The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State was thrown into deep confusion on Tuesday after rival factions held parallel presidential primaries, each announcing a different winner in a dramatic escalation of the Party’s internal crisis.
One faction declared former Vice President Atiku Abubakar winner of a primary said to have been conducted across all 171 political wards in the State, while another camp loyal to the recognised state leadership announced former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the rightful winner of a separate exercise.
The conflicting results, announced from different venues by competing committees both claiming legitimate authority, further exposed the widening power struggle within the ADC structure in Ebonyi State.
The Atiku-aligned faction announced its outcome at Preston Hotel, Abakaliki, which served as its collation centre. Fred Onwe, who spoke on behalf of the “Ebonyi State Presidential Primary Election Committee” and identified as ADC National Vice Chairman (Diaspora), declared that Atiku secured 15,300 votes to defeat Amaechi, who polled 2,200 votes, while Muhammad Hayatudeen scored 200 votes.
The committee said 18,891 voters were registered across the State, with 17,700 accredited delegates participating in the exercise held across the 13 local government areas. It subsequently declared Atiku Abubakar as the winner based on the highest number of votes.
The declaration was jointly signed by Onwe and the committee secretary, Egbedike Micheal. Factional State Chairman, Barrister Silas Joseph Onu, commended officials for what he described as their resilience despite heavy rainfall during the exercise.
However, the announcement immediately sparked further controversy as another faction had, hours earlier, released a completely different result.
That rival exercise, held at the Party secretariat along the old Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway, was led by State Chairman, Dr. (Mrs) Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor. The Returning Officer, Bassey Edogi Imoke, declared Rotimi Amaechi winner with 6,050 votes, ahead of Atiku Abubakar, who scored 1,210 votes, and Muhammad Hayatuddeen, who polled 4,840 votes.
Imoke said the election followed a direct primary system conducted across all 171 political wards in the State, with 12,641 registered delegates and 12,100 accredited participants.
He subsequently declared: “Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast, is hereby returned elected as the preferred flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress in Ebonyi State.”
The conflicting declarations have further deepened uncertainty over the true outcome of the ADC presidential primaries in Ebonyi State, as both factions continue to insist on legitimacy.
