From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the purported suspension of a former Commissioner for Transport, Power and Renewable Energy, Mathew Omale-Omale, describing the action as “null, void and of no consequence.”
The party was reacting to a letter circulating on social media, purportedly signed by the APC Chairman of Iga-Okpaya Ward, Echehoyi Oinu, and Secretary, Oyegwa Elijah.
The letter announced Omale-Omale’s suspension over allegations of anti-party activities, high-handedness and insubordination to constituted party authority.
According to the purported ward executive, Omale-Omale was invited through a text message on September 11, 2026, to attend a meeting the following day to respond to the allegations against him.
The group claimed that the former APC State Legal Officer failed to appear before it or respond to the allegations within the stipulated 24 hours, prompting his suspension in accordance with what it described as the party’s internal disciplinary framework.
However, the Benue APC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, disowned the suspension and questioned the authority of those behind it.
Ihomun described Omale-Omale as a founding member of the APC in Benue State and a key stakeholder in the Benue South Senatorial District who had contributed significantly to the growth and development of the party.
He said the individuals who purportedly signed the suspension letter were not recognised members of the APC Ward Executive Committee in Iga-Okpaya and, therefore, lacked the authority to initiate disciplinary action against any party member.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no properly constituted and recognised Ward Executive Committee of the APC in Iga-Okpaya Ward has suspended Hon. Omale-Omale,” Ihomun said.
He maintained that any document issued by individuals without the requisite authority could not constitute a valid disciplinary action under the party’s constitution and procedures.
“The purported suspension is therefore null, void, invalid and of no consequence whatsoever,” he said.
Ihomun urged APC members, the public and relevant authorities to disregard the suspension letter, stressing that it did not represent the position or decision of the Benue State chapter of the party.
He added that the APC remained committed to due process and its constitutional procedures and would not allow individuals operating outside recognised party structures to create confusion, impersonate party organs or unlawfully interfere with the rights of legitimate members.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
