The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leadership for Etsako East Local Government Area, LGA in Edo State, has confirmed the suspension of its governorship candidate, Pastor Azemhe Azena, due to a trending video where he supposedly endorsed the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The suspension notification letter, signed by the party Chairman, Chief Paul Omo Ogwemoh; Secretary, Mr. John Obeakhemhe; Assistant Youth Leader, Mr. Vice Ogiriga; and several ward chairmen, was made available to newsmen in Benin City, Edo State capital.
The letter said that Pastor Azena was suspended for his “anti-party activities,” claiming he openly backed the APC candidate in a widely circulated online video at a church event in Auchi, Edo State.
The letter also mentioned that this move brought “a great deal of shame, mockery, and humiliation” to the party. It also accused the suspended governorship candidate of showing “great disrespect for the party’s leaders and members in Etsako East Local Government Area,” resulting in division within the party.
The letter copies were also sent to the NNPP’s national chairman and the party’s South-South chairman, pending approval by the state executive council.
Azena has refuted the suspension allegation, urging the public to ignore the notice.
