The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Umagbae North Ward 05, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, of Edo State and Hon. Billy Osawaru, the member representing Uhunmwode/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency at the National Assembly are at loggerheads over loads of issues bothering on his alleged indefinite suspension from the party.
While the party through a Press Statement reaffirmed his purported indefinite suspension insisting that “the reaffirmation was necessary to counter misleading videos and pictures suggesting that Osawaru’s suspension had been lifted.”
According to the party, “Hon . Osawaru was originally suspended on October 16, 2024, after failing to appear before a three-man panel investigating eight allegations against him. His suspension was later ratified by the APC Local Government Executive.
“The ward leadership condemned Osawaru’s alleged attempts to evade justice, including seeking protection at the Ayelala shrine and instigating youths in his village to ostracize the ward chairman.”
His actions, they said, disrespected Benin traditions, especially during a period of mourning in his community. The party leaders also accused Osawaru of using hired thugs to disrupt ward meetings, destroy vehicles, and threaten the ward chairman’s life.
The APC ward leadership emphasized that the party does not condone diabolical practices, reaffirming that Osawaru remains indefinitely suspended from the party.
While denying his purported suspension, the lawmaker stated that “the latest political comedy playing out in Umagbae North Ward 05, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, is nothing but a desperate, laughable, and ill-fated attempt by a few unrecognised rented voices to blackmail a performing legislator.”
Going further, he stressed: “For the avoidance of doubt, Chief Billy Osawaru remains a loyal and committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a pillar of progressive representation whose track record speaks louder than the lies concocted by these political hirelings. The so-called ‘suspension’ is a figment of the imagination of disgruntled elements who have availed themselves as tools for cheap political mercenaries, peddling misinformation in exchange for peanuts. But let it be known—The People’s Representative will not bow to cheap blackmail, nor will he be distracted by political jobbers who lack electoral value.
“Unlike his traducers, whose only relevance is tied to their ability to cause mischief, Chief Billy Osawaru has remained focused on delivering quality representation. His legislative prowess is undeniable. He recently sponsored a bill for an Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Ehor, the headquarters of Uhunmwode LGA.
“This initiative is monumental, as Ehor remains the only LGA headquarters in Edo State without a general hospital. This bill, when passed, will not only address the glaring gap in healthcare infrastructure but will also ensure that thousands of constituents have access to world-class medical services without traveling long distances.
“Beyond this, Chief Billy Osawaru has continued to champion the interests of his people on the floor of the National Assembly. When the Orhionmwon Youth Congress took to the streets in protest against the arbitrary sale of PRESCO PLC to AFRINVEST, the Honourable Member rose to the occasion and tendered a petition on their behalf, taking the matter to the National Assembly for due intervention. This singular act reaffirms his commitment to protecting the economic interests of his people, ensuring that their livelihoods are not sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed.
“These, among several other bills, motions, and constituency projects, have positioned Chief Billy Osawaru as a formidable voice in the National Assembly. His legislative footprints are undeniable, and his commitment to people-oriented projects is evident for all to see. This is why his detractors are restless. Having nothing of substance to counter his achievements, they have resorted to concocting falsehoods in a futile bid to distract him. But let them be reminded—this is not a man to be blackmailed, not a leader to be intimidated.”
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