The Ward 9 Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State has suspended the party’s 2026 deputy governorship candidate, Chief Ayodeji Babatola, following allegations that he withdrew benches he had donated to the party after failing to secure a campaign appointment.

The ADC ward executives announced the suspension after a meeting in Ado-Ekiti, accusing Babatola of anti-party activities and other acts of misconduct allegedly aimed at undermining the party’s unity and electoral processes.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the ADC Ward Chairman, Abdul Jimoh, alleged that Babatola withdrew the benches he donated to the party after failing to secure appointment as Atiku/Amaechi Campaign Coordinator for Ekiti State.

Jimoh described the alleged withdrawal as one of several actions attributed to the deputy governorship candidate which the committee said had undermined party cohesion and discipline.

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The ADC ward executives also accused Babatola of discouraging party members from attending a rally organised in Ado-Ekiti on November 6 in support of the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and other candidates.

Other allegations against him included persistent absence from ward meetings, alleged diversion of campaign logistics during the June 20 governorship election, promotion of factional activities and causing disaffection among party members.

The committee further alleged that Babatola directed the destruction of a party campaign banner bearing the photographs of the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives candidates.

The Ward Secretary, Abdul Latifa Motunrayo, said the committee resolved to suspend Babatola from all party activities, meetings and positions in Ward 9 with immediate effect, pending the final determination of the matter by the appropriate ADC organs.

She directed him not to present himself as a party leader or representative, organise political activities on behalf of the party or undertake campaign assignments without written authorisation during the suspension period.

The committee said the disciplinary action was intended to protect party unity, internal discipline and electoral interests ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

What The ADC Governorship Candidate Said

When contacted, the ADC Governorship Candidate, Babatola rejected the suspension, insisting that the Ward 9 Executive Committee lacked the constitutional authority to suspend him.

He argued that the party had already constituted caretaker committees to oversee its affairs, questioning the legitimacy of the ward executives and their decision.

Babatola further alleged that those behind the suspension were aggrieved because they were not included in the newly constituted caretaker committee.