The Kogi State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) distanced itself on Friday from the suspension of National Deputy Publicity Secretary Murtala Yakubu. Yakubu, also a member of the APC’s National Working Committee, was suspended by the executive members of his local constituency in Ward 1, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area. The suspension was detailed in a letter dated 20 March titled “Suspension of Your Membership From Ajaka Ward 1,” signed by 27 members of the ward’s executive team, including former officials. Copies of the letter were sent to high‑ranking party members, such as APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the North Central Vice Chairman, the Kogi State Chairman, the Kogi East Zonal Chairman, and the State Party Chairman, for endorsement. The letter accused Yakubu of insubordination, gross misconduct, making unguided statements, running a parallel party structure, and encouraging factionalism, and it stated that the suspension was effective immediately.
The situation took an unexpected turn when Omale Danladi, the Ward Chairman who had signed the letter, swore in an affidavit filed at the High Court of Justice, Kogi State, that he knew nothing about the alleged suspension. Danladi described the report as false, alleging that the letter had been fabricated by “mischief makers” within the party. He wrote, “We, the leadership of our great Party in Ward 1, at Ajaka in Igalamela‑Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, hereby deny the purported letter of suspension alongside all the allegations. They are completely frivolous, false and a calculated attempt by political enemies to tarnish the image of the generality of the ward excos and to distract and frustrate Yakubu’s selfless political ambition.” Danladi also highlighted the inclusion of the name and signature of the deceased Welfare Secretary, Danjuma Sani Ejika (who died on 13 April 2022), as evidence of the document’s falsity. He concluded by reaffirming the ward’s “unalloyed support” for Yakubu and expressing confidence in his forthcoming electoral victory.
When approached for comment, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said he had not been following the matter due to his absence from Abuja. “There is no update on it and I don’t have any official information about that suspension or any discussion regarding it. Besides, I am presently not in Abuja and not privy to any correspondence for now,” he stated.
Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, a member of the National Working Committee and Vice Chairman for APC South‑East, expressed surprise at the news of Yakubu’s suspension. “I am aware that certain party stalwarts were axed in the last couple of days, but I am not aware that Yakubu was among those suspended at the local level,” she said. “The truth is that I spoke with him about an hour ago and he didn’t appear worried or show any form of concern at all. If he is truly suspended, that would be worrisome, because, to the best of my knowledge, Yakubu has shown a lot of support to the party, in fact throughout Kogi State. Unless there is a power struggle somewhere, which I am not aware of, he is a great guy. As I earlier said, we have just had a very long conversation and he didn’t betray any emotion.”
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