Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Crisis has rocked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State, as two factions on Saturday held parallel congresses, while the state chairperson insists there were no congresses.
It would be recalled that there have been rifts within the party in the state since the coalition of different political groups that fused into the ADC, with David Mark as the national chairman.
Following the coalition and merger talks among various political interests in the state, some former Labour Party members reportedly attempted to push out the state chairperson, Mrs Stella Chukwuma, whom they met in office as the ADC chairman.
However, original members of the party and other entrants supported her to retain her position.
Sources revealed that, due to pressure and other forces from national factions of the ADC, Chukwuma was said to have aligned with the Ibe Kachikwu faction of the party, which claims originality of the ADC.
The crisis came to the fore on Saturday as two factions held parallel congresses at different venues in Enugu.
One faction elected Professor Austine Akubue as its chairman, while the other elected Major General Chris Eze (rtd) as chairman.
The Akubue-led faction is said to enjoy the support of former Governor of Enugu State, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo; former Senator Gil Nnaji; Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa; and other governorship and National Assembly aspirants in the ADC.
Eze, a former Nigerian Ambassador to India, reportedly emerged through a voice vote, alongside Prince Acharabuagu Kingsley as Vice Chairman (Enugu North Zone) and Lolo Queen N. Nwankwo as State Organising Secretary, among other executives.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the newly elected executives, Eze pledged to run an all-inclusive administration that would carry all members along in the affairs of the party.
He also assured aspirants of a level playing field in the forthcoming party primaries in the state.
In a statement issued by Comrade Adolphus Udeh, the faction’s publicity secretary, Eze further declared that the ADC was positioning itself to take over power in Enugu State in the 2027 general elections.
Eze also vowed to bring integrity, accountability and incorruptible standards to the running of the party’s affairs.
Meanwhile, in a telephone interview, the state chairperson, Mrs Chukwuma, said she was unaware of the congresses, insisting that none was authorised.
“As far as I know, there was no congress of the ADC in the state. That is all I can say for now,” she said.
