Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
A leadership crisis has deepened within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State following the emergence of two separate state chairmen from parallel congresses held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Abakaliki, the state capital.
While one faction elected Mr. Silas Onu as its chairman, the other faction returned the former chairperson, Jennifer Adibe Nwafor, as chairman.
The Silas Onu faction is believed to be the authentic group backed by the David Mark-led leadership of the party, as its congress was supervised by Uche Onyeaguocha, who chaired the Ebonyi State Congress Committee and announced the results.
Onu, a native of Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area, emerged alongside other State Working Committee (SWC) members, including Anya Idika as Publicity Secretary and Mr. Ogbonna Bakare as Vice Chairman.
The executives were elected unopposed through voice votes and sworn in immediately.
Addressing journalists, Onu commended party members for their peaceful conduct and expressed optimism about the ADC’s growing influence in Ebonyi. He criticised the ruling party in the state over alleged poor governance and pledged that the ADC would field credible candidates capable of winning the 2027 general elections.
He also emphasised grassroots mobilisation and inclusiveness as key pillars of his leadership.
Meanwhile, Onyeaguocha dismissed reports of factionalisation, insisting that the congress he supervised remains the only legitimate exercise recognised by the party’s national leadership. He described claims to the contrary as false and misleading.
However, in a parallel development, another faction of the party held a separate congress at Aristocrats Hotel along Ezza Road, where Jennifer Adibe Nwafor was returned as state chairman for a second term.
The exercise reaffirmed Nwafor’s leadership through a consensus arrangement.
It was gathered that over 1,200 party faithful participated in the process, with 1,213 accredited delegates endorsing her unopposed.
Other officials elected at the parallel congress include Mgbroko Chukwudi N. as Secretary and Okpara Emmanuel N. as Deputy Chairman.
In her acceptance speech, Nwafor thanked party members for their continued trust and pledged to strengthen the party’s structure while working towards electoral success in 2027. She also assured members of collaboration with the ADC’s national leadership to reposition the party for greater relevance.
The emergence of two chairmen underscores growing internal divisions within the Ebonyi chapter of the ADC, with the parallel congresses fuelling concerns about factional control. Political observers warn that unless the dispute is urgently resolved, it could weaken the party’s cohesion and undermine its chances in future elections.
