A fresh crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following a statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Nwigbo Chukwudi Samuel, detailing a series of allegations against Senator Ireti Kingibe and defending moves toward her suspension.
In a statement released to party stakeholders, Samuel accused the senator of actions he described as “anti-party activities” that allegedly weakened the party during the recent Area Council elections in the FCT.
According to him, the senator allegedly withheld funds meant for campaign activities during the elections and only released the money after the party had already lost the polls. He claimed that the candidates were later summoned and offered financial inducements to remain silent, with the senator reportedly stating that the funds were meant for her personal projects.
Samuel further alleged that the party’s state leadership and executives were “deliberately starved of funds,” forcing members to finance party activities and election logistics from their personal resources.
He also accused the senator of withdrawing a party office previously provided to the FCT chapter under what he described as “strange circumstances.” The development, he said, has forced the party to hold key strategic meetings in open spaces despite having a sitting senator representing the territory.
“The same office she later claimed to have restored has not been fully handed over to the party and is currently operating as her constituency office,” the statement added.
The ADC spokesperson also criticized an internal memo dated March 9, 2026, allegedly issued by the senator announcing the suspension of all party activities in the FCT. Samuel argued that such a decision falls outside the constitutional powers of a single party member.
He expressed concern that the directive came barely a month before a major election and warned that such actions could undermine the party’s preparedness.
Samuel praised grassroots members of the party for what he described as their “heroic performance” during the council elections despite the challenges.
He also appealed to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to intervene in the dispute and ensure that both sides are given a fair hearing.
“ADC FCT has chosen the party and the country over an individual,” he said. “We are suing for peace and our rights need to be respected.”
Despite the tensions, the statement concluded with a call for reconciliation and unity ahead of upcoming elections, urging party leaders to resolve the dispute amicably.
As of the time of filing this report, Senator Ireti Kingibe had not publicly responded to the allegations.
— Reported by Chronicles Reporters