Another Top APC Member Suspended

The National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Murtala Yakubu, has been suspended for alleged gross insubordination and anti-party activities among others.

Naija News reports that Yakubu l is also a member of the National Working Committee of the APC.

The APC spokesperson was sanctioned by the executive members of his local constituency in Ward 1, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

His suspension was contained in a letter dated March 20 and titled, “Suspension of Your Membership From Ajaka Ward 1,” and was officially signed by 27 members of the executive team of the ward, including the ex-officios.

Naija News reports that the letter was also sent to high ranking members of the party including the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi; North Central Vice Chairman, Kogi State Chairman, Kogi East Zonal Chairman and the State Party Chairman.

The APC accused Yakubu of insubordination, gross misconduct, unguided statement, running parallel party structure and encouraging factionalism in the ppartyl, stressing that his suspension took place with immediate effect.

The statement read, “Following the resolution of Ajaka Ward 1 executive members held on March 17, in Ajaka, Ajaka-Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, you (Yakubu) are hereby suspended from the membership of party in the Ward on the ground of insubordination, gross misconduct, unguided statement demeaning the personalities of the founder of the party, Late Prince Abubakar Audu and the Leader of the Party in the State, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello at different occasions;

“Running parallel party structure and encouraging factionalism capable of creating division and rancour among party loyalists since 2020; Anti-party activities too numerous to be mentioned, particularly, on February 23, 2023 that you organised a parallel rally against the Presidential Campaign Council directive in Ajaka Ward 1 which embarrassed and demeaned the party.

“The suspension is with immediate effect while we urge the state Secretariat and National Secretariat to endorse our resolution with the necessary action.”

When contacted by The PUNCH , a member of the NWC and Vice Chairman for APC South East, Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, expressed surprise about his suspension.

“I am aware that certain party stalwarts were axed in the last couple of days. But I am not aware that Yakubu was among those suspended at the local level.

“The truth is that I spoke with him about an hour ago and he didn’t appear worried or show any form of concern at all. If he is truly suspended, that would be worrisome. This is because, to the best of my knowledge, Yakubu has shown a lot of support to the party, in fact in the whole of Kogi State.

“Unless there is a power struggle somewhere, which I am not aware of, he is a great guy. As I earlier said, we have just had a very long conversation and he didn’t betray any emotion.”

While explaining the process of suspending a member, Arodiogbu stated that the local ward would write the state chapter explaining the offence(s) while the latter would send correspondence to the zone, which in turn would intimate the NWC.

He said: “Ordinarily, the state is not supposed to write to the national chairman for suspension. It is expected to liase with the zonal chapter, which will investigate and make recommendations. These are not what happened in one day alone.”

Tinubu: APC Suspends SGF Boss Mustapha, Gives Reasons

Recall that the Adamawa State All Progressives Congress (APC) had also suspended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, for losing his polling unit at the presidential and governorship election.

Announcing the suspension at a press conference in Yola, chairman of Gwadabawa Ward disclosed that the SGF did not contribute to the victory of its presidential and governorship candidates.

The party said Mustapha was not committed to APC’s victory at the presidential election, stating that the indefinite suspension followed complaints from his ward.

The Ward chairman stated that no individual could be above the party that gave them the platform.