The Committee of Diaspora Chairmen of the APC, led by Professor Adesegun Labinjo, has called for the removal of Senator Ajibola Surajudeen Basiru, the party’s National Secretary, and Dr. Suleiman Argungu, the National Organizing Secretary respectively for their roles in the recent decision by the National Working Committee (NWC) to dissolve all diaspora chapters of the party.
During an emergency meeting in New York, the CDC Chair expressed that their removal is necessary due to several infractions, anti-party activities, and undue interference with diaspora chapters, which go against the party’s constitution.
The following key points highlight the grievances:
1. Senator Basiru and Dr. Argungu have overstepped their constitutional roles, notably in organizing elections and coordinating field activities in the diaspora, undermining the authority granted to the National Organizing Secretary by Article 14.14 of the party’s constitution.
2. The collection of funds from foreign countries, as prohibited by the Nigerian Constitution (Sections 225.3b and 4), was violated. A video dated June 29, 2024, shows Senator Basiru boasting about collecting 41 million Naira from an illegal and one-sided UK congress, which he organized with Dr. Argungu’s support. Questions remain on how these funds were used and whether they were remitted to INEC as required.
3. At the said so called congress, Senator Basiru, in his ‘power’ as the National Secretary of the party proudly and arrogantly declared the group as the APC UK diaspora chapter. He surely did not see them as a support group. So, what has changed?
4. Evidence also suggests a biased relationship between some members of the NWC and a select UK group, as they feted the National Publicity Secretary last year and later Senator Basiru himself to mark his 52nd birthday celebration in the Uk this year, further questioning their neutrality.
5. It is disingenuous and misleading therefore to read the press release by Felix Morka faking any knowledge of the existence of the party’s diaspora chapters.
6. For over 13 years, many diaspora members have maintained a harmonious and supportive relationship with the party, demonstrated through well-attended events and congresses, such as those held in Chicago in 2013 and New York in 2015, which featured participation from party officials visiting from Nigeria.
The diaspora chapters played pivotal roles during and after the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, investing significant time, energy, and resources into campaigning for and celebrating his victory.
They were also well-represented at the President’s inauguration. Throughout these years, they were consistently acknowledged as the party’s diaspora chapters.
However, this legacy was abruptly dismissed through a brief press release issued by the Publicity Secretary, a move seen as both disrespectful and a departure from the high standards traditionally upheld by our great party.
Due to these actions, which have caused significant embarrassment to the party, the APC CDC calls for the immediate resignation of Senator Ajibola Basiru and Dr. Argungu. Should they refuse, we urge the NWC to relieve them of their positions.
Our party deserves leaders who foster unity, not those who divide and degrade its image, especially among members in the diaspora.
The press release was jointly signed by Prof Adesegun Labinjo and Hon. Nick Apata, the Chairman and Public Relation Officer of APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen
