Former APC governorship aspirant Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, has been suspended indefinitely by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oredo ward 01, Oredo local government area of Edo State , over anti-party activities during the Presidential and National Assembly election in the state.
Gen. Ariavbere contested the governorship election with former governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2012 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and also contested as aspirant with governor Godwin Obaseki in 2016 under the APC.
His suspension was announced in a press statement jointly signed by Felix Ehigiegba, Edward Oviawe, Chairman and Secretary of Oredo Ward 1 respectively; and 20 others, and addressed to the party hierarchy.
According to the statement, the retired general worked against the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the party in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.
They alleged that Gen. Ariavbere, on the election day, deliberately withheld tags and other party tools meant for agents and APC members thereby, hindering their movement on the field
“Gen. Arhiavbere canvassed for votes for the PDP and thereby worked against our candidates, President Muhammadu Buhari and National Assembly candidates.
Also, Gen. Arhiavbere openly told our party agents and loyalists that they should make sure APC didn’t win the Presidential and National Assembly election,” they said.
Baased on these Gen. Arhiavbere unpardonable actions against the APC and coupled with hard evidence against him, the undersigned executive of Oredo Ward I, met and moved a vote of no confidence on him and thereby, suspended him indefinitely from the APC with immediate effect,”
Responding to inquiry from our Correspondent on the phone, Arhiavbere described his alleged suspension as “a gang-up to discourage him from contesting the next governorship election in the state.”
He said there has never been a time he worked against the interest of the party, stressing that the allegations were the handiwork of his political enemies
He said: “I’m not aware of that. I don’t know what could have led to that. There are laid down procedures in APC constitution. If that has not been followed, then there must be a gang-up or a coup to discourage those they see as threat.
“Definitely, it has to do with the 2019 governorship election in the state. That must be a sinister movement against those perceived to be a threat. It is a case of let us take down the heavyweights, let us take them down now. That is politics, but that is not democracy. But, if we are practising democracy, let us practice it right.
“There are laid down procedures. Learning about my suspension is not even supposed to be in the Press; it is supposed to be from the Ward. Nobody has invited me, nobody has discussed anything with me or that I failed to show up.”
When asked if he truly campaigned for the opposition, Arhiavbere asked; “Where’s the evidence? I spent my money to host people in my house, all the youths that came to vote. I am the only person who has an active campaign office, right behind the voting unit at Oredo. That’s the rallying point.
“It is a case of calling the dog a bad name to hang it. I didn’t contest, so, why should I be singled out?
“I was not funded to lead any campaign, neither did I hold back any campaign money. There must be a strategic calumny to discourage me from contesting, that is where it is coming from.”