ADC Denies Crisis At Edo Leadership Meeting

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports alleging a crisis at its Edo State leadership meeting held on Monday, February 22, describing such claims as misleading and unprofessional.

In a statement signed by Mabel Oboh, South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, the ADC clarified that the meeting, which took place at the residence of its national leader, John Odigie-Oyegun, was peaceful and successfully conducted.

According to the statement, there was no disruption during the meeting itself. Rather, a brief and regrettable incident occurred outside the residence before proceedings commenced, when unidentified individuals temporarily obstructed access to the premises.

“As eyewitnesses, some party leaders arrived to find a group of aggressive individuals blocking the entrance. Many were initially unaware of what was happening. Calm was restored only after security authorities were contacted, and the individuals dispersed. The meeting then proceeded as scheduled,” the statement said.

The party expressed concern over what it described as sensational headlines suggesting that party leaders were deliberately shut out or that a crisis was brewing within the ADC in Edo State. It stressed that no directive was issued by the party leadership to exclude any member.

“The temporary obstruction was external and not an internal party matter. At no point was any member deliberately denied access,” the ADC stated.

The party also faulted reports claiming that some individuals were excluded because their names were not on an invitation list, noting that such narratives ignored the fact that the obstruction was caused by unidentified persons at the gate and not by party officials.

The meeting, the statement noted, was fully attended by senior party officials, including the National Chief Whip, Festus Igbinoba; the National Legal Adviser, Oserheimen Osunbor; and the Edo State Chairman, Kennedy Odion, alongside other key stakeholders.

Speaking after the meeting, Igbinoba reaffirmed the unity of the party, saying, “The ADC remains focused and united. No distraction can derail the internal stability of our party in Edo State.”

Similarly, Osunbor stated that there was no legal or constitutional breach, adding, “The meeting was validly convened and properly concluded.”

Odion also assured members that the party’s structure in Edo State remained intact, noting that the brief incident outside the gate did not affect the substance of the deliberations.

The meeting, according to the statement, addressed critical issues including party consolidation across Edo State, strengthening grassroots mobilisation, improving coordination between state and national leadership, and positioning the party strategically amid ongoing political realignments.

The ADC stressed that the presence of national and state leaders at the meeting underscored unity rather than division, describing Odigie-Oyegun as a respected and consistent figure within the party.

While acknowledging the role of the media in shaping public discourse, the party urged journalists and media organisations to uphold the principles of accuracy, balance, and verification, especially during politically sensitive periods.

“Official records, minutes, and photographic evidence of the meeting are available and confirm that proceedings were orderly and successful,” the statement added.

The party concluded by reaffirming that the ADC in Edo State remains stable, united, and focused, insisting that no distorted narrative can alter that reality.