Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State chapters of the Obedient Movement and the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) have withdrawn from the recently inaugurated State Transition Committee of the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing lack of endorsement by the party’s national leadership.
The organisations announced their decision during a joint press briefing in Umuahia, explained that their participation in the purported transition committee was based on the understanding that the process had the approval of the ADC National Secretariat, assurance they later found to be unfounded, hence the withdrawal.
The groups recalled that on February 6, 2026, some ADC members convened what they described as a State Transition Committee, naming Nnamdi Uchendu as Chairman and Ezeala Okey Ezeala as Secretary, alongside other officers reportedly drawn from the Obedient Movement bloc.
Speaking for the Obedient Movement, South-East and National Advisory Committee member, Prince Solomon, said the inauguration raised red flags, noting the absence of any representative from the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja.
Reading from a prepared text, Solomon said: “We observed that the inauguration of the State Transition Committee, the 17 local government transition committees and other standing committees was carried out by the same individuals, without the presence of any representative of the ADC national leadership.
He added that members were informed that national officials had arrived a day earlier but could not attend the event due to logistics, a situation he described as questionable.
“Everything was done in a hurry. The self-nomination, the lack of national endorsement, the absence of ADC leaders in Abia and the recognised state chairman all prompted us to immediately commence investigations,” he said.
Speaking for COPDEM, Hon. Iheanyichukwu Ezengwa, said the organisation, as a law-abiding body, would not knowingly participate in actions contrary to the party’s constitution and values.
“After due diligence, we discovered that the exercise was neither endorsed by the ADC national headquarters nor the state office. Consequently, we reject participation in an illegal exercise entered into in ignorance,” he said.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to the coalition arrangement within the ADC, stressing that their withdrawal was not a disengagement from the party.
They said they would henceforth work only with the newly inaugurated National Membership Mobilisation, Registration and Revalidation Committee.
They assured their members of continued commitment to democratic values, adding that they would pursue all legitimate mechanisms to entrench transparency, internal democracy and good governance at all levels of ADC leadership.
The groups which reiterated their readiness to mobilise the entire state for Obi at the 2027 polls, said their teeming supporters would remain vigilant and ensure democracy gains root in the country.
Former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association and COPDEM Legal Adviser, Abia State, Barrister Jasper Ejiofor, attended the briefing.
