IRKED by anti-party activities, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has ratified the expulsion of its presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, and his running mate, Ahmed Rufai, from the party.

Others that were expelled from the party include the Board of Trustees Chairman, Patricia Akwashiki; National Vice Chairman, North-East, state chairmen and party executives.

The expulsion was ratified at a special national convention held at the Ahmadu Bello University Conference Hotel in Zaria, Kaduna State.

At the convention, the national officers, whose tenure expired, were replaced with the election of new national officers by affirmation.

Meanwhile, Ralph Nwosu has been returned as National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Saidu as Secretary and Mrs. Kyauta as Women Leader, among others.

In his acceptance speech, Nwosu commended the delegates for choosing him to lead the party for another four years, adding that he would lead the ADC to victory come 2023.

The party chairman, while adducing reasons for the expulsion of Kachikwu, said the presidential candidate had no manifesto since he was elected as the party’s presidential candidate.

“The only thing he (Kachikwu) has done is to work against the interest of the party with the aim of selling the ticket to one of the ‘big’ political parties with impunity,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the Special National Convention and Director-General of the Campaign Global of the African Democratic Congress, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said: “It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this round of periodic national convention of the African Democratic Congress, following the lapse of the statutory tenure of national executives of the party.

“We call this convention special because it marks the flag-off of a genuine movement for the people to reclaim their natural and legitimate rights to reshape the destiny of the Nigerian society.”

“We will reach the mountain top together. Here, I think it is pertinent to underline the fact that the purpose of today’s convention is to dissolve the national working committee and confirm a new one, adopt the party’s amended constitution, as well as adopt a statement of discipline to some party members and ratify party principles and goals and also adopt the rules for the party’s activities, including the process for the next election cycle.”