APC Overrules Suspension Of North East National Vice Chair

The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, nullified the reported suspension of the National Vice Chairman, North East of the party, Mustapha Salihu by the Zonal Working Committee.

Recall that the Zonal Working Committee of the ruling APC had in a letter to the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Saturday, announced the suspension of Salihu.

Salihu was accused of substituting names of some aspirants that won the just concluded primaries in the zone.

“Having failed to fulfill or appear before this Honourable body, the North East Zonal Office called upon at Jose Martins Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja dated 11/10/2018.

“This letter is an expression of our `Vote of No Confidence’ in Mr Mustapha Salihu based on the power vested on us in article 21D: VI, he is hereby suspended with immediate effect for his inability to run the party affairs judiciously, prudently, democratically and accountable,’’ the letter suspending Salihu had read.

But speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the APC deputy chairman dismissed the allegations against him, saying those who took the decision to suspend him had no constitutional right to do so.

The national leadership of the APC, in a statement by its new National Publicity Secretary Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, maintained Salihu’s claim that the committee that suspended him did not have the powers to do so.

APC said there are avenues for redress in case of a dispute, adding that the party will wade in the matter to achieve an amicable settlement.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the purported suspension of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman (North East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu by the “North East Zonal Office”.

“We state categorically that the purported suspension is a nullity as the “North East Zonal Office” does not have such powers to suspend a National Officer. According to the Party’s constitution, such powers reside with the National Executive Committee (NEC).

“Whatever issues there might be, the party structure and constitution provide ample avenues for redress and dispute resolution.

“If the “North East Zonal Office” is unable to achieve a resolution, the National Working Committee (NWC) can and will wade in the matter to achieve amicable settlement.”