By CHARLES IWUOHA

A leadership crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State following the emergence of two parallel chairmen from separate congresses held in Abakaliki, the state capital.

At one of the congresses held at the Great Aristocrat Hotel, delegates re-elected Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor as state chairman through a consensus arrangement.

She was returned unopposed for another four-year term alongside other executives including Okpara Emmanuel as Deputy Chairman, Udoma Victor Uduma (Vice Chairman, South), Ebe Kingsley (Vice Chairman, Central), Onyeka Urazi (Vice Chairman, North), and Mgboroko Chukwudi as State Secretary.

Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman of the electoral committee, Ebenyi Ikechukwu, described the congress as a legitimate platform for party members to elect credible leaders who would steer the affairs of the party over the next four years.

Also, the Electoral Committee Secretary, Nwafor Joseph, disclosed that 1,224 delegates were accredited for the exercise, while 1,213 eventually participated after a headcount.

In her acceptance speech, Adibe-Nwafor explained that her decision to seek re-election, despite her initial tenure expected to lapse in May 2026, was influenced by provisions of the Electoral Act which mandate that party primaries be conducted between April and May.

She expressed appreciation to party members for their support and reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening the party in the state.

Meanwhile, the rival congress produced Barrister Silas Onu as chairman, with his faction expressing confidence in its legitimacy and readiness to reposition the party ahead of future elections.

Addressing supporters at Preston Luxury and Suites Hotel, Abakaliki, Onu commended party members for what he described as orderly conduct during the ward, local government and state congresses, and declared that the ADC in Ebonyi was gaining momentum.

He criticised the ruling party in the state, alleging poor governance and mismanagement of resources, and vowed that the ADC would field credible candidates to contest and win elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

Onu further assured members of inclusive participation, emphasising grassroots mobilisation as central to the party’s strategy.

Also speaking, Chairman of the ADC Congress Committee in Ebonyi State, Uche Onyeagucha, dismissed claims of factionalisation, insisting that the congress conducted under his supervision remained the legitimate exercise recognised by the party’s national leadership.

He maintained that the committee was duly mandated to conduct the congress and had fulfilled its assignment in line with the party’s constitution, describing contrary claims as “false” and “misleading.”

The development signals growing internal wrangling within the ADC in Ebonyi, raising concerns about party cohesion ahead of future electoral activities.

Political observers warn that unresolved disputes from parallel congresses could weaken the party’s structure and affect its performance in subsequent elections if not swiftly addressed by the national leadership.