The Abia State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned Bishop Professor Emeka Nwankpa to desist from engaging with what it described as the wrong and unauthorized leadership of the party in the state.
The party issued the warning in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Rev. Dr. P. C. Okeiyi, following reports on some online platforms that Bishop Nwankpa, the Accord Party governorship candidate in Abia State during the 2023 general election, had defected to the ADC alongside over 5,000 of his supporters.
While affirming that the ADC remains open to coalition partners and well-meaning political leaders across party lines, the party leadership under Chief Emole Onwuasoanya clarified that certain individuals being paraded as ADC leaders in Abia State do not represent the party.
According to the statement, “Don Norman Obinna” and three others allegedly acting with him were long suspended from the party and lack the authority to speak or act on behalf of the ADC in Abia State.
The party further stated that any membership cards issued by the suspended individuals are fake, noting that such cards were neither issued by the Abia State chapter nor approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
ADC also disowned claims of representation in Isiala Ngwa North and South local government areas, stressing that Chief Chimezie Ozems is not known to the party leadership and was not elected through any congress to serve as chairman.
The party recognized only Chief Raphael Nwachukwu and Elder Chief Ugochukwu Ugorji as the duly elected chairmen of Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South local government areas, respectively.
Reiterating its commitment to internal democracy and adherence to its constitution, the ADC said it is ready to welcome Abians and Nigerians of good political will but will not allow unsuspecting members of the public to be deceived by suspended individuals.
“The constitution of the ADC remains supreme. As a law-abiding party, we are compelled to issue this warning. Obinna Don Norman and his political associates are not members of the ADC State Working Committee and have long been suspended from the party,” the statement concluded.
