By Abubakar Yunusa
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of Accord has approved the expulsion of its former presidential candidate, Professor Christopher Imumolen, and seven other members, as well as the suspension of three members, citing anti-party activities and gross misconduct.
The decision was announced in a communiqué jointly signed by Maxwell Mgbudem, Accord’s National Chairman, and Adebukola A. Ajaja, its National Secretary, following a NEC meeting held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
The NEC acted on the recommendations of a seven-member Disciplinary Committee set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) to investigate alleged breaches of the party’s constitution.
“Accordingly, NEC expelled eight members and suspended three others for violating Article 20A (vii), (ix), (xiii), and 20A (1) of the party constitution,” the communiqué stated.
The expelled members include:
Professor Christopher Imumolen former presidential candidate,
Comrade Lanre Ogundare ,Lagos State chairman,Surajo Ibrahim (Zamfara State chairman),Muktar Abdalla (Borno State chairman),Chief Abiola Samuel Odeoba (former Ekiti State chairman),Dr. Falaye Ajibola (former Ondo State chairman)
Prince Adebisi Wale Ganiy,and
Dzingina Jacob Ephraim (Nasarawa State chairman).
The NEC also suspended:Salimu Lawal Boyi (Katsina State chairman),Fatima Mohammed Zarumi (acting Yobe State chairman), and Abdullahi Isa Kasowa (Bauchi State chairman).
The NEC stressed the importance of maintaining decorum within the party to prevent chaos and lawlessness, emphasizing the supremacy of the party’s constitution.
It also passed a vote of confidence in Maxwell Mgbudem as the party’s National Chairman.
The communiqué alleged that Professor Imumolen attempted to destabilize the party by instigating rebellion, bringing it into disrepute, and misleading members during the 2023 general election.
The NEC noted that the FCT High Court had vacated an interim order obtained by Professor Imumolen and directed the intruders to vacate the party’s national secretariat, which they forcefully occupied on August 31, 2024.
The court ruling, issued by Justice M.M. Adamu on September 4, 2024, also dismissed the order after seven days.
The NEC welcomed back members who had been influenced by Imumolen’s alleged actions, reaffirming that there is no faction within the party.
While urging members to remain united,it said; “There is no faction in the party, and all members should remain in one Accord.”
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