By Ovie Okpare
The crisis rocking the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday got messier as the State Working Committee (SWC) has demanded for the stepping aside of Prophet Jones Erue as state party chairman.
The SWC at a press conference on Wednesday in Effurun, Delta State, accused Prophet Erue of being the brain behind the fresh crisis bedeviling the state chapter of the party.
Erue-led SWC had on Monday announced the suspension of some executive members of the party over alleged gross misconduct.
However, at a press conference attended by members of the State Working Committee (SWC), the Delta APC Secretary, Comrade Chidi Okonji alleged that Prophet Erue had refused to convene a meeting of the SWC since March 2019 to look into the party’s activities after 2019 general elections.
It also described the suspension of the Delta State Deputy Chairman (Engr Elvis Ayomanor), Woman Leader (Dr. ( Mrs.) Janet Oyubu), Delta South Senatorial Chairman (Mr. Tosan Awani), and 6 others as illegal.
According to Okonji, “The APC Delta State Executive Committee met to review the fresh crisis rocking the party in Delta State arising from the ‘ unilateral and arbitrary constitution of vacant senatorial positions in APC Delta State’ and the illegal suspension of the Delta State Deputy Chairman (Engr Elvis
Ayomanor), Woman Leader (Dr. ( Mrs.) Janet Oyubu). Delta South Sanatorial Chairman (Mr. Tosan Awani), and 6 others for alleged misconduct.
“The Delta State APC State Working Committee (SWC) or State Executive Committee (SEC) did not meet on the 18th of January, 2020 and have not met since March 2019, after the General
elections neither has the State Secretariat in Asaba been opened for business since then.
“Therefore, at no time was any meeting held to take decisions on the above subject matters. The State Executive Committee observed that at no time was any complaint or allegation sent to the Delta State APC Executive Committee in compliance with Article 21(B) of the Party’s Constitution.
“Therefore, the State Executive Committee (SCC) has decided that the decision of the State Chairman, Prophet Jones Ode Erue, taken from his bedroom is null and void, a violation of
Articles 20 and 21 of the Party’s Constitution, particularly Article 21(D) vi which guarantees an officer the right to fair hearing.”
He disclosed that a five-man panel of enquiry has been constituted to review the chairman’s involvement over allegations of misappropriation of party funds, refusal to convene SWC meeting as well as antics to create internal crisis among leaders of the party.
“The meeting held that the Delta State APC Chairman, Prophet Jones Ode Erue, is the major problem of APC in Delta State. That his antics of playing party leaders against each other for pecuniary benefits has divided the party along major fault lines since 2014 when the party was formed.
“That he has persistently refused to give account or provide information on all funds of the party. Monies collected from sales of forms for Local Government elections, General elections, grants from the National office, donations and gifts to the party have all gone unaccounted for.
“That his persistent refusal and/or failure to call State Working Committee (SWC) and State Executive Committee (SEC) meetings have made the Party dysfunctional lacking in intamal
cohesion and harmony. The State Secretariat in Asaba has remained firmly under lock and keys with administrative staff and security men owed 16 months of salary and benefits.
“The State Executive Committee (SEC) has tremendous respect and regard for all party leaders. It is not fighting against or for any party leader, but insists that the right thing should be done at all
times. The party belongs to all leaders and members jointly.
“The meeting therefore held that the APC State Chairman, Prophet Jones Ode Erue, in the light of the above weighty allegations against him, cannot be a judge in his own cause. He should step
aside as Chairman.
“A five-man disciplinary/facts-finding Committee is hereby constituted to look into all allegations above and others that may arise during the hearing and report back to the meeting in two weeks.”
