Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani, yesterday denied knowledge of his suspension from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Usani told reporters at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar where he was welcomed by supporters they were in the process of rebuilding the party for a greater future.
Speaking on the conflict within the party in the state, he said: “Every party has a fight and how you resolve it is what is important. My worry is within the limits of known partisan tradition and conflict.
“We are resolving it. When a resolution takes place, whether amicably or by victory, the important thing is that there is a resolution and we are resolving it.”
Weeks ago, the acting chairman of the party, John Ochalla, after a meeting of the state working committee, announced Usani’s suspension.
He accused the minister of working against the interest of the party by holding “illegal meetings” to install a new chairman to do his bidding.
A faction of the party led by the State Organising Secretary, Ekpe Owan Ayang, held a meeting where it declared Usani’s suspension as null.
The faction went ahead to announce the suspension of Ochalla as well as the National Vice Chairman South-South, Ntufam Hilliard Eta from the party.
In a meeting at the party’s secretariat last Tuesday, the factional group declared Etim John as new acting chairman of the party in the state.
But a statement from the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Bolaji Abdulahi, countered the endorsement, saying Ochalla remained the chairman.
He warned members involved in the appointment of a new acting chairman would be disciplined.
But reacting John, who arrived Calabar with Usani, said the statement from the National Publicity Secretary was a misnomer.
“That statement, as far as I am concerned, is a misnomer. The party guidelines stipulate clearly how and acting chairman is appointed.
“As far is this concerned, Ochalla is yet to be appointed or elected because he only came in to hold brief,” John said.
Ochalla took over as acting chairman of the party after Usani, who was the chairman, was appointed Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
