The crisis within the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened with the suspension of its governorship candidate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, over alleged anti‑party activities just one week before the election. The party ordered him to halt the “illegal activities” of his campaign and to appear before a fact‑finding committee on 13 March 2023 to answer the accusations in a petition, warning that failure to do so would bring “heavy consequences.”
When contacted, Bwacha dismissed the allegations as “fake news,” claiming the signatories were not APC ward officials and urging verification with the party. He described the petition as “the handiwork of desperate losers in the primaries.”
The suspension was detailed in a letter dated 8 March, signed by all the Mararaba and Donga Local Government ward executives of the APC. Our correspondent obtained the letter on Sunday. The decision follows a contentious Federal High Court ruling that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize Bwacha as the APC governorship candidate in Taraba State, as well as reports that the Supreme Court had dismissed him on the grounds that the party had not conducted a valid primary. Despite this, Bwacha proceeded with primaries that other aspirants allegedly boycotted.
The suspension letter states: “The Ward Executives of APC in Mararaba Ward have received a petition dated 22 February 2023 containing a series of complaints against you (Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha) for various acts of indiscipline, misconduct, and insubordination, pursuant to Article 21 of the APC constitution.” The complaints include:
1. Acts of indiscipline and misconduct by the chairman of APC Donga Local Government, Hon. Habu Abdul Rahman, as referenced in the Federal High Court judgment (Suit No. FHC/CS/13/2022).
2. Disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment in *Chief David Sabo Kente v Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha* (1 February 2023) and violations of the 2022 Electoral Act and Article 21(ix) of the APC constitution.
3. Other conduct deemed capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule, and disrepute, contrary to Article 21(ii) of the party’s constitution.
The letter declares the party “dissatisfied with your erring conduct, disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment, infraction of the Electoral Act, and infamous conduct capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule and disrepute.” Consequently, the Mararaba ward executives have formed a seven‑member fact‑finding and disciplinary committee to investigate the petition, make recommendations, and report within 14 days. Bwacha is ordered to appear before this committee for a fair hearing.
In the interim, the party suspends him, directing him to cease the alleged illegal campaign activities and to appear before the fact‑finding committee on 13 March 2023. Failure to attend will result in “heavy consequences.” All party members, relevant authorities, and INEC have been notified.
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