Taraba APC suspends gov candidate few days to election
The crisis in the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has worsened with the suspension of the party's governorship candidate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, for alleged anti-party activities just one week before the governorship election.
Consequently, the party directed him to "suspend the related illegal activities (campaign) and appear before the fact-findings committee on March 13 2023 to defend the allegations raised against him in a petition or face heavy consequences.
Several calls and SMS sent to Bwacha for a response went unanswered.
His suspension was announced in a letter dated March 8 and signed by all Mararaba, Donga Local Government ward executives of the APC, which our correspondent obtained on Sunday.
The decision followed another contentious Federal High Court decision ordering the independent National Electoral Commission to recognize Bwacha as the APC's governorship candidate in Taraba State.
According to the PUNCH, Bwacha was fired by the Supreme Court because the party did not hold a valid primary.
Bwacha went ahead with the primaries, which were allegedly boycotted by other candidates.
"The Ward Executives of the APC in Mararraba Ward have received a petition dated February 22 2023 bordering on a series of complaints levied against you (Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha) on various acts of indiscipline, misconduct, and for all intents and purposes pursuant to Article 21 of the APC constitution as follows:
(1.) Complaints regarding various acts of indiscipline, misconduct, and insubordination by the chairman of the APC Donga Local Government, Hon. Habu Abdul Rahman, as per the Federal High Court's decision in Suit No. FHC/CS/13/2022.
(2.) Disobeying the Supreme Court's decision in the case of CHIEF David Sabo Kente vs. Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha, delivered on February 1, 2023, as well as violating the Electoral Act 2022 and Article 21(ix) of the APC constitution 2022.
(3.) Other heinous acts capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule, and disrepute, in violation of Article 21 (ii) of the party's constitution.
"The party is dissatisfied with your erroneous conduct; disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment, violation of the Electoral Act, and infamous conduct capable of bringing the party into hatred, ridicule, and disrepute.
According to the suspension letter, the party's executives in Mararraba ward had formed and inaugurated a seven-member fact-finding and disciplinary committee to investigate the issues raised in the petition, make recommendations, and report back within 14 days.
Bwacha was advised to appear before the disciplinary committee on a regular basis in order to receive a fair hearing.
"In the meantime, the party hereby suspends you" (Emmanuel Bwacha).
"You are hereby directed to suspend the related illegal activities (campaign) and appear before the fact-findings committee on March 13 2023 to defend yourself against the petition. Take note that failure to appear before the panel will result in severe penalties. All party members, relevant authorities, and INEC have been notified."
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