….. vowed to continue speaking truth to power, undeterred by blackmail, intimidation, or witch-hunts
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
In response to his recent suspension from the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, Hon. Samuel Akala, the immediate past Chairman of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, declared his status as a bona fide member of the APC at all levels.
Akala, in a statement issued on Sunday, criticized his party for suspending him without following due process and questioned the validity of the suspension.
The suspension, which was announced by the ward chairman of the party in the Panda/Kare Electoral ward of Karu LGA on July 7th, cited allegations of anti-party activities and disloyalty to the governor and the party leadership in Nasarawa State.
Akala expressed his surprise at the suspension, stating that it did not meet the necessary requirements outlined in the APC’s constitution and existing laws, which provide for fair hearings.
Akala highlighted his successful efforts in delivering the APC and its candidates in his polling unit during the last General Elections, expecting commendations from the party’s leadership at the state, local government, and ward levels. However, instead of recognition, he received a suspension.
Akala accused the state party Chairman, John Mamman, the Karu Council Chair, and others of engaging in clear acts of anti-party involvement, punishable by the party’s constitution.
Additionally, Akala claimed that the motive behind his suspension was to silence him and prevent him from speaking the truth. He alleged that the Karu Council Chairman had abandoned his responsibilities and was using government resources to mobilize against him. Akala asserted that he would take legal action against the suspension and likened it to an attempt to tarnish his reputation unjustly.
The former chairman denied engaging in any anti-party activities, name-calling of the governor, or displaying disloyalty to the APC. He criticized the desperation and inordinate ambition of certain individuals in the state, which he believed were leading to institutionalized illegality and abuse of office.
Akala emphasized that he had never been invited by the party’s ward executives or any relevant committee to defend the allegations against him. He further claimed that no evidence of his disloyalty or anti-party activities had been presented during any investigation.
According to Akala, “a committee was formed solely to indict him and prepare a written script for his suspension, which was blindly endorsed by his ward Party Chairman.”
Regarding his personal opinions on democracy, governance, and the rule of law in the state, Akala stated that they were entirely his own and aligned with his conscience and societal norms.
He maintained that, “in a society governed by laws, he was not obligated to support decisions made by the party or the government if they contradicted the law. He also asserted his fundamental right, as an APC member, to speak out on matters of governance and justice, even when the party took a wrong direction.” He said.
Akala further stressed that the APC, as a political party, did not belong to any individual and should not be controlled by anyone, regardless of their position, while reaffirming his status as a bona fide member of the APC and declared the suspension null and void.
Akala called on the general public to disregard the news of his suspension, considering it as an extension of the ongoing illegality in the State Assembly Leadership crisis. He vowed to continue speaking truth to power, undeterred by blackmail, intimidation, or witch-hunts.
