The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has strongly rejected allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that it is plotting to destabilise the state ahead of the 2027 general elections. The accusations were made by the APC State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, during the inauguration of ward and local government executives in Nkanu West Local Government Area, where he warned residents to remain vigilant and accused the ADC of working against what he described as the long-standing governorship zoning arrangement in the state.

 

Nwoye told party supporters that the ADC had become a platform for politicians seeking to disrupt Enugu’s political stability and undermine a zoning formula he claimed has contributed to peace for many years. He argued that the arrangement should continue, insisting that the present administration had justified its place in the rotational system. The APC event, which marked the conclusion of a two-week statewide tour across the 17 local government areas and 260 wards, was attended by stakeholders including former Minister of State for Defence, Ambassador Fidelia Njeze, former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Barr. Eugene Odo, and other party figures.

 

Reacting to Nwoye’s comments, leaders and members of the ADC described his allegations as baseless, unfounded, and an attempt to misinform the public. Speaking on behalf of the party, Comrade Ude Adolphus — Pioneer Deputy State Chairman of APC in Enugu and now a major stakeholder in the ADC — said he was one of the original conveners of APC in the state and could categorically state that no zoning agreement has ever existed in the party. According to him, APC has never held any meeting, discussion, or adopted any document establishing a zoning structure, and Nwoye’s claim was “a complete fabrication.”

 

Comrade Ude Adolphus maintained that the governorship zoning system is purely an internal arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that APC has never been bound by it. He accused Nwoye of attempting to impose a non-existent formula on the party and warned that such actions were dangerous and misleading. He further alleged that APC’s sudden emphasis on zoning was a strategy aimed at silencing opposition parties in order to create a one-party dominance in the state, a move he said would be resisted.

 

The ADC leader challenged Nwoye to present any concrete evidence of the zoning arrangement he referenced, insisting that neither documents, agreements, court rulings, nor party records exist to support the assertion. He stated that the ADC would not allow itself to be intimidated by what he described as the APC’s growing fear of competition. Comrade Ude Adolphus added that contrary to Nwoye’s claim that ADC members are disgruntled, their dissatisfaction is rooted in issues of governance, lack of basic amenities, and the overall developmental challenges facing the state.

 

He said the people of Enugu have endured inadequate access to water, poor electricity supply, and weak healthcare systems, and argued that the ruling parties should focus on addressing these problems rather than creating political distractions. Comrade Ude Adolphus also questioned APC’s performance and asked the party leadership to account for its achievements and explain why members continue to defect to other parties.

 

The ADC reiterated its readiness to compete in an open political environment ahead of the 2027 elections and insisted that it would not succumb to threats or unsubstantiated accusations. The party said it remains committed to presenting credible alternatives and offering a more development-focused approach to the people of Enugu State. With both parties exchanging strong statements, the political climate in Enugu appears set to intensify as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.