The African Democratic Congress in the Federal Capital Territory has declared the suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe illegal, heightening tensions within the party’s Abuja chapter.
At a press briefing on Sunday, party leaders also sanctioned three executive members from Wuse Ward in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) for allegedly orchestrating the suspension in violation of the party’s constitution. The sanctioned officials include the ward chairman, Kanayo Chukwu, alongside Amanda Pam and Omale Suleiman.
Emmanuel Destiny, a member of the party’s National Working Committee, said the purported suspension lacked legitimacy because proper procedure was not followed.
“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. You cannot wake up and suspend a serving senator without putting your complaints or petition in writing,” he stated.
Destiny added that the national leadership would not tolerate misconduct by ward officials, warning that full disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible for “gangsterism” in the last 72 hours.
Similarly, the party’s Deputy National Auditor, Princess Nneka Nneboh, criticised the ward executives for ignoring due process. “It is of no use keeping quiet because we asked them to do the right thing and follow the proper channel. Enough is enough,” she said.
FCT Secretary John Hyginus also condemned the administrative lapses, citing breaches of the party constitution and anti-party activities by the three officials. “The ward and area council chairmen have passed a vote of no confidence on the three initiators of Senator Kingibe’s suspension,” he added.
The meeting, held at the party’s FCT secretariat in Abuja, included representatives from key organs of the party, such as FCT State Chairman Clement Ihigiato, AMAC Chairman Emeka Nnamani, Danlami Zuru, Jemila Ahmadu, and others.
The suspension controversy began earlier in the week when Wuse Ward officials alleged that Kingibe engaged in anti-party activities, including withholding campaign funds during recent area council elections. The national leadership, however, described these claims as false and misleading.
In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged the public to treat the initial suspension report with caution.
The motion for Kingibe’s suspension was reportedly moved by Danlami Zuru and seconded by Samuel Dimgba, with concerns raised by the ward publicity secretary, Samuel Nwigbo, about her alleged lack of campaign activity in her constituency.
The development underscores an intensifying power struggle within the FCT chapter as the national leadership seeks to reassert control and enforce discipline within the party ranks.
