By Musa Baba Adamu
Officials of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), from Gayam Electoral Ward of Lafia Local Government Area, have suspended Aliyu Bello, the State Chairman of the party, over alleged anti-party activities.
Ibrahim Iliyasu, Chairman of APC Gayam Ward, announced the suspension of the state party chairman at a press conference on Tuesday in Lafia.
The chairman, who read the suspension later signed by himself and 13 other wards executives, said the decision followed an investigation of complaints by ward members about the chairman’s anti-party activities.
“We have credible evidence and reports that he has openly promoted and campaigned for a member of another political party contrary to article 21 (1), (11), (VII) of the party constitution,” he said.
Mr Iliyasu noted that the state chairman’s action had caused embarrassment to the party and had undermined the credibility of the effort among its members.
“We have decided to suspend you with immediate effect in line with the powers vested in us as ward executive under article 21 (D), (I), (III) of the constitution of our party and having consulted widely with stakeholders within the ward,” he said.
He also said that the decision would be communicated to the Lafia Local Government Area Executive, State Executive Committee and the National Working Committee for ratification and further necessary action.
He, therefore, urged the APC Chairman to refrain from parading himself as a member or official of the party pending the conclusion of the process.
Meanwhile, Douglas Otaru, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, had issued a statement on behalf of the State Working Committees, raising alarm over an alledged plan by a governorship aspirant to remove Aliyu Bello as state chairman of the party.
Mr Otaru pointed out that ward officials of the party lacked constitutional authority to pass a vote of no confidence, suspend, or expel a State Executive Committee member of the party.
He, therefore, warned that the party would not hesitate to take disciplinary action against any party member found to be involved in the plan to remove the state chairman.
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