The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reversed its nullification of the expulsion of the former Executive Director (Projects) Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Cairo Ojougboh from the party.
Recall that on Monday, June 5, 2023, the national leadership of APC through a letter by its National Legal Adviser, Ahmad Usman El-Marzup, described the expulsion of Dr Ojougboh in March 2023, by the leadership of the Ika South Local Government Area chapter of the party in Delta State led by the Chairman, Mr Hilary Ibude as “null, void and of no effect.”
But, the APC National Legal Adviser in another letter dated Wednesday, June 7, 2023, back-stepped on its earlier decision and announced the ratification of the expulsion of Dr Cairo Ojougboh based on subsequent facts which revealed inconsistencies in the claims and actions of the ex-EDP of NDDC.
In the letter retracting that issued on Monday, June 5, 2023, addressed to the law firm that authored the appeal of Ojougboh, the APC National Legal Adviser explained that based on Ojougboh’s citing lack of fair hearing and presenting certain documents in support of his case, he “had initially formed an opinion that Dr. Ojougboh ought to have been afforded fair hearing with regards to the disciplinary action of expulsion meted out against him”.
His letter reads in full below:
“I am writing to address the recent developments regarding the expulsion of your client, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh from the Party.
“As you may recall, your client vide your letter dated 28th of March, 2023 had appealed against his expulsion from the Party, citing lack of fair hearing and presented certain documents in support of his case. Upon an examination of the provided materials, I had initially formed an opinion that Dr. Ojougboh ought to have been afforded fair hearing with regards to the disciplinary action of expulsion meted out against him.
“However, subsequent facts have come to light, revealing inconsistencies in your client’s claims and actions. It has come to our attention that Dr. Ojougboh has filed an action against the Party in SUIT NO: A/82/2023 BETWEEN DR. CAIRO OJOUGBOH VS ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS & 3 ORS regarding his expulsion, thereby circumventing the internal dispute resolution mechanisms prescribed by the Party’s Constitution.
“It is important to state that filing a matter in Court without first exhausting the Party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms is a gross violation of Article 21.5 (v) of the Party’s Constitution and such an offense carries the punishment of expulsion.
“Furthermore, Dr. Ojougboh constituted an illegal parallel Executive Committee within the party, which purportedly expelled Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy Senate President and gubernatorial candidate of the Party in Delta State. Article 21.2 (vi) of the Party’s Constitution explicitly prohibits the establishment of parallel structures or any Organ of the Party and such an offense necessitates disciplinary action.
“In addition, there are video clips of Dr. Ojougboh circulating the media space, wherein he is seen to be lampooning and celebrating the inability of the Party and its candidate to win the Gubernatorial election in Delta State which is glaringly an anti – party activity.
“After a thorough review of these emerging facts, the Party has been advised that the expulsion of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh by the State Executive Committee in Delta State is valid and justified. It is further advised that the expulsion Dr. Cairo Ojougboh from the Party with specific reference to Article 21. 5 (v) of the Constitution of the Party be affirmed.
“Therefore, I must formally retract the earlier letter sent to you. It is now clear that the expulsion of Dr. Ojougboh from the Party is valid, based on his violation of the Party’s Constitution by filing an action in Court against the Party and establishing an illegal parallel executive committee to carry out his machinations aimed at destabilizing the Party.
“I request that you communicate these developments and the Party’s position to your client, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh. It is crucial that he understands the grounds upon which his expulsion has been ratified by the Party and that the decision is final.
“Please accept the assurance of my highest regards.”
