NO AMOUNT OF GESTAPO & ARM-TWISTING STRATEGY BY THE PDP CAN BLUR MY VISION TO SEEK ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE PARTY’S FINANCES

Kassim Afegbua.

Former Commissioner for Information in Edo State, Prince Kassim Afegbua has reacted to his purported expulsion by the state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Edo state, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, contained in stories going the Media today.

The a letter dated May 17, 2021 and entitled “Re: Resolution of the expulsion of Kassim Afegbua as a member of PDP”, said Afegbua failed to appear before disciplinary committees setup by his ward, local government area and at the state levels and Afegbua’s expulsion comes on the heels of his petition to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission (ICPC), demanding, among other things, that they investigate how the party leadership allegedly spent N10billion it generated during the purchase of forms for the 2019 general election.

While PDP insisted that it generated N4.6billion, the EFCC has since invited some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) over the allegation.

But in a swift reaction, Kassim Afegbua denied ever being invited by a disciplinary committee of any king, opined that the state Chairman was only acting a script given to him by the National Chairman, Uche Secondus.

He said, “First and foremost, it is a blatant lie that I was ever invited to any disciplinary committee. The state chairman is just acting the script of one Uche Secondus who is desperately making effort to carry out a misplaced political vendetta because of my petition to the EFCC to seek accountability and transparency. Secondly, a so-called state disciplinary committee cannot shave my hair in my absence, knowing full well in their heart of hearts, that no invitation was extended to me to answer to any query whatsoever. When some executives sit down in the comfort of their homes to generate an expulsion of someone you have not tried, in line with the relevant provisions of the party's constitution, it goes to show how hollow and pedestrian the party has become in the hands of a few who see it as their meal ticket.

According to him, Once I get the letter, I will immediately instruct my Lawyers to seek legal redress of this absurdity, just to make the point that illegality should not endure. Linking my purported expulsion on the basis of my role in the September 2020 election is not only ridiculous, laughable and draconian, it exposes the dubiety of a self-serving system that leaves a sour grape in our mouth. It is not only anachronistic to note that a party that is in opposition, that ought to apply the best and finest tradition of legality and justice in handling issues of internal democracy, is, by its nebulous action, caught pants down in charting the path of self-aggrandizement.

This kind of stereotypical verbiage is only possible in a party run by jungle justice and persons of warped intellect buoyed by obtuse reasoning.

If this ridiculous, laughable and purported expulsion is meant to dissuade me from pursuing my call for transparency, accountability and probity in the management of the party's resources, let it be known that I will pursue my call to a logical conclusion.

No amount of gestapo or arm-twisting strategies or tactics can blur my vision to take the party's leadership to the altar of accountability in the management of public finances, as captured in the PDP. Whether as a private citizen, bona-fide member of a party or voter, I have the inalienable right to raise concerns whenever I suspect that there are foul plays.

Instead of subscribing to their oath of office to live above board, and by extension submit to the investigation presently ongoing by the EFCC, the Edo chapter of the PDP is being railroaded, armtwisted, cajoled and prevailed upon to embark on illegalities that cannot stand the test of justice and fair play.

I need to re-emphasise the point that the Uche Secondus-led leadership of the party has outlived its usefulness and become grossly incompetent to lead the party in the face of our present political emanations. A virile opposition that is desirous to make an impact in the forthcoming elections cannot, by any stretch of imagination, parade the present lacklustre leadership. My call remains unequivocal, altruistic, holistic and utility-driven. No amount of blackmail and ambush can dissolve my resolve to follow the path of good conscience in pursuit of public good.

The procedure for expelling any member is well captured in the party's constitution, from the Ward, Local Government and State Working Committee, after exploring all the issues raised and the member, being made to provide response to the issues. Waking up from your dream and expelling any member without following the procedure is barbaric, ridiculous, illegal, self-serving and utterly reprehensible.