Ebonyi ADC produces two chairmen from parallel congresses
• Party sets May 12 inauguration date for newly elected state executives The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing fresh leadership disputes in several states following parallel congresses that produced
• Party sets May 12 inauguration date for newly elected state executives
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing fresh leadership disputes in several states following parallel congresses that produced rival executives. This is just as the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party has fixed May 12, for the inauguration of newly elected state executives nationwide.
Crisis deepened in Ebony State after two factions conducted separate congresses in Abakaliki, producing Mr. Silas Onu and Mrs. Jennifer Adibe Nwafor as rival state chairmen. The congress that produced Onu was supervised by the chairman of the Ebonyi State Congress Committee, Uche Onyeaguocha, who insisted the exercise was the only legitimate process recognised by the party’s national leadership.
Onu pledged to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and position the party for victory in the 2027 general elections. However, at Aristocrats Hotel along Ezza Road, a parallel congress returned Nwafor for a second term through a consensus arrangement endorsed by over 1,200 accredited delegates. She promised to consolidate party structures and work closely with stakeholders to reposition the party ahead of future elections.
In Oyo State, rival congresses were held in Ibadan by groups loyal to Yinka Olona and Chief Bisi Ilaka. Olona maintained that his faction’s exercise complied with the Electoral Act and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the rival congress as illegal and lacking recognition.
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But in Nasarawa State, the party elected former Deputy Governor, Chief Michael Abdul and Alhaji Isah Adamu Nadare, as chairman and secretary. Other members of the state executive committee were also elected. Abdul pledged inclusive leadership, transparency and strengthened grassroots mobilisation ahead of the geenral elections.
Former member of the House of Representatives, Tom Zakari, also emerged chairman of the ADC in Kogi State at the party’s congress in Lokoja. He assured members of transparent leadership, promised to unite stakeholders and expand the party’s support base across the state.
In Borno State, the party inaugurated its newly elected State Executive Council led by Kolo Bukar, who pledged to reposition the party and mobilise support.
The Anambra State ADC inaugurated its Good Governance Initiative Programme in Nnewi, where federal lawmaker, Ambassador Ikebunwa Lotanna, paid an emotional tribute to his late mentor, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and pledged to strengthen party structures across the district.
Party members at the event also expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the incumbent representative.
Congratulating the new executives, the Mark-led national leadership described the congresses as peaceful, adding that they were conducted in line with the party’s constitution and relevant laws.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the leadership said the congresses reflected the ADC’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency and the rule of law, while commending members and stakeholders for what it described as their maturity and discipline during the process.
The leadership urged the incoming executives to prioritise unity and remain committed to building a credible alternative platform for Nigerians, expressing confidence that the new state structures would strengthen the party’s nationwide engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
