Chidinma Iroegbu
Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Wuse Ward of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have taken Senator Ireti Kingibe to the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged anti-party activities and violation of the party’s constitution.
The suit, filed on Friday and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/539/2026, was instituted by the ADC Chairman in Wuse Ward, Okezuo Godfrey Kanayo, and the ward secretary, Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, for themselves and on behalf of the Ward Executive Committee of the party.
Through their lawyer, Maxwell Opera, the plaintiffs asked the court to recognise the disciplinary powers of ward executives and uphold the suspension earlier imposed on the senator representing the FCT in the National Assembly.
In a supporting affidavit, Samuel said the ward leadership began receiving complaints in 2026 regarding actions allegedly taken by Kingibe that were inconsistent with the provisions of the party’s constitution.
He explained that the issues were examined during the party’s general meeting held on March 10, 2026, where members reviewed the senator’s conduct since joining the party.
According to him, the meeting identified several alleged infractions, including the confiscation of the ward membership register and repeated absence from ward meetings.
Samuel further alleged that the senator failed to meet statutory financial obligations to the party, including membership registration fees, dues and levies required of members.
The affidavit also accused Kingibe of insubordination and conduct capable of bringing embarrassment to the party within the ward structure.
Following deliberations, the Ward Executive Committee resolved to suspend the senator pending further disciplinary measures, a decision Samuel said was ratified by a two-third majority of members during the ward’s general meeting.
“The suspension was duly communicated to the defendant and relevant party organs,” Samuel stated, adding that despite the action taken by the ward leadership, Kingibe has continued to present herself publicly as a member of the ADC.
The plaintiffs therefore asked the court to declare that the ward executive has the authority to discipline members within its jurisdiction and to issue an order restraining the senator from parading herself as a card-carrying member of the party pending the determination of her disciplinary status.