THIS DAWN — The Anambra State leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed that the party’s constitution does not permit the unilateral removal or replacement of an elected State Chairman without due process and the involvement of constitutionally recognised party organs.
In a legal opinion circulated among party executives and stakeholders in the state, the leadership cited specific provisions of the ADC Constitution deposited with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It stressed that any change in state leadership must strictly comply with constitutional procedures.
The Essence of State Congress
According to the document, the office of State Chairman is an elective position established under the ADC Constitution and filled through election at a duly convened State Congress.
The State Congress is described as the highest decision-making body of the party at the state level.
It is vested with the authority to elect members of the State Executive Committee, including the chairman.
The opinion further referenced provisions of the constitution governing tenure.
it noted that an elected State Chairman is entitled to serve for the full duration of the prescribed term.
The office becomes vacant through resignation, death, expiration of tenure, or lawful removal following a disciplinary process recognised by the constitution.
Removal from Office
On the issue of removal, the Anambra ADC executives pointed to the party’s disciplinary provisions.
This requires allegations of misconduct to be properly made, investigated, and determined by the appropriate party organ, with the affected officer entitled to fair hearing.
The document emphasised that no single individual or authority — including the National Chairman — is empowered under the constitution to unilaterally remove an elected State Chairman.
The Anambra leadership acknowledging the supervisory and coordinating role of national party organs such as the National Working Committee (NWC).
It maintained that such powers are not absolute and must be exercised in strict conformity with the constitution.
Oversight, the executives argued, does not equate to the power to dissolve or substitute elected state leadership at will.
What the Party Must Do
Party members warned that actions taken outside constitutional procedures risk plunging the party into internal disputes.
Such disputes, in turn, undermine internal democracy and exposing the ADC to avoidable litigation.
It noted that Nigerian courts have consistently held political parties bound by their constitutions in matters of internal governance and leadership.
The Anambra executives concluded by urging all party members and stakeholders to:
- Respect the supremacy of the ADC Constitution,
- Adhere to due process, and,
- Avoid steps that could damage party unity or credibility.
As internal leadership disputes continue to test political parties across the country, the Anambra ADC’s position adds to the growing emphasis on constitutionalism and internal democracy within party structures.
