The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Saturday conducted state congresses in Ogun and Abia, electing new executives as part of its build-up to the 2027 general elections, with the exercise in Ogun overshadowed by a deepening leadership crisis.

In Ogun State, rival factions organised separate congresses, each asserting legitimacy despite both pledging loyalty to the party’s national leadership. The development highlights unresolved internal disputes within the state chapter.

One of the congresses, convened at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, was led by a faction aligned with the party’s Deputy National Financial Secretary, Dimeji Fabiyi. The exercise, monitored by a national committee headed by Olatunji Shoyinka, produced Emmanuel Famojuro as state chairman.

Announcing the outcome, Shoyinka said the process adhered to party rules and reflected consensus among key stakeholders. He maintained that those absent had willingly opted out of the exercise.

In his acceptance remarks, Famojuro called for unity within the party and pledged to strengthen its grassroots base, noting the critical role of women and youths in driving its growth.

Fabiyi, speaking after the congress, faulted the immediate past leadership under Femi Soluade, accusing it of weakening the party’s structure and discouraging participation by aspirants. He alleged that the party had been reduced to a transactional platform but expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition it.

However, Soluade rejected the claims and insisted his camp remained the legitimate leadership. His faction held a parallel congress at the party secretariat in Itoko, Abeokuta, under the supervision of a national official, Rasheed Salvador, where he said the executives were returned unopposed.

Soluade described the allegations against his leadership as unfounded and reaffirmed his group’s readiness to lead the party to victory in the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, in Abia State, the party held a unified congress in Umuahia, where Kalu-Kalu Agu emerged as state chairman alongside other executives through a voice vote.

Agu, in his remarks, pledged to reconcile aggrieved members and strengthen cohesion within the party, stressing that unity would be central to its electoral prospects.

Chairman of the congress committee, Fredrick Onwe, said the exercise complied with party guidelines and expressed confidence in the stability of the state chapter.

Also speaking, the state publicity secretary, Francess Ogbonnaya, said the party was positioning itself to field credible candidates for the governorship and other elective offices in Abia.

The congresses come amid ongoing internal realignments within the ADC as it prepares for the next general elections.