The political landscape in Nasarawa State took a dramatic turn Tuesday as the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Aliyu Bello, was suspended by party executives in his ward over allegations of anti-party activities.
The suspension, announced during a press briefing in Lafia by Ibrahim Ilyasu, Chairman of APC in Gayam Ward, Lafia Local Government Area, came just hours after state party leaders passed a vote of confidence in Bello at an emergency meeting in the state capital.
According to Ilyasu, the decision to suspend Bello was unanimous and followed extensive consultations with stakeholders within the ward. He cited a violation of Article 21 of the APC Constitution as the basis for the action.
“In line with the powers vested in us as ward executives under Article 21 (D) (i)-(iii) of the APC constitution… we have resolved that you, Hon. Aliyu Bello, are hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect,” Ilyasu declared.
He alleged that the embattled state chairman was engaged in anti-party activities, including openly promoting and campaigning for an aspirant from another political party, an act he said brought the APC into “ridicule and disrepute.”
“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 (0), (ii), and (vii),” Ilyasu said.
He further stated that Bello’s alleged actions had embarrassed the party and undermined its internal discipline and cohesion.
“Your actions have caused embarrassment to the party, undermined the credibility of our collective efforts, and constitute a serious breach of party loyalty and discipline,” he added.
The ward executives called on Bello to desist from parading himself as a member or official of the APC pending the conclusion of disciplinary processes.
In response to the developments, the APC’s State Publicity Secretary, Otaru Douglas, had earlier issued a statement alleging that a governorship aspirant in the state was behind a “planned and sponsored” plot to remove the chairman through orchestrated suspension attempts.
So far, the state executive committee of the APC has not officially responded to the suspension announced by the Gayam Ward leadership, raising questions about the validity and enforceability of the action within party hierarchy.
The situation underscores deepening internal tensions within the APC in Nasarawa State, as the party prepares for upcoming elections and continues to grapple with leadership rifts and factional struggles.
More updates are expected as the party at the state and national levels responds to the unfolding political drama.
