By James Shim
Imminent crisis looms in the All Progressives Congress, APC, Benue State Chapter as the party prepares for her membership revalidation and registration exercise.
The State Chapter of the party has directed the immediate suspension of thirteen members in Ushongo Local Government Area for alleged violation of Article 21 (a) of the part’s constitution.
State Chairman of the Party, Comrade Abba Yaro, conveyed the suspension order in a letter titled, “Notice of Suspension” addressed to the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Party in Ushongo Local Government, Hon. Mrs. Msoo Tar, on Friday, 23rd January, 2021.
According to the letter, “Pursuant to conducts contrary to Article 21(a) of the All Progressives Congress Constitution, the following APC members from Ushongo Local Government are hereby suspended with immediate effect”
The suspended members are, Barr. Terhemba Shior, Mrs. Hembadoon Agashua, Barr. Stanley Iorvihi, Mrs. Mwuese Atir, Mr. Azenda Orlu and Mr. Saater Tiseer.
Others included Mr. Tivkaa Adekwagh, Mr. Matthew Atsor (Mbaawe), Mr. Aondohemba Akende (Mbaaka), Mr. Samuel Akough, Mrs. Mercy Terver, Mr. Iornumbe Iyangba and Mr. Nder Tyokyaa.
Efforts of The Voice Political Desk to get details of the suspension order from the State Chairman could not yield results.
A close source to the Secretariat disclosed that the party’s chairman Comrade Abba Yaro was in Abuja and his phone number was not available to be given to Correspondent for contact.
However, in a reaction to the suspension, the group of thirteen suspended persons said in a copy sent to The Voice Politics via what’s app that, “We the affected persons being leaders and shareholders of the party in Ushongo LG wish to categorically state for benefit of our esteemed supporters and followers as follows” that,
“The said NOTICE OF SUSPENSION is purportedly signed by ‘the state chairman’ whereas what we have is the caretaker chairman of APC in Benue state. Accordingly, the notice is not signed by comrade Abba Yaro, who is the state caretaker chairman.
“The said notice is based on article 21 B of APC constitution which contains various disciplinary offences but we are not accused of committing any of the said offences contained therein and Article 21 B referred to is made subject to the rule as to fair hearing but the said notice is issued in violation of the said rules as we were not contacted or confronted with any allegation of wrong doing before the notice was issued.
“The notice is not addressed, directed or communicated to any of us and is hurriedly and mischievously issued in attempt to exclude us from the forth coming registration exercise and congresses by mischief makers and political adversaries.
“There is no complaint against us from anybody or arising from our respective wards requiring any disciplinary measure. We have been loyal party members of the APC for a period of eleven years now.
“The acting caretaker chairman does not have the power to suspend us from the party. Any valid suspension of our membership can only come from the executive committees of our respective wards.
“The suspension notice is a nullity and handiwork of mischief workers. We urge our members, followers and the general public to disregard the suspension.
According to one among the suspended, Saater Tiseer,” the act further exposed the rot in the party in Benue”
He added that” it shows the state exco operates on a cash and carry basis”.
