The Ebonyi state chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has firmly stated that Dr. Jennifer Adibe remains the authentic chairman of the party, contrary to reports in some media outlets. The party described the reports claiming that Barr. Silas Onu is the chairman as misleading and sentimental.
Party Clarifies Leadership Status
In a statement signed by the state Secretary, Mr. Mgboroko Chukwudi, which was obtained by our correspondent in Abakaliki on Monday, the party noted that it would ordinarily have remained silent while focusing on winning the 2027 general election. However, to avoid doubt and prevent misinformation, the party decided to issue a clarification.
The statement emphasized that Dr. Jennifer Adibe's tenure was renewed before its expiry, in line with the party constitution, by the sovereign will of over 1,200 delegates. The national leadership under Senator David Mark recognizes her and her executive team.
Silas Onu Not Recognized
The party maintained that Barr. Silas Onu is not, and has never been, the ADC Ebonyi State Chairman. It noted that the parallel committee paraded by Silas Onu is not recognized by the national leadership. Only congresses conducted in line with the party constitution and Electoral Act timelines by Dr. Adibe are recognized.
The party warned party members and the public not to fall prey to Silas Onu, who is allegedly duping unsuspecting persons in the name of making them candidates. It stressed that only candidates who emerged through Dr. Adibe-Nwafor's leadership will fly the party flag in the forthcoming general election.
Suspension and Factional Activities
The statement further added that the Silas Onu faction cannot invalidate a meeting it did not attend, having been suspended by his ward, Obiozara, for anti-party activities and gross misconduct. The suspension was ratified by his local government and the State Working Committee, and it stands.
The statement reads: “The attention of the authentic leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ebonyi State, led by Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, has been drawn to another false press release by the suspended Silas Onu faction claiming that Mrs. Adibe-Nwafor’s tenure expired on May 19, 2026.”
It continued: “For the record, Dr. Jennifer Adibe's tenure was renewed before expiry, in line with law and party constitution. It was renewed by the sovereign will of over 1,200 delegates. The national leadership under Senator David Mark recognizes her and her executive team. Silas Onu is not, and has never been, ADC Ebonyi State Chairman. He has no mandate. The parallel committee paraded by Silas Onu is unrecognized by the national leadership. Only congresses conducted in line with the party constitution and Electoral Act timelines by Dr. Adibe-Nwafor’s congress, which met the standard, are recognized.”
Primaries and Stakeholders Meeting
The party noted that ADC primaries for 2027 were conducted across 13 local government areas and 171 wards under Dr. Adibe-Nwafor’s leadership, with INEC, the Police, DSS, and journalists monitoring for transparency. Any “primaries” claimed by the suspended faction on May 21-22 lack INEC and party recognition and were conducted by impostors.
Regarding the Vigo Event Centre stakeholders’ meeting, the party stated that the meeting and its resolutions are valid because they were convened by the recognized State Chairman, Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, the State Working Committee, and the Ebonyi State gubernatorial candidate. All notices were posted on the official party platform ahead of time, and decisions were reached by members present, as is party tradition.
Final Position
The authentic ADC leadership under Dr. Adibe-Nwafor remains committed to internal democracy, the rule of law, and due process. Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor remains the substantive, authentic, and INEC-recognized State Chairman of ADC, Ebonyi State. The Silas Onu group is a faction in self-exile. The party urges members, the media, and the public to disregard their statements. ADC Ebonyi remains united, lawful, and focused on 2027.
