The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has suspended Jimoh Ibrahim, the senator representing Ondo South in the National Assembly, over “anti-party activities.”
Ibrahim was suspended by 16 members of the APC executive from his Igbotako Ward II in the Okitipupa Local Government Area. The suspension followed his challenge to the party’s primary, which resulted in incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa being chosen as the APC candidate for the upcoming election. Ibrahim had described the primary, held across the state’s 18 local government areas, as a “mega fraud,” claiming no election actually took place.
As one of the fifteen gubernatorial aspirants who participated in the primary, Ibrahim went to court to challenge the process, demanding its cancellation and a fresh election.
“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions to be in violation of the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party,” the ward executive members stated. “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 executives also accused Ibrahim of advising his supporters in Igbotako to leave the APC and join the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). “He has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and across Ondo State to join the NNPP, claiming he will soon receive their gubernatorial ticket. Senator Ibrahim has openly declared his intent to disrupt the APC before leaving the party, as 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 continued.
A spokesperson for Senator Ibrahim, Banji Okuomo, stated that he had yet to see the suspension letter from the ward executive members.