The Benue State leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected what it described as an unconstitutional attempt to dissolve its State Leadership Team and local committees, insisting that the structure of the party in the state remains intact.
At a meeting held on March 6 in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, party leaders said the purported dissolution announced by the Acting State Chairman and members of the State Working Committee did not follow the provisions of the party’s constitution and therefore “lacks binding authority”.
“The announcement did not follow the due constitutional process of the party and therefore cannot stand,” the leadership team said in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting.
The group reaffirmed its continued existence, alongside the MRMR Committees across the state, citing relevant provisions of the party constitution. It also resolved to formally report what it described as “anti-party activities” by the Acting State Chairman and members of the State Working Committee to the party’s Deputy National Chairman for the North Central Zone.
Expansion of leadership structure
As part of efforts to strengthen the party structure, the leadership approved the co-option of three additional members from each Local Government Area into the State Leadership Team to broaden representation and inclusiveness.
The meeting also ratified nominations into a newly constituted State Elders Forum, which will serve as an advisory body for the party in the state. However, leaders directed LGAs that submitted names for both the leadership team and the elders’ body to make adjustments, noting that no individual can serve in both groups simultaneously.
The leadership also mandated each LGA to nominate at least one woman into both the State Leadership Team and the Elders Forum.
Funding and membership registration
Party leaders commended contributions from LGAs toward the procurement of membership registration cards, noting that nine LGAs from Zone C, two from Zone B and one from Zone A collectively raised ₦25 million for the exercise.
The meeting directed the State MRMR Committee to proceed immediately with the purchase of the cards.
In a boost to the party’s finances, former federal lawmaker Herman Hembe donated ₦10 million, while former senator Joseph Waya contributed ₦15 million to support party activities in the state.
Focus on party growth
The leadership said it had adopted a funding framework requiring members of the State Leadership Team to continue contributing to the party’s operations to ensure financial sustainability in the state.
