The suspended National Secretary of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Mr. Theophilus Ezonfade, has dismissed the suspension as a nullity.

He said the National Representative Council (NRC) of the INC that purportedly suspended him was not properly constituted and that Chief Augustin Lugbeinwei, who announced his suspension purportedly in his position as leader of NRC, was not the elected leader of the organ.

“I am very reluctant to make comments on INC because I have served in various capacities but for the purpose of keeping records straight, the President of INC is using his own faction of NRC to avoid the National Executive Council (NEC),” Ezonfade said.

“He has questions to answer before the NEC and he has been avoiding it, I have not received any form of communication on the suspension and the probe panel is illegal and I do not see how I can appear before it,” he added

Ezonfade also dismissed the rumours that the crisis was caused by the tussle for funds earmarked for reception planned for outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ezonfade’s suspension was announced by Lugbeinwei on Friday, who said that the decision was taken at an exhaustive meeting of the organ of the group in Yenagoa.

According to Lugbeinwei, a five-man panel has been set up to look into allegations of breach of INC constitution leveled against the secretary of the group.

The panel, he said, is expected to turn in its report of the probe to the NRC in four weeks.

Lugbeinwei further said that Chief Williams Mkpah, the Assistant National Secretary of INC, has been appointed to act pending the conclusion of the probe.

He added that Mkpa was appointed in acting capacity following his level headedness, humility and focused leadership in handling of INC matters.

Lugbeinwei said that the suspended Secretary would have ample opportunity to defend himself before the committee set up to look into the allegations leveled against him within the next one month.

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