The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo state has recommended the expulsion to the national body the expulsion of the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha from the party for anti party activities.
However, the expulsion of the governor may be a Herculean task for the party as it would need the endorsement and approval of both the National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees to become effective.
Article 21 (D)(ii) says where it is proposed to expel a member of the Executive Committee, politics, office holder, or a member of a legislative house from membership of the party, such a proposal shall be submitted to the National Executive Committee, which after deliberations on the matter may confirm or reject the proposal.
D(iii) states that a decision to expel a member of the party taken or confirmed by the National Executive Committee shall be submitted to the Board of Trustees for ratification.
Even though it exists in name, the APC does not have a Board of Trustees at the moment as it was yet to inaugurate one over four years after it was registered as a political party.
The state chapter of the party has however announced the suspension of the governor following the report of a disciplinary committee set up by the state Executive Committee of the party which found the governor guilty of engaging in action likely to bring the party into disrepute.
Article 21 A(ii) states that a party member can be subjected to disciplinary action for “anti party activities or any conduct which is likely to embarrass or have adverse effect on the party or bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute”.
Announcing the suspension of the governor, the State Chapter of the party said the decision was taken after a report of a disciplinary committee set up to investigate allegations of gross anti-party activities against Okorocha in line with Article 21 (B) I-VI of the party constitution.
The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the party in the state, Prince M.O. Nlemigbo said some of the allegations against the governor which formed the basis for its action include sponsorship of a rival political party, Action Alliance (AA) in Imo State and its governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu; open denunciation of APC and its Governorship Candidate in the State, Senator Hope Uzodinma; and openly canvassing for votes for Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship, National and State Assemblies’ candidates.
The Nation learnt that the state chapter of the party has already conveyed the decision to the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, regretting however that Okorocha who is supposedly the party’s Senatorial Candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, has vowed to undermine the APC and its electoral interest.
The party told the National Chairman that “To save the party from the machinations of Governor Anayo Rochas Okorocha, Our State Caretaker Committee highly recommends the expulsion of the governor from the APC so that he can fully move to his party, the Action Alliance (AA)”
The nine-man disciplinary committee said in its report that the governor refused to appear before it to defend himself, neither did he send any letter explaining his decision or his absence.
In its report signed by the Chairman, Hon. Mathew Omegara and Secretary, Barrister Kelvin Ugwu, the committee said there was evidence that Gov.Okorocha was involved in anti party activities and should therefore be expelled from the party.
Part of the report reads: “The Committee has patiently and painstakingly listened to the overwhelming evidence of Prince lkechukwu Unegbu and examined all the electronic and Media materials tendered and admitted in evidence against His excellency Anayo Rochas Okorocha anti-party activity and find as follows: “That there is overwhelming evidence that is unchallengeable of antiparty against His Excellency Anayo Rochas Okorocha.
“That His Excellency openly and brazenly sponsoring, financing and campaigning for his son-in-law Uche Nwosu who is the gubernatorial candidate of Action Alliance (AA).
“The action of His Excellency Anayo Rochas Okorocha contravenes Article 21 (A) i vi APC Constitution (October 2014 as amended) punishable under Article 2| D (i) (g). It is therefore the recommendation of the APC Disciplinary Committee that His Excellency Anayo Rochas Okorocha be expelled.”
Other members of the committee include Chief Gibson Njemanze,Barrister Sam Osuji, Barrister Pat. Evening Ngozi, Dr. Bona Nwoke Dike,Chief Henry Eguatu, Barrister Chilaka Igidi and Barrister Charles Mbakwe.