The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Murtala Yakubu, for alleged gross insubordination and anti‑party activities. Yakubu, who also serves on the party’s National Working Committee, was removed by the executive members of his local constituency in Ward 1, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The suspension was formalised in a letter dated 20 March, titled “Suspension of Your Membership From Ajaka Ward 1,” and signed by 27 members of the ward’s executive team, including the ex‑officios. Copies of the letter were sent to senior party officials—APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi, North Central Vice Chairman, Kogi State Chairman, Kogi East Zonal Chairman, and the State Party Chairman—for endorsement.
The letter accused Yakubu of insubordination, gross misconduct, making unguided statements that demeaned the party founder, the late Prince Abubakar Audu, and the state party leader, His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello, on several occasions. It also alleged that he was running a parallel party structure, encouraging factionalism since 2020, and engaging in numerous anti‑party activities. Notably, on 23 February 2023, Yakubu allegedly organised a parallel rally that contravened the Presidential Campaign Council’s directive, embarrassing the party. The suspension was declared effective immediately, with a request that the state and national secretariats endorse the resolution and take the necessary action.
Attempts to obtain a response from Yakubu, the National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, and the National Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim were unsuccessful; none returned calls or replied to text messages. When contacted, Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, a member of the NWC and Vice Chairman for APC South East, expressed surprise at the suspension. She noted, “I am aware that certain party stalwarts were axed in the last couple of days, but I was not aware that Yakubu was among those suspended at the local level. I spoke with him an hour ago; he showed no worry or concern. If he is truly suspended, that would be worrisome, because to the best of my knowledge he has shown strong support for the party across Kogi State. Unless there is a power struggle I am unaware of, he is a great guy.”
Arodiogbu explained the usual procedure for suspending a member: the local ward writes to the state chapter outlining the offences; the state then forwards the correspondence to the zonal chapter, which informs the NWC. She added that ordinarily the state does not write directly to the national chairman for suspension; instead, it liaises with the zonal chapter, which investigates and makes recommendations. This standard process was not followed in Yakubu’s case.
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