Kogi ADC Exco Declares Congress Suspension Illegal, Insists Exercises Will Hold
:Crisis rocks Kogi ADC as State Executive Committee rejects suspension of congresses, says only NWC can halt party processes, urges members to proceed as planned.
LOKOJA
A fresh leadership crisis appears to be brewing within the Kogi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a sharp disagreement over the suspension of the party’s scheduled congresses.
The State Executive Committee (Exco) of the party has dismissed the announced suspension as незаконal and without constitutional backing, urging members to disregard the directive and proceed with preparations for the exercises.
In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Abdulmalik Suleiman, the Exco faulted the action of the outgoing State Chairman, Mr. Kingsley Ogga, who had earlier announced the suspension of ward, local government, and state congresses in compliance with what was described as a directive from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the Exco maintained that the chairman lacked the authority to take such a decision, insisting that only the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party is empowered to initiate or halt internal electoral processes.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the outgoing chairman does not possess the constitutional powers to suspend congresses in the state. Such authority rests solely with the National Working Committee,” the statement read.
The committee further argued that the suspension contradicts existing party regulations and runs contrary to resolutions of the National Executive Committee (NEC), which had earlier approved the continuation of all activities leading to the party’s national convention, including congresses at all levels.
According to the Exco, the NWC had already given clearance for the congresses to proceed nationwide, stressing that no state-level officer or organ has the jurisdiction to override such a directive.
The development has created uncertainty among party members in the state, with competing directives emerging from different factions within the party leadership.
Despite the confusion, the Exco called on aspirants, delegates, and party faithful to remain calm, law-abiding, and fully mobilised, assuring them that the congresses would hold as originally scheduled.
“All ward, local government, state, and national congresses will proceed as planned. Members should remain focused and committed to the party’s processes,” the statement added.
The leadership also reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, due process, and adherence to the rule of law, warning that any attempt to undermine the party’s timetable through what it described as “unauthorised pronouncements” would be treated as a breach of party discipline.
Political observers say the unfolding situation highlights ongoing internal tensions within the ADC in Kogi State, particularly as the party prepares for critical organisational exercises that will shape its leadership structure ahead of future elections.
The conflicting positions have raised concerns about possible factional divisions, with stakeholders calling for clarity from the party’s national leadership to prevent further escalation.
As events continue to unfold, attention is expected to shift to the National Working Committee of the ADC for a definitive position on the matter, which could determine the direction of the party’s internal processes in Kogi State.