The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expelled a member representing Owan Federal Constituency, Hon Pally Iriase, over alleged anti-party activities and defection to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Iriase’s expulsion was carried out by his Owan East Local Government Area of the party, and stated in a letter signed by Zuberu Kasimu Shabah and Theophilus Aigboje, chairman and secretary of the party in the council, respectively.
The party ?alleged that Ward eight and nine executives of the APC in the local government, defected to the PDP on the orders of Iriase, and that he, in addition, allegedly presented his personal assistant, Hilary Ozogo, to contest under the PDP platform, just as he refused to attend APC meetings.
In the letter addressed to the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole through the Edo APC state Chairman, Anselm Ojezua, Owan East APC said it ratified the decision of members in Ward nine, to expel Iriase.
The party said it complied with all laid-down rules and procedures, as enshrined in Article 21 of the APC constitution, in reaching the conclusion to suspend Iriase.
“I humbly invite Mr. Chairman to kindly note the decision of the Owan East chapter of the APC and grant it the very urgent attention it requires.
“The APC leadership and members in Owan East have already moved forward without Pally Iriase as we are growing in numbers everyday. This will be evident in the results we will post in the forthcoming elections.
“Iriase refused to officially inform the APC of his defection because he wants to continue to enjoy the benefit of the office of the deputy chief whip,” the Owan East local government APC further alleged.
Last Saturday, during the burial of his father, Iriase told newsmen that he is under pressure to leave the APC but that he is calm ?and focused and would remain in the party.
“I have made my direction politically very clear. I am not contesting in 2019. I am a member of the APC. People who do not want to be in the APC have left.”
