The All Progressives Congress considering suspension, even total expulsion of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Reps Speaker, Yakubu Dogara from the party over refusal to adhere to party’s decision that compelled them not to contest the national assembly’s election, which they eventually won PUNCH NEWSPAPER reported.
According to our source, An APC leader, said the party was considering applying Article 9.1, Sub-Section 2 of its constitution, against all its members involved in the exercise.
The sub-section deals with the Rules and Obligations of members to the party.
It reads, “(2) Members of the party shall be obliged to affirm the party’s aims and objectives and conduct themselves in a manner that shall not bring the party to public odium and disrepute.
“Members of the party shall also observe the rules and regulations embedded in this.”
A breach of this sub-section or other provision could lead to punishments ranging from reprimand, censure, fine, debarment from holding party office, suspension or expulsion.
The party leader said it would not be out of place for the APC to set up a disciplinary committee to try Saraki, Dogara and others for their actions.
He said, “There is no organisation which can survive without discipline; we cannot tolerate a situation where party members defy the party without consequences.
“This assault on the party’s cohesion has to be met with dire consequences if not, it will mark the beginning of a revolt whose end no one can predict.
“What is even more painful about the whole National Assembly thing is the fact that these individuals went as far as sleeping with the enemy in their desperation for power. The party must remain supreme. If not, anarchy will become the norm.”
He however said that for now, the APC was not keen on taking the matter to court.
The party leader added, “If you look at the list of offences stipulated in our constitution, you will see that anti-party activities or any conduct likely to embarrass of have adverse effect on the party or bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute; disobedience or negligence in carrying out lawful directives of the party all constitute a violation and attract sanctions.”
Attempts by our source to reach the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile telephone were neither picked nor returned.
A response to text message sent to him on the subject was still being awaited as of press time on Wednesday.
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