The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has given the member representing Ughelli North/ Ughelli South/Udu Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Francis Ejiroghene Waive, seven days to explain why he openly endorsed the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori for a second term in office or risk suspension.
Governor Oborevwori is in the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a letter signed by the state APC chairman, Omeni Sobotie, addressed to the federal lawmaker and obtained by SaharaReporters, the party’s leadership summoned the lawmaker to appear before a disciplinary panel within seven days to explain his action which the party described as “gross anti-party activity”.
The letter reads in part, “The attention of the leadership of the State Executive Committee of our great party has been drawn to a video recording that was posted online, wherein you were seen and heard openly canvassing for support and endorsing the second term ambition of the Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has now gone viral and seen by millions of viewers all over the nation and beyond.
“This action by you, a sitting member of the party at the National Assembly is a gross display of anti-party behaviour that has caused public opprobrium and brought the image of the party into disrepute contrary to the provisions of the Article 21: 21 (I) & (ii) of the constitution of the party.
“Consequently, take notice that you have 7 days within the receipt of this letter to appear in person and give cogent reasons why severe disciplinary measures should not be taken against you by the party.”
An executive member of the party in the state who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, said, “Actually, the leadership of our party has not been happy with Francis Ejiroghene Waive over a letter of commendation he sent to the state governor, thanking him for an SUV gift.
“This action really infuriated some leaders of the party, especially the former Deputy Senate President and a trap was set for him and he was put under serious watch and as God will have it, he finally fell into the trap by openly endorsing the governor for a second tenure.”
Waive’s appreciation letter to the governor after receiving the SUV, in May 2024, reads, “You have done what has never been done in our history by extending this kind gesture to all irrespective of political party affiliation.
“Today, I received mine and all of us in the Delta caucus of the 10th National Assembly appreciate you. You have demonstrated again and again that you are governor of all Deltans and posterity will not forget you. This is a new dawn in our polity; please keep carrying everyone along, because, this is the right thing to do and our State and you too will reap the benefits.”
A chieftain of the APC who spoke on condition of anonymity told SaharaReporters that Waive is “ready to damn all consequences that might result from his invitation and will not mind leaving the party for another party to realise his third-term ambition come 2027”.
