The simmering disagreements in the Enugu State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has finally blown open as three state chairmen emerged from parallel state congress held on Saturday.
Each of the factions representing various interest groups in the opposition coalition party held its congress at different locations in Enugu claiming absolute legitimacy.
A faction said to represent the interest of former Vice-president, Atiku Abubakar had on Wednesday foreclosed the possibility of holding the congress, citing conflicting list of membership list of the Congress Committee for Enugu State.
However, on Saturday April 11 the three contending groups in Enugu ADC sprang into action and organised their respective congress despite earlier claims that they had resolved their differences.
A faction of the Enugu ADC said to represent the interest the party’s Presidential aspirant, Mr. Peter Obi, held its own Congress at a location in Emene and elected Prof Austin Akubue as its State Chairman.
The Akubue-led faction is said to enjoy the patronage of former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; former Enugu West Senator, Gil Nnaji, Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa and other governorship and national Assembly aspirants in the ADC.
An internal squabble reportedly surfaced during the congress as Nnaji made a brief appearance at the venue and left in protest over the list of executive committee of the party.
Another faction of the Enugu ADC believed to be working for Atiku and enjoys the backing of a member of the National Working Committee (NWC), Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo, held its Congress in a hotel at Independence layout and elected General Chris Eze (rtd) as state chairman.
Eze, a former State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Ambassador to India, reportedly emerged through a voice affirmation vote. Other members of the state executive emerged through the same process, including State vice-chairman, Prince Acharabuagu Kingsley and Lolo Queen N. Nwankwo, State Organising Secretary.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the newly elected executive, Eze pledged to run an inclusive administration that would carry all members along in the affairs of the party. He assured aspirants of a level playing ground in the forthcoming party primaries in the state.
A statement from the group signed by Comrade Adolphus Udeh, quoted Eze as declaring that the ADC was positioning itself to take over power in Enugu State in the 2027 general elections.
Eze said that the incoming ADC government would establish a people-oriented and grassroots-driven government capable of delivering democratic dividends across Enugu State.
A third faction has Comrade Stella Chukwuma as Chairman. Prior to the parallel congresses, Chukwuma was holding fort as the united Enugu ADC Chairman.
But following mounting pressure to unseat her, the embattled party chairman has shifted allegiance to the Ibe Kachikwu faction of ADC at national level now leads a faction of Enugu ADC.
It is not yet clear which of the three sets of state executive committees would be accepted and inaugurated by the party’s National Working Committee.
