The Edo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress is facing an internal crisis following allegations of a plot to remove its Chairman, Odion Kennedy, ahead of the end of his tenure on May 19.
Kennedy, who is eligible to seek re-election, has been at the centre of the dispute after opposing the conduct of party congresses, citing the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission to monitor the process.
Tensions escalated as the party’s spokesperson, Chris Ojeikere, accused the chairman of attempting to disrupt the ongoing congresses aimed at electing new leaders.
In a statement, Ojeikere described Kennedy as an outgoing chairman trying to prolong his stay in office, adding that the party would not condone actions capable of undermining its unity.
He maintained that the congresses were being conducted in line with directives from the party’s national headquarters, which had already notified INEC and constituted a committee to oversee the exercise.
Ojeikere urged party members to remain focused and disregard any contrary directives.
“Any actions or statements from a former chairman seeking to disrupt this lawful process should be disregarded.
“We therefore call on loyal ADC members in Edo State to remain focused and continue to participate in the ongoing congress processes without distraction.
‘’Should Mr. Odion persist in his actions, the party will not hesitate to make public all relevant information regarding his harmful activities within the party.”
Responding, Kennedy rejected the allegations and insisted that the actions of some party members were unlawful, maintaining that no congress would be conducted under his leadership.
He also alleged that materials meant for the congress had been hijacked, warning against what he described as attempts by outsiders to take control of the party structure.
He said: “They are doing illegality. We are in compliance with INEC decision. INEC said they are not going to monitor the congress. INEC will not accept what they did not monitor. I am not doing the congress. It will be an effort in futility.
“We don’t know where the congress materials are. They took them somewhere. It is a total hijacking of the process. For those of us who have built the party from the onset, we cannot open our eyes and see strangers take over the party and made away with it. What have they brought to the table? Is it money they are putting into the party? The leaders in Edo State what are they doing? They are taking advantage of those things happening elsewhere. What they are doing is not in line with our party’s constitution. They don’t want to stick to due process. I remain chairman till May 19 when my first tenure expires.
“The congress of local government and ward is the responsibility of the state. They want to by-pass the state to go and conduct the congress. I don’ t have any reason to disrupt the process if we were on the right path. I am the one to lead the process. We have been raising the alarm, but their agenda was different from what we were thinking. We never knew they have another agenda.”
