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 embattled National Legal Adviser of the party, Dr. Muiz Banire, for a period of 10 years for engaging in various acts of anti-party activities.
The chapter had set up the committee chaired by Bolaji Abass to investigate the allegations contained in a petition written against Banire by two members of the party in the area, Olukayode Tunde Tolu and Ayodeji Adebayo.
Other members of the committee included Laide Badru (Secretary), Wunmi Bewaji (General Counsel) and Mrs Muinat Mustapha, while the sitting of the committee was held on August 14, 2017 at Bishop Aggey Memorial School, Ilasamaja, with Banire shunning invitation to defend the allegations against him.
According to the petition, the petitioners (Olukayode and Adebayo) alleged that aside the fact that Banire had been continuously absented from ward meetings for more than two years contrary to Article 9 (2) (iii) of the party’s constitution, he has also been engaging in unrestrained media campaigns against the party, its organs, leaders and functionaries, a development deliberately calculated to embarrass the party and bring it into disrepute contrary to Article 9 (2) (I) of the constitution.
The petition read: “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 Buhari contrary to Article 21 (A) (ii) of the constitution.
“That the member (Banire) collected campaign “materials and logistics†– for the 2015 general election 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 jeopardise, endanger or damage the electoral fortunes of the party and the party brand contrary to Article 21 (A) (ii) of the constitution.â€
After reviewing the allegations against Banire, the committee, in its decision, held that the embattled 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 10 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.
However, Banire has described those who claimed to be members of the party and purportedly announced his suspension as an impostors.
He said they are fake and not known to the party in Mushin Local Government Area.
Banire in a statement said he would not shy away from ensuring the party follows due process in its conduct at all times.
