Delta ADC stakeholders demand recognition of consensus excos amid party split
A deepening leadership crisis has hit the Delta State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as stakeholders intensify pressure on the party’s national leadership to formally recognise the James
A deepening leadership crisis has hit the Delta State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as stakeholders intensify pressure on the party's national leadership to formally recognise the James Oghenero Akporero-led State Executive Committee (Exco) as the authentic structure.
At a high-level stakeholders' meeting held in Asaba yesterday, representatives of the party's various blocs unanimously backed Akporero, insisting that his emergence followed a transparent and collectively agreed process.
Party elders and stakeholders present at the press conference on the state of affairs of the party in the state after the congress were 81-year-old Delly Ajufor; Diokpa Christopher Biose; Comrade Preye Perenene, Assistant Publicity Secretary; Comrade Okpara Okwusi John; Emerure Favour; James Akponero and Lady Ejidoh Chinwe, among others.
The gathering came amid the alleged existence of parallel leadership structures, including a rival Exco led by George Timinimi, both of which are reportedly currently under scrutiny by the party's national secretariat in Abuja.
The crisis is widely believed to stem from a fierce struggle for control of the party's structure ahead of future electoral contests.
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Political observers link the division to competing interests aligned with Lauretta Onochie and Great Ogboru, two influential party leaders in the state whose rivalry has reportedly polarised members within the state chapter.
Speaking on behalf of stakeholders, Dr. Charles Chinye Okoba dismissed claims of irregularities in the congresses that produced the Akporero-led Exco.
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He maintained that the process—from ward to local government and state levels—was conducted under the supervision of officials sent by the ADC national leadership, including liaison officer Mabel Oboh.
Okoba explained that following emerging disagreements, a reconciliation mechanism was initiated by a national congress committee led by Senator Clever Ikitikpo.
The committee directed each of the four major blocs in the state to nominate three representatives, forming a 12-member panel tasked with resolving disputes and producing a consensus leadership list.
According to him, the panel worked for 48 hours, eventually agreeing on a zoning formula and sharing party offices among the blocs in what stakeholders described as a democratic and inclusive arrangement.
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The resulting Exco list, he said, was duly endorsed by all representatives and should be upheld as the legitimate leadership of the party in Delta State.
However, tensions escalated when a faction allegedly submitted a separate list to the national secretariat, claiming it represented the outcome of the state congress.
Stakeholders at the Asaba meeting rejected this move, arguing that it undermines internal democracy and violates the consensus earlier reached.
Akporero, in his remarks, expressed confidence in the national leadership's ability to resolve the dispute fairly. He disclosed that his faction had already submitted all necessary documentation and evidence supporting the legitimacy of its Exco to the party headquarters.
He added that the national leadership had assured all parties of a transparent review process, including an opportunity for each faction to defend its claims before a final decision is made.
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Recall that the ADC in Delta State had reportedly elected a new State Executive Committee (SEC) at the end of its congress held on Saturday, April 12, 2026 in Asaba, with party leaders emphasising unity and strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the congress, Mr. George Timinimi emerged as State Chairman, while Ozegbe Emeka Lawrence was elected State Secretary after what party officials described as a keenly contested process.
Other members of the executive include JFK Urhukpe as State Treasurer, Fred Akpewe as State Publicity Secretary, and Prince Diji as State Financial Secretary.
As the ADC's national body prepares to intervene decisively, party faithful in Delta State warn that prolonged uncertainty could weaken the party's cohesion and electoral prospects if not urgently addressed.
