By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) disciplinary committee for the South East zone has indicted its suspended Abia State Chairman, Mr Obinna Don Norman for allegedly gross misconduct, anti-party activities, and the unauthorized sale of party vehicles, recommending his permanent ban from holding any position within the party.
According to a report seen by our correspondent, the Zonal Executive Committee constituted the disciplinary panel following Don Norman ’s earlier suspension by the Abia State Executive over allegations of insubordination and financial impropriety.
The committee, chaired by Dr. Maurice Edeh Nnaemezie and inaugurated by the South East Zonal Chairman, Sir Bon Unachukwu, investigated the dispute between Mr. Don Norman and the state Executive committee.
After interviewing Don Norman and reviewing evidence, the committee found him guilty of selling a party vehicle without the consent of the State Executive, Zonal Office, or National Secretariat.
It dismissed his claim that he personally purchased the vehicles as false and misleading.
The report also accused him of obstructing membership registration, frustrating grassroots mobilisation, and engaging in actions that weakened the party’s image in Abia State.
“These acts amount to deliberate sabotage and a violation of the ADC constitution and guiding principles,” the committee stated.
Consequently, the panel recommended that Don Norman be barred from holding any office or representing the ADC in any capacity, pending ratification by the National Working Committee (NWC).
It also directed that the party recover the sold vehicle or its monetary value and that his deputy, Mazi Kanu O. Kanu, be appointed Acting State Chairman.
In his defence, Don Norman told the committee that he had made personal sacrifices for the ADC, including furnishing the party’s secretariat with ₦30 million provided by his daughter.
He further alleged that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe had tried to persuade him to ensure that ADC did not field a governorship candidate in the last election — a proposal he said he refused.
He maintained that the two Sienna vehicles in question were his personal property, explaining that one was damaged in an accident while the other was sold.
The committee, however, found his explanations inconsistent with party records.
When contacted, the South East Zonal Chairman, Sir Bon Unachukwu, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.
Sources disclosed that the ADC National Working Committee will meet on Tuesday in Abuja to deliberate and possibly ratify the disciplinary committee’s recommendations.
The party described the case as “a lesson to members,” warning that any act of sabotage or indiscipline would be met with decisive action.
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