Ebonyi ADC cautions members against misleading claims by Silas Onu

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The Ebonyi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Mrs. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, has cautioned unsuspecting members of the public against falling for the misleading claims of Mr. Silas Onu, who remains under suspension by the party.

This position was contained in a press release titled, “REBUTTAL STATEMENT: JENNIFER ADIBE-NWAFOR LED ADC REMAINS THE AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP OF ADC, EBONYI STATE,” and signed by Mgboroko Chukwudi, the ADC secretary in Ebonyi State.

The ADC leadership said it issued the clarification in response to assertions by a rival faction led by Mr. Silas Onu, alleging that Adibe-Nwafor’s tenure had lapsed and questioning the legitimacy of the primaries conducted under her watch.

According to the statement, the term of the Ebonyi State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was renewed prior to its expiration, in strict compliance with the party’s constitution.

“Mgboroko Chukwudi further stated that all party activities and processes—including the recently concluded congresses and primaries—were conducted under the supervision of Mrs. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, and duly recognized by the National Working Committee (NWC) led by David Mark.

“The attention of the authentic leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ebonyi State, led by Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, has been drawn to yet another spurious press release issued by the suspended Silas Onu faction, contending that Mrs. Adibe-Nwafor’s tenure expired on May 19, 2026.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically as follows: Her tenure was renewed before expiry, in accordance with the law and the party constitution.

“Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor’s tenure did not expire; it was renewed by the sovereign decision of over 1,200 delegates. The national leadership under Senator David Mark recognizes her and her executive team.

“Silas Onu is neither, and has never been, the ADC Ebonyi State Chairman. He has no mandate. The parallel committee being paraded by Silas Onu is unrecognized by the authentic national leadership.

“The David Mark-led NWC only recognizes congresses conducted in line with the party constitution and Electoral Act timelines. 

“Only the congress led by Adibe-Nwafor met those standards. Silas Onu is suspended and therefore speaks for nobody.

“The authentic ADC primaries for 2027 were held across 13 Local Government Areas and 171 wards under Adibe-Nwafor’s leadership, with INEC, the Police, DSS, and journalists in attendance to ensure transparency. 

“Any so-called primaries claimed by the suspended faction between May 21 and May 22 were neither recognized by INEC nor the party and were conducted by impostors.

“We hereby warn party members not to be duped by Silas Onu, who allegedly goes about deceiving unsuspecting persons under the guise of ‘producing’ them as candidates. 

“Any money paid or endorsements collected from him are purely personal and receive no backing from the authentic ADC. 

“Only candidates produced under, Adibe-Nwafor’s leadership through INEC-supervised primaries possess the party’s mandate.

“The Vigo Event Centre stakeholders’ meeting is valid. The stakeholders’ meeting and its attendant resolutions are legitimate because it was convened by the recognized State Chairman, Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, the State Working Committee, and the Ebonyi State gubernatorial candidate.

“All notices were duly posted on the official party platform in advance, and decisions were reached by members present, as tradition demands within the party. 

“The Silas Onu faction cannot invalidate a meeting they did not attend, particularly as he has been suspended from his ward, Obiozara, for anti-party activities and grave misconduct. 

“His suspension was ratified by the local government and the State Working Committee, and it remains in force.

“The authentic ADC leadership under Dr. Adibe-Nwafor remains steadfast in its commitment to internal democracy, the rule of law, and due process.

“Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor remains the substantive, authentic, and INEC-recognized State Chairman of ADC, Ebonyi State. 

“The Silas Onu group is a faction operating in self-exile. We urge party members, the media, and the general public to disregard their statements.

“ADC Ebonyi remains united, lawful, and focused on 2027,” the statement concluded.