APC suspends Banire over ‘anti-party activities’

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Mushin local government area of Lagos state has suspended Muiz Banire, the party’s national legal adviser, over “anti-party activities”.

The party’s executive committee in Mushin on Thursday upheld the decision to suspend Banire as recommended by his ward (Ward C, Ilasamaja, Mushin).

Taofeek Ajani-Balogun, acting secretary of the ward, said the decision to suspend Banire from the party was reached during a meeting held to review the Saturday local government elections in the state.

“After a critical assessment of individual activities and the performance of the party during the last elections, members of the party in Ward C, Ilasamaja Mushin unanimously voted for the immediate suspension of Muiz Banire from participating in party activities in the ward and his removal from office as national legal adviser,” he said.

Ajani-Balogun added that the ward’s council chairmen and executives were also suspended due to the poor results recorded in the council elections.

He said the decision has been forwarded to the local government area for further deliberation and recommendations to the APC leadership in the state.

Sola Osobajo, acting chairman of the party in Mushin, said the party deliberated on minutes of meeting from Banire’s ward and considered the decisions contained therein.

He said the council also recommends the expulsion of Banire from the party.

“We decided to adopt the resolution for further necessary action at the state and national level. The party exco in Mushin local government further recommended to the state chapter the expulsion of Muiz Banire from the party,” he said.

Some of the accusations levelled against Banire include causing a legal representative to disavow the party in a lawsuit before the elections, working towards the electoral failure of the party as well as inciting the public against the interest of the party.

Others are falsely accusing the party of imposition in public thereby bringing the party into disrepute, disobeying and causing others to disobey lawful directives of the party and causing disaffection within the party.

He was also accused of disrupting the peaceful process of efficient organisation of the party, particularly the campaigns of candidates of the party, causing fear and apprehension among party loyalists during the elections and sponsoring candidates in other parties to contest against APC candidates at the last council polls.

Members of the party in the area had on July 18 demanded Banire’s expulsion from the party during a peaceful protest.

The protesters had also accused him of anti-party activities and alleged embezzlement of campaign funds.