APC suspends ex-lawmaker, 9 others in Kebbi crisis

DDM News

A fresh wave of political turmoil is sweeping through the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State following the suspension of a former federal lawmaker and nine other party officials in the Koko Local Government Area.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the party has formally suspended Muhammad Shehu Koko, a former Member of the House of Representatives who represented the Koko/Besse/Maiyama Federal Constituency.

In the same sweeping disciplinary action, nine APC officials in the local government area were also sanctioned.

Among those suspended are high-ranking local party figures, including the APC Vice Chairman for Koko Local Government, Muhammad Danyado, and the Party Secretary, Biyaminu Muhammad.

The Women Leader of the party in the area, Talatu Zauro, also featured prominently on the suspension list.

Others affected by the action include the Youth Leader, the Financial Secretary, the Welfare Secretary, and several other ward-level officials whose names were not fully disclosed at the time of reporting.

A suspension letter obtained by Channels Television and verified by DDM outlines the reasons behind the punitive action.

The party accused the affected individuals of engaging in anti-party activities, displaying disloyalty to the party leadership, and harassing executive members of the APC in Koko Local Government Area.

The letter was jointly signed by the APC Local Government Party Chairman, Muhammad Maibarga, and the Local Government Executive Chairman, Sirajo Usman Koko.

It was also endorsed by 14 other stakeholders within the APC structure in Koko LGA, showing a united front by the local leadership in taking the disciplinary measure.

Although the suspension letter did not provide detailed evidence of the alleged infractions, internal sources claim that tension had been brewing within the party over the past few months.

According to close allies of the former lawmaker, who spoke to Channels Television, they were not authorised to speak on his behalf.

However, they hinted that the suspension might be connected to Muhammad Shehu Koko’s alleged ambition to run for a senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

They suggested that his growing influence and renewed political aspirations may have unsettled certain power blocs within the APC in Kebbi State.

Observers say the move could be interpreted as an internal strategy aimed at neutralising a potential rival before he gains wider support across the state.

Political analysts believe that the suspension reflects deeper cracks within the APC as factions jostle for dominance ahead of future elections.

Muhammad Shehu Koko is regarded as a significant political figure in Kebbi State.

He served in the 9th National Assembly before losing his re-election bid in the 2023 general elections.

His constituency, Koko/Maiyama, is considered one of the most politically active zones in the state and has historically played a decisive role in election outcomes.

Known for his grassroots mobilisation skills and strong political network, Shehu Koko remains a force within the local political landscape.

The silence from the state-level APC leadership in Birnin Kebbi has left many party members wondering whether the suspension has the endorsement of the broader party hierarchy or is limited to local political infighting.

Political watchers warn that such unresolved internal conflicts, if not carefully managed, may weaken the party’s grassroots structures and jeopardise its chances in upcoming elections.

In recent years, the APC in Kebbi has experienced a series of internal challenges, including factional disputes and contested primaries.

With the next general election cycle drawing closer, analysts stress the importance of unity and transparency within the party ranks to prevent further disintegration.

The unfolding crisis underscores the volatility within the APC in Kebbi State and highlights the urgent need for internal reconciliation and dialogue to maintain party cohesion and public confidence.

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