Delta ADC governorship crisis deepens as faction produces Ogboru in parallel primary

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Ochuko Akuopha

ASABA — Crisis has deepened within the African Democratic Congress in Delta State following the emergence of Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru as governorship candidate in a parallel primary election held on Monday.

The development came barely three days after another faction of the party announced United Kingdom-based lecturer, Dr Emmanuel Unuafe, as the ADC governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

Earlier, the faction led by State Chairman, Austin Okolie, had declared Unuafe winner through a consensus arrangement during a primary conducted at the party secretariat in Asaba on May 22, 2026.

However, in Monday’s parallel exercise, Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee, Prof Patrick Sambo Williams, announced that Ogboru emerged winner after polling 28,454 votes in a direct primary.

Williams said 1,183 votes were also recorded for Dr Unuafe, although the latter did not participate in the exercise, having already emerged candidate in the earlier primary.

“Chief Ogboru, having won more votes in the direct primary of the party, stands returned as the governorship candidate of the ADC in Delta State,” Williams declared.

“This is the new party to take over government in the nation. Let us encourage, galvanise and mobilise the people to vote for the party. I am very sure we will win,” he added.

When asked about the divisions exposed by the parallel exercises within the state chapter of the party, Williams declined comment, insisting that his assignment was strictly limited to conducting the primary election.

Reacting to the development, Dr Unuafe petitioned the national leadership of the party, alleging what he described as “fraudulent compromise” by some party leaders.

According to him, any declaration contrary to the consensus mandate earlier given to him should be rejected.

“Any purported report, declaration or outcome contrary to the consensus mandate freely given to me by ADC Delta State stakeholders must be rejected outright,” he stated.

“I did not contest any primary against Ogboru or anyone else. I don’t know where they fabricated figures to allocate to me.”

Unuafe maintained that the authentic governorship primary of the party was conducted at the ADC state secretariat along Midwifery Road, Okpanam Road, Asaba, where he emerged consensus candidate without opposition.

“The party held its governorship primary at the ADC Delta State Secretariat on May 22, 2026. I emerged consensus candidate where Ogboru or any other opponent did not show up,” he said.

He further warned that attempts to manipulate or overturn his mandate would not be accepted by him or his supporters.

“Any attempt by any individual or group to manipulate, suppress, alter, or steal my legitimate mandate will not be tolerated, accepted, or recognised by me or my supporters,” he added.

Unuafe also called on the national leadership of the ADC to investigate those involved in the parallel exercise and protect the integrity of the party.

“The party must resist every attempt by moneybags and political merchants to purchase the soul of ADC in Delta State,” he stated.

He warned that the party risked undermining its credibility if allegations of impunity, bribery and manipulation were allowed to persist within its ranks.

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