The last is yet to be heard of the controversy surrounding the takeover of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by coalition opposition politicians led by the former Senate President, David Mark.
On Thursday, stakeholders of the party, including those from the 36 states of the Federation, insisted that the takeover of the party by the coalition, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, was done in breach of the party constitution.
At a press conference in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Malam Musa Matara, likened the development in the party to that of a tenant pushing the landlord out of their house for no just cause.
“What is happening at the party is surprising to us. Without the knowledge or consent of the party’s elected officials and grassroots members like us, some strange fellows who feel they are too big and influential have rendered us homeless in the house we all built from scratch.
“The ADC logo is a handshake. We are happy to have new entrants at the party. That is what we have always yearned for. However, what we are saying is that it should be done properly,” he said.
“The purpose of this gathering is not to condemn the idea of coalition. Coalitions can strengthen democracy. But the process must be transparent and must carry along the party’s structures from polling units to the national level. That was not done here.
“Can you imagine that some of them were issued party membership cards on the same day they were named interim chairmen. This is strange and totally unacceptable.”
The stakeholders, comprising state secretaries and women leaders, called for the resolution of pending issues revolving around the need to elect a substantive national chairman of the party before considering any need for alliances with the coalition.
