By Taiye Agbaje
Two executive members of the African Democratic Party (ADC) in Wuse Ward, Abuja have prayed a Federal High Court to restrain Sen. Ireti Kingibe, from parading herself as a member of the party.
Mr Okezuo Kanayo, Chairman of ADC, Wuse Ward, and his Secretary, Mr Isaiah Sameul, filed the suit through on Friday through their lawyer, Dr Maxwell Opara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the originating motion is dated and filed on March 13 by Opara.
They prayed the court to declare that by virtue of the Constitution of the ADC, the Wuse Ward Executive Committee had the power to discipline and suspend any member of the party within its jurisdiction.
They also sought a declaration of the court that the suspension of Sen. Kingibe, by the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the ADC was valid and subsisting.
They also prayed the court to declare that Sen. Kingibe cannot lawfully parade herself as card-carrying member of the party during the subsistence of the said suspension.
They also want the court to declare that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC cannot and should not lawfully recognise the defendant as a member of the party at any level during the subsistence of her suspension.
They equally urged the court to affirm and validate Kingibe’s subspension by the ward.
In the affidavit deposed to by the Wuse Ward Secretary, he averred that the senator is a member of ADC registered under Wuse Ward.
According to him, sometime in 2026 the Ward Executive Committee received complaints regarding acts allegedly committed by the defendant contrary to the constitution of the Party.
He said on March 10, at the general meeting of the party and upon review of the lawmaker’s activities since she joined the party, they found some infractions against her.
Sameul alleged that Kingibe willingly confiscated the ward register, thereby contravening some sections of the party’s constitution.
“The defendant has continuously and persistently absented herself from ward meetings since joining the party.
“She willfully and intentionally failed to pay the party’s statutory fees including membership registration, dues and levies.
“Following deliberations and due consideration after the review of the defendant’s activities, the Ward Executive Committee resolved to suspend the defendant from the party pending further disciplinary action.
He said her suspension was ratified by two third majority of the executive committee in the general meeting of the party.
According to the secretary, the suspension was duly communicated to the defendant and relevant party organs.
Sameul said it would be in the interest of justice for the court to determine the questions raised in the suit.
Meanwhile, the suit is yet to be assigned to a judge.
(NAN)
