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ADC in dire straits with onset of full-blown crisis

By  Godwin Ijediogor (Asaba)  Leo Sobechi, Adamu Abuh (Abuja)
18 September 2022   |   3:33 am
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), yesterday, teetered on the brink of collapse with the different factions issuing conflicting messages.

African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Kachikwu Still In PDP, Nwosu Faction Claims
• Alleged Suspension Diversionary Tactic By Ex-chair — Akwashiki

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), yesterday, teetered on the brink of collapse with the different factions issuing conflicting messages.

  
While the statement by the embattled National Chairman of the party, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, expelled the party’s presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, for alleged involvement in anti-party activities and violation of the party’s constitution, another statement by the Interim National Chairman of the party, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, described the Nwosu’s-led faction’s action as the antics of a sinking man clutching at straws. 
  
The Akwashiki faction specifically dismissed the alleged expulsion of some of its key leaders, describing it as a diversionary tactic employed by an ex-official to confusion in the party.
  
Other chieftains of the party affected by the alleged expulsion are Kennedy Odion, Kingsley Oggah, Musa Hassan, Bello Isiyaka, Clement Ehiator, Kabiru Hussaini, and Alaka Godwin.
 
According to the statement: “The seven-man Disciplinary Panel set up by the African Democratic Congress to look into the allegations of gross misconduct, anti-party activities and gross violations of the party’s constitution, amongst others, levelled against Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu and others, sat on the 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th of September, respectively and submitted its report formally to the leadership of the party on the 15th of September 2022.
  
“The panel found Kachikwu and others guilty of the allegation levelled against them, subsequently, in accordance with Article 15 of the party’s constitution, recommended that Kachikwu and others be expelled from the party.

According to Nwosu, in another statement by the party’s National Director of Communications and Programmes, Mr. Ifenla Oligbinde: “It has been 100 days that Kachikwu emerged the candidate of our dear party. Rather than embark on any form of consultation, planning, and strategic work to leverage the party and consolidate his candidacy, he has had a stranglehold on the neck of NWC members to sniff life out of the party for ominous reasons.

     
Following the purported expiration of Nwosu’s tenure in office, a caretaker committee, headed by Senator Akwashiki, was set up to pilot the affairs of the party.

But Akwashiki’s efforts to be recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met a brick wall over breach of due process, flouting of laid down rules, and absence of the chairman and secretary’s signatures.
 
That notwithstanding, Akwashiki, yesterday called on members of the party and indeed Nigerians to ignore the diversionary, divisive, and destabilising activities of an ex-official, whom she said, “is presently lamenting over spilt milk like a whipped child.”
 

 
She insisted that the ADC would not be distracted by the actions of some persons and their hirelings now masquerading as genuine officers of the party. 
  
Akwashiki said: “Chief Ralph Nwosu is the former chairman whose tenure has elapsed, and who now seeks to pull the party down because he failed in his bid to extend his tenure after 17 years as party chairman. 
   
“All expulsions and suspensions from Nwosu and his cabal are merely diversionary and a face-saving measure as he faces investigation for fraud, forgery, and impersonation by the Nigeria Police. 

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