The David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has elected Emmanuel Famojuro as the new chairman of the party in Ogun State, following a State Congress held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta on Saturday.
The election, conducted by affirmation, saw a harmonised list of new state executives accepted by delegates in a process overseen by the Congress Committee, chaired by Olatunji Soyinka, a former House of Representatives member. Soyinka confirmed the adoption of the list, which he said reflected the consensus of party leaders and stakeholders.
In his acceptance speech, Famojuro called for unity among party members and pledged to pursue a result-oriented leadership focused on grassroots mobilisation and inclusiveness. He emphasised the importance of engaging youths and women, describing them as the backbone of the party. Famojuro also urged party elders to provide guidance and support, recognising their experience as vital to the ADC’s growth in the state.
Deputy National Financial Secretary of the ADC, Oladimeji Fabiyi, commended the congress committee for fostering peace and unity within the party. He cautioned the new leadership to remain loyal to the party and not to individuals. Fabiyi also criticised the outgoing leadership, accusing it of turning the party into a transactional entity that discouraged quality aspirants.
However, the Femi Soluade-led faction of the ADC in Ogun State rejected the outcome, describing the congress as a “kangaroo election.” Soluade insisted he had been re-elected as state chairman, alongside Babatunde Adedeji as Deputy State Chairman and Agbebiyi Olusoji as State Secretary, in a separate process conducted at the party’s state secretariat. He alleged that his faction was duly screened by the national body, while the opposing group was not.
The dispute highlights ongoing internal divisions within the ADC in Ogun State, with both factions laying claim to legitimacy. The situation is likely to require intervention from the national leadership to resolve the leadership crisis and ensure party unity ahead of future electoral contests.
