Crisis Hits Lagos APC as Party Splits into Factions.

The Lagos Chapter of All Progressives Congress has splited into factions over alleged marginalisation by members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change.

This came barely 48 hours to party's  State Stakeholders' Forum at the defunct ACN's Secretariat (now APC Secretariat) at Acme road, Ikeja, Lagos.

While a faction was led by the Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Otunba Oladele Ajomale, the other faction has Chairman of the defunct CPC, Ajibade Emiabata, as its leader.

Emiabata in a "statement of protest" made available to our correspondent on Friday asked members of defunct CPC to regard him as the Lagos Chiarman of APC.

In the statement, the defunct Lagos CPC Chiarman alleged that he and other Chairmen of the defunct political parties (All Nigeria's People Party and All Progressives Grand Alliance) that formed the merger were "completely" sidelined.

He wondered why there was no special recognition of the other parties during the forum, saying the whole process was dominated by the defunct ACN leaders.

He said, "Since Saturday, May 11, 2013, the Lagos State CPC along with ACN and ANPP adopted the name All Progressives Congress (APC) as a common party. Thereafter, interim National Executive was put in place at Abuja where it was agreed to have a state harmonization Committee across the federation which was constituted by all Legacy parties but in Lagos State, the committee was never inaugurated by the officer saddled with the responsibility, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, who conspired with the leadership of defunct ACN in Lagos State not to carry it out.

"Sadly, our case in Lagos State is terribly different. The party structures of defunct ACN led by Ajomale not only reconvened in the name of APC but operate solely and take decisions independently of the other legacy parties especially the defunct CPC on behalf of APC in Lagos State. This unfortunate incident nearly marred the party membership Registration Exercise but the State Leadership of the CPC calmed the storm in order to ensure the success of the merger that produced APC with passion."

While lamenting the marginalisation, he said, "We are not going to leave the party for them. We are still members of the party. We are going no where because we are part of the merger. The fact that they are majority doesn't mean they shouldn't recognise us. We are not asking for equal right, but we want to be recognised."

Emiabata, however, threatened that members of defunct CPC across the state will boycott the forthcoming Congress in Lagos unless there was harmonization or template on the merger.

The congress is expected to start on Saturday(today) and end with National Convention on Saturday, May 24.

"We are not bothered whether it's going to be effective or not, we are making a statement, no harmonization, no congress. I hereby direct all leaders, officers and members of the defunct CPC in APC to submit themselves only to my authority as the Chairman of APC in Lagos, and affirm the total dis-association of Lagos APC from Otunba Oladele Ajomale's unilaterally organized ward Congresses for Saturday across 376 wards of Lagos State. Finally, I call on all party members to remain calm, steadfast, and continue with their normal party business and to await further directives and developments," he said.

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