APC Suspends Rivers Chieftain Dagogo Indefinitely Over Lawsuit,Anti-Party Claims

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward 4, New Layout in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State, has indefinitely suspended party chieftain Fubara Dagogo over allegations of gross misconduct and anti-party activities.

The suspension, announced in a letter dated March 16, 2026, was jointly signed by Ward Chairman Richard Ibani Benstowe and Secretary Donald Jumbo. In a video circulating on social media, Benstowe read the notice, accusing Dagogo of breaching Article 21.2 (I), (II), and (VII) of the APC Constitution (2022 as amended).

“Following the resolution of members and leaders at an emergency meeting on March 16, you are hereby suspended indefinitely from the APC,” Benstowe stated. He cited Dagogo’s “anti-party activities capable of embarrassing the party,” flouting party rules, disobedience to directives, unguarded statements, and demeaning leaders—actions that allegedly ridicule the APC despite prior warnings.

The ward urged the state secretary to endorse the resolution and take necessary actions, with the suspension taking immediate effect.

Link to National Vice Chairman Dispute

Sources close to the matter link the suspension directly to Dagogo’s ongoing lawsuit against the APC. The former House of Representatives aspirant from Rivers had paid N5.1 million for the nomination form to contest as National Vice Chairman (South-South) at the party’s regional convention on March 25, 2026, but claimed unfair exclusion.

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Dagogo sought a court order to suspend the convention, arguing procedural lapses, and has refused to withdraw despite party pressure. Online reports from Premium Times and Vanguard confirm he filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing the APC of denying him clearance without justification. The court has yet to rule, but his persistence appears to have triggered the ward-level backlash.

Dagogo, a prominent Rivers politician and ex-federal lawmaker contender, has a history of intra-party friction. In 2022, he decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC amid Rivers’ turbulent politics under Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Recent social media posts by Dagogo defend his legal action as a quest for “justice and internal democracy,” vowing not to be intimidated.

Broader APC Suspension Trends

This is not isolated. Just last week, APC in Cross River suspended lawmaker Cyril Omini over alleged wife assault. In Benue, the PDP mirrored the move by suspending its publicity secretary for anti-party claims. In Rivers, activist Onoh has called for suspending pro-Wike lawmakers amid impeachment rumors against Governor Fubara.

Rivers APC remains factionalized, with loyalties split between supporters of Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara. Dagogo’s case underscores escalating tensions ahead of future conventions. The state chapter has yet to comment officially as of March 27, 2026.