Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East senatorial district have rejected the suspension of certain lawmakers in the state house of assembly.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State house of assembly had on Thursday suspended nine of its members on allegations bordering on terrorism.

The resolution was taken on the heels of a letter from Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello which alleged that the lawmakers engaged in terrorist acts.

Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Mathew Kolawole, said the Governor claimed his findings were based on a security report.

The suspended lawmakers were; Olusola Kilani (Ijumu), Bello Hassan (Ajaokuta), Muhammed Lawi Ahmed (Okene I), Moses Akande (Ogori/Magongo), Aderonke Aro (Yagba West), Daniyan Ranyi (Bassa), Atule Igbunu (Ibaji), Atachaji Musa (Idah) and Muktar Bajeh (Okehi).

Addressing newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, Citizen Akwu Umar Goodman, who spoke on behalf of the Kogi East APC Leaders Forum faulted the resolution of the state parliament which he claimed was instigated by Governor Bello.

He further alleged that it was part of a premeditated plot by Governor Bello to cow chieftains of the party and impose his favoured candidate ahead of the November governorship election in the North Central state.

He said, “Governor Yahaya Bello has never hidden his intention to impose his protégé from his tribe as successor come Nov 11 Kogi State Governorship Election, which is a mission impossible.

“Because politics is a game of numbers and the majority will always carry the day while the minority will always have their say.

“The Declaration of Hon. Suleiman Atajachi Musa representing the good people of Idah, Hon. Daniel Rayin of Bassa Local Government Area and Mukhtar Ibrahim and the Hon. Representing Ibaji Constituency is the greatest injustice and hatred. We, the Igala people, are seriously injured and stigmatized by this pronouncement.

“We condemn in its entirety and reject completely the appellation.

“There is no individual apart from the Commamder-in-Chief and the Executive President through his National Security Adviser that can declare an individual or group terrorist(s) but Governor Yahaya Bello has assumed the position of the President, to declare honourable gentle leaders as Terrorists.

“Hon Suleiman was a former Executive Chairman of Idah LGA and current House of Assembly Member who has been meritorious and there was no single crisis under his watch as the Executive Chairman of Idah LGA then and now that he is still our representative at State Assembly.

“Also, the Honourable member representing Ibaji, Hon Atule Egbunu, and the able Council Chairman, Hon. Williams O. Ikojo are people of high political pedigree. Igala land has never had a history of bomb explosions like Ebira land that have recorded several bomb blasts, the last explosion was during the visit of PMB to Kogi State on the 28^thof December 2022, which claims about two lives. “

The group also rejected the suspension of the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party and governorship aspirant, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, by his ward.

The Kogi East APC Leaders Forum called on the national working committee of the party to reverse the suspension of Honourable Ajaka.

“Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka is the Hero of APC success in Kogi East and by extension Kogi State.

“We at this moment pass a vote of absolute confidence on his capability, capacity and competence as a worthy representative of the state in the NWC and a great leader of our time.

“Hence, the illegal suspension by any individual, group of people and interest group are done out of hatred and fear of his rising political profile.

“Hence we are calling on the able and experienced National Chairman of our great party, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the Sarki Yaki Keffi-led executives to void the purported suspension of our people immediately as all the allegations are figments of imagination and hatred enveloped with fear of the intimidating profile of Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka.

“The motive is political witch-haunting. There are laid down rules to visit punitive measures on erring members and accept the verdict of the party leaders after a fair hearing of any lawbreaker.

“Please use your good offices to save our party from premature death as the wishes of some party members.

“As we pledged our total support and loyalty to the party hierarchy, we shall always respect all rules of engagement as members of APC.

“Mr Chairman Sir, we want to use this same opportunity to say a big Congratulations to you and your workaholic Executive that ensured the resounding victory of APC in the just concluded Elections. “ (Saturday Tribune)