The North East zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday inaugurated the reconstituted three-member disciplinary panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the `suspended’ Vice-Chairman of the zone, Mustapha Salihu.
The inauguration of the investigative panel was carried out by the Zonal Secretary of the party, Abubakar Ajiya, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.
The APC on Monday through its national publicity secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu said: “We state categorically that the purported suspension is a nullity as the “North East Zonal Office” does not have such powers to suspend a National Officer.
But, the zonal secretary, Mr Ajiya, said the panel had been reconstituted with Abubakar Tutare, a former senator, from Taraba State as chairman.
He said Sani Haruna from Adamawa State would serve as Secretary and Abdulkadir S. Abdulkadir from Bauchi State as member.
According to him, the committee is mandated to look into the allegations of alleged forgery, failure to convene meetings, causing disharmony and disunity preferred against the suspended vice chairman.
Also speaking at the event, the North East Youth Leader, Kassim Maigari, quoted section 21D of the APC constitution to support the suspension of the Vice-Chairman.
According to him, the zone has the powers to discipline the suspended vice chairman.
He said the panel had been given five working days to submit its report.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Tutare assured the party that the panel would be fair to all parties.
He said: “We will be fair to all and give a report that will stand the test of time. We will make sincere recommendations in the interest of our party.’’
It would be recalled that the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), North East Zone, Abubakar Ajiya, had on Saturday announced the suspension of Mustapha Salihu, the Zonal Chairman of the zone.
