The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State escalated on Monday after party stakeholders publicly disowned Prof. Uchenna Akubue, a university professor allegedly parading himself as the party’s state chairman, citing an ongoing criminal prosecution for forgery.
In a statement signed by Comrade Raphael Idoko on behalf of the ADC Enugu Media Team and made available to newsmen in Abuja, the ADC Enugu State chapter reaffirmed retired Major General Chris Sunday Eze as its authentic chairman, dismissing Akubue as an impostor unfit to hold any party office.
The party’s position followed the emergence of a certified court document indicating that Akubue was s currently facing prosecution before an Enugu Magistrate Court on a two-count charge bordering on forgery.
The charge sheet, marked CME/25/2023 and signed by Superintendent of Police Patrick Ogele, lists the Commissioner of Police as complainant and Prof. Augustine Akubue as defendant.
According to the document, Akubue allegedly conspired with another suspect still at large to forge a memorandum of understanding dated September 6, 2013, an offence punishable under Sections 496(a) and 443 of the Criminal Code of Enugu State.
Forgery, a felony under Nigerian law, carries severe penalties, including prison terms ranging from three to 14 years upon conviction.
Relying on the court filings, ADC stakeholders argued that Akubue’s alleged criminal prosecution automatically disqualifies him from holding any leadership position within the party.
They further alleged that the professor failed to disclose the pending case while completing his expression of interest form—a requirement mandating aspirants to declare any criminal proceedings against them.
The stakeholders accused former Enugu State Governor, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, of attempting to impose Akubue on the party.
They also named Hon. Fidel Ayogu as a collaborator in what they described as a calculated effort to undermine the party’s integrity.
The statement partly reads: “The party cannot be presided over by an individual of questionable character. We reject in totality the imposition of Prof. Akubue, whose integrity is already under serious legal scrutiny.”
The group insisted that only one valid congress was conducted in the state, producing Major General Eze as chairman in line with the ADC constitution and guidelines.
They described Eze as a credible leader and “unsung hero of the June 12 struggle,” recalling his role during the 2023 general elections where he allegedly mobilised support to prevent electoral malpractice in Enugu State.
Raising the stakes, the stakeholders warned the ADC national leadership against recognising any executive list allegedly submitted by Nwodo and his allies, branding such a move as illegitimate.
They further accused Nwodo of acting as a “mole” for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, an allegation that could deepen political tensions within opposition ranks.
“We urge the national leadership to immediately approve the authentic list led by Major General Chris Eze and dissociate itself from any fraudulent list in circulation,” the statement added.
