The African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Cross River State has been thrown into deep crisis, as party leaders have warned members to disregard a meeting reportedly organised by Usani Usani, the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), who is currently serving a three-month suspension.

The gathering was said to have been scheduled for Sunday at the Calabar residence of a former governor of the state, Senator Liyel Imoke.

In a press release dated November 30, 2025, the Publicity Secretary, James Otudor, cautioned that meetings held in private residences under the ADC name are illegal and are not recognised by the party.

The statement noted that Usani, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and others had previously been directed to formally resign from their former political parties before participating in ADC activities, but allegedly failed to comply.

The party stressed that anyone seeking to join the ADC must complete the official registration process.

Describing Usani’s actions as anti-party, the leadership warned against attempts to undermine the ADC through “backdoor maneuvers”.

According to the release, only fully registered executives are authorised to address issues such as delegate lists, in line with the party’s constitution.

“Party leaders and members are advised to ignore these invalid meetings,” the statement said. It added that the ADC does not conduct official business in private residences, and that any meeting held without the approval of the state chairman must be immediately discontinued.

The leadership also suggested that the meeting at Imoke’s residence could be a pretext for a reception to honour an award conferred on the former governor by the current Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, of the ruling APC.

Otudor affirmed that the party remains committed to safeguarding its integrity, unity and constitutional order.

The former governor, Imoke, declined to respond to enquiries regarding the meeting, while Usani, in an earlier interview, stated: “I am speaking as the National Vice Chairman of our party in the South-South. Such suspension does not exist.”