Embattled Adamawa APC chairman, Bilal resigns over crisis
The crisis rocking the Adamawa chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finally consumed the chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Bilal.
He tendered a letter of resignation from his position with immediate effect.
Bilal’s resignation came amid disagreement between him and the State Working Committee of the party.
Sources within the party said the chairman may have been advised to resign having been accused of fraternising with an opposition presidential candidate among other things.
But a letter signed 13th September, 2022 by the embattled Bilal to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu through Comrade Mustapha Salihu, the National Vice Chairman, North East, Bilal failed to give reasons for his action. It only said the resignation was with immediate effect.
Bilal letter reads: “I write to inform you that I am resigning from my elected position as the Adamawa State Chairman of our Great Party (APC) immediately.
“While the constitution of APC requires me to occupy the office until 2026, I will be grateful, if I could cease from becoming the State Chairman immediately. I sincerely apologlise for any inconvenience this sudden news may cause.”
A covering note by the party’s National Vice Chairman, North East, Comrade Salihu, to the letter of resignation was forwarded to the National Chairman acknowledging Bilal’s decision.
In Salihu’s letter (photocopy made available to the press) to the National Chairman dated same day, the zonal leader said: “Sequel to the various consultations and meetings cutting across different levels of the party. I write to inform you that the chairman Adamawa State APC chapter Alh. Ibrahim Bilal has tendered his immediate resignation.
“By virtue of his resignation. Sama’ila Tadawus (the deputy chairman) has assumed office as the acting chairman pending ratification by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.”
Confirming the development to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, Adawawa APC Publicity Secretary, Hon. Mohammed Abdullahi said the resignation was with effect from 13th of September, 2022.
According to the Abdullahi: “Following the events of 5th September 2022 in respect of the Party Leadership and the various meetings and consultations that followed at the Zonal and National levels of the Party, the State Working Committee (SWC) met and deliberated on the explanations offered by the State Chairman, Alh Ibrahim Bilal. The SWC has substantially accepted his explanation which is hinged on expediency of time and the need to meet datelines.
“However, Alh. Ibrahim Bilal has resigned from his position as the State Chairman of the Party on personal grounds effective from 13th September 2022.”
The party spokesman stated that despite the disagreement and subsequent resignation, the party has forgiven the embattled chairman and would continue to treat him as a major stakeholder, adding that the party will not hesitate to nominate him for assignments when the need arises.
According to him: “Alh. Ibrahim Bilal remains a loyal, dedicated and committed stakeholder of the Party and will take up a national assignment that’s in the best interest of the Party and our State.
“The SWC appreciates the various roles played by the former Chairman and all our Stakeholders in building and promoting the party in the state.
“In the light of the above, we shall continue to treat him as a major stakeholder of the Party and will nominate him for party assignments when the need arises. We wish him best of luck and success in all his future endeavours.
“With this development, the APC in Adamawa State remains a united family that is desirous of ensuring victory for all it’s candidates in the forth coming general election under the Leadership of Hon. Sama’ila Tadawus as Ag. State Chairman.”
The spokesman however said that the party’s constitution will be enforced if the former chairman was found engaging in anti-party activities.
Efforts to get Bilal were unsuccessful. He refused to pick calls or return SMS text and WhatsApp messages.