The All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos chapter has asked the acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, to stay clear of the suspension of the National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire who is from Lagos.
A statement by the Publicity Secretary of APC Lagos, Joe Igbokwe, lectured Abdullahi on the powers of the local chapter to call any erring party member to order.
Igbokwe advised the acting spokesperson to learn from the former National Assistant Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, who had problem with his local chapter.
The statement titled “MALLAM BOLAJI ABDULLAHI AND MUIZ BANIRE’S TRAVAILS,” reads in full:
“We heard with one ear that the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said that the National Leaders Of APC have annulled Banire’s suspension by a local chapter in Mushin Local Government Lagos.
“Now how can we allow this assault on democracy? Are we saying that the local chapters of APC have no right to recall a party member at the National level for anti party activities? Can you climb upstairs with a ladder and kick the ladder away thereafter? What are you going to use to come down? Is BOLAJI not aware that he is not yet a substantive National Publicity Secretary until otherwise stated in a Congress? Does it not amount to brigandage and playing to the gallery by naming himself the National Publicity Secretary when the position is still enmeshed in controversy?
“Is Bolaji not learning one or two lessons from the former National Assistant Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank whose problem started from his local chapter? This emergency step into Banire’s matter cannot fly.
“Just like any Constituency whether local, State or National is empowered by law to recall or suspend any recalcitrant officer, the leaders and followers in the local chapters have the rights to do the needful when their representatives step out of the track.
“Let it be made known that the National Executive Committee of our great Party acted in a haste to try to rescue the sagging and battered image of Muiz Banire who is having a running battle with his political base in Lagos. The Lagos Chapter of APC will support and encourage our patriotic and hardworking followers from Mushin LGA to exercise their fundamental human rights without let or hindrance.”
