Crisis rocks ADC as C’River chapter rejects interim caretaker committee

….gives INEC 7days Ultimatum

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

The Cross River State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the party’s interim caretaker committee, describing it as unconstitutional and a threat to the party’s survival in the 2027 general elections.

Dr MacFarlane Ejah, the party’s State Vice Chairman (Central) and Director of Policy and Strategy, said yesterday in Calabar that the interim leadership violated the ADC constitution, which does not recognise caretaker or interim arrangements.

His words:” All party officials must emerge through duly conducted congresses.

“What we are seeing is a clear violation of our party’s constitution. You cannot impose leadership outside established democratic processes, ” he said.

He warned that the Cross River chapter would not accept the interim structure, adding that any congresses or candidates produced under it could be nullified by the courts.

The crisis, according to Ejah, stemmed from a controversial meeting held on July 29, 2025, at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, where the National Executive Committee was allegedly dissolved and replaced with an interim leadership.

He described the action as a breach of the party’s 2018 constitution and the Electoral Act.

Ejah said he had petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to challenge the legitimacy of the interim body and stop planned congresses scheduled for April 7 to 14, 2026.

He gave INEC seven days to act, failing which the chapter would approach the High Court.

He dismissed claims of factionalism, insisting the matter was strictly about legality and constitutional order.

“ADC is not for sale. You cannot ignore existing structures and attempt to hijack the party,” Ejah declared,

He added that the state chapter remained committed to internal democracy and self-reliance.

He said their position was aimed at preserving the integrity of the ADC and avoiding legal battles that could undermine its electoral prospects in 2027.

“We are not fighting to destroy the party. We are fighting to save it,” he said

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