Leaders and executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 8, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.
The executives made the declaration after its marathon meeting in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday as they maintained that the presidential aide has done nothing wrong to warrant any suspension, while describing him as a loyal and worthy party man who has contributed immensely to the development of the party.
Ojudu, alongside Dr Wole Oluyede, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, Chief Akomolafe, Engr Ayo Ajibade, Bunmi Ogunleye and Ben Oguntuase, on behalf of other aggrieved leaders of the party, are in court challenging the validity of the party’s ward, local government and state executives.
The case filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja had twice been mentioned in court and adjourned till July 6 for further hearing.
Ojudu had, in a recent interview, accused Governor Kayode Fayemi of running the affairs of the party as his personal business, saying all internal mechanisms towards resolving all issue had been frustrated by the governor.
Consequently, Ojudu’s ward chairman, Mr Clement Afolabi, was said to have been invited last weekend with promise of a huge some of money to begin the process of suspending the former senator from the party.
A mild drama also ensued on Monday when bags of rice distributed by Ojudu to party executives in Ado-Ekiti were returned to his residence after three months.
However, reading the communique on behalf of other members on Wednesday, the chairman of the Ward, Mr. Afolabi, said no amount of intimidation and financial inducement from state leaders of the party would make them suspend Ojudu.
He maintained that the executives align themselves with all the issues raised by Ojudu in the interview, while calling on all stakeholders to adhere to the constitution of the party.
“Senator Babafemi Ojudu hailed from ward 8 and he is our ambassador and representative. He is very diligent, bold , hardworking and responsible son. There is no doubt he is a well recognized stakeholder in the party and in the community at large.
“Ojudu has committed no offence as such deserve no punishment or victimisation at all for merely expressing his displeasure over issues. That on the basis of the above, we jointly pass a vote of confidence in him as a loyal party member.
“That the sustainability with survival as well as proper management of our party, APC, remain our focus and responsibilities which should on no circumstances be toyed with by any individuals.
“That we should practice true democracy in Ekiti the way it should be done by allowing people to choose their own representatives,” Afolabi said.