The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State has inaugurated a new state executive committee, with Tony Alike named as chairman, amid ongoing internal disputes over leadership. The development was officially confirmed by the party’s National Collation Chairman, Sem Andrew Uchendu, who represented the national secretariat during the exercise.
The announcement follows barely a day after Rowland Owie, a member of the party’s National Executive Committee, declared that Dr Nosa Ehima had been elected as the state chairman, exposing deep divisions within the Edo chapter.
The incumbent state chairman, Kennedy Odion, whose tenure is due to expire on May 19, stated he was unaware of any congress having been conducted in the state.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Uchendu disclosed that he had spent three days in Edo State overseeing congresses at the unit, ward, local government, and state levels. He explained that the process followed a consensus arrangement agreed upon by party leaders in the state, under the structured leadership of John Odigie-Oyegun.
Uchendu subsequently announced Alike alongside 23 other members as the newly constituted state executive.
Addressing journalists after the exercise, Alike said his immediate priority would be to reconcile aggrieved stakeholders and foster unity within the party. He revealed that he had already begun consultations, starting with a visit to Odigie-Oyegun.
“We will continue our engagements with party leaders and stakeholders. In the coming days, we will present a policy direction that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians,” he said.
Alike added that the party intends to mobilise citizens around a shared vision for change, stressing that Nigeria’s future should not be controlled by a select few.
“When Nigerians express dissatisfaction with governance, the responsibility falls on the opposition to provide a credible alternative. We are working towards unveiling our strategy in the weeks ahead, as preparations for the general elections gather momentum,” he stated.
