By Bode Olagoke Abuja
Th e crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday took another dimension as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the party expressed dissatisfaction with a statement credited to the party’s spokesman in Lagos, Mr. Joe Igbokwe. Igbokwe had issued a statement castigating APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in response to the release by the National Working Committee of the party annulling the purported expulsion of Muiz Banire, the party’s Legal Adviser.
But in another statement signed yesterday in Abuja by the spokesman of FCT chapter of the ruling party, Adaji Usman, the party described Igbokwe’s allegation as “absurd and without basis, as Malam Bolaji Abdullahi was validly elected in line with provisions of our party’s constitution on fi lling vacancies in the NWC.” “As the spokesperson of the APC in the FCT, which is in the Northcentral zone, I participated fully in the North-Central Convention through which Malam Abdullahi was elected as the substantive National Publicity Secretary of the APC.
“Th e election had delegates and key stakeholders from the zone, including four state governors, and was supervised by relevant bodies saddled with such responsibilities, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” While calling for a serious sanction against the Lagos spokesman, Usman said: “Igbokwe has defi nitely stepped out of his bounds by issuing such a reckless statement attacking a highly-placed and reputable national offi cer of our party.
He should retract this obnoxious statement or face disciplinary actions from the party. “It is surprising that Igbokwe, who attended a workshop in Abuja organised by Malam Abdullahi in his capacity as the National Publicity Secretary will turn around to cast aspersion on Abdullahi. If he had doubts about Abdullahi’s position in the party, on what basis then did he attend the conference in Abuja?” Th e statement said Igbokwe would have been removed as the chairman of APC spokesmen forum if not for prompt intervention of the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi. “Igbokwe’s penchant for insulting party leaders must stop. Our job as spokespersons for the state chapters of our great Party requires temperance, moderation and decorous use of language. Qualities that Igbokwe obviously lack.”
