The leadership of the African Democratic Congress has dismissed the purported expulsion of its presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, and seven key national leaders of the party by the immediate past National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
This was contained in a statement issued by the interim National Chairman of the party, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, in Abuja on Saturday.
Social media had been awash with reports of how Kachikwu and other key members were kicked out over alleged anti-party activities barely 12 days into the political campaign for the 2023 general elections.
An online report had claimed that a seven-man disciplinary panel set up by Nwosu found the evicted party leaders guilty of gross violations of ADC’s constitution.
But reacting to the rumoured expulsion, the interim leadership of the party, led by Akwashiki, described the action of the erstwhile chairman as the antics of a sinking man clutching at straws.
She also called on members of the party and concerned Nigerians to ignore what he described as the diversionary and divisive activities of Nwosu “who is presently lamenting over spilt milk like a whipped child”.
She insisted that the ADC would not be distracted by the actions of Nwosu and his hirelings masquerading as genuine officers of the party.
Akwashiki said, “Nwosu is the former chairman whose tenure has elapsed who now seeks to pull the party down because he failed in his bid to extend his tenure after 17 years as a party chairman. All expulsions and suspensions from Nwosu and his cabal are merely diversionary and a face-saving measure as he faces investigation for fraud, forgery and impersonation by the Nigeria Police.
“The general public is, therefore, advised to ignore any statements emanating from Nwosu or any member of the former National Working Committee. Chief Ralph Nwosu has approached the courts to challenge his removal, so, he is advised to wait for the court ruling and stop making a fool of himself.
The ADC has moved on. Nwosu had better wake up to reality. The constitution of the party is supreme and there is no provision therein for a life national chairman.”
