By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia
A fierce political storm is brewing in Nasarawa State as the local government arm of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown its full weight behind the embattled State Chairman of the party, Aliyu Bello, in defiance of a suspension declared by his Gayam Ward executives over alleged anti-party activities.
The political drama escalated after the Ward Chairman of Gayam in Lafia Local Government Area, Ibrahim Iliyasu, announced Bello’s suspension on behalf of a faction of the ward exco, accusing him of undermining party unity and bringing embarrassment to the APC.
But in a powerful show of force and solidarity, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Nasarawa, led by Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha, stormed the APC secretariat in Lafia on Wednesday, declaring the suspension null, void, and a product of political mischief.
“We are here today to tell the world that Aliyu Bello remains our Chairman. The so-called suspension is not just laughable — it is dead on arrival,” Andaha said as he addressed the party faithful and journalists.
Speaking on behalf of the 13 elected LG Chairmen, 147 Ward Councillors, and 18 Development Area Administrators, the ALGON boss hailed Bello’s leadership as inclusive, stabilizing, and results-driven.
“Under Bello’s leadership, the APC in Nasarawa has grown stronger. He has carried everyone along. He has built bridges where there were cracks. We will not sit back and watch a few desperate individuals derail our progress ahead of 2027,” he declared.
Describing the suspension move as both “sad and ugly,” Andaha called on the Gayam ward executives to issue an immediate apology to the state chairman, warning that unity within the party must not be sacrificed on the altar of ambition.
Bello Fights Back: ‘Their Mission Is Dead on Arrival’
In a defiant yet composed response, Aliyu Bello thanked the council chairmen and APC stakeholders for standing by him, assuring them that he remains fully committed to the party’s mission and loyal to Governor Abdullahi Sule.
He dismissed the suspension as both invalid and unconstitutional, revealing that only eight out of 27 Gayam Ward executives signed the suspension document — a number far below what is legally required.
“Let it be known — the APC Constitution is clear. Only the State Executive Committee can take action on my position. Gayam Ward exco lacks that authority,” Bello asserted.
He further alleged that the group behind the suspension had attempted to obtain a controversial court injunction, which was quickly vacated by the magistrate, citing abuse of legal processes and disregard for the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
“They tried to use the courts to destabilize the party, but even the magistrate rejected their desperation. Their plot has failed,” he said.
Bello went further, suggesting that the move against him was part of a broader scheme to undermine Governor Sule’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections, vowing to stand firm with the governor.
“Anywhere Governor Sule goes, we go. We won’t let selfish political ambitions destroy what we’ve built. This is a time for loyalty, not betrayal,” he declared to resounding applause.
The solidarity visit was attended by top APC state officials including the State Secretary Yairus Dagusa, Publicity Secretary Douglas Otaru, and the Organising Secretary, among others — reinforcing Bello’s control over the party’s mainstream machinery.
As the 2027 political realignments begin to take shape, the Nasarawa APC power tussle reveals more than just an internal rift — it lays bare the high-stakes battle between emerging camps, loyalty to the incumbent governor, and the age-old fight for control of party structures.