By: Joe Ephraim, Calabar
Despite reports of parallel structures, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State on Sunday proceeded with its state congress in Calabar.
Speaking after the exercise, the Cross River State Chairman of the party, Dr. John Ogar (Amb.), maintained that the congress was constitutionally recognised and conducted in line with a court judgment affirming the powers of state executives.
The congress, according to him, produced a 37-member State Executive Council that would pilot the affairs of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ogar said the congress was part of the ADC’s preparations for the next electoral cycle, noting that the party would immediately begin activities leading to the conduct of its primaries.
“What happened today was the state congress of the African Democratic Congress in Cross River State. From here, we move into the primaries and preparations for the general elections,” he said.
The ADC chairman, however, dismissed suggestions that the party was divided into factions, insisting that those claiming to have conducted separate congresses lacked constitutional backing.
According to him, the disagreement stemmed from attempts by some individuals to seize control of the party structure outside the provisions of the party’s constitution.
“There is no faction in ADC. Some persons attempted to take over powers that do not belong to them, and that was why we approached the court for interpretation of the constitution,” he stated.
Ogar explained that the court ruled in favour of the existing state executive councils, affirming that they possess the authority to organise congresses in their respective states, while the national leadership only supervises the process.
He cited Section 17 of the ADC constitution, which he said empowers state executives to constitute congress committees and coordinate congress activities subject to ratification by the relevant party organs.
“The judgment was very clear. The court said state executives have the power to conduct congresses, while the national body plays only a supervisory role,” he said.
Despite the internal tensions, Oga disclosed that the national leadership of the party had begun reconciliation efforts aimed at resolving disputes and uniting members ahead of the elections.
He revealed that several emissaries had been sent to Cross River State, leading to consultations and meetings with party stakeholders.
According to him, discussions held late Friday into Saturday morning ended with an agreement to allow room for peace and reconciliation within the party.
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The national leadership has reached out repeatedly because they want peace. After extensive consultations, we agreed to give reconciliation a chance so the party can move forward together,” he said.
On preparations for the forthcoming elections, Ogar expressed confidence that the ADC would meet all timelines for primaries, nomination processes and internal appeals.
He noted that the party still had adequate time to complete its internal processes before the deadlines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“We still have enough time to sell forms, conduct primaries and conclude every necessary process. We are fully prepared as a party,” he added.
The ADC chairman also criticised the recent defection of a former presidential candidate of the party, describing the move as inconsistent with the politician’s earlier calls for opposition unity.
Without mentioning the politician’s name, Oga said it was contradictory for someone who publicly advocated for a united opposition front to later abandon the coalition effort.
“He consistently told Nigerians that opposition parties must unite under one platform if they want to win elections. For such a person to later leave raises serious questions,” he said.
Ogar further argued that many individuals behind the alleged parallel congresses had already abandoned the party even before the courts invalidated their actions.
According to him, the majority of members of the recognised state executive remained loyal to the ADC structure in Cross River State.
“The people still here are those committed to the party. Most of those who claimed to love the ADC had already left before the court judgment,” he stated.
The congress comes amid growing political realignments and coalition talks among opposition parties across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
