By Abel Zwanke, Lafia
The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Nasarawa State chapter, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha, has issued a warning against the actions of “desperate politicians” attempting to destabilize the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. This follows the controversial suspension of the APC State Chairman, Hon. Aliyu Bello, by executives of his Gayam Ward.
The suspension, announced by the APC Ward Chairman of Gayam, Ibrahim Iliyasu, was reportedly endorsed by only eight out of 27 ward executive members. Iliyasu alleged that Bello was involved in anti-party activities that had embarrassed the party and undermined its unity.
In response, Hon. Andaha, who also serves as the Executive Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area, led all 13 APC-elected LGA Chairmen to the party’s state headquarters in Lafia on Tuesday to denounce the suspension and reaffirm their support for Bello.
Describing the suspension as “sad and unfortunate,” Andaha demanded an immediate retraction and a public apology from the Gayam Ward executives.
“We have been following a very sad and ugly situation where a few individuals from Gayam Ward are attempting to suspend our chairman,” Andaha said.
“A man who has transformed the image of our party, who has shown great leadership and loyalty—he does not deserve this. We, the 13 Executive Chairmen, 147 elected Councillors, and 18 Development Area Administrators, are solidly behind you.”
Andaha further cautioned against internal sabotage ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging party members to remain united in support of Chairman Bello and Governor Abdullahi Sule.
“We will not allow desperate politicians to destroy the gains of the APC in Nasarawa State,” he declared. “Wherever the governor goes, that is where we will go.”
In his response, APC State Chairman Hon. Aliyu Bello expressed gratitude for the show of solidarity and described the suspension attempt as “null and void.”
“Only eight out of 27 ward executives signed the so-called suspension. The remaining 19 have reaffirmed their support for me,” Bello said.
“The Gayam Ward executives have no constitutional power to suspend me. Their mission is dead on arrival.”
Bello emphasized that, according to the APC constitution, only the State Executive Committee—the party’s highest decision-making body at the state level—has the authority to make such leadership decisions.
He revealed that the State Executive Committee had recently passed a vote of confidence in his leadership and condemned the ward executives’ attempt to seek a court injunction without first exploring internal conflict resolution mechanisms.
“They even approached a magistrate court to obtain an order, which was later vacated for violating party procedures,” he added.
“Your visit here today is not just a show of support for me, but also for our governor, who is being targeted by individuals trying to hijack the party for selfish interests.”
Present at the solidarity visit were the State APC Secretary, Yairus Dagusa; State Publicity Secretary, Douglas Otaru; Organising Secretary, and other key members of the APC State Executive Committee.
