ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- There are speculations that the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ebonyi State Chapter is allegedly plotting to suspend Ann Agom-Eze, from the Party.
Agom-Eze was Governor David Umahi’s closeth rival for APC Ebonyi South Senatorial ticket.
It was gathered that the move to suspend Mrs Agom-Eze by the leadership of the party in the state, was made known last week.
However, it was stalled by some party faithful at her (Agom-Eze) Umudomi Ward in the Onicha Local Government Area of the state.
It was learnt that the alleged move was geared towards removing her from the party, so as to pave way for Governor Umahi’s victory in the matter pertaining to the party’s Senstorial ticket, pending at the Court of Appeal Abuja.
Reacting to the development on Monday, Nwachukwu John, a stakeholder of the party at Umudomi Ward, said there was a plot to suspend the female politician.
He said, “But the people and stakeholders of Onicha Clan have decided that whoever does anything against her constitutional ambition, will be regarded as enemy of all.
“Yes, there is a plot to suspend Ann Agom-Eze. The Chairman and Secretary of Umudomi Ward were invited by the Zonal Chairman (Ebonyi South) of the APC in the presence of others that they should sign a document purporting to suspend her. But they declined and said they would want to first discuss it with the Ward executives and stakeholders, before taking such a decision.
“Based on that, a meeting was convened comprising the executives and stakeholders. Some of us were there and other stakeholders, too. And we came up with some resolutions, which were based on the fact that the matter in question, was still pending in the Appeal Court Abuja and that we won’t discuss a matter that’s still in the Court and that it would be sub-judiced to the Court process. And we turned down any efforts by anybody to coerce anybody from the Ward to sign any document against her.
“That was what happened and currently everybody in this ward is against any move by anybody to do anything against her especially, now that God is paving way for her. In fact, anybody planning to block this lady from pursuing her ambition, will become an enemy of Onicha Clan. In fact, after the meeting, I posted something on our group WhatsApp. People called and commended us and warned that nobody should do anything to coerce or humiliate her.”
Reacting, Mrs Agom-Eze, said, “I have heard about it. The ward chairman called me and said he was summoned to Abakaliki, where he was informed that there was need for me to be suspended. I think what he told them was that he was going to call a meeting of the ward executives and relay the message to them.
“From the report that I saw, eventually the meeting was convened. And even the Vice Chairman (Ebonyi South) had to visit the Umudomi Ward Chairman in his village, for this very matter. After that, they met and came up with a communique.
“It’s obvious truth that the governor is behind all this move. I was already aware of this plot to remove me before my interview with the AIT. It’s crystally clear that the governor and Ebonyi South Zonal Chairman of the APC, are behind this.
“I call on all my supporters to remain calm and law-abiding. The matter is in court, and as lawful people, they shouldn’t do anything that would be tantamount contempt of court. I want them to be mindful of the fact that until the determination of the matter, no action should be taken. I have not committed any crime; I’m just pursuing my constitutional rights.”
Efforts to reach the the Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha and the Vice Chairman (Ebonyi South), Mr Nwazi, proved abortive. They neither picked calls nor responded to messages sent to their phones.
But in a swift reaction, the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Chidi Ogbuatu Simba, on Monday, said Mrs Agom-Eze committed many offences that should warrant her suspension from the party.
He said, “Yes she has committed expulsion offences and bridged constitutional norms.”