senator John James Akpanudoedeghe, has been expelled from the All Progressives Congress (APC), NAIJ.com has learnt.
The former minister was expelled from the APC after various allegations
The former minister, who joined the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had engaged in a lingering political battle with top members of the party from Akwa Ibom state where he hails from.
He had earlier been accused of being used by a former governor, to whom he is allegedly loyal, to destabilize the party.
A letter addressed by the party in the state to the national vice chairman and zonal chairman of the party proves the decision to send the former senator away was final.
The letter with the title: ‘Expulsion of Senator John James Akpanudoedeghe’, read in part: "Consequent upon the ratification of Sen John James Akpanudoedeghe's suspension and the recommendation of his total expulsion from the party by the Uyo chapter executive committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had emanated from his (Udoedeghe's) earlier suspension by the executive committee of his ward, that is, APC Ward 6, Uyo.”
The party said: "Whereas we had received a letter of ratification of suspension in respect to Sen JJ Udoedeghe dated 16th January, 2017, from the Uyo chapter executive committee, signed by not less than 28 out of 37 members of the said exco (copy attached as annexture A);
"And whereas the said ratification of suspension was sequel to an earlier suspension of the same person by the APC, Ward 6 Exco, in a letter signed on their behalf by Messrs Michael Tom and Uyoata Sunday, ward chairman and ward secretary respectively, dated 9th January, 2017 (copy attached as annexture B);
"And whereas the action of the said ward executive committee resulted from an earlier petition by some stakeholders of the party to wit: Messrs Solomon John and Effiong Uboh dated 18th December, 2016, in which they accused the said Sen JJ Udoedeghe of allegedly committing series of anti-party offences (copy attached as annexture C);
"And whereas the state executive committee from the time of receipt of the said letter and the evidence attached thereto, up until the time of taking this decision, has not received any letter of appeal from the accused, Sen John James Akpanudoedeghe, contradicting the allegations made against him;
The expulsion letter and its signatories
"We wish to state that we are convinced based on evidence before us and the concomitant conducts of the accused (Sen JJ Udoedeghe), some of which are, but not limited to:
"Sponsorship of thugs and disgruntled elements on 18th January, 2017, to attack, harass, intimidate and cause grievous bodily harm on staff and executive members of the party at the state secretariat located on No 4 Atiku Abubarkar Avenue, Uyo, in contravention of Article 21 A (vii) of the party's constitution;
"Past and most recent unauthorised publications (copies attached as annexture D) with intention to malign, ridicule, and further cause confusion and disunity within the party, thereby contravening Article 21 A (v) of the party's constitution, etc.”
The party said as a result of the alleged offences, Sen Akpanudoedeghe is expelled in linewith article 13.7 (vi) of the APC.
The former minister was yet to officially react at the time of this report.
