By Prayer Okenkume
To set the record straight, Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor says she is the authentic Chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing claim to the position by Pastor Kenneth Ozioma-Eze.
Addressing Journalists at the weekend in Abakaliki, Adibe-Nwafor insisted that she is the authentic and duly elected ADC state chairman, pointing out that Ozioma-Eze whom some people had gathered in a hotel to proclaimed the chairman of the ADC, is not even yet a registered member of the party.
According to Mrs Adibe-Nwafor, “I still remain the elected chairman of ADC in Ebonyi State. As for Pastor Ozioma-Eze, he is unknown to the party and has not registered as a member. The public should disregard the misinformation being circulated online,” she stated.
She explained that the recent national leadership restructuring of ADC held at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja on July 29 did not include any change in the party’s Ebonyi leadership, adding that the new national leadership under Senator David Mark has tasked all state executives to remain united and mobilise for more grassroots support.
Adibe-Nwafor warned that Ozioma-Eze and his group were using fraudulent tactics, including an alleged fake grant forms and the collection of personal data under pretences, to deceive unsuspecting citizens.
She further accused Engr. Sunday Opoke, a former governorship candidate of the Young People’s Party (YPP), who allegedly swore in Ozioma-Eze, of still being a YPP member and having no locus within ADC activities.
Supporting the position, Comrade Igube Ejiofor Umoke, ADC’s State Director of Media and Publicity, described Ozioma-Eze’s claim as “deceptive and misleading.” He warned of legal consequences if the impostors do not retract their declaration within 72 hours.
“Our loyalty is to the authentic leadership of Comrade Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor. Any attempt to hijack the ADC structure in Ebonyi State through impersonation or political fraud will be legally resisted,” Umoke stated.
The party reiterated that its membership registration remains open to all genuine supporters, but warned that entrance must follow due process and constitutional guidelines. The public was also advised to seek clarification only from the party’s state secretariat in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.
Meanwhile, the ADC leadership has vowed to harmonise its structures across Ebonyi Central and other zones to strengthen internal cohesion ahead of future political engagements in the state.
Reacting, Pastor Kenneth Oziomaeze also affirmed that Dr Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor Remains the authentic Chairman of the ADC in Ebonyi state.
