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| Timipre Sylva |
The crisis in the
Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress deepened on Saturday,
with the party announcing the indefinite suspension of its governorship
candidate in the December 5 election, Timipre Sylva, and four others for
alleged anti-party conducts and other reasons.
The
four are Joseph Fafi, the party’s senatorial vice chairman central zone;
Fortune Panebi, publicity secretary; Tonye Okio, organizing secretary; and
Edison Sogwe – for allegedly conniving with Mr. Sylva, a former governor of the
state, to destabilize the party.
A
statement jointly signed by the APC chairman in the state, Timipa Orunimighe
and secretary, Daniel Marlin, said the decision to suspend the five was taken
at an emergency state executive meeting of the party after due consultations
with its senior officials and elders in the state.
Mr.
Panebi had on Friday announced the suspension of Messrs. Orunimighe and Marlin
as well as the deputy state chairman of the party, Eddy Julius, for alleged
misconduct and embezzlement.
“The
Bayelsa State Chapter of the party this day, therefore has placed the
aforementioned individuals on an indefinite suspension pending the conclusion
of the investigations,” he said.
Messrs.
Orunimighe and Marlin, said they “took the painful but necessary decisions to
suspend our guber’ flag bearer in the 2015 elections, Chief Timipre Sylva,”
pending the investigation of the cases brought against him, including
anti-party activities, attempt to form a parallel executive committee in the
state and corruption.
On
anti-party conducts, the party said, “We have it on good record Timipre Sylva,
last week Tuesday precisely, paid a clandestine visit to one of the south-south
Governors of the PDP; this is just one of the series of correspondences between
them and we find it grossly unbecoming.
It said
the action of the former governor was in direct breach of Article 21 under
‘Offences’ in the party constitution which states in section 2, ‘Anti-Party
activities or any conduct, which is likely to embarrass or have adverse effect
on the party or bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute’
is punishable.
It also
said by trying to form a parallel executive committee, Mr. Sylva’s action “is
in complete defiance of Article 21, under offences which states,
‘Factionalization or creating parallel party organs at any level’ is punishable
by the extremists of means.”
The
party said the former governor’s “antics betrays the present posture of
Buhari’s regime which has cardinal virtues of honesty, sincerity and
transparency.”
It also
accused Mr, Sylva of engaging in corruption, indiscipline and trading of
political offices.
“We
find it deeply embarrassing his relentless efforts to commercialize political
offices,” it said.
“Worse
still, is that, members of the opposition who vehemently stood against the
change ideal and still do not believe in our party’s course are with him on the
bargaining table.
“This
is not in fidelity with the party’s constitution which states in Article 21,
section 1, subsection 3 of the party constitution.”
The
party said it tried to advise Mr. Sylva on the dangers of his behaviours to no
avail.
“We
have tried on countless occasions to advise him on the dangers of his untoward
behaviours, but each time we are faced with threats and insults,” the statement
said.
“The
party will not tolerate acts of Indiscipline from anyone no matter how highly
placed the individual.”
The APC
explained that Mr. Sylva was suspended in order “to save the image of the party
and restore confidence among members,” adding that the committee that would
investigate the allegations against the former governor and “his cronies” would
be inaugurated next week.
It said
following a motion moved by its vice chairman of the Bayelsa East Senatorial District of the APC, Elder Alagoa and seconded by Mr. Daniel, an indefinite
suspension was slammed on the four members who allegedly connived with Mr.
Sylva and publishing an illegal statement on behalf of the party.
The
party called the attention of its members and the public to a letter
circulating in the social media purporting to suspend key leaders of the party,
saying “It’s a classic case of an “APRIL FOOLS DAY” joke.”
While
invoking Article 21 (d) of its constitution, they argued that only the national
executive committee could suspend the chairman on the recommendation of the
Zonal (South South) executive committee.
“Party
members should also go about their lawful party activities as the state
chairman has made adequate provision with the law enforcement agencies in the
state to secure the party secretariat,” it said.
Source: Premium Times
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