The National Executive Committee of the Accord Party has approved the expulsion and suspension of several members for violations of the party’s constitution.
The decision was announced in a communique following a meeting at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
The communique was read by Maxwell Mgbudem, the National Chairman, and Adebukola A. Ajaja, the National Secretary.
The NEC’s action followed a report from the seven-member Disciplinary Committee formed by the National Working Committee to investigate allegations of gross misconduct, anti-party activities, and breaches of the party constitution, according to Daily Post.
As a result, the NEC expelled eight members and suspended three others for violating specific articles of the party’s constitution.
The expelled members include:
Professor Christopher Imumolen, former presidential candidate
Comrade Lanre Ogundare, Lagos State chairman
Surajo Ibrahim, Zamfara State chairman
Muktar Abdalla, Borno State chairman
Chief Abiola Samuel Odeoba, former Ekiti State chairman
Dr. Falaye Ajibola, former Ondo State chairman
Prince Adebisi Wale Ganiy
Dzingina Jacob Ephraim, Nasarawa State chairman
Meanwhile, three members were suspended:
Salimu Lawal Boyi, Katsina State chairman
Fatima Mohammed Zarumi, Acting Yobe State chairman
Abdullahi Isa Kasowa, Bauchi State chairman
The NEC emphasised the importance of maintaining discipline within the party to prevent chaos and uphold the integrity of its constitution. It underscored the necessity of adherence to the party’s guidelines as essential to ensuring unity and stability.
In addition, the NEC expressed confidence in the leadership of Maxwell Mgbudem, affirming him as the legitimate National Chairman of the party. The committee also extended a welcome to members who were misled by Professor Christopher Imumolen, the former presidential candidate, who was accused of orchestrating a rebellion aimed at destabilizing the party. According to the NEC, Imumolen’s actions led to significant disrepute and division within the party, which the leadership has now sought to address.
The NEC further assured members that the party remains united, stressing that no faction exists within the Accord Party. The committee also pointed out that a court ruling had dismissed an interim order obtained by Imumolen, which had briefly disrupted the party’s operations. On September 4, 2024, the FCT High Court vacated the order and instructed those involved to vacate the party’s national secretariat, bringing an end to the disruption caused by the expelled members.
The disciplinary process was led by the Disciplinary Committee, which included:
Emeka Uwakolam (Chairman)
Bishop Benson Ijachi (Secretary)
Gabriel Almond Kubua
Yusuf A. Training
Hassan Bello
Ndubuisi Paschal Ani
Adeniyi A. Philip
The committee’s efforts are seen as crucial in restoring order and preserving the party’s integrity.
“Accordingly, NEC expelled eight members and suspended three others for violating Article 20A (vii), (ix), (xiii), and 20A (1) of the party constitution,” the communique said.
“Those expelled from the party are Professor Christopher Imumolen, former presidential candidate; Comrade Lanre Ogundare, Lagos State chairman; Surajo Ibrahim, Zamfara State chairman; Muktar Abdalla, Borno State chairman; Chief Abiola Samuel Odeoba, former Ekiti State chairman; Dr Falaye Ajibola, former Ondo State chairman; Prince Adebisi Wale Ganiy and Dzingina Jacob Ephraim, Nasarawa State chairman.
“Members suspended are Salimu Lawal Boyi, Katsina State chairman; Fatima Mohammed Zarumi, Acting Yobe State chairman and Abdullahi Isa Kasowa, Bauchi State chairman.”
NEC “urged members to remain in one Accord as there is no faction in the party,” noting that the court has since vacated the interim order Professor Imumolen surreptitiously obtained which naturally expired after seven days as ruled by the presiding judge, Justice M. M. Adamu of the FCT High Court on 4th September 2024, where he also ordered the intruders to vacate the party national secretariat which they forcefully took over on Saturday, 31st August 2024.”
“The expelled members vacated Accord National Secretariat immediately which brought their plot to destabilize the party to an end.”
