In Rivers State, the faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Emeka Beke has urged the national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, to step aside.
During a media briefing held in Port Harcourt, the embattled Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Darlington Nwauju, stressed the importance of Ganduje addressing his suspension at the ward level or seeking legal redress to maintain his position.
Nwauju emphasized that the party’s constitution stipulates that only ward executives and members have the authority to suspend or expel individuals. He urged the suspended national Chairman to relinquish his position and allow his Deputy to oversee party affairs.
“The suspension or expulsion of party members is solely the responsibility of the party’s foundational organ, which is the Ward,” Nwauju pointed out.
Referring to article 9 of the party’s constitution, Nwauju highlighted the significance of membership within the Wards and the procedures for disciplining members according to article 21(3).
With the affirmation of Ganduje’s suspension by a High Court, Nwauju stressed the urgency for him to step down as National Chairman, allowing the Deputy National Chairman (North) to temporarily assume the chairmanship. This arrangement would persist until a final decision is reached or a replacement is appointed by the National Executive Committee.
Furthermore, Nwauju underlined the party’s moral duty to consider the North Central region in appointing a new National Chairman, following the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu.
Expressing his views, Nwauju stated, “I hope that the party seizes this opportunity to correct the past oversight and appoint a deserving candidate from the North Central as the National Chairman of our esteemed party.”