The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed that only the party primaries conducted under the leadership of its Ebonyi State Chairman, Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, are valid and recognized for the 2027 general elections.
The party made the clarification while responding to claims by a rival faction led by Mr. Silas Onu, which alleged that Adibe-Nwafor's tenure as state chairman had expired and questioned the legitimacy of primaries conducted by her leadership.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki and signed by the State Secretary of the party, Mr. Mgboroko Chukwudi, the ADC described the claims as false and misleading, insisting that Dr. Adibe-Nwafor remains the substantive and recognized chairman of the party in Ebonyi State.
According to the statement, Adibe-Nwafor's tenure was duly renewed before its expiration through a process endorsed by more than 1,200 delegates in line with the party's constitution.
The party further stated that its national leadership recognizes Dr. Adibe-Nwafor and her executive committee as the authentic leadership of the ADC in the state.
The statement noted that the party's primaries for the 2027 elections were successfully conducted across the 13 local government areas and 171 wards of Ebonyi State under the supervision of the recognized state executive.
It added that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), as well as members of the media, monitored the exercise.
"The authentic ADC primaries for the 2027 elections were conducted across the 13 local government areas and 171 wards of Ebonyi State under the leadership of Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor. These are the only primaries recognized by the party," the statement said.
The party dismissed any parallel primaries allegedly conducted by the Silas Onu faction, describing them as unauthorized and lacking the recognition of the party's national leadership.
ADC also maintained that Mr. Onu does not have the mandate to speak on behalf of the party in the state, insisting that all party activities must be carried out through the constitutionally recognized leadership structure.
The party warned members of the public against dealing with individuals claiming to offer party tickets or endorsements outside the recognized party framework, stressing that only candidates produced through the officially recognized primaries would enjoy the backing of the party.
ADC further reaffirmed the validity of resolutions reached at its stakeholders' meeting held at Vigo Event Centre, noting that the gathering was convened by the recognized state leadership and attended by party stakeholders.
The party reiterated its commitment to internal democracy, due process and the rule of law, urging members to remain united and focused on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
It also called on the media and the public to disregard statements emanating from what it described as an unrecognized faction, insisting that ADC in Ebonyi State remains united under the leadership of Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor.
