By Jumoke Adeogun, Abeokuta
A financial crisis has engulfed the Ogun state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) as members now demand immediate suspension of the State party chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi; Secretary, Aderibigbe Tella and the Organizing Secretary, Adeyemi Adelani over alleged withdrawal of Seventy Three Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand Naira (N73,996, 000) from the Party’s Wema Bank Account.
The members in a petition addressed to APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu dated 7th September, 2022 accused the State Secretary of the party, Mr. Aderibigbe Tella of transferring money directly from the party’s Wema Bank Account 0122892910 and 0123390468 to the State Chairman and Organizing Secretary’s Personal Accounts.
A copy of the petition sent to the APC National Chairman
The petition signed by Idowu Olaonipekun Quadri from Owode-Yewa ward 1 with APC membership number: OG/LAR/05/10555 and Ayinde Suuru Bababunmi from Ifohintedo Ward with membership number OG/PKA/14/03878 explained that despite governor Abiodun’s regular funding of all party’s activities including monthly release of seven million naira (N7,000,000) for the Chairman, State Executives and Secretariat Staff’s Salaries, for which the State Executives have never released a dime to any local government, ward for meetings or any other activity.
The petitioners accused the Party Chairman and Secretary of abrogating provisions of the party Constitution as slated articles 14.6 (i-iv) and 14.8 (i-iv) and took over the functions of state financial secretary and treasurer.
They claimed that between April 27, 2022 and August 5, 2022, the trio of Mr. Aderibigbe Tella, Adeyemi Adelani and Chief Yemi Sanusi withdrawal and transferred the sum of Thirty Eighty Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-six million from the party’s Wema bank account.
They maintained that, just after the allegation of financial misappropriation surfaced online last month, the leadership of the party hid under the disguise of refunding all chairmanship aspirants in the last local government election, within the date of the notice 10th of August 2022 to 12th of August 2022, the Secretary withdrew another Thirty five million, four hundred and ten thousand naira was also withdrawn [N35,410,000] for undisclosed expenditure without paying all the chairmanship aspirant.
They, therefore, called on the APC National Chairman to expedite action on the petition and conduct a detailed investigation to establish the genuineness or otherwise of the allegations.
“On 13th day of August 2022, a detailed and an embarrassing news went viral on social media highlighting suspicious financial dealings by Chief Yemi Sanusi and some other state executive members of our party. The release contains direct withdrawal by the state secretary, direct credit transfer to the state chairman and organizing secretary personal account from the party’s account number 0122892910 and 0123390468 with Wema bank in Abeokuta.
“Sir, in the light of the above, it is of utmost necessity for your office to beam a searchlight on this ugly development. Our party is proudly one with zero tolerance for corruption. Our President and leader of the party are globally recognized as a model in the anti-corruption crusade.
“It is therefore imperative that you take proactive actions to further reinvigorate these noble ideals of our great party and that of Mr. President before the general public as a disciplined party.
“As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, our party must be a doer of what it preaches.
“Our prayers. Immediate suspension of the Chairman and all members of Ogun state executives.
“Conduct a detailed investigation to establish the genuineness or otherwise of the allegations.
“Determine the appropriateness of the beneficiaries of the withdrawals and transfers.
“Determine whether the treasurer and the financial secretary were allowed to discharge the functions of their offices as provided in the party’s constitution. Establish the purpose for which the withdrawals were made.
“Apply appropriate and commensurate sanctions to any of the officers found wanting. Our dear chairman Sir, while we understand and appreciate your workload, we humbly wish to appeal for a two-week passionate consideration of this letter and the prayers contained herein.
“While we are not unaware of the option of reporting to anti-graft agencies, it is out of our respect and belief in your leadership and genuine love for our great party that, that shall be considered as a painful secondary route.”
They further threatened to seek intervention of the anti-graft agency, EFCC if the party fails to take appropriate steps to tackle the alleged financial impropriety.
When contacted for the party’s reaction to the allegations, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye declined comment.
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