The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has suspended Jimoh Ibrahim, the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, for alleged anti-party activities.
The suspension was announced by 16 members of the APC executive from Ibrahim’s Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Government Area.
News About Nigeria reports that Ibrahim’s suspension followed his challenge to the party’s primary election, which resulted in the selection of incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the APC candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election.
Ibrahim, who participated in the primary along with fourteen other gubernatorial aspirants, had described the primary as a “mega fraud”, claiming that no election had taken place in the state.
Ibrahim subsequently took legal action to contest the primary’s outcome, seeking its cancellation and a fresh election.
The APC ward executive cited this legal challenge and other actions as violations of the party’s constitution.
“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to be in violation of the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities,” the ward executive stated in their letter.
“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities, in accordance with Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.”
The ward executive further alleged that Ibrahim had encouraged his supporters in Igbotako and across Ondo State to leave the APC and join the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), claiming he would soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them.
They accused him of openly declaring his intent to disrupt the APC before departing the party, evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about the APC in various media outlets.
“For emphasis, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso has been suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, and he is hereby prohibited from participating in any APC activities nationwide,” the letter concluded.
A spokesperson for Senator Ibrahim, Banji Okuomo, stated that he had not yet seen the suspension letter from the ward executive members.
