Move to oust APC legal adviser heats up as he’s summoned to face panel

The national legal adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muiz Banire, has been directed to appear before the disciplinary committee of the party in Ward C of Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State on Monday.

Banire will face the panel to clear himself of allegations of involvement in a number of anti-party activities and misappropriation of campaign materials and logistics.

His summons was contained in a letter dated July 10, 2017 and signed by the secretary of the committee, Mr Badru Olaide. The letter said that the APC legal adviser will have to defend himself of the allegations contained in a petition written against him by concerned members of the party over series of infractions of the party’s constitution.

The letter which was published in some national dailies on Friday, said that “the business of the sitting is to examine, hear and determine the complaints against you (Banire) by concerned members of our party.”

The letter also said that Banire was at liberty to come to the meeting with legal practitioners of his choice and relevant documents and witnesses to defend the allegations against him.

Two members of the party, Olukayode Tunde Tolu and Ayodeji Adebayo, had in a petition to the disciplinary committee demanded that Banire be suspended from the party and excluded from holding any party office as well as contesting office on the platform of the party for a period of ten years.

“That the member (Banire) has openly been encouraging and inciting Court actions against the party, its organs and functionaries when internal dispute resolution mechanisms have not been explored or exhausted contrary to Article 21 (A) (ii) of the Constitution.

“The member (Banire) has been conducting himself in such a way and manner as to constitute a distraction to the good policies and programmes of the Government of President Muhammadu contrary to Article 21 (A) (ii) of the Constitution.

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“That the member (Banire) collected campaign “materials and logistics” – for the 2015 general elections and the recent Local Government Elections without deploying, disbursing or applying same for the benefit of the party. He has failed to pay, as at when due or howsoever, party dues and levies.

“That the member (Banire) has been conducting himself and continues to conduct himself in such a way and manner as could jeopardize, endanger or damage the electoral fortunes of the party and the party brand contrary to Article 21 (A) (ii) of the Constitution,” the petition read.

Not long ago, APC leaders and members in Mushin LGA had stormed Lagos State Government House protesting and demanding for the expulsion of Banire from the party.

The group had during the protest also submitted a petition for onward transmission to the national APC leadership calling for Banire’s expulsion.

 

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