By Emmanuel Mogbede
The Zonal Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Mr Timi Frank, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party,
Frank’s suspension followed the recommendation of a five-man disciplinary committee.
The committee was set up by the party`s National Executive Committee (NEC) to investigate petition against Frank by a member of the party.
The committee also recommended to the party`s NEC that Frank should be expelled from the party.
Mr Hilliard Eta, Zonal Vice Chairman (South South) of the party, while adopting the committee’s report, told newsmen that Frank was suspended in line with article 1 (d) and (f) of the party`s constitution.
“In furtherance of satisfying the provisions of the constitution of the APC, I had to call for this emergency meeting of the zone.
“After very exhausting deliberation, the zone has arrived at the confirmation of the disciplinary committee’s report that Mr Timi Frank be suspended from the party forthwith.
“This is in line with article 1 (d) and (f), having been accepted by this house, he hereby stands suspended by this party.’’
Eta said the zonal committee would recommend to the party`s NEC that Frank should be expelled from the party in line with Article 21 D H (2 and 3) of its constitution.
He said that the committee was not hasty in suspending Frank as being claimed in some quarters.
According to him, the party’s constitution stipulates that petitions should be swiftly treated.
Asked if the party would reverse its decision should Frank apologise, Eta said that would only be considered if it was provided for in the party’s constitution.
He said that contrary to Frank’s claim that the party`s zonal executive committee lacked the constitutional power to prosecute him, the committee is backed by the party`s constitution to take such action.
“Timi Frank is a member of the NEC, a member of the ZEC and a member of Local Executive Committee and State Executive Committee and World Executive Committee.
“Any of these executive committees can look into petitions against any party member including myself.
“Our constitution is radically different from the constitutions of other parties that have preceded us.
“A lot of Nigerians assume that all political parties have the same constitution, ours is not the same as operated by others,’’ he said.
