Ireti Kingibe: ADC suspends three ward executives

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has suspended three ward executives in Wuse Ward of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) over their alleged role in the controversial suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kingibe represents the FCT in the Senate.

Those suspended include the Wuse Ward Chairman, Kanayo Chukwu, as well as Amanda Pam and Omale Suleiman.

Speaking to journalists and party members in Abuja, a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), Emmanuel Destiny, said the move to suspend the senator violated the party’s constitution and due process.

According to him, the action lacked legitimacy as the proper procedures were not followed.

“The party is supreme over every individual. As of now, the national leadership has not received any formal complaint or petition against Senator Kingibe.

“You cannot simply wake up and suspend a serving senator without submitting your grievances or petition in writing,” he said.

Destiny added that the national leadership would not tolerate what he described as misconduct by the ward officials.

“We are here to firmly say no to such shenanigans and the actions of a self-acclaimed Wuse Ward chairman who is not recognised by the party.

“Whatever form of gangsterism they have displayed in the last 72 hours, the national leadership will take full disciplinary action against them,” he stated.

Also reacting to the development, the party’s Deputy National Auditor, Princess Nneka Nneboh, said the leadership could no longer remain silent after giving those involved the opportunity to follow the proper procedures.

“It is no longer useful to remain silent because we had 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 must say it is time to call a spade a spade. Enough is enough,” she said.

The FCT Secretary of the party, John Hyginus, also criticised what he described as administrative lapses and a disregard for the party’s constitution.

“We are here to address the administrative incompetence of the state chairman, the gross breach of the party’s constitution, and several anti-party activities attributed to him.

“Today, ward and area council chairmen have passed a vote of no confidence in the three individuals who initiated Sen. Kingibe’s suspension,” he said.

NAN reports that the meeting held at the ADC FCT secretariat in Abuja was attended by representatives from key organs of the party, including the FCT Chairman, Clement Ihigiato; the Secretary, John Hyginus; AMAC Chairman, Emeka Nnamani; as well as Danlami Zuru and Jemila Ahmadu, among others.

The controversy began earlier in the week when officials of the party’s Wuse Ward announced the suspension of Kingibe over alleged anti-party activities, insubordination, and breach of party rules.

She was also accused of withholding funds meant for the party’s campaigns during the recent area council elections in the FCT.

However, the national leadership of the ADC 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 ADC chieftain Danlami Zuru and seconded by an exco 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 political party would approach a major election with a candidate who allegedly failed to openly campaign for the party during an election held within her constituency.

NAN