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From Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Abuja and John Adams, Minna
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Agwara Local Government of Niger State, Haliru Jikantoro, has been suspended by his ward over alleged anti-party activities.
The notice of suspension was contained in a letter dated March 2 jointly signed by Yagode, Secretary, Nurudeen Abdullahi and 19 other exco members of the party in Kwashini ward of Agwara LGA.
In the letter sent to the state, local government and national chapters of the party, Jikantoro was accused of engaging in anti-party activities before and during the general elections “in a way that undermined the success of the party at the just concluded polls.”
Chairman of Kashimi Ward, Amadu Abdullahi Yagode, said the action became necessary as a result of Jikantoro’s flagrant violation of the party’s constitution.
He was accused of using party funds to mobilise and canvass votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and sabotaging efforts by APC to grow its support base ahead of the elections.
Part of the letter read: “Moreover, during the 25th February, 2023 general election, at Agwara LGA of Niger State he voted at Central Primary School Kashini Ward and canvassed votes for the PDP on the ballot papers which accounted for why the APC did not win the said polling unit. On the whole, these anti-party activities by Haliru Jikantoro’s contravene Article 21 paragraph A item I-XI of the All Progressive Congress Constitution 2014 (As Amended) particularly items II and II. It is against this backdrop that Haliru Jikantoro is hereby suspended from the Kashini Ward of Agwara Local Government of the APC with immediate effect.”
When The Sun reached out to get his reaction to the suspension, Jikantoro did not answer calls to his mobile lines throughout the weekend. However, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Labaran SarkinKaji, in a letter titled “Niger APC disassociates itself over the suspension of the state chairman Haliru Zakari Jikantoro” described it as callous, heartless and efforts in futility.
SarkinKaji said based on the party constitution article 21 Sub- Section 1 and 2, the suspension cannot stand because for members in such high position, like the state chairman to be suspended, the action must be channeled through the local government, zonal and state working committee for ratification after due consideration.
“The ward executives lack the power to suspend the state chairman,” he said.
