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.
Repeated efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to reach Mr. Sylva were not
successful.
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