ADC holds state congresses amid accusations
The state congresses of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were marred by accusations and alleged infiltration of the party by external forces. In Enugu State, a chieftain of the party,
The state congresses of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were marred by accusations and alleged infiltration of the party by external forces.
In Enugu State, a chieftain of the party, Kenneth Okonkwo, raised the alarm over what he called growing internal and external threats to the party.
He warned that the situation could undermine its planned congresses in Enugu State.
Addressing reporters after a stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu, Okonkwo alleged that the party was under siege from the “moles within” and external forces.
He said such forces were plotting to destabilise the ADC ahead of the 2027 general election.
Expressing fear about the turn of events in the party, Okonkwo said: “Intimate enemies are more powerful than even the external enemies…
“If they can destroy ADC, they will run unopposed.”
Okonkwo, who said he was in Enugu as a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), maintained that there was no faction within the ADC.
“ADC does not have any faction. What you have are moles that are being used to see whether they can truncate ADC,” he stated.
Okonkwo said the Enugu State chapter remained loyal to the David Mark-led national leadership of the party.
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But he accused the party’s National Organising Secretary of issuing multiple conflicting letters appointing different congress committees within a short period.
He said: “Within 48 hours, three different letters were issued, and this has thrown the whole state into confusion. We do not even know which congress committee is organising the congress.”
In Zamfara State, the party said it was set to witness a massive influx of new members.
Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and thousands of his supporters across the 14 local government areas of the state have adopted the party as their political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.
This was the outcome of a strategic caucus meeting by the Marafa Support Groups, under the leadership of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa.
The meeting, which was held on Wednesday in Kaduna, was atteneded by key stakeholders, elders, youth leaders, women groups, coordinators, and critical actors of the movement to deliberate on the political future and strategic direction of the Marafa political family.
A statement by the Secretary of the group, Mallam Aminu Jelani, (Sarkin Bai Gusau), said following extensive deliberations, consultations, and review of reports presented by the leadership and relevant committees, the caucus directed all its members nationwide to register with the ADC.
The meeting expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for granting members the opportunity to gather and deliberate on issues critical to the future of the movement and the progress of Zamfara State.
“The meeting noted the formal invitation extended by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to Distinguished Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and his supporters to join the party and acknowledged the significant role played by former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji MD Abubakar, (retd.), in facilitating constructive engagements between both parties.
“After careful consideration of prevailing political realities, extensive consultations, and the recommendations arising from engagements with stakeholders, the caucus unanimously resolved to formally adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the political platform of the Marafa political movement. This decision was ratified through a unanimous vote by members present at the meeting.
“Consequently, all members, supporters, coordinators, and stakeholders of the Marafa political movement across Zamfara State and beyond are hereby directed to immediately commence registration with the ADC and intensify grassroots mobilisation efforts in all wards, local governments, and senatorial districts.
“The caucus reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the ADC in good faith, sincerity, and openness, while calling on the leadership and members of the party at all levels to reciprocate this gesture with inclusiveness, cooperation, and mutual respect in the collective pursuit of a better future for Zamfara State and Nigeria,” the statement said.
In Adamawa State, a High Court has ordered the suspension of the state congresses of the party.
The state, local goveenment, and ward congresses of the party were scheduled for yesterday.
Justice Ahmed Isah of High Court Number 6 in Yola issued the order, pending the determination of a case before the court.
The case was instituted by the state chairman of the party, Yohanna Shehu, who is protesting his alleged exclusion from the congress planning process.
The planning is said to be coordinated by a controversial leadership organ, the state transition committee of the ADC, led by Sadiq Dasin.
Commenting on the case after the court had suspended the congresses and fixed hearing of the case for April 15, Yohanna Shehu said he sued the Sadiq Dasin committee because the way the committee went about the planning of the congresses was undemocratic.
“How can you plan the congresses of a party without due consultation with the state chairman?” he queried in a telephone conversation with The Nation.
Efforts to get Dasin’s response were unsuccessful last night.
In Ondo State, the leadership crisis rocking the ADC has worsened.
The coalition-backed party’s Vice Chairman, Mr. Eric Oluwole, has resigned his membership of the party.
He cited unresolved internal crises.
Oluwole announced his resignation in a letter addressed yesterday to the Ward 7 leadership in Ondo West Local Government Area.
The letter reads: “I, Dr. Eric Oluwole, ADC State Vice Chairman overseeing Ondo Central Senatorial District, hereby voluntarily resign my membership due to irreconcilable differences over the leadership crisis.
“The move followed wide consultations with my political leaders, allies, supporters, and my entire political structure. I wish to state that the leadership crisis rocking the ADC is beyond my understanding and is frustrating my aspirations and those of my supporters.” he said.
According to him, the situation has also limited his political structure’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the development of Ondo State and Nigeria at large.
“The crisis is also hindering my political structure from contributing meaningfully to Ondo State and Nigeria’s political development. Sadly, this lingering crisis is beyond my understanding. I can no longer cope with this unsettling development in my political career,” he said.
In Edo State, the crisis rocking the state chapter of the ADC deepened yesterday.
The party held its ward and local government area congresses across the 192 wards and 18 local government areas.
New ADC leaders were elected on a consensus arrangement ahead of the state congress fixed for tomorrow
Chief Isaac Emokpae was elected Chairman of Egor Local Government Area.
Speaking after his election, Emokpae said there was no faction in the Egor chapter of the party and across the state.
He said: “This is a new era, an era for good changes, an era for victory. An era for every well-meaning Nigerian to triumph to the apex of the goodness of the Nigerians.
“I want to use this medium to beg our people to come and embrace this moving train, the ADC as a party. This is the only avenue through which bad governance, oppression, insecurity, hunger, and inflation can be reduced. So, I want to urge everybody to be encouraged to have more hope in ADC. By the grace of God, we shall triumph.
“In Edo, as you can see, we returned most of the exco, we are together, we don’t have division. So, if anybody is forming a division or faction, the person is on his own.”
In Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Aiyegunle Ofunime said there was no crisis in the council.
“We have no issues here, the exercise went well in all the 10 wards, and we will send our results to the senatorial headquarters from where it will be sent to Benin.” He said.
But Edo ADC Chairman, Kennedy Odion, insisted that no congresses were held in the state.
He said: “There was no congress in Edo. The congresses have been suspended. Those who gathered were at a club meeting to elect leaders of their club.
“I am still the accounting officer of this party and I did not authorise the congress. INEC is aware that there was no congress in the state.”
