Edo NNPP candidate Azena denies suspension after alleged APC support video

HEADLIGHTS

• NNPP in Edo State has suspended its gubernatorial candidate Pastor Azemhe Azena
• The party claims Azena endorsed the APC candidate in a viral video
• The suspension still has to be ratified by the state executive board
• Azena has denied the suspension

By Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

The leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Etsako East Local Government Area of ​​Edo State has confirmed the suspension of the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Pastor Azemhe Azena, following a video circulating online purporting to show him supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The letter announcing the suspension, signed by the local government party chairman, Chief Paul Omo Ogwemoh, Secretary John Obeakhemhe, Deputy Youth Leader Vice Ogiriga and some district chairmen, was made available to journalists in Benin City.

The letter said Pastor Azemhe Azena was suspended for his “anti-party activities” after he publicly supported the APC candidate in a widely viewed online video during a church programme in Auchi, Edo State.

The letter added that the action had brought “much shame, ridicule and embarrassment” to the party. It also accused the suspended gubernatorial candidate of having “shown so little respect to the party leaders and members in the Etsako East Local Government Area” that it had led to disunity within the party.

Copies of the letter have also been made available to the NNPP National Chairman and the South-South Chairman of the party and are awaiting ratification by the State Executive Committee.

However, Pastor Azemhe Azena has since refuted the claim of suspension and advised the public to ignore the notice.