APC Expels Umahi’s Opponent Over Rebellion

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ebonyi State has expelled Ann Agom-Eze from the party over alleged rebellious and unruly behaviours.

The state chairman of the party Stanley Okoro-Emegha made this known in a statement in Abakaliki on Sunday.

Agom-Eze was Gov. David Umahi’s main challenger for the Ebonyi South senatorial ticket of the APC ahead of the 2023 polls.

He came second in the primary election which was conducted in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as Governor David Umahi’s younger brother, Austin Umahi came first.

Austin Umahi went ahead to withdraw from the election and relinquished the ticket to his  brother, David Umahi.

Displeased by his action, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) omitted Engr. Umahi’s name from their published list of candidates for the 2023 general election.

David Umahi went to the Federal High Court in Abakaliki through his counsel, Roy Nweze Umahi, to seek an order of court for INEC to publish his name as senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South zone even as Ann Agom-eze also applied to be joined in the suit.

Delivering the landmark judgment, Justice Fatun Riman cited section 115 of the Electoral Act, which forbids a person from standing two different primary elections in the same year.

He said in his judgment that such a person, if found claiming to have participated in two primary elections risks a two-year jail term.

He further affirmed that the authentic Senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South zone of the APC was Mrs Ann Agom-eze, since Austin Umahi withdrew from the race.

But in a move seen by political observers as a ploy to intimidate her, Okoro-Emegha announced her dismissal from the party on the grounds of rebellion.

He said that Agom-Eze rebelliously jeopardised her membership by violating APC’s constitution, which prohibits any act of dishonesty capable of disparaging the party or its member.

He added that Agom-Eze was initially expelled by the ward executives of APC in her Umudomi Ward in Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

“The chairman of APC, Ebonyi South Zone, Mr Ernest Nwazi through a motion, expelled Agom-Eze form the party citing rebellious and unruly behaviour.

“The chairman stated also that she fundamentally violated some sections of the party’s Constitution,’’ he stated.

“Agom-Eze has recklessly disparaged herself by eating back her words in an effort to satisfy her paymasters.

“Since her expulsion started from her ward, I cannot interfere with the decision because politics is a grassroots engagement.

“We are well schooled in her antics as she is being bankrolled by the opposition party,’’ he added.

Okoro-Emegha stated also that the APC would convincingly deliver all its candidates including Gov. Umahi at the 2023 general elections.

“The APC Ebonyi South zonal meeting which took place at Afikpo North Local Government Area headquarters witnessed massive turnout of party faithful.

“They came from additional four council areas of Afikpo North, Ivo, Ohaozara and Onitcha,’’ Okoro-Emegha stressed.