Crisis rocks AD as NEC suspends party chair

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of Alliance for Democracy (AD), yesterday, passed a vote of no confidence on the party’s national chairman, Chief Joseph Avazi, and suspended him over what it termed gross misconduct.

The NEC also approved the setting up of a 7-man disciplinary committee to investigate the allegations leveled against Avazi in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

Reading the communiqué to newsmen at the end of the NEC meeting which lasted for about two hours in Abuja, the national publicity secretary of AD, Nola Olayinka Morufat, announced that the NEC mandated Alhaji Ayodele Ismail to act as national chairman pending the conclusion of investigations.

The AD spokesperson said Chief Avazi was accused of gross misconduct, anti-party activities, incompetence, perjury, taking unilateral decisions, dictatorship, lack of accountability, consultation and administrative acumen.

He was also accused of ‘illegally’ engaging a brother of his to carry out the responsibilities of the national secretary without the consent and approval of the party.

But in a swift reaction, Chief Avazi said he remained the national chairman of AD and that the NEC meeting of the party had not been held as speculated.

Avazi said the party was “surprised to note that some disgruntled elements took advantage of the postponed NEC meeting of the AD and gathered themselves at the supposed venue to announce what pleased them.”

He said the date for the NEC meeting shall be announced and advised members to remain calm, adding that the party would not allow itself to be derailed into crisis by miscreants.