The crisis rocking the Alliance for Democracy[AD], has deepened as the party choose a new leadership at its National Convention which held in Abuja on Saturday, March 7, with its Presidential candidate, Mr Fafiu Salau, emerging as its new National Chairman.
The convention which was attended by leaders of the party from different parts of the country, took a decision jettisoning Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa who has remained the party’s National Chairman for over eight years.
The party leaders were said to have become disenchanted with Akinfenwa’s leadership style which they alleged is in pursuit of his selfish ambition. They alleged further that that the former National Chairman did not carry the rest of the party leaders along in endorsing President Goodluck Jonathan ‘s second term ambition.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja after emerging the new helmsman of the party, Salua said that Akinfenwa had insulted the sensibilities of the party’s leaders and followers alike by the way he had gone about the endorsement of President Jonathan.
“ Though we are not completely against the ambition of the President to go for a second term , we however , consider it an affront for one man to go negotiating with our party for that purpose, without carrying the rest of the leadership along”, Salau said.
Another leading member of the party who preferred not to be quoted, accused Senator Akinfenwa of making financial gains from his dealings with the Presidency without letting other leaders of the party know what is involved.
“He calls some people and gives them pittance and asks them to align themselves with the endorsement of President Jonathan without letting into the full negotiation he had with the President’s men. Now we are saying we will no longer allow ourselves to be led by the nose”, the man said.
A statement issued after the convention where Akinfenwa was removed, instructed all members of every organ of the party, to “abide by the constitution of the party, rules and regulations of political parties and the Electoral Act, when taking decisions on behalf of the party”.
The convention also carried out an amendment of Article 21 of the party’s constitution, to read that “any candidate for election into the party Executive Committee at all levels, must be below the age of 75 years. Any party member above 75 years can only be a member of the Board of Trustee”.
Akinfewa who is said to be planning a meeting of his faction of the party in Lagos, could not be reached at the time of filing in this report.
