…Executives accuse Aliyu Bello of backing opposition candidate
…State APC declares suspension illegal, alleges political conspiracy
A fresh internal crisis has erupted within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, as the party’s Gayam Ward executives in Lafia Local Government Area on Tuesday announced the suspension of the State Party Chairman, Mr Aliyu Bello, over allegations of anti-party conduct.
Announcing the decision at a press briefing in Lafia, Mr Ibrahim Iliyasu, Chairman of the APC in Gayam Ward, alleged that Bello was involved in openly supporting a rival political party’s candidate during a recent campaign—an action deemed a gross violation of Article 21 of the APC Constitution.
“His conduct has brought embarrassment to the party and undermined internal unity. We have decided to suspend him with immediate effect, in line with the powers vested in us under Article 21(D),” Iliyasu said, speaking on behalf of 13 ward executives.
The executives claim their decision followed internal investigations after multiple complaints from party members. They further stated that the suspension would be forwarded to the Local Government Executive Committee, State Executive Committee, and National Working Committee (NWC) for ratification.
Pending the outcome of this process, the ward leadership advised Bello to desist from parading himself as a member or official of the party.
Reacting swiftly, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr Douglas Otaru, dismissed the suspension as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on behalf of the State Working Committee, Otaru accused unnamed political actors of plotting to unseat Bello ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Ward officials lack the constitutional authority to suspend or expel a member of the State Executive Committee,” he said, hinting that a governorship aspirant may be orchestrating the crisis.
Otaru insisted that the APC Constitution does not grant ward officers such powers, and any disciplinary action against a state executive must follow due process through the party’s higher organs.
