Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
The All Progressives Congress, (APC) Ogbonicha Ward, in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, has disowned Prince Mustapha Mona Audu, as a member of the party. He is leading the Progressive Youths Movement (PYM) that claims to have disbanded Governor Mai Mala Buni led Caretaker Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee.
Prince Mona Audu is the son of the late Prince Abubakar Audu, former Governor of Kogi State, and Candidate of the APC in the 2015 Governorship election.
The APC Chairman of Ogbonicha Ward, Honourable Peter Onoja, disclosed to Journalists on Tuesday at a press conference held at the APC state Secretariat in Lokoja, that Prince Mustapha Mona Audu is not a member of the party.
Hon. Onoja explained that Prince Mustapha Audu defected to the Young People’s Party (YPP) in 2019 when he lost his governorship ambition at the primaries and since then has not returned to APC.
He also maintained that Prince Audu, despite appeals and reconciliation moves by the party, urging aggrieved members to return and revalidate their memberships, refused.
The Party dissociated itself from the activities of Prince Mustapha Audu, described him as not known to the party at the ward level, accused him of unruly behavior and conduct, as such has ceased being a member of the party.
The leadership crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) took a new turn as Prince Mustapha Audu, who claimed to be the leader of one of the support groups in the party, the Progressive Youth Movement (PYM), declared himself as the new Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
The movement consequently announced the disbandment of Governor Mai Mala Buni-led’s caretaker committee.
The youths also named Senate President Ahmad Lawan and House o Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila into the new CECPC as representatives of the National Assembly.
The purported new leadership said it has been saddled with the mandate to conduct the party’s national convention on February 26, 2022.
However, the National party has dissociated itself from the group called Progressive Youth Movement, saying it was alien to the party.
Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.
“We have received several inquiries from the media and concerned APC members on the felonious activities of a purported group parading itself as Progressive Youth Movement.
“The purported group and membership are unknown to the party, its structure, or as a registered support group.
“Hence, we completely disown them and cannot account for their activities or join issues with them,” the APC scribe said.
