The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports that the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary and the former Zonal Organising Secretary, who both left the party, have been replaced by the party's National Working Committee, which is led by Abdullahi Ganduje.

The names of the replaced party officials that were circulated on Thursday, according to a statement signed by the APC chairman in Kogi State, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, did not come from the state chapter of the party. He added that this was a clear violation of the APC constitution by known destabilization agents.

According to the APC Chairman, the Kogi State APC met to approve and submit names of replacements for the national and zonal officers that left the party after the resignation of the two officers from the party. The meeting was presided over by Governor Yahaya Bello.

Explaining further, Bello said, “The State Chapter ratified Hon. Yahaya Ade Ismail as the new Deputy National Publicity Secretary and Hon. Isiaka Musa as the Zonal Organising Secretary for North Central. And in line with the provisions of our constitution, we communicated the ratified replacements to the National Working Committee through the North Central Zonal Chairman of the Party.

“To our dismay, the National Working Committee came up with strange names that didn’t pass through the State Chapter nor the North Central Zone of the party and purportedly went ahead to ratify them, citing presidency interest’ as the rationale for their action. We strongly reject the action, as we will not be parties to the blatant and flagrant violation of our party’s constitution.

“Our belief in Mr. President as a man who respects the Constitution of our party and a man who believes in due process is unshaken in the face of the current confusion foisted on the party by people dropping the name of the President to achieve their selfish aims”.

He called on the National Working Committee of the APC to reverse the unconstitutional replacements done on their behalf without ratification or approval, adding that the ruling party should revert to their ratified list as they occupy those offices on behalf of the State Chapters.

“We have delivered Kogi State to the APC, and the least we expect is for the party hierarchy to continue to support us to achieve greater heights.

“The Kogi State Chapter of the APC therefore rejects the decision of the National Working Committee in its entirety and urges it to follow the constitution of our party and the due process our party is known for.

“We are confident that the interest of the party is for Kogi State to remain a stronghold of the APC, especially now that we march towards November 11 to retain the State,” he stated.