Senator Ireti Kingibe
The Federal Capital Territory chapter of the African Democratic Congress has reversed the suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe and sanctioned three ward executives over what the party described as an illegal disciplinary action.
The ADC leadership announced the reinstatement of the senator on Sunday, declaring her suspension by Wuse Ward officials null and void.
The party also suspended three executive members from Wuse Ward in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, accusing them of violating the party’s constitution and disregarding due process.
Those sanctioned include the ward chairman, Kanayo Chukwu, alongside Amanda Pam and Omale Suleiman.
Addressing journalists and party members in Abuja, a member of the party’s National Working Committee, Emmanuel Destiny, said the ward officials acted illegitimately by announcing Kingibe’s suspension without following proper procedure.
“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,” Destiny said.
“You cannot wake up and suspend a serving senator without putting your complaints or petition in writing.”
Destiny added that the national leadership would not condone what he described as misconduct by the ward officials, stating that “whatever gangsterism they have been parading in the last 72 hours, the national wing of the party will take full disciplinary action against them.”
The party’s Deputy National Auditor, Princess Nneka Nneboh, said the leadership could no longer remain silent after giving those involved ample opportunity to follow due process.
“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, also criticised what he described as administrative lapses and a disregard for the party’s constitution. He revealed that ward and area council chairmen had passed a vote of no confidence on the three initiators of Senator Kingibe’s suspension.
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.
The controversy began earlier in the week when officials of the party’s Wuse Ward announced 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.
However, the national leadership of the ADC had earlier distanced itself from the claim, with National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi urging the public and the media to treat the report as false and misleading.
The meeting, held at the party’s FCT secretariat in Abuja, drew representatives from key organs of the party, including the FCT State Chairman, Clement Ihigiato; the State Secretary, John Hyginus; the AMAC Chairman, Emeka Nnamani; Danlami Zuru; and Jemila Ahmadu, among others.