By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Accord Party has expelled eight members, including its former presidential candidate, Professor Christopher Imumolen, and suspended three others for gross misconduct, anti-party activities, and breaches of the party’s constitution.

The decision was announced during a NEC meeting held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday and communicated to journalists by Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, the National Chairman.

Those expelled include 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.

The suspended members are Salimu Lawal Boyi, Katsina State chairman; Fatima Mohammed Zarumi, acting Yobe State chairman; and Abdullahi Isa Kasowa, Bauchi State chairman.

According to Mgbudem, the NEC emphasized that maintaining party discipline and adhering to the constitution is crucial to avoid anarchy and preserve the party’s integrity.

He further stressed that the party is united, declaring there is no faction, and noted that court rulings had invalidated previous attempts to destabilize the party.

The NEC expressed confidence in the leadership of Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, describing his leadership as visionary and focused on repositioning the party for greater relevance in Nigeria’s democratic process.

Members were urged to remain united as the party initiates a massive membership drive to strengthen its position ahead of future elections.

Mgbudem stated that the disciplinary measures followed recommendations from a seven-member committee led by Barrister Emeka Uwakolam, which investigated allegations of misconduct and anti-party activities.

The NEC also commended the return of members previously influenced by Professor Imumolen’s rebellion.

The Accord Party reiterated its commitment to sustainable democracy and development while calling on all members to serve as ambassadors of its ideals.

Mgbudem said, “The NEC unanimously approved and endorsed the disciplinary measures against some party members for gross misconduct, anti-party activities, factionalizing the party, and breaches of its constitution.

“Accordingly, the NEC expelled eight members and suspended three others for violating Article 20A (vii), (ix), (xiii), and 20A (1) of the party constitution.

“NEC emphasized the need to maintain decorum within the party to avoid anarchy, highlighting that adherence to the party’s constitution is not just expedient but mandatory as the party is supreme.

“NEC passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem as the authentic National Chairman of Accord and urged him to remain focused on rebuilding, rebranding, and strengthening the party to meet the expectations of citizens for a better Nigeria.

“NEC welcomed back members misled by the expelled former presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Professor Christopher Imumolen, who instigated a rebellion against the leadership of the party, aiming to destabilize it and bring it to disrepute.

“NEC urged members to remain in one Accord as there is no faction in the party, noting that the court has vacated the interim order Professor Imumolen obtained, which expired after seven days as ruled by Justice M. M. Adamu of the FCT High Court on September 4, 2024. The court also ordered the intruders to vacate the party national secretariat, which they forcefully took over on August 31, 2024.

“Accord has commenced a massive membership drive aimed at repositioning the party as a major stakeholder in the democratic process and urged every member to be a good ambassador of our great party in the quest for sustainable democracy and development in the country.”