Factional chairmen battle for Imo ADC leadership

Crisis is brewing over who is the authentic chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imo State.

Chief Emmanuel Amushie told journalists at a press conference that he is the constitutionally recognised chairman for the state.

However, the ADC National Vice Chairman for South-East, Chief Bon Unachukwu in a statement said Prof James Okoroma is the authentic chairman.

Addressing journalists at the party secretariat along MCC Road, Owerri, Amushie’s faction claimed to be the legitimate leader of the party recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He explained that all the funds raised by Okoroma belonged to the ADC and would be recovered when the party’s crisis is resolved.

Amushie accused Okoroma’s group of impersonation and attempting to mislead the public.

“The claims being advanced by the Okoroma-led group have no constitutional foundation, lack the approval of the ADC National Working Committee, and enjoy no recognition whatsoever from INEC.

“The Amushie-led executive emerged through a properly convened and duly conducted party process, carried out strictly in compliance with the constitution of the ADC”, he said.

While he recognised Senator David Mark as the national chairman of the party, he urged the national leadership to intervene.

However, Unachukwu in a statement said Okoroma is the authentic chairman.

The statement read partly, “Prof James Okoroma remains the authentic chairman of the Imo State chapter of the ADC, whose nomination was duly ratified by our National Executive Committee (NEC) and communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The general public is hereby advised to disregard all claims to the Imo ADC Chairmanship by Amushie, as such claims are false, misleading, and unconstitutional”.

Currently, the ADC has two state party secretariats in Owerri – one in New Owerri with Okoroma as chairman; and the other at MCC Road with Amushie as the chairman.

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Amuchie-led State Executive Committee is the only leadership duly recognized and formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC’s established guidelines on the recognition of political party executive.