Angry APC members attack Bayelsa chairman

There appears to be cracks in the All Progressives Congress, Bayelsa State chapter, as some angry members have launched verbal attacks on the APC state Chairman, Mr. Tiwe Orunimighe, over his leadership style.

The angry members, under the auspices of Third Force, have accused the chairman of being highhanded, autocratic, disrespectful and divisive.

They also accused him of spending N7.2m brought for the inauguration of state executive council without the approval of the exco members.

Third Force, led by Michael Oyanimighan and said to be sympathetic to the shortchanged Senatorial Vice-Chairman elect for Bayelsa Central, Mr. Joseph Fafi, contended that Orunimighe’s leadership was creating division in the party.

The group said, “Tiwe Orunimighe is highhanded, autocratic and disrespectful. His actions have succeeded in dividing the APC family in Bayelsa State.

“Also, the APC state chairman vehemently refused to swear in the party’s senatorial vice-chairman elect for Bayelsa Central, Mr. Joseph Fafi. In his stead, one Falla was sworn in. This action is unacceptable and undemocratic. It is against the provisions of APC Constitution.

“Article 21 (11) of the constitution specifically states that anybody that tampers with delegate list, election result, nomination of party officers will be expelled and prosecuted.”

They also accused Orunimighe of shutting down the state’s secretariat, saying the action was taken without recourse to staff and party members.

“It is curious that Orunimighe locked up and took the keys of the state secretariat. Also, the N7.2m brought for inauguration of state executive council was spent without the approval of the Exco,” they alleged.

They also took a swipe at the leader of the party and former Governor Timipre Sylva, saying Sylva had been leading the party from outside, using his cronies to cause confusion.

But Orunimighe fired back at his critics, saying they were ingrates and bad eggs of the APC.

He said, “Apart from former Governor Timipre Sylva that has given us money, I spent my own money for so many things. Where is the highhandedness coming from? All things done in that party are done according to national directives.

“They are miscreants who want to spoil a purposeful and alternative party for Bayelsans. We have suffered lack of purposeful leadership because of the Peoples Democratic Party monopoly. Look at the so-called members, what are their political antecedents and integrity? They are politicians who think they will take the party to pay their rents and feed themselves.”

In his comment, Secretary of APC in Bayelsa, Mr. Marlin Daniel, said the aggrieved members were renegades who were uncomfortable that they could not manipulate the APC leadership.

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Angry APC members attack Bayelsa chairman