By Kingsley Edike
OBIARUKU/Nigeria: Tension flared within the Ukwuani Local Government Area chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday as party stakeholders clashed over the handling of preparations for the forthcoming congress and the sale of nomination forms.
The crisis unfolded during a stakeholders’ meeting convened at the party’s LGA Secretariat in Obiaruku at the instance of the Ukwuani Transition Committee representative, Elder Abe Ossai, who briefed members on outcomes of a prior meeting held in Asaba on March 24.
Addressing the gathering, Ossai disclosed that discussions at the Asaba meeting centred on the conduct of the upcoming congress, with a strong recommendation for a consensus arrangement. He also outlined the cost implications of nomination forms for aspirants at ward, local government and state levels.
However, his presentation sparked outrage among stakeholders, who questioned why he attended the Asaba meeting alone without the knowledge or involvement of the LGA party chairman, widely regarded as the highest-ranking official at that level.
Responding, Ossai maintained that the Asaba meeting was strictly for members of the transition committee and not for the broader stakeholders of the party, a clarification that did little to calm frayed nerves within the gathering.
In a bid to restore order, High Chief Lucky Ikukaiwe appealed to aggrieved members to set aside their differences and take advantage of the limited window for the purchase of nomination forms. He stressed that party activities must proceed in line with directives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), regardless of internal disagreements.
Ikukaiwe warned that whether individuals chose to obtain nomination forms or not, the party would continue its processes in compliance with electoral guidelines, urging unity and strategic engagement among members.
Further compounding concerns, Ossai revealed that the delay in the release of nomination forms was due to the Delta State chapter’s inability to meet a ₦50 million requirement for form procurement, noting that top-ranking party officials were making efforts and sacrifices to ensure the forms were made available.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders resolved to constitute a committee to address the emerging issues and develop a framework for the smooth conduct of the congress, distribution of forms and overall harmonisation of party structures in the LGA.
The committee, chaired by High Chief Lucky Ikukaiwe, includes Engr. Akando, all ward chairmen, secretaries, and the LGA woman leader, with a mandate to urgently stabilise the party ahead of critical activities.
The meeting ended amid cautious optimism, even as underlying tensions signalled the need for stronger internal coordination within the Ukwuani ADC.
