NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
The chairman of the Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Aliyu Bello, has been suspended. Bello’s suspension was announced by the Party’s officials in Gayam ward in Lafia Local Government Area. Ibrahim Iliyasu, chairman of Gayam ward, said Dr. Bello’s anti-party activities have been a source of embarrassment to the Party, hence belittling efforts at holding credible elections to take the Party to enviable heights.
Iliyasu and his ward executive allege that Dr. Bello had been hobnobbing with a governorship aspirant from another political party. He said such action contravenes the party’s constitution and standard ethics. “We, the undersigned Executive members of the All Progressives Congress, Gayam ward in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, have hereby written to formally suspend you, Hon. Aliyu Bello, from the party with immediate effect,” he read from a prepared speech.
Giving reasons for the suspension, Iliyasu said “The decision arises as a result of investigation of complaints by ward members of your anti-party activities contrary to Article 21 of the APC constitution(as amended) which outlines the conduct expected of members and the disciplinary measures to be taken against infractions,” he said, noting that “Specifically, we have credible evidence and reports that you have openly promoted and campaigned a member of another political party, in direct violation of Article 21(i), (ii) and (vii) which prohibits (a) engaging in acts that tend to bring the Party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute (b)Engaging in anti-party activities (c)Membership, promotion or support of rival political parties.”
The ward chairman then, the breach of these constitutional provisions has brought “Embarrassment to the party, undermined credibility of our collective efforts and constitutes a serious breach of party loyalty and discipline.” He noted that following consultation with stakeholders, the ward exco has suspended the State chairman from the party with immediate effect, pending a review by the higher organs of the APC. Dr. Bello was then urged to abstain from parading himself as the State Party chairman of the APC until the matter is conclusively dealt with.
Aliyu Bello’s travails, insiders say, have been brewing for a while. On Monday, Douglas Otaru, publicity secretary of the APC in Nasarawa State, issued a statement affirming Bello’s leadership of the party. He was beside himself when he noted that officials at the war level lack the authorisation to suspend the State chairman. He cautioned those opposed to Bello to tread carefully. “For clarity, the ward officials lack the constitutional authority to pass a vote of no confidence, suspend or expel a State Executive Committee member. We strongly caution that any party official found to be involved will face disciplinary action under the party’s constitution.
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