South South zonal chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Festus Igbinoba, has dismissed speculations of a contention regarding the chairmanship of the party in Bayelsa State, saying the duly recognised chairman remains Mr Tovie Johny.
He said in a statement on Friday that those behind the speculations were only wishing that the ADC should be in disarray, largely because of the large following which the party was enjoying nationwide.
The chairman said the party was aware of efforts by some persons in government to sow seeds of discord in the party as a way of ensuring that the unity currently being enjoyed in the party was scuttled, but noted that the party was determined to remain strong and resolute in the agenda of taking over power from the present APC.
The statement reads in part: “ Mr. Tovie Johnny is the Bayelsa State ADC Chairman who was duly elected. Any other person claiming to be the state party chairman is on their own and do not enjoy the imprimatur of the party leadership.
“We adopted the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in Bayelsa State in resolving the internal leadership issues and successfully reinstated Mr Tovie Johny to his position as chairman.
“Election or appointment of party officials is an internal matter and no court do have jurisdiction to entertain such cases, based on various Supreme Court Judgments.
“I as the National Vice Chairman South South of the party was in Bayelsa State to hold stakeholders meeting of the party where Tovie Johnny was affirmed as the state party chairman. We therefore urge the public to deal with the executive of the party headed by Mr. Tovie Johnny.”
