APC Suspends State Chairman Amid Controversy

By Arthur Maduka

Aliyu Bello, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, has been suspended by party leaders in his home ward over allegations of anti-party activities. The announcement, made by the APC leadership of Gayam Ward in Lafia Local Government Area, followed what was described as a unanimous decision citing a breach of the party’s constitution.

The suspension came just hours after APC leaders in Nasarawa passed a vote of confidence in Bello during an emergency meeting held in Lafia, the state capital. However, ward chairman Ibrahim Ilyasu said the ward executives acted in accordance with Article 21 of the APC constitution, accusing Bello of violating provisions related to party discipline and loyalty.

According to Ilyasu, Bello was found to have promoted and campaigned for a candidate from another political party, a move he said brought the APC into disrepute. He stressed that the decision was taken after wide consultation with local stakeholders. “We have credible evidence and reports that you have openly promoted and campaigned for a member of another political party, in direct violation of Article 21,” Ilyasu stated during a press briefing in Lafia.

The suspension, he added, takes immediate effect, and Bello has been warned to stop identifying as a party member or official pending further proceedings. “Your actions have caused embarrassment to the party and undermined our collective credibility,” he said.

Meanwhile, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Otaru Douglas, had earlier raised concerns about an alleged plot by a governorship aspirant in the state to orchestrate Bello’s suspension.