Benue ADC faction suspends five key members
From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Benue State has suspended five prominent members of the party for alleged anti-party activities.
Those suspended are Senator Emmanuel Yisa Orker-Jev, Hon. Terngu Tsegba, Hon. Samson Okwu, Barr. Herman Hembe and Barr Alex Ter Adum.
The party also rejected the national leadership of the party headed by Sen David Mark as chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary
The faction also rejected the state congress held in Makurdi a week ago, during which a former House of Representatives member, Samsom Okwu, emerged as the state chairman of the party.
Briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Makurdi, the ADC factional Chairman in the state, Elias Adikwu, claimed that the congress was illegal.
He based their stand on the derecognition of the party’s national leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in line with an Appeal Court ruling.
He blamed the crisis in the ADC to what he claimed were unconstitutional actions of the erstwhile National Chairman of the party, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu.
According to Elias, Nwosu’s “illegalities” led to ADC’s leadership collapse, “which has become a topic for everyday discussion.”
He therefore said all actions taken by the David Mark-led executives, including membership registration, congresses, and convention, were illegal, unconstitutional and null, and void.
The Benue ADC faction said it remains committed to the supremacy of the party’s constitution and to democratic, inclusive, and transparent processes as enshrined in Article 2 and Article 7 of the ADC Constitution.
“These provisions remind us that the constitution governs all affairs of the party and that our purpose is to ensure procedures and practices that allow all members to participate truthfully, meaningfully and effectively in party deliberations.
“We remain guided by the rule of law, equity, and justice and committed to promoting internal democracy and respect for constitutional authority,” he said.
