APC overrules Bayelsa chairman on suspensions

The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress on Monday upturned the suspension slammed on its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, by the Bayelsa State chapter of the party.

The party also upturned similar suspensions handed down to other members of the party by the state executive.

This decision was made public by the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odiegie-Oyegun in a statement he issued after a meeting with the party’s 19 aspirants in Abuja.

The party also re-affirmed the state delegates list to be used for the governorship primary. He said the list is intact and in his custody at the party’s headquarters.

Odigie-Oyegun’s statement which was signed on his behalf by Frank also explained that the lifting of the suspension was to create an enabling environment for a peaceful conduct of the party primary.

Oyegun’s statement partly read, “Following reports of threat and intimidation of members of our great party in Bayelsa state in view of the party governorship primaries scheduled for September 19, 2015, and a meeting by the national leadership of the party with the 19 aspirants under the platform of the party in Abuja today, after carefully listening to their complaint against the state executive, the National Working Committee has decided to:

1. Affirm the existing delegates list to be used for the primary

2. Annul any suspension whatsoever placed on any member of the party in the state.

3. Direct the APC party executive at all levels to maintain strict neutrality before and during the primary’s process.”

Odigie-Oyegun also assured all the aspirants as well as party members of a level playing field because the party has no preferred candidate for the primary.

He enjoined party loyalists to come out in their numbers to ensure that the right candidate emerged from the primary and that they all work together to ensure the party emerged victorious in the election.

According to him, the interest of the party will be best served when all members come together to support whoever emerged the candidate.