ADC Presidential Primaries: Ebonyi factions declare Atiku, Amaechi winners in parallel exercises

By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

Factions of the African Democratic Congress in Ebonyi State on Tuesday conducted parallel presidential primaries, producing separate winners in a development that further exposed the deepening crisis within the party in the state.

While one faction declared former Vice President Atiku Abubakar winner of a presidential primary reportedly conducted across the state’s 171 political wards, another faction loyal to the recognised state leadership announced former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as winner in a separate exercise.

The parallel declarations, announced from different locations by separate committees laying claim to constitutional authority, underscored the intensifying struggle for control of the ADC political structure in the state.

The Atiku camp announced its result at Preston Hotel, Abakaliki, which served as its designated collation centre.

Declaring the outcome on behalf of the “Ebonyi State Presidential Primary Election Committee,” the alleged Chairman of the committee and ADC National Vice Chairman (Diaspora), Fred Onwe, said Atiku polled 15,300 votes to defeat Amaechi, who secured 2,200 votes, while Muhammad Hayatudeen garnered 200 votes.

According to the committee, a total of 18,891 voters were registered across the state, while 17,700 accredited voters reportedly participated in the exercise conducted across the 13 local government areas.

“Consequent upon the outcome of the election as seen above, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, having scored the highest votes, is hereby declared winner in Ebonyi State,” Onwe stated.

The declaration was jointly signed by Onwe and the committee secretary, Egbedike Micheal.

In his remarks, factional State Chairman of the party, Barrister Silas Joseph Onu, commended returning officers for what he described as resilience and commitment despite heavy rainfall across parts of the state.

According to him, the exercise reflected the determination of party faithful to sustain democratic participation and internal inclusiveness.

However, the declaration immediately deepened controversy surrounding the conduct of the primary, particularly as another faction of the party had, hours earlier, announced a different outcome.

In a separate exercise conducted at the party secretariat along the old Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway, the faction led by State Chairman, Dr Mrs Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, declared Amaechi winner of the presidential primary.

Announcing the result, the alleged Coordinator of Electoral Matters and Returning Officer, Bassey Edogi Imoke, said Amaechi polled 6,050 votes to defeat Atiku, who secured 1,210 votes, while Muhammad Hayatuddeen garnered 4,840 votes.

Imoke stated that the exercise was conducted through the direct primary system across the 171 political wards in the state.

According to him, 12,641 delegates were registered for the exercise, while 12,100 delegates were accredited and participated in the election.

“The mode of election is direct primary. The election was conducted across the 171 political wards in Ebonyi State. Total registered delegates were 12,641 while accredited delegates were 12,100,” Imoke declared.

“Atiku Abubakar scored 1,210 votes, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi scored 6,050 votes, while Muhammad Hayatuddeen scored 4,840 votes.

“Consequently, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast, is hereby returned elected as the preferred flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress in Ebonyi State,” he said.

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