Abuja: The FCT chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken decisive action by suspending the chairman and two other executive members from Wuse Ward in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) over their alleged roles in the controversial suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kingibe is currently serving as the representative for the FCT in the Senate. The suspended members include Ward Chairman Kanayo Chukwu, Amanda Pam, and Omale Suleiman. Emmanuel Destiny, a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), addressed newsmen and party members in Abuja, stating that the suspension of Kingibe was in violation of the party’s constitution and established procedures.
Destiny emphasized that the suspension lacked legitimacy as due process was not adhered to. He remarked, “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 Sen. Kingibe. You cannot wake up and suspend a serving senator without putting your complaints or petition in writing.” Destiny further added that the national leadership would not tolerate misconduct by ward officials, declaring their actions as a form of “gangsterism.”
Princess Nneka Nneboh, the party’s Deputy National Auditor, also commented on the controversy, noting that the leadership could no longer remain silent after having given those involved ample opportunity to follow due process. “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 FCT Secretary of the party, John Hyginus, criticized the administrative lapses and disregard for the party’s constitution. He stated, “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.”
NAN reports that the meeting, held at the ADC’s FCT secretariat in Abuja, attracted representatives from key organs of the party. Among those present were FCT Chairman Clement Ihigiato, Secretary John Hyginus, AMAC Chairman Emeka Nnamani, Danlami Zuru, and Jemila Ahmadu.
The controversy initially surfaced earlier in the week when party officials from Wuse ward announced Kingibe’s suspension, citing allegations of anti-party activities, insubordination, and breach of party rules. Accusations against the senator included withholding funds intended for the party’s campaigns during recent area council elections in the FCT.
However, the national leadership of the party distanced itself from these actions. In an earlier statement, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi urged the public and the media to disregard the report, describing it as false and misleading.
The motion for the suspension of the three ward executives was moved by ADC chieftain Danlami Zuru and seconded by ward exco member Samuel Dimgba. Samuel Nwigbo, the ward publicity secretary, had earlier raised concerns in an open letter to the party’s National Working Committee about the party’s decision to go into a major election with a candidate who allegedly did not campaign openly for her party.