By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Benue State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the party’s national leadership led by Senator David Mark, describing its emergence as illegal and unconstitutional.
State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party led by its Chairman Elias Adikwu, in a press conference on Wednesday, said the ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC was rooted in alleged constitutional violations and disregard for due process at the national level.
The committee accused the party’s founder, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, of overstaying his tenure as national chairman beyond August 2022, noting that a Federal High Court ruling had declared his continued leadership and actions thereafter null and void.
According to the SEC, actions taken by Nwosu after his tenure, including the conduct of a convention in Zaria and alleged unilateral decisions affecting party structure, contributed significantly to the current leadership crisis.
The Benue ADC leadership further faulted the emergence of the David Mark-led caretaker committee, arguing that it violated provisions of the Electoral Act requiring a mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before such meetings.
It maintained that failure to properly notify INEC rendered the process that produced the caretaker committee invalid.
The SEC also declared as illegal the constitution of Membership Registration, Mobilisation and Revalidation (MRMR) and so-called leadership committees across various levels of the party, stating that such structures were not recognised by the party’s constitution.
It warned party members against engaging with the committees, insisting that any actions or membership registrations carried out by them would be considered null and void.
On party activities, the Benue ADC said it had not conducted any congresses and would not participate in any national convention until proper directives are issued by the appropriate authorities.
The committee also reaffirmed the suspension of five members over alleged anti-party activities and violations of the party’s constitution.
Despite the crisis, the Benue ADC leadership reiterated its commitment to upholding the party’s constitution, internal democracy and the rule of law.
Reacting to the development, one of the alleged suspended members and newly elected State Chairman of ADC under the Mark-led leadership, Samson Okwu rejected Adikwu’s claims saying he had already been suspended by the National Convention.
According to him,“When the coalition started, it was Orbunde-led leadership that we met on ground as acting chairman and not Elias,” Okwu said.
“Moreover he was suspended at the National Convention, and so whatever he is doing lacks credibility and effect,” he added
