81 APC executives take on Kwara assembly speaker over suspension of Edu lawmaker

— Describe action as illegal, unconstitutional

Eighty-one ward and local government executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Tsaragi District of Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State, have openly challenged the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi, over the suspension of their representative, Hon. Yisa Saba Gideon.

The party executives, drawn from Tsaragi District Wards 1, 2 and 3, described the suspension as illegal, unconstitutional, and a direct attack on the democratic mandate freely given to the lawmaker by the people of Edu Constituency.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, the APC leaders insisted that the Speaker’s authority is limited by constitutional provisions and legislative rules, stressing that no individual office holder can override the collective will of the electorate.

“The suspension of Hon. Yisa Saba Gideon violates due process, natural justice, and internal party democracy. His mandate belongs to the people and cannot be withdrawn arbitrarily,” the executives said.

They further argued that the Speaker, who represents only part of Edu Constituency, lacks the moral and democratic authority to silence the majority voices of voters across the constituency.

The group stated that the action has been widely rejected at the grassroots, noting that 81 out of 90 ward and local government executives in the district have formally condemned the suspension and reaffirmed their support for Hon. Gideon.

Calling for immediate redress, the APC executives demanded the restoration of the lawmaker’s mandate and warned against actions capable of undermining democratic institutions or eroding public trust.

They also appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene, expressing confidence in his commitment to fairness, the rule of law, and due process.

“We remain loyal to the leadership and vision of Governor AbdulRazaq and believe his intervention will ensure justice and protect the will of the people,” the statement added.

The executives urged party leaders, civil society organisations, the media, and the public to remain calm and pursue a peaceful and lawful resolution of the matter.

The statement was jointly signed by 81 ward and local government APC executives in Tsaragi District Wards 1, 2 and 3 of Edu Local Government Area, who reiterated their rejection of what they termed the illegal suspension of Hon. Yisa Saba Gideon.