The Enugu State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held two parallel congresses on Saturday, resulting in the emergence of two separate state chairmen and executive committees. The split events took place at different venues within the Enugu metropolis, signaling a deepening divide within the party’s state leadership.
In one faction, Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Chris Eze emerged as the State Chairman, while the second faction produced Prof. Austine Akulue as its leader. Notably, both chairmen hail from the Enugu North Senatorial district, the zone to which the chairmanship position was officially designated.
In his acceptance speech, Maj. Gen. Eze described his election as a serious responsibility and vowed to take the ADC in Enugu State to a higher level. He assured party faithful that his team would overcome current challenges and promised to lead with “absolute integrity, incorruptibility, and transparency.” Eze further warned that he would not tolerate any form of inducement within the party’s executive, stating that he would not spare any member who accepts bribes to negatively impact the party’s progress.
However, the legitimacy of both congresses has been challenged by the current State Chairperson, Mrs. Stella Chukwuma. Distancing herself and her executive from the day’s proceedings, Chukwuma maintained that the ADC congresses in Enugu State remained officially suspended. She stated that any gathering held despite the suspension was not authorized by her office, adding that such activities were “none of her business” at this time.
The emergence of parallel executives often precedes lengthy legal and administrative battles within Nigerian political parties. With the state leadership now divided between two camps and the incumbent chairperson disavowing the entire process, the ADC’s national leadership may be required to intervene to resolve the crisis.