The crisis in the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has taken a worse dimension with the suspension of its governorship candidate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, over alleged anti-party activities about one week to the election.
Consequently, the party directed Bwacha to “suspend the related illegal activities (campaign) and appear before the fact-finding committee on March 13 2023 to defend the allegations raised against you in a petition or face heavy consequences.”
But when contacted to react to the development, Bwacha said, “Fake news. The signatories are not ward officials of APC. You (can) double-check with the party, please. It’s the handiwork of desperate losers in the primaries”.
His suspension, which was contained in a letter dated March 8 and signed by all the Mararaba, Donga Local Government ward executives of the APC, was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday.
The decision came on the heels of another contentious Federal High Court judgment which ordered the independent National Electoral Commission to rerecognizewacha as the governorship candidate of APC in Taraba State.
The suspension letter reads, “The Ward Executives of APC in Mararraba Ward, are in receipt of a petition dated February 22 2023 bordering on a series of complaints levied against you (Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha) on various acts of indiscipline, misconduct, and for all intent and purposes pursuant to Article 21 of the APC constitution as follows:
(1.) Complaints on various acts of indiscipline, misconduct and insubordination of (sic) the chairman of APC Donga Local Government, Hon. Habu Abdul Rahman as per the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/CS/13/2022.
(2.) Disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment delivered in the case of CHIEF David Sabo Kente Vs Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha on February 1 2023, and infraction on the Electoral Act 2022 and Article 21(ix) of the APC constitution 2022.
(3.) Other infamous conducts capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule and disrepute, contrary to Article 21 (ii) of the party’s constitution.
“The party is dissatisfied with your erring conduct; disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment, infraction on the Electoral Act, and infamous conduct capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule and disrepute.
The suspension letter stated that consequently, the executives of the party in the Mararraba ward had constituted and inaugurated a seven-man fact-finding and disciplinary committee to investigate the issues raised in the petition, make recommendations and report back within 14 days.
Bwacha was admonished to appear before the disciplinary committee unfailingly to be accorded a fair hearing.
“Meanwhile, in the interim, the party hereby suspends you (Emmanuel Bwacha).
“You are hereby directed to suspend the related illegal activities (campaign) and appear before the fact-findings committee on March 13 2023 to defend yourself against the petition.
“Take note that failure to appear before the panel will attract heavy consequences. All members of the party, relevant authorities and INEC are notified”.
