APC expels Rivers Assembly minority leader

The crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly over the election of All Progressives Congress Party (APC) minority leader took another dimension yesterday when the leadership of the party in the state expelled Barrister Benibo Anabraba.

Though a member of the APC, Anabraba, who represents Akuku Toru Constituency 2 in the assembly, was elected APC minority leader by majority members of the PDP against the wishes of the party.

The APC preferred candidate, Josiah Olu, who enjoys the support of the party’s caucus in the House and leadership of the party in the state, lost to Anabraba during the contentious election.

In a letter of expulsion addressed to Anabraba, signed by the state chairman of the APC, Dr Davis Ikanya, the party cited anti-party activities, negligence in carrying out lawful directives as well as disobedience to constituted authority as the reasons for his expulsion.

“The State Working Committee (SWC) in its meeting of 27/01/17 has resolved that you are guilty of anti-party activities and also guilty of disobedience and negligence in carrying out lawful directives of the party.

“Your willful and consistent refusal to attend the proceedings on the three occasions you were invited has confirmed your disrespect to constituted authority of the party,” the letter said.