JUST-IN: Benue APC Suspends Gemade, Shija Others Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities

Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) yesterday slammed an indefinite suspension on Senator Barnabas Gemade and Professor Terhemba Shija from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

The duo participated in the primary elections of the party held in May 2022 against the governor-elect, Rev. Father Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

The party announced the decision at the end of its expanded meeting that featured ward chairmen, local government party officials, and the State Executive Council (SEC) members.

Both Gemade and Shija were suspended alongside the Secretary of APC in the Konshisha local government area and two council ward chairmen of the council following allegations of anti-party activities.

The state publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Dan Morgan Ihomun told journalists after the meeting that the decision became necessary following the discoveries made after the review of the role of the suspended party members during the general elections in the state.

Mr. Morgan said, “After a critical review of actions of our party members during the elections, sanctions have been meted out to some persons because of the negative roles they played against the party, especially anti-party activities”.

“We noticed that while some of us were working assiduously to ensure the success of the party, others were busy fighting to thwart our effort”.

Morgan recalled that some of the suspended members had after the party primaries filed cases with external sponsorship that dragged the party up to Apex Court, a development he said almost cost the party the needed victory at the polls.

“They did not stop at that, they were also discovered to have leaked sensitive information about APC to the PDP during campaigns and electioneering period”.

The party, Morgan said has frowned at such a high level of betrayal and would not allow the matter to be swept under the carpet hence the decision to suspend them to serve as a deterrent to others.

“This is a congress decision, the party is supreme and all members must abide by the rules of the game at all times”, he added.