By Iliya Kure
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Nigeria’s ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna Sunday announced the suspension of Governor Nasir El Rufai for six months, for failure to respond to a query issued him last Thursday.
APC [faction] in Kaduna State, northwest of the country has queried the Governor and suspended his Political Adviser, Mr. Uba Sani, for 18 months, alongside Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abdu Kwari and the acting state Secretary of the party, Yahaya Pate.
“The Governor earned the query due to his anti-people, anti party activities and inhuman policies. El-Rufai is expected to respond to the query within 48 hours,” the party announced.
But the Governor dismissed the query, saying he was “ready to send political traders into retirement and will not be swayed by their drowning antics.”
El Rufai’s suspension is coming two days after a faction of the party, loyal to the governor, announced the suspension of Senator representing Kaduna Central, Mr. Suleiman Hunkuyi for six months and expelled 28 others.
Mr. Wada on Thursday addressed journalists at the new party secretariat and emphasised that he remained the leader recognised by the constitution of the party, in acting capacity, until a new leader is elected – Wada was the deputy chairman to Mr. Bala Bantex, who was picked by Governor el-Rufai to contest as deputy governor in 2015, since then, election into vacant offices of the party had not been conducted.
The party is currently divided into three namely, Akida Faction, the Restoration Faction and the Governor’s Faction.
Announcing the suspension of Governor El-Rufai on Sunday, Mr. Wada said, “This briefing is sequel to 48 hours ultimatum/query and warning issued to the state governor to explain and defence himself against the allegations levelled against him which he failed to respond.
“The State Working Committee on Saturday 17, February 2018, convened and resolved to consider and to rectify the findings and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee and the Fact Finding Committee put before it in accordance with the provision of article 21(B) section 3 of the APC constitution and accordingly, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai stands suspended for 6 months from the APC, commencing from 17, February, 2018.”
The group noted that the Presidential Reconciliation Committee led by National leader of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, may hit the rock if El-Rufai refused to admit his faults.
A member of the Restoration faction, Mataimaki Tom-Maiyashi noted the Governor’s body language and action didn’t suggest the willingness to submit to genuine reconciliation.
He said other parties may benefit from the crisis in the party if the APC fails to put its house in order.
“The Stakeholders welcome the initiatives to settle major issues which a are dividing and weakening the party.
“The real reconciliation will only be achieved if justice and the willingness to take difficult decisions are upheld.
“Stakeholders observed that in Kaduna State at least, the postures and actions of the governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and his associates do not suggest the willingness to submit to genuine reconciliation.
“All suspensions by persons other than those led by the acting chairman of the party, Alhaji Danladi Wada are exercises in futility, null and void.
“The acting chairman should exercise his full powers and conclude disciplinary actions against all members, no matter their positions in the party.”
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/02/04/politics/nigeria-2019-elections-control-your-supporters-apc-warns-aspirants/
