APC ward leaders in Edo suspend Airhiavbere, party leadership faults suspension

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oredo Ward One, Edo State, yesterday suspended a former governorship aspirant of the party, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), for alleged anti-party activities.

But the state chapter of the party, through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Azebamwan, had distanced itself from the purported suspension of the former governorship aspirant, saying the party was not aware of the purported suspension.

Azebamwan stated this in Benin while reacting to the suspension.

The Oredo Ward I of the party in a press statement signed by its Chairman, Felix Ehigiegba and 21 others, had alleged that the retired general worked against President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the party in the just-concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

According to him: “We wish to bring to the notice of the party hierarchy anti-party acts/actions carried out by one of the leaders of Oredo Ward One APC – Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) – during the last general elections held on February 23, 2019 (Presidential and National Assembly).

“Sir, it will interest you to note that on March 3, 2019, an enlarged APC leadership meeting was held. In that meeting, one of the leaders from ward one, Samson Abu, openly revealed how Gen. Airhiavbere was involved in anti-party activities against the APC.

“Though Gen. Airhiavbere was unavoidably absent at that meeting. Based on series of complaints from different quarters about Gen. Charles Airhiavbere’s actions towards the party, an investigative panel was set up to find out the true picture.

“Based on Gen. Airhiavbere unpardonable actions against the APC and coupled with hard evidence against him, the undersigned executive of Oredo Ward I met and moved a vote of no confidence on him and he is thereby suspended indefinitely from the All Progressive Congress with immediate effect.”

Meanwhile, Airhiavbere in a statement issued by his media adviser, Mr. Edosa Okunbo in Benin on his purported suspension, said the illegal action was the handiwork of those terrified of his interest in the 2020 gubernatorial primaries in the party.