The Federal Capital Territory chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has suspended three executives of its Wuse Ward in the Abuja Municipal Area Council over their involvement in the disputed suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe.
Kingibe represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Nigerian Senate.
Those sanctioned include the ward chairman, Kanayo Chukwu, alongside Amanda Pam and Omale Suleiman, who were accused of spearheading the move that announced the senator’s suspension earlier in the week.
Speaking to journalists and party members in Abuja on Sunday, a member of the party’s National Working Committee, Emmanuel Destiny, said the action taken by the ward officials contravened the party’s constitution and established procedures.
Destiny insisted that the decision lacked legitimacy because due process was ignored.
“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 party’s national leadership would not tolerate what it considered 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 commenting on the dispute, the party’s Deputy National Auditor, Princess Nneka Nneboh, said the leadership had allowed enough time for those involved to follow proper procedures but had been forced to intervene.
“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 breaches of the party’s constitution and administrative lapses.
“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, held at the party’s FCT secretariat in Abuja, was attended by several key party figures, including the FCT Chairman, Clement Ihigiato; Secretary John Hyginus; AMAC Chairman, Emeka Nnamani; as well as party members Danlami Zuru and Jemila Ahmadu.
The controversy began earlier in the week when officials from the party’s Wuse ward announced that Senator Kingibe had been suspended over allegations of anti-party activities, insubordination and violation of party rules.
She was also accused of withholding funds allegedly meant for the party’s campaign activities 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 party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged the public and the media to disregard the report, describing it as false and misleading.
During the Abuja meeting, a motion to suspend the three ward executives was moved by ADC chieftain Danlami Zuru and seconded by ward exco member 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 the party’s readiness for major elections.
In the letter, he raised concerns over how “a serious party” would attempt to enter a major election with a candidate who refused to openly campaign for her party in an election conducted within her constituency.