ADC suspends Rivers gov candidate Ibraye, deputy Tonto Dikeh

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced the suspension of its governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonte Ibraye, and his running mate, Tonto Dikeh, over alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.

This is coming after the duo said they would be backing the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Saturday’s governorship poll in the state, Cole.
The ADC also suspended former state deputy chairman of the party, Ode Lawrence-Gbagire, the former state secretary, Eke Iheanyi-Eugene, former youth leader, Deinma Emmanuel, the former publicity secretary, Luckyman Egila, and former legal adviser, Hamza Victor-Chukere.
The governorship and state assembly elections are slated for Saturday March 18, 2023.
In a statement jointly signed by the State Chairman of the party, Leader Sampson, the Deputy Chairman, Alali Ikpoemugh, and the state Secretary, Gabriel Patterson-Unyeowaji, the suspension followed recommendations by the state disciplinary committee which was also ratified by the state working committee of the party.
The statement also revealed that the governorship candidate of the party, Mr Ibraye, since his emergence, “has created more division in the party, especially with his endorsement of a presidential candidate alongside his running mate and their “co-travellers.”
It stated that the governorship candidate of the ADC and his running mate did not show any commitment to their campaign for the forthcoming governorship election. They were accused of working against the senatorial district candidate in their areas.
When contacted, the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation of the ADC candidate, Eke Eugene said, “Sampson lacks the power to suspend them following his earlier suspension from the party.”