The David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday expelled factional chairman, Nafiu Bala, over alleged anti-party activities.
The party also announced the expulsion of several members, including Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives; Kingsley Temitope; Obinna Norman; Kennedy Odiong; and Stella Chukwuma.
The decision was taken on Tuesday during the party’s national convention in Abuja.
At the convention, a former governor of Osun state and National Secretary of (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Tuesday criticised President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
Aregbesola, an estranged ally of the president, said unlike most of the political parties that are tied to some certain individuals, ADC derives its existence and power from the people of Nigeria.
“The ADC derives its existence from the aspirations and the values of the Nigerian people who are tired of the deceit and colossal mismanagement to which this country is being subjugated. We owe our existence to the Nigerian Constitution. We declare that freedom of association, including that to form or belong to any political party, is guaranteed and is a fundamental right,” he said.
“We are here because the ADC is on a rescue mission to reclaim the country from the strangulating grasp of the ruling party.
“The APC is a party which has foisted on the country an electoral law that stinks forgery and making false claims in electoral documents is no longer valid, in other words, the ruling party is criminalising criminality.
“We proclaim our existence because our country is worth necessary sacrifices. The government claims that the recent reduction in the exchange rates shows its mastery of economies.
“This is false. In truth, the exchange rate, which was about N700 Naira to the dollar at the open market, not the official rate, when this government assumed office in 2023, is now about N1,400. This amounts to 1,400 percent devaluation in an import-dependent economy.
“This is terribly devastating. The cost of a litre of fuel before this administration was between N185 and N238 naira. Depending on the part of the country you are, now it is about 1,400 per litre and still rising.”
The ADC chieftain equally frowned over the rising transportation costs, which he noted has thrown the masses into untold hardship as they daily struggle to go about their legitimate businesses.
He added that due to poor power generation, most people are daily forced to go out to do simple tasks they should have stayed at home to do.
“The administration told Nigerians that if it does not solve the power problem by providing constant power supply, they should not be voted for a second time. Today, power supply is far worse, with some parts of the country receiving an average of two hours daily, and some other parts of the country also receive an average of two hours daily. And some have been in darkness for stretches of weeks and months,” he said.
