The internal leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imo State has deepened, as the faction led by Chief Emmanuel Amuchie has vowed to reclaim the ₦200 million recently raised by stakeholders aligned with the Professor James Okoroma-led executive committee.

The Okoroma faction, which enjoys the backing of former governors Achike Udenwa and Emeka Ihedioha, reportedly raised the funds during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Owerri to support the party’s activities.

However, Amuchie maintained that the money belongs to the ADC and would be recovered once the leadership dispute within the party is resolved.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday at the party’s secretariat along MCC Road, Owerri, Amuchie insisted that his group remains the authentic leadership of the ADC in Imo State, duly recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He accused the Okoroma-led faction of impersonation and deliberate attempts to deceive the public.

According to him, the Amuchie-led State Executive Committee is the only executive formally recognised and communicated to INEC in line with the Electoral Act, 2022, and the commission’s guidelines on the recognition of party executives.

He further stated that the claims by the Okoroma group lack constitutional backing, do not have the approval of the ADC National Working Committee, and are not recognised by INEC, describing their actions as a calculated effort to mislead party members, the public, and relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, Amuchie called on the national leadership of the ADC to urgently step in to resolve the crisis, reaffirming his faction’s commitment to offering credible leadership and a strong political alternative for the people of Imo State.