News
APC suspends Taraba governorship candidate, stop his campaign few days to election
Senator representing Taraba South Senatorial district and the governoship candidate for Saturday’s election, Emmanuel Bwacha has been suspended over alleged anti-party activities.
The suspension of the governorship candidate suggested a deep-cut crisis in the All Progressives Congress, APC in Taraba State.
Bwacha’s suspension was contained in a letter dated March 8 and signed by all the Mararaba, Donga Local Government ward executives of the APC, which was made available to journalists on Sunday in Jalingo, capital of Taraba State.
The State Chapter of the APC has summoned him to appear before a fact finding Committee on Monday March 13, 2023 and was also asked to put on hold campaigns and rallies pending the outcome of his appearance before the Committee.
According to the letter, the.embattled governorship flag-bearer of the APC had petitions against him for which he was expected to defend.
Several calls and SMS to Bwacha for response were not replied.
The decision came on the heels of another contentious Federal High Court judgment which ordered the independent National Electoral Commission to recognize Bwacha as the governorship candidate of APC in Taraba State.
The reports that Bwacha was sacked by the Supreme Court on the grounds that the party did not conduct a valid primary.
Bwacha went ahead to conduct primaries allegedly boycotted by other aspirants.
The suspension letter reads, “The Ward Executives of APC in Mararraba Ward, are in receipt of a petition dated February 22 2023 bordering on series of complaints levelled against you (Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha) on various acts of indiscipline, misconduct, and for all intent and purposes pursuant to Article 21 of the APC constitution as follows:”
(1.) Complaints on various acts of indiscipline, misconduct and insubordination of (sic) the chairman of APC Donga Local Government, Hon. Habu Abdul Rahman as per the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/CS/13/2022.
(2.) Disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment delivered in the case of CHIEF David Sabo Kente Vs Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha on February 1 2023, and infraction on the Electoral Act 2022 and Article 21(ix) of the APC constitution 2022.
(3.) Other infamous conducts capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule and disrepute, contrary to Article 21 (ii) of the party’s constitution.
“The party is dissatisfied with your erring conducts; disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment, infraction on the Electoral Act, and infamous conducts capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule and disrepute.”
The suspension letter stated that consequently, the executives of the party in Mararraba ward had constituted and inaugurated a seven-man fact-finding and disciplinary committee to investigate the issues raised in the petition, make recommendations and report back within 14 days.
Bwacha was admonished to appear before the disciplinary committee unfailingly to be accorded fair hearing.
“Meanwhile, in the interim the party hereby suspends you (Emmanuel Bwacha)
“You are hereby directed to suspend the related illegal activities (campaign) and appear before the fact-findings committee on March 13 2023 to defend yourself against the petition. Take note that failure to appear before the panel will attract heavy consequences. All members of the party, relevant authorities and INEC are notified.”
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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