By Dan Opara

The lingering leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imo State has taken a new twist, as Prof. James Okoroma has firmly dismissed allegations leveled against him by a section of party youths, insisting that he remains the authentic and duly recognized State Chairman of the party.

Reacting swiftly to a communiqué circulated by the aggrieved youths, Prof. Okoroma described their claims as “baseless, unfounded, and orchestrated to mislead the public.”

Speaking to ThePressman Newspaper via the telephone, he declared, “I am the authentic and duly recognized Imo State ADC Chairman. Those attempting to tarnish my reputation are nothing but drunkards who dwell in bar parlours to make noise. The said Emmanuel Amushie is an impostor.”

Prof. Okoroma further stressed that his leadership remains intact, legitimate, and anchored on due process.

He dismissed insinuations of impersonation, describing them as the handiwork of desperate political actors bent on destabilizing the party for selfish gains.

He urged ADC members in Imo State and across Nigeria to disregard the communiqué issued by the so-called youths, whom he labeled as “charlatans lacking the capacity to determine the direction of the party.”

According to him, his priority is to consolidate the ADC as a credible, transparent, and people-oriented platform that will offer Nigerians genuine democratic alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections.

Calling on security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain vigilant, he cautioned against impostors parading themselves as party executives.

Prof. Okoroma assured party loyalists that no amount of blackmail or propaganda would derail his mission.

He concluded with a rallying call, “Remain calm, remain focused, and disregard every falsehood. Together, we shall make ADC the pride of Imo State and Nigeria at large.”

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the ADC has officially weighed in on the matter. In a press statement made available to ThePressman Newspaper and signed by Sir Bon Unachukwu, National Vice Chairman (Southeast), on Saturday, August 22, 2025, the party categorically reaffirmed Prof. Okoroma as the authentic Imo State Chairman.

The statement, with reference number ADC/NVC-SE/PR/0825/01, read in part:

“The attention of the national leadership of the ADC has been drawn to reports that one Emmanuel Amushie has been parading himself as the Imo State Chairman of our party.

For the avoidance of doubt, Prof. James Okoroma remains the authentic Chairman of the Imo State Chapter, whose nomination was duly ratified by our National Executive Committee (NEC) and communicated to 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.

We call on security agencies to remain vigilant and forestall the disruptive activities of Amushie, which are capable of breaching public peace in the state.”

The press release, dated August 22, 2025, further warned that any attempt to destabilize the party through fraudulent claims would be met with decisive resistance.

With this development, the leadership of the ADC at both the state and national levels appears firmly aligned with Prof. Okoroma, leaving Chief Emmanuel Amushie’s claim increasingly weakened and discredited.