All is not well with the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Umagbae North Ward 5, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State as two opposing sides drag themselves less than a week after the state governorship election was won by the party.
Investigation by Popular News revealed that the management of the governorship election campaign funds allocated to the local government by the party campaign council is behind the war of attrition between the two sides.
On one side is Hon. Billy Osawaru, the member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency in the National Assembly. While on the other divide is Mr. Festus Aiwerobhiye, the ward chairman.
A release signed by Mr. Aiwerobhiye and a horde of other members of the party in the ward, stated that Hon. Osawaru has been suspended among other reasons “for embezzlement of election money thereby making APC to lose Umagbae North Ward 5 and the Uhunmwonde Local Government in the just concluded governorship election.”
Osawaru was also accused of usurpation of the office of the ward chairman; singlehandedly taking decisions without consulting the leaders and executives of the ward; high handedness during ward meetings; single handedly sharing rice palliative brought to the ward by the federal government to individuals and groups with the pretence that it’s directly from his office to seek for second term ticket without the consent of the ward executives and leaders.
Other allegations against him include spending the governorship election money that was contributed by leaders single handedly; openly campaigning for a second term at the governorship election campaign in the ward, instead of the party flagbearer, Senator Monday Okpebholo; embezzlement of election money thereby making APC to lose Umagbae North Ward 5 and the Uhunmwonde Local Government in the just concluded governorship election.
He was given two weeks to clear himself of wrongdoing before
a three man committee set up to investigate the allegations against him.
In his response, Hon. Osawaru presented a statement whereby a vote of confidence was passed on him by the ward exco while his traducer, Mr. Festus Aiwerobhiye was allegedly suspended for embezzlement, misappropriation of funds and antiparty activities.
According to the statement in support of Hon. Osawaru, “rising from an enlarged meeting, the leadership and executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Umagbae North Ward 5, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State, has passed a vote of implicit confidence on the honourable member representing the good people of Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Billy Adesuwa Osawaru.
“They rationalized their decision to pass a vote of confidence on the federal lawmaker’s outstanding conduct, leadership, and exceptional representation. The ward excos also commended and appreciated him for prioritizing their welfare as a leader of the Ward as seen in the number of projects and social services he has attracted to various communities in the ward.
“Similarly, the ward leadership also unanimously suspended the ward chairman, Mr Festus Aimerobhiye stating, gross misconduct, insubordination, financial misappropriation and anti party activities as some of the reasons for the suspension. In a statement signed by the Secretary of the ward, Prince Omogiade John, the ward excos condemned the suspended ward chairman’s aloofness during the Edo gubernatorial election ward campaign, his entire conduct before, during, and after the September 21st gubernatorial election, describing it as anti-party activities.”
Meanwhile, a five man committee has been set up by the opposing side to investigate the activities of the ward chairman.
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