Anti-party: APC Ward in Mushin upholds Banire’s 10-year suspension

The Ward C Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State has upheld the decision of its Disciplinary Committee recommending the suspension of the National Legal Adviser of the party, Mr Muiz Banire, for a period of 10 years for allegedly engaging in various acts of anti-party activities and misappropriation of campaign materials and logistics.

The chapter had set up the committee chaired by Mr Bolaji Abass to investigate the allegations contained in a petition written against Banire by two members of the party in the area, Mr Olukayode Tunde Tolu and Mr Ayodeji Adebayo.

Other members of the Committee included Mr Laide Badru (Secretary), Mr Wunmi Bewaji (General Counsel) and Mrs Muinat Mustapha, while the sitting of the Committee was held on August 14, 2017 at Bishop Aggrey Memorial School, Ilasamaja.

The petitioners alleged that Banire had been continuously absent from ward meetings for more than two years contrary to Article 9 (2) (iii) of the party’s Constitution, and also engaged in unrestrained media campaigns against the party, its organs, leaders and functionaries, a development they alleged was deliberately calculated to embarrass the party and bring it into disrepute contrary to Article 9 (2) (I) of the Constitution.

The petition reads in part: “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.

“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.”

After reviewing the allegations against Banire, the Committee held that the Legal Adviser be suspended from party activities as well as debarred from holding any party office or contesting public office on the platform of the party for a period of ten years.

“In view of the gravity of the complaints as alleged and proved, and to serve as deterrence to others of his (Banire’s) ilk or similar proclivity, the aforementioned punishments shall run consecutively with effect from Monday, 21 August, 2017,” the Committee held.

Meanwhile, the Committee on Wednesday submitted its report to the Ward C Executives of the party, after which the recommendations were upheld following its adoption by party members.

While receiving the report, Acting Ward C APC Chairman, Mr Omobolaji Amusan, said the report would be forwarded to the Mushin Local Government Chapter of the party for necessary action.

He said: “We decided to set up this Committee to give the respondent (Banire) fair hearing on the allegations written against him by members of the party in respect of anti-party activities and misappropriation of campaign materials and logistics.

“Unfortunately, he decided not to honour the invitation of the Committee and the Committee has made its decision which the party has adopted at the Ward level.

“The report has been given to me and I promise that it will be delivered to the LGA for onward submission to the party at the State level after which it will be forwarded to the national body,” Amusan said.