July 13, 2025
Lagos, Nigeria
Politics

13 LG Chiefs Rally Behind APC Chairman Aliyu Bello

Thirteen local government chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State have thrown their weight behind the embattled state chairman of the party, Aliyu Bello, in the wake of his suspension by ward executives in Gayam Ward, Lafia Local Government Area. The ward chairman, Ibrahim Iliyasu, had announced Bello’s suspension over alleged anti-party activities, accusing him of actions that brought embarrassment to the party and violated its constitution.

However, the move has sparked significant backlash within the party. In a swift response, the Chairman of Akwanga LGA and State ALGON Chairman, Safiyanu Andaha, led 12 other council chairmen to the APC secretariat in Lafia to denounce the suspension. Describing it as “sad and ugly,” Andaha demanded a formal apology to Bello and praised his leadership style as inclusive and committed to unity within the party. He noted that 147 ward councillors and 18 development area administrators across the state were also aligned in their rejection of the suspension.

Aliyu Bello, in his reaction, dismissed the suspension as illegitimate, stating that only eight out of the 27 Gayam Ward executives signed the document, falling short of a quorum. He emphasized that only the state executive committee has the authority to remove him from office, not the ward leadership. Bello also revealed that a magistrate court had vacated an order previously obtained by the ward executives to restrict him from functioning in his role. He described their action as a failed attempt, saying “their mission is dead on arrival,” and reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and to Governor Abdullahi Sule. The APC state secretary, Yairus Dagusa, publicity secretary, Douglas Otaru, and other state executives were also present during the solidarity visit and echoed similar sentiments, warning that any attempt to circumvent due process in the party’s constitution would not be tolerated.

While the party’s internal conflict deepens, a magistrate court in Lafia had earlier granted an interim order restraining Bello from acting as chairman pending the determination of a suit filed by the ward faction. However, a majority of the Gayam Ward executives (18 out of 27) have since disowned the suspension move, claiming the action was taken without a quorum or proper consultation. They have called for disciplinary action against the ward chairman and secretary for what they described as an unconstitutional act. The controversy has now escalated into a full-blown power struggle, with party stakeholders at different levels taking opposing sides. As the matter continues to unfold, attention is shifting to the state APC leadership and possibly the National Working Committee to resolve the dispute and restore order ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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