The crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State worsened on Wednesday as the party insisted that it will go ahead with its planned congress fixed for Saturday despite the directive of the factional Chairman, Wole Ademoyegun, calling for the postponement.

Ademoyegun has directed the postponement of the Ward, Local Government, and state congresses fixed for Saturday in compliance with the order of the Court of Appeal decision, which ordered maintenance of the status quo.

But the State Publicity Secretary of ADC, Ambassador Kunle Adeloye, said the factional chairman has no power to issue such a directive as his tenure has ended.

Adeloye, in his statement, said, “For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Wole Ademoyegun does not possess the constitutional or statutory authority to order or announce the postponement of any congress at any level of the party.

“The power to issue such a directive is vested exclusively in the National Executive Committee and the National Secretariat of the African Democratic Congress.

“As a legal practitioner, Mr Wole Ademoyegun knew, or ought to know, that it falls within the purview of the power of the National Secretariat to issue such a directive, and Ondo State cannot act in isolation.

“Consequently, the purported postponement announced by Mr Ademoyegun is ultra vires of him and therefore null and void. All members of the ADC in Ondo State are hereby directed to disregard the illegal directive issued by Mr Wole Ademoyegun and to proceed with the Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses as scheduled and directed by the National Secretariat of the party.”

Adeloye said the state Chapter remains fully committed to the rule of law, party discipline, and the smooth conduct of the congresses in line with the directives of the National Body.