The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has suspended a prominent party member, Fubara Dagogo, from Bonny Local Government Area.
The decision was taken by the Ward 4 Executive Committee following allegations of anti-party activities and gross misconduct against the party chieftain.
The crisis is linked to Dagogo’s decision to institute legal action against the APC over its planned national convention.
He had earlier approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to stop the party’s proposed gathering. In the suit, Dagogo claimed that he was unfairly prevented from contesting for the office of National Vice-Chairman (South-South).
According to him, he paid ₦5.1 million for the nomination form but the party allegedly refused to issue the required documents needed to formalise his candidacy.
As part of his demands, Dagogo asked the court to halt the South-South zonal congress and declare him eligible to contest for the position.
He also requested the court to nullify any election conducted without his participation and demanded ₦100 million in damages over what he described as marginalisation.
However, the leadership of his ward in Bonny considered the legal move a direct violation of the party’s internal discipline.
The Ward Chairman, Richard Ibani, announced the suspension and explained that the resolution was reached during a committee meeting held on March 16.
The document confirming the suspension was signed by the Ward Secretary, Donald Jumbo, along with 21 other executive members.
The ward leadership stated that Dagogo’s actions were embarrassing to the party and amounted to a violation of the APC Constitution 2022 (as amended). They cited Article 21.2 (I), (II), and (VII), which address party discipline and the conduct expected from members.
In a strongly worded statement, the committee said members had previously been warned against actions capable of bringing the party into disrepute.
They stated: “The ward exco has always advised its members to desist from actions capable of ridiculing our party, but your recent actions have shown that you are not willing to respect and abide by the constitution and actions of our great party.”
The suspension takes effect immediately and will remain in place indefinitely. The ward leadership also called on the state secretariat of the party to uphold the resolution and take any additional necessary steps.
