The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has explained the reason behind ex-Governor Segun Oni’s defection to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Oni, APC’s former Deputy National Chairman (South), defected from the party with his supporters on March 15.
He claimed that he was disrespected and his supporters shut out from appointments and elective posts.
The Director-General of his political platform “Atunse Ekiti Movement”, Dr. Ife Arowosoge, also blamed the lack of internal democracy in the APC for the decision.
He told journalists that the PDP had become better organised, having learnt from its defeat in the 2015 general election.
Arowosoge said, “PDP has learnt its lessons from the defeat of 2015 General Elections.
“It was our observation at the meeting with our loyalists, that Ekiti APC does not believe in democracy from ward, local government and state levels.
“Many of our members were threatened with expulsion and suspension. Why some handpicked ward executives were instigated to suspend Oni indefinitely.
“We sent a petition to the National Working Committee, (NWC) about this action, but nothing was done.
“For all these, “Atunse Ekiti” sees no future for its members in APC because of deep-rooted impunity and display of hatred for Segun Oni.”
But the Publicity Secretary of Ekiti APC, Mr. Ade Ajayi denied that Segun Oni was disrespected and his supporters relegated from appointments and elective posts.
He affirmed that Segun Oni was accorded the necessary respect and recognition when he joined the party in 2014.
Ajayi said the ex-governor left because he did not want to submit himself to party discipline.
“We are not surprised that he is going back to PDP where he came from, but I do not know of any shabby treatment that made him to defect to PDP.
“He was suspended from his political ward because he offended them and instead of him to attend the ward meeting to explain himself, he refused.
“Do not forget the constitution of the party stipulated that anybody, no matter how highly placed can be disciplined by the party,” Ajayi said.
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