The Federal Capital Territory chapter of African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Sunday suspended three executive members from Wuse Ward in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) for allegedly spearheading the controversial suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe.
Ms Kingibe currently represents FCT at the Senate.
The suspended executive members include the ward Chairman, Kanayo Chukwu as well as Amanda Pam and Omale Suleiman.
Addressing journalists and party members in Abuja, a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), Emmanuel Destiny, said the purported suspension was in violation of the party’s constitution and laid-down procedures.
Mr Destiny also said that the suspension lacked legitimacy as due process was not followed.
“The party is supreme to every individual. Until now, the national wing of the party has not been served any letter of complaint or petition against Senator Kingibe.
“You cannot wake up and suspend a serving senator without putting your complaints or petition in writing,” he said.
Mr Destiny added that the national leadership would not condone what he described as misconduct by the ward officials.
“We are fully present to say ‘No’ to such shenanigans and the misbehaviour of a self-acclaimed Wuse ward chairman not recognised by the party.
“Whatever gangsterism they have been parading in the last 72 hours, the national wing of the party will take full disciplinary action against them,” he stated.
Also weighing in on the controversy, the party’s Deputy National Auditor, Nneka Nneboh, said the leadership could no longer remain silent after giving those involved ample opportunity to follow due process.
She said, “It is of no use keeping quiet because we asked them to do the right thing and follow the proper channel.
“Whatever decision we take here today stands, and as a national officer, I want to say it is time to call a spade a spade. Enough is enough.”
The party’s FCT Secretary, John Hyginus, also criticised what he described as administrative lapses and disregard for the party’s constitution.
“We are here to address the administrative incompetence of the state chairman and the gross breach of the party’s constitution as well as several anti-party activities he has committed.
“Today, the ward and area council chairmen have passed a vote of no confidence in the three initiators of Senator Kingibe’s suspension,” he stated.
The meeting, held at ADC’s FCT secretariat in Abuja, drew representatives from key organs of the party, including the FCT Chairman, Clement Ihigiato; the Secretary, John Hyginus; AMAC Chairman, Emeka Nnamani, Danlami Zuru and Jemila Ahmadu, among others.
The controversy began earlier in the week when officials of the party’s Wuse ward announced Ms Kingibe’s suspension over allegations of anti-party activities, insubordination and breach of party rules.
The senator was also accused of withholding funds meant for the party’s campaigns during the recent area council elections in the FCT.
The national leadership of the party, however, distanced itself from the suspension.
In an earlier statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged the public and the media to disregard the report, describing it as false and misleading.
The motion seeking the suspension of the three ward executives was moved by an ADC chieftain from Wuse ward, Danlami Zuru, and seconded by an exco member from the ward, Samuel Dimgba.
In an open letter reportedly sent to members of the party’s National Working Committee, the ward publicity secretary, Samuel Nwigbo, raised concerns on how “a serious party” would attempt to go into a major election with a candidate who refused to openly campaign for her party in an election held within her constituency.
(NAN)