Suspension of APC National Vice Chairman by “North East Zonal Office” a nullity – National Secretariat

By KEMI KASUMU

Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the purported suspension by “North East Zonal Office” of its National Vice Chairman (North East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, was an effort in futility.

It said this was so because the zonal office has no such powers to a national officer, being that national vice chairman north east is national officer.

The newly installed National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made this known in a statement he issued in Abuja on Monday, copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER.

Stating categorically, Issa-Onilu said the purported suspension is a nullity as, according to him the constitution of the party states that powers to suspend any national officer reside only with National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

The ruling Party’s spokesman however noted that there are ample avenues for redress and dispute resolution provided by the APC’s structure and constitution, should there be any issue demanding attention.

He however said National Working Committee (NWC) would intervene in the matter with a view to achieving amicable settlement if the “North East Zona Offic” is unable to resolve it.

The statement in full:

“Our attention has been drawn to the purported suspension of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman (North East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu by the “North East Zonal Office”.

“We state categorically that the purported suspension is a nullity as the “North East Zonal Office” does not have such powers to suspend a National Officer. According to the Party’s constitution, such powers reside with the National Executive Committee (NEC).

“Whatever issues there might be, the party structure and constitution provides ample avenues for redress and dispute resolution.

“If the “North East Zonal Office” is unable to achieve a resolution, the National Working Committee (NWC) can and will wade in the matter to achieve amicable settlement.”