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The All Progressives Congress (APC) , Abia State chapter, has expelled a former House of Representatives, Hon. Uzo Azubuike, who represented Aba North/ Aba South federal constituency from 2011 to 2019, over alleged anti party activities.
The party also expelled a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Chief Obinna Oriaku, citing anti-party activities.
The APC leadership stated that the expulsions were as a result of thorough investigations and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee set up by party leaderships at ward, local government and state levels “in consonant with Article 21B (i-v) of the party’s Constitution.
In a statement signed by the Abia APC chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu; Secretary, Chief Chidi Avajah and Chairman of Disciplinary Committee, Barr. Paul Nwabuisi, the party explained that it decided to wield the big stick against the two members following reports of acts of disobedience, negligence in carrying out lawful directives of the party and not being remorseful despite several warnings.
The Disciplinary Committee which investigated the duo of Azubuike and Oriaku said that it recommended the expulsion of the erring members having found substantial evidence to warrant the disciplinary action.
The expelled chieftains were alleged to have ignored letters of invitation to appear before the Disciplinary Committee at the party secretariat, Umuahia on September 26, 2022. In the invitation letter dated 20th September, 2022, signed by the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Paul Nwabuisi and Secretary, Uche Okorokwo, Azubuike and Oriaku were warned that the committee will have no choice than to give its verdict if they failed to appear before the Committee and make their defence.
Azubuike was accused of supporting the PDP governorship candidate, Prof. Uche Ikonne and donating campaign vehicles to his campaign organization.
The former lawmaker was expelled from his Ward 8, Aba North LGA while Oriaku was also sacked from his Ward 3, Isiala Ngwa South LGA. The expulsions were ratified by their respective local government chapters of APC as well as the state leadership.
Azubuike and Oriaku were members of the PDP before they defected to APC. Under the PDP, Azubuike served as Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and Commissioner for Agriculture.
Oriaku also served as Commissioner for Finance during Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s first term. He also ran for the APC governorship ticket during the May 26, 2022 primary.