The ANPP National
Chairman, Chief Don
Etiebet, said yesterday in Abuja that he escaped the party’s disciplinary action because allegations levelled against him could not be substantiated.
Etiebet was recently alleged to have collected about N300 million from the presidency on behalf of the party without the knowledge of the party’s leadership.
“The Insider Magazine had alleged in one of its publications in June, when I was not in the country, that I collected N300 million from the presidency for my party,” he said during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja.
“Some members of the party, including members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), queried my action, saying that I must appear before them when I return from my foreign trip to clear myself against the allegation.
“During the party’s NEC meeting on August 17 and 18, the issue was brought up. I denied the allegations and the national secretary of the party, Alhaji Sani Elkatazu, was also asked to defend himself against the allegations,” he said.
He said that the meeting had “no cogent evidence” against him, adding, that it therefore, passed a vote-of-confidence on me.”
On Elkatazu’s suspension, Etiebet said that he was alleged to have misapplied the party’s funds as well as failure to carry out the party’s directives.
The former national secretary, according to the chairman, was also alleged to have unilaterally taken the decision to change nomination of candidates, which he forwarded to INEC without the approval of the party.
He said the meeting found these allegations against Elkatazu very disturbing and therefore set up a five-man panel headed by the party’s national legal adviser, Gen. Bashir Magashi, (rtd), to investigate the matter, while the Secretary was suspended.
Meanwhile the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) national chairman, Chief Don Etiebet, has disclosed that the party has tentatively fixed December for its national convention.
Etiebet said congresses at the ward, local government levels and states would be concluded in the third week of November.
“This will enable some of our state chapters resolve their leadership crisis and prepare for the national convention,” he explained.
He, however, said that the party’s national executive committee (NEC), will meet on Sept. 2, to conclude arrangements for the convention.
He said the party’s NEC would, at the meeting, consider the list of the convention committee.
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