The Imo and Rivers State chapters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have officially distanced themselves from a lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the party’s national leadership. The chapters characterized the legal action as unauthorized and unrepresentative of the state-level structures.
In separate statements issued in the federal capital, Chief Leader Sampson, Chairman of the Rivers State chapter, and Professor James Okoroma, Chairman of the Imo State chapter, confirmed they were neither consulted nor did they grant approval for the litigation. They emphasized that the suit reflects only the personal interests of the individuals involved and lacks the backing of the official state organs.
Professor Okoroma warned against what he described as “mischievous litigations” orchestrated by external actors—whom he termed “fifth columnists”—aimed at creating internal friction and undermining public confidence in the party’s stability. He reaffirmed the Imo chapter’s absolute loyalty to the national leadership under Senator David Mark, the former Senate President who was inaugurated as the party’s interim national chairman in 2025.
“Imo ADC remains loyal to the national leadership under His Excellency, Senator David Mark,” Okoroma stated. “We believe in the supremacy of the party and its capacity to resolve grievances internally. The constant resort to litigation without first exhausting internal mechanisms is unacceptable.”
The Rivers State chapter echoed these sentiments, stressing that personal grievances should not be presented as collective party decisions. Chief Sampson reaffirmed his chapter’s commitment to internal democracy and the rule of law, urging members to prioritize party cohesion over individual legal battles.
The ADC has recently undergone a significant leadership transition, with Senator David Mark and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola taking key roles as part of a broader coalition strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections. The national leadership has focused on constitutional reviews and party restructuring, efforts that state chairmen argue should not be distracted by unauthorized legal challenges.
Both state chapters concluded by urging members to utilize the party’s internal dispute resolution frameworks, insisting that such measures are essential for the ADC to remain a viable alternative in the Nigerian political landscape.
