I Was Suspended for Attending Saliu Mustapha’s Empowerment – Arije The Ilorin West Local Government chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its Financial Secretary, Arije Funsho Abdulgafar, over alleged anti-party activities The suspension was announced on Tuesday at the party’s secretariat in Adewole Estate, Ilorin, by the local government chairman, Hon. Suleiman Tejidini.
In a statement obtained by Just Event Online TV and signed by the chairman, the party cited anti-party activities as the reason for Arije’s suspension. Reacting to the development, Arije dismissed the suspension as illegal, arguing that it did not follow due process.
He stated that he was suspended following his attendance at an empowerment programme organized by Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central. “I was suspended simply for attending the empowerment programme of the senator representing Kwara Central,” he said.
He expressed surprise that he was being penalized for attending an event organized by a sitting APC senator, which was also attended by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Bashir Ajibola, and other party leaders. “The senator in question is a loyal APC member who has contributed significantly to the party,” Arije added.
He further questioned the rationale behind his suspension, noting that he had previously attended similar empowerment programmes organized by other APC lawmakers without any consequences. “Last year, I attended the empowerment programme of our House of Representatives member, Hon. Tolani Shagaya.
I also attended those of our Kwara State House of Assembly members. If attending those events was not a crime, why is attending Senator Saliu Mustapha’s programme considered one?” he asked.
When contacted to verify the main reason of the suspension, Tejidini confirmed the suspension, saying, “He was suspended for anti-party activities, and that’s all I can say for now.”
Another APC member, who identified himself as Olowo, also condemned the suspension, questioning the party’s leadership in Kwara State.
“Before suspending anyone, there should be due process. The person should be informed, summoned, and given a chance to defend themselves.
The party should not be run like a beer parlour, where people wake up and make arbitrary decisions,” he said.
He also raised concerns about whether the presence of the National Secretary and the senator at the event meant they were also engaging in anti-party activities.
Olowo urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the party’s leader in the state, to intervene in the growing crisis before it escalates further. “Our loyalty is to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
But that doesn’t mean we should sideline other key party stakeholders like senators, House of Representatives members, and others,” he stated.
