ADC says House member Leke Abejide not suspended

From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja

The African Democratic Congress, Kogi State chapter, has said that the Member of the House of Representatives for Yagba Federal Constituency, Hon. Leke Abejide, remains a bona fide member of the party and has not done anything to warrant being suspended.

In a press statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja and signed by the state secretary of the party, John Adaji, he said contrary to reports, he has not signed any suspension letter.

The statement reads in part: “Let me categorically state that nothing of such occurred. I therefore dismiss the purported suspension as null and void and of no effect whatsoever, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the ADC and laid-down rules of our great party.

“For emphasis, there was no state meeting where such decision was taken, as any form of suspension would have emanated from the ward to the local government level before the State Working Committee (SWC) can assent to it.

“The explicit import of this is that the SWC has no powers whatsoever to take any disciplinary action against someone whom the ward has not found wanting.

“I therefore condemn the purported suspension of Hon. Leke Abejide and the use of my name as signatory to the suspension. The claim is reckless, unconstitutional, and I caution those behind this act to retrace their steps as we need to preserve the stability of our party.

“I call on all leaders, critical stakeholders, members, and supporters of our party in Kogi State, and indeed across the country, to disregard the purported suspension,” it added.