Former Agege Local Government Chairman, Ganiyu Egunjobi, and former Agege Constituency II aspirant, Azeez Yusuf, have disputed the All Progressives Congress's (APC) announcement of their expulsion. According to the duo, they resigned from the party in July, weeks before the Lagos State chapter of the APC announced their expulsion on September 23. Egunjobi and Yusuf stated this in a reaction to their expulsion, which was attributed to alleged anti-party activities and disloyalty.
The APC's Lagos Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, announced the expulsion, citing Article 9(5)(II) of the party's constitution. However, Egunjobi and Yusuf claimed they had already left the party and joined the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). They argued that it was impossible for the APC to expel members who had already resigned. The duo's decision to leave the APC was due to the party's failure to resolve their grievances over its primary elections.
Egunjobi and Yusuf contested the APC primaries for Agege Constituencies I and II but failed to secure the party's tickets. They subsequently obtained tickets to contest the seats on the platform of the APM. The APC had described their conduct as anti-party activity and disloyalty, stating that members who lost internal contests were expected to accept the outcome or pursue available avenues of redress.
The duo described the APC's announcement as an attempt to alter the circumstances surrounding their departure. They argued that the announcement raised serious questions about respect for internal democracy, due process, and the right of party members to make legitimate political choices. Egunjobi and Yusuf emphasized that their resignation and defection were publicly reported by several newspapers.
The APC's announcement appears to be a response to the duo's decision to join the APM. Egunjobi and Yusuf maintained that their decision to leave the APC was not taken lightly and was a result of the party's failure to address their concerns. They expressed confidence that their new political platform would provide them with the opportunity to contribute to the development of their constituency.
The expulsion of Egunjobi and Yusuf has sparked reactions within the APC. Some party members have expressed concerns about the party's handling of the situation, while others have defended the decision. The development has also raised questions about the party's internal democracy and its ability to manage dissent.
The incident has highlighted the challenges faced by political parties in managing internal conflicts. Egunjobi and Yusuf's decision to dispute the APC's expulsion announcement has sparked a wider debate about the role of party leadership in addressing the concerns of its members. The duo's case is likely to have implications for the APC's internal dynamics and its preparations for future elections.
Key points
- Former Lagos LG chair and aspirant claim to have resigned from APC before expulsion announcement
- APC expulsion announcement raises questions about internal democracy and due process
- Incident highlights challenges faced by political parties in managing internal conflicts
