By Eze Victor, Abakaliki
The leadership crisis rocking the Ebonyi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deepened on Tuesday as the State Chairman, Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, alongside key stakeholders and supporters, rejected moves to adopt a consensus arrangement for the forthcoming congresses, insisting instead on transparent and democratic elections.
Addressing party members and stakeholders at the party secretariat in Abakaliki, Adibe-Nwafor expressed appreciation for the support she has received, but stressed that internal democracy must not be compromised under any guise.
“I want to thank you for standing for equity and fairness and for ensuring that our labour is not in vain. We must do what is right. We cannot accept imposition. The right thing is to allow every interested member to obtain forms and contest in a free and fair election,” she said.
The state chairman noted that although the party had earlier released a timetable for its congresses, recent developments surrounding zoning and leadership arrangements had generated tension within the state chapter.
She argued that, in line with the principles of equity and fairness, the state chairmanship position should be zoned to Ebonyi Central, especially as other key positions had already been allocated to the North and South zones.
“In a situation where the governorship is zoned to the North and the deputy to the South, justice demands that the state chairmanship be zoned to the Central. Anything short of that undermines the principles of fairness the party stands for,” Adibe-Nwafor said.
She further revealed that her current tenure, expected to expire on May 22, 2026, had not lapsed, adding that she and her supporters remained committed to aligning with the party’s national leadership and ongoing coalition arrangements.
Reaffirming loyalty to the national leadership, she said the Ebonyi chapter supports the leadership under Senator David Mark, as well as broader coalition efforts aimed at delivering democratic dividends across the country.
“We are working with our leaders at the national level and in the South-East. Our goal is to build a strong platform that can deliver for Nigerians, but we must get it right from within,” she added.
Adibe-Nwafor also raised concerns over what she described as the marginalisation of women in party leadership, noting that only two women currently serve as state chairpersons across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The party constitution provides for 35 per cent affirmative action for women, yet the reality on the ground does not reflect this. We must begin to practise what we preach,” she said.
On party administration, the chairman decried alleged bottlenecks in membership registration and access to party materials, accusing certain individuals of withholding the party register in the state.
“It is unacceptable that while other states have distributed party registers, Ebonyi’s remains in private custody. If we truly want the party to grow, these obstacles must be removed,” she stated, urging members to intensify grassroots mobilisation with a target of exceeding 50,000 registered members before mid-April.
Also speaking, a chieftain of the party, Barrister Emmanuel Nwobo, backed the chairman’s position, warning that failure to uphold justice and inclusivity could have dire consequences for the party’s future in the state.
“I stand for justice above all else. If we do not practise democracy within our party, we cannot claim to offer it to Nigerians. Consensus must be transparent and broadly accepted, not imposed,” Nwobo said.
He cautioned that sidelining key stakeholders and founding members of the party in the state could weaken the ADC’s structure and electoral prospects.
“You cannot expect people to labour for a party and then exclude them from critical decisions. That approach will only lead to disaffection and possible collapse of the party structure,” he warned.
Nwobo further stressed the need for inclusivity within the broader coalition, noting that multiple political interests must be accommodated to ensure cohesion and success ahead of future elections. “The coalition is made up of diverse political blocs. Every segment must be carried along in decision-making. Anything less will breed division,” he added.
The crisis, Nigerian Pilot gathered, became evident during the party’s expanded stakeholders’ meeting held in Umebeh, Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, at the residence of former Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Sam Egwu. The chairman and her supporters, including members of the state executives, reportedly walked out of the meeting over alleged attempts to impose candidates.
Party members who spoke with Nigerian Pilot said the disagreement underscored growing tension within the ADC in Ebonyi State, as stakeholders continue to push for internal reforms and adherence to democratic principles ahead of the party’s congresses.
Sources within the party said further consultations are expected in the coming days as leaders seek to resolve the impasse and chart a unified path forward.