By: Felix Ikpotor
Sequel to the spate of suspensions and counter suspensions rocking the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the national secretariat of the party has declared as illegal and unconstitutional the purported suspension of some members of the party by the Isaac Ogbubula led faction in the state.
The Ogbubula faction loyal to transportation minister, Chibuike Amaechi had last weekend suspended Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, Igo Aguma, Worgu Boms and other bigwigs of the party not loyal to the minister.
The Aguma faction also fought back by suspending Amaechi, Ogbubula and others.
Dare Oketade, Head Legal Services of the APC in a letter addressed to Isaac Ogbubula and dated 23rd December, 2020, described the suspensions as illegal, unconstitutional and a distraction to the peace initiative of the national caretaker committee.
Okatade who in the letter claimed he had the authority of the National Caretaker Committee led by Governor Mai Mala Buni, reminded the Ogbubula faction of its core mandate which is to reconcile aggrieved members of the party and to accommodate all shades of interest no matter how variant it might be.
The letter reads thus: “The National Secretariat of the Party has reviewed the purported suspension of several members of the party in Rivers State as having not been in accordance with the procedures as set out by the provisions of the constitution of our party. Therefore the purported suspension of several persons including Senator Magnus Abe, who is a revered leader of the party in Rivers State is not in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution and a distraction to the national leadership of the party, which is focused on the reconciliation of members and rebuilding of the party from bottom to up”
“ It is upon my further instruction to advice that all media brickbats with relation to the suspension and counter suspensions be suspended forthwith and efforts be taken to assist the South South Reconciliation Committee headed by Chief John Odigie Oyegun in its effort to reconcile all warring members of the party in Rivers State”
