ADC Chairman Norman Vows to Remain in Office Till 2031, Dismisses Leadership Crisis In Abia

Norman who is the authentic chairman of Abia ADC, insisted that no individual or group has the authority to remove him outside constitutional provisions.

He made the assertion during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Kolping Society, Umuahia, amid ongoing controversies surrounding the party’s leadership in the state.

Addressing party members, the chairman maintained that the ADC is guided strictly by its constitution, stressing that due process must be followed in all party affairs. He dismissed claims of any faction within the party, urging members to disregard what he described as baseless speculations.

According to him, “Nobody has the power to remove me as chairman. The ADC is governed by its constitution, and any action outside it is null and void. I will remain chairman until 2031″.

He said that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to brief members on the current state of the party, highlight achievements so far, and strategize ahead of the 2027 general elections and emphasized that the party’s ambition goes beyond mere participation.

“Our objective is not just to be on the ballot, we are going into the election with the mindset of winning. From what we are seeing, the Abia Government House is open for the taking, and we are putting in place the necessary structures to secure victory. We are going to defeat the sitting Governor in Abia”, he said.

The ADC chairman also underscored the importance of unity, warning members against internal conflicts and urging them to work together as one family.

Reflecting on the party’s growth, Norman recounted how the ADC once struggled to attract members, but has now become a major political platform drawing widespread interest across the state.

“Before now, we were going from house to house begging people to join the party, even pleading with individuals to take up leadership positions. Today, people are trooping in, and in some local government areas, we even have multiple chairmanship interests”, he stated.

The ADC chairman further clarified that the conduct of ward and local government congresses remains the exclusive responsibility of the state executive, assuring current party officials that their positions are secured.  “No ward or local government chairman will lose their seat. You have all contributed to keeping the party alive, and your efforts will not be in vain. It’s a promise, nobody will chase you away from ADC”, he assured.

On coalition arrangements, he revealed that the party is working with a 60:40 sharing formula, with the ADC retaining 40 percent as the legacy party, while coalition partners take 60 percent.

Norman also dismissed allegations that he restricts membership into the party, explaining that registration is handled at the ward level in line with party structure and therefore, has no hand in registration of new members.

He equally disclosed that the growth of the party is paramount to him, hence any day he discovers he is the problem of the party, he would resign his membership.

Several party stakeholders who spoke at the meeting expressed support for Norman’s leadership and called for unity within the party.

Among them were, the founder of the Diamond Football Club, and aspirant for the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency seat, Hon Ikechukwu Apugo, who expressed confidence that the party would witness greater progress, added that he is ready to support the party to victory.

The 2023 ADC Abia House of Assembly Candidate, Rev Blessed Amalambu, the 2027 Osisioma/Ugwunagbo/Obingwa federal constituency aspirant, Engr. Bright Dozie Alaribe, both stressed the need for cohesion ahead of the elections.

Others, including the Ikwuano/ Umuahia House of Representatives aspirant, Barr  Uzoma Okwulehie and the ADC leader in Ukwa East, Hon Chuks Wabara, also pledged loyalty to the state leadership, describing the ADC as a growing political force capable of delivering electoral victory.

The meeting concluded with a resounding vote of confidence passed on Hon Obinna Don Norman’s led administration by party stakeholders.

In an interview, ADC Political leader in Ukwa East Local Government Area, Hon Chuks Wabara, commended the leadership of the party for organizing the stakeholders meeting which he said afforded them the opportunity to meet with themselves and resolve any challenges.

He stated categorically that there were no factions of the party, adding that what is going on is some group of people who want to reap where they do not sow. “This is a party that has been in existence for some time, the State chairman and others have been running the party over the years, we cannot because the elections are coming up, allow people disrupt activities of the party. Am glad there was a resounding vote of confidence on the leadership of Obinna Don Norman”, he said.

Speaking after the meeting, Norman maintained that political success requires deliberate effort and adherence to party hierarchy, reiterating that there is no division within the ADC in Abia State, while emphasizing that unity remains key to achieving the party’s objectives in 2027.

“Politics is not about waiting for power; you work to get it. What we are doing is to build unity and strengthen the party structure because no party succeeds in isolation”, he said.

He expressed optimism that the ADC has the capacity to win future elections based on its ideology and growing grassroots support, noting that the party’s strength goes beyond any individual influence.