ADC WARD EXECUTIVES DRAG FCT SENATOR IRETI KINGIBE TO COURT, SEEK ORDER TO STOP HER FROM PARADING AS PARTY MEMBER AMID SUSPENSION DISPUTE. (PHOTO).

 ADC Ward Executives Drag FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe to Court, Seek Order to Stop Her from Parading as Party Member Amid Suspension Dispute

Officials of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Wuse Ward, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to restrain Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the National Assembly, from further presenting or parading herself as a member of the party.

The originating summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/539/2026 and filed on Friday through their lawyer Maxwell Opara (also referred to as Maxwell Opera in some reports), lists Senator Kingibe as the sole defendant. The plaintiffs—Okezuo Godfrey Kanayo (ADC Chairman, Wuse Ward) and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel (Ward Secretary)—are suing for themselves and on behalf of the Ward Executive Committee.

In a supporting affidavit, Samuel detailed allegations that the Ward Executive Committee received complaints in 2026 about Kingibe's conduct, which they claim violated the party's constitution. Following a general meeting on March 10, 2026, where her activities since joining the party were reviewed, the committee identified several infractions, including:

- Willfully confiscating the ward register, contravening party constitutional provisions.

- Persistent absence from ward meetings since joining the party.

- Willful neglect in paying statutory fees, including membership registration, dues, and levies.

- Engaging in anti-party activities, insubordination, and making public announcements capable of bringing shame to the party within the ward.

The affidavit stated that after deliberations, the Ward Executive Committee resolved to suspend Kingibe indefinitely, a decision ratified by a two-thirds majority at the meeting. The suspension was communicated to her and relevant party organs.

Despite this, the plaintiffs alleged that Kingibe continues to hold herself out as a card-carrying member of the ADC, prompting their concern that she may persist unless restrained by court order.

The suit raises four issues for determination and seeks six principal reliefs, including:

- A declaration that the Wuse Ward Executive Committee has the constitutional power to discipline and suspend members within its jurisdiction.

- A declaration affirming that Kingibe's suspension is valid and subsisting.

- A declaration that she cannot lawfully parade herself as a member or card-carrying member of the ADC during the suspension.

- A declaration that the ADC's National Working Committee cannot lawfully recognize her as a party member at any level while the suspension remains in force.

- Validation of the ward committee's suspension decision.

- An order of perpetual injunction restraining her from parading as an ADC member pending final determination of her disciplinary status.

The plaintiffs argue that under the ADC constitution, ward executives are empowered to enforce discipline locally, and once suspended pursuant to party rules, a member ceases to enjoy membership privileges until the matter is resolved.

The case comes amid conflicting narratives: Reports indicate the national ADC leadership has distanced itself from the ward's suspension action, describing it as unauthorized or false in earlier statements around March 11–12, 2026, and insisting that proper internal procedures were not followed. Some sources describe the ward faction as "infiltrated" or lacking authority over a sitting senator.