The African Democratic Congress in the Federal Capital Territory has suspended three executive members from Wuse Ward in the Abuja Municipal Area Council over their alleged involvement in the controversial suspension of Ireti Kingibe.
The suspended officials include the ward chairman, Kanayo Chukwu, alongside Amanda Pam and Omale Suleiman.
Speaking to journalists and party members in Abuja on Sunday, a member of the party’s National Working Committee, Emmanuel Destiny, said the purported suspension of the senator violated the party’s constitution and established procedures.
Destiny maintained that the action lacked legitimacy because due process was not followed.
“The party is supreme to every individual. Until now, the national wing of the party has not received any letter of complaint or petition against Sen. Kingibe.
“You cannot wake up and suspend a serving senator without putting your complaints or petition in writing,” he said.
He added that the national leadership would not tolerate 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 reacting to the controversy, the party’s Deputy National Auditor, Princess Nneka Nneboh, said the leadership could no longer remain silent after giving those involved time to follow the appropriate procedures.
“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,” she said.
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 Sen. Kingibe’s suspension,” he said.
The meeting, which took place at the ADC’s FCT secretariat in Abuja, was attended by several party leaders, including the FCT Chairman, Clement Ihigiato, AMAC Chairman Emeka Nnamani, and party members such as Danlami Zuru and Jemila Ahmadu.
The controversy began earlier in the week when officials of the party’s Wuse ward announced the suspension of Ireti Kingibe over allegations of anti-party activities, insubordination and violation of party rules.
The senator was also accused of withholding funds meant for the party’s campaign during the recent area council elections in the FCT.
However, the party’s national leadership quickly distanced itself from the decision. In an earlier statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged the public and the media to disregard the report, describing it as false and misleading.
The motion to suspend the three ward executives was moved by Danlami Zuru and seconded by an executive member from the ward, Samuel Dimgba.
Meanwhile, in an open letter reportedly addressed to members of the party’s National Working Committee, the ward publicity secretary, Samuel Nwigbo, questioned how “a serious party” could approach a major election with a candidate who refused to openly campaign for the party during an election held within her constituency.
What you should know
Ireti Kingibe currently represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Nigerian Senate under the African Democratic Congress.
Internal disputes within political parties are common in Nigeria, often involving disagreements between local ward officials and national party leadership.
In this case, the ADC’s national leadership rejected the attempt by Wuse Ward officials to suspend the senator, leading to disciplinary action against the ward executives involved.
