The leadership of African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Thursday said it had no intention to push away the party’s state chairmen.
The Interim National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this while addressing newsmen after the party’s leadership, under the interim National Chairman, Sen. David Mark, had met with state chairmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
Abdullahi assured the state chairmen of the party’s readiness to collaborate with them to build a stronger party.
“We have invited all the state chairmen to this meeting to reassure them that we don’t have any intention to push them away. 37 state chairmen, including FCT, were present here.
“The purpose of the meeting is to dispel all kinds of falsehood and rumours that have been going around the country that we have come to take over this party from them and to push them away,” said Abdullahi.
Reacting to comments by the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Dumebi Kachikwu, that the process of the coalition and the taking over of the party were flawed, Abdullahi said that no provision of the party had been violated.
“A presidential candidate is just someone, a member of the party. We are on a solid legal ground.
“If anyone has any evidence to show that we have violated our own constitution, we are open to be challenged. No member of ADC has disagreed with the process so far,” he said.
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Abdullahi said that if there were ADC members still aggrieved, the party leadership was ready to engage with such members.
The Chairman, ADC State Chairmen Forum, Kingsley Ogga, dispelled the allegation that they were not carried along in the coalition process.
The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, stated that everyone in the meeting agreed to work together for the party.
Asked if she was still in the Labour Party or now in ADC, Kingibe said she was committed to ADC.
The Lagos State Chairman of ADC, George Ashiru also said that all the state chairmen agreed that ADC should go into the coalition.
“The 37 state chairmen are here. We are not worried about the idea that we are being replaced because we know the constitution.
“But we just want to make sure that the public understands the way we operate.
“This is a solidarity visit to our new leaders. It is also a communal visit to each other to prepare for the next steps and that’s why we’re here,” he said.
Ashiru said that the party was making more influence in the state, welcoming new members from the ruling All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party
Meanwhile, the Cross River chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has called for the resignation of its members listed as coordinators of the African Democratic Congress.
In a statement on Thursday, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Mike Ojisi stated it is not opposed to members exercising their fundamental right to freedom of association as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.
Ojisi, however, said that members wishing to join other political parties must resign from the PDP first, as dual party membership is not allowed.
He said, “The State Working Committee has noted a publication naming some SWC members and Chapter Chairmen as ADC coordinators in Cross River State.
“The SWC, therefore, urges those named to be honourable and either publicly denounce the publication or resign their PDP positions within 48 hours.
“Otherwise, the party will apply the relevant disciplinary provisions of its constitution against them.”
Ojisi added that the PDP is not in any coalition, as resolved at its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting recently held in Abuja.
He urged Executive Committee members to stay loyal to the PDP and avoid activities that may be seen as defection or anti-party conduct.
He said, “The SWC reassures members that the party remains committed to its founding values and principles.”
He added that the party would continue working to promote governance and development in Cross River, currently under APC.
He urged members to remain hopeful, saying better days lie ahead when the PDP will regain its winning ways
NAN
