Leadership crisis in ADC Targeted at Frustrating Peter Obi’s Presidential Ambition — Rep. Afam Ogene
The lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, has stated that the political and legal intrigues surrounding the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are aimed at frustrating the presidential ambition of Mr. Peter Obi.
According to him, the ongoing legal and political battles are not truly directed at the ADC as a party but are instead targeted at its 2027 presidential aspirant, Mr. Peter Obi.
Ogene made this assertion while fielding questions from journalists on the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling, on the sidelines of the annual Ulo Festival and the biannual Ololi masquerade ceremony.
The festival is designed to give thanks to the gods and ancestors for the successful end of the farming season by the people of Obagwe community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He further stated that when concerned members of the ADC warned Nigerians—particularly those willing to listen—that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeks to effectively coronate himself for a second term in office,” their concerns were widely dismissed.
Ogene remarked, “When the witch cries in the night and the baby dies in the day, we no longer need a prophet to interpret the sequence of events.”
According to the lawmaker, Supreme Court judgments ought to promote stability in the country rather than deepen political uncertainty.
He maintained that 24 hours is a long time in politics, stressing that no individual can be greater than the nation, and that alternative political options remain available to ADC members and the broader opposition should the situation deteriorate.
“For me, what is happening in the ADC is not targeted at the party itself; it is targeted at one individual—Mr. Peter Obi. And, as Rufai Useni of Arise Television would say, I will provide empirical evidence to support this position,” he said.
He continued:
“On April 4, 2025, the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment, declared that the tenure of Mr. Julius Abure in the Labour Party had effectively ended. I was among Labour Party leaders—alongside Mr. Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti, our senators, members of the House of Representatives, and others—who submitted the Certified True Copy of that judgment to INEC. INEC acknowledged receipt and stated that it would study the document, yet the matter lingered without resolution.”
“However, some of us on the ground had reliable intelligence that as long as Peter Obi remained in the Labour Party, the party would not know peace. In a discussion I had with Mr. Obi in September last year, I informed him of this situation. Despite the clear judicial pronouncement advising those whose tenures had expired to step aside, they refused to relinquish control of the party.”
“On December 30, 2025, we accompanied Mr. Peter Obi to Enugu, where we made our intentions known and declared for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Four days later, INEC—without any apparent compulsion—issued a statement affirming that Abure’s tenure had ended, shortly after Mr. Obi indicated his intention to leave the Labour Party. This raises a critical question: why was a decision delayed for eight months suddenly implemented?”
“Furthermore, a declaration of intent to join a political party does not equate to formal membership. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had registered with the ADC months before Mr. Obi’s declaration, yet that declaration alone did not constitute membership.”
“Throughout January and February, nothing significant occurred within the ADC. However, on March 7, we escorted Mr. Peter Obi to Agulu to formally register. The following day, March 8, I returned to my village to complete my registration, as did several colleagues, including senators, members of the House of Representatives, and state assembly members.”
“As soon as Mr. Obi officially registered—and this became public—the previously dormant case involving Nafiu Bala, which had been filed in September, was suddenly revived. Within a week, it gained momentum, and the political manoeuvring began in earnest.”
“When we told Nigerians that this was being orchestrated from the Presidency—that Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeks to secure re-election without a genuine electoral contest—many refused to believe us.”
Hon. Ogene insisted that the ADC is not prepared to surrender in the face of these challenges.
Speaking further on the significance of the Ulo Festival, he explained that it marks the end of the farming season. He noted that the planting season for the Ogbaru people begins in late November, and that the largely agrarian and riverine communities celebrate with gratitude for a successful season.
“The Ulo Festival signifies the end of the planting season. For the people of Ogbaru—predominantly farmers and fishermen—it is a time to celebrate and give thanks to their deities and ancestors for a fruitful planting ” he said.
According to Ogene, the festival represents a form of thanksgiving for agricultural fertility, successful harvests, and the overall well-being of the community. It also provides an opportunity for relaxation and social bonding.
He added, “The Ololi masquerade serves as a rite of passage, initiating young men into adulthood and age-grade systems. It is a period marked by deep cultural engagement, including visits to ancestral deities revered by various communities.”
The event featured vibrant cultural dance troupes and other festive activities, with youths, women, and men adorned in colourful attire. Groups lined the roads leading into the agrarian community, creating an atmosphere rich in pomp, glamour, and pageantry.
