Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Delta State Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Mr. Fred Akpewe, has said the silence of the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru over the alleged claim by Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe as the governorship candidate of the Delta ADC is not a sign of weakness or surrender.
A statement by party’s publicity secretary said the attention of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Delta State Chapter, has been drawn to a statement credited to Dr. Emmanuel Usiwoghene Unuafe where he claimed to be the legitimate governorship candidate of the Delta State ADC.
Akpewe said while the party respects Unuafe’s right to express his views and pursue any legal or political options available to him, it must be stated categorically that the position he canvasses does not reflect the present reality within the ADC in Delta State.
The statement read in parts: ‘The processes that culminated in the emergence of Chief Great Ogboru as the governorship candidate of the ADC were conducted in line with the decisions and directives of the appropriate organs of the party. And Chief Great Ogboru remains the duly recognised and accepted governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta State.
“Politics thrives on dialogue, compromise, and respect for party supremacy. It cannot be anchored on personal convictions alone. The legitimacy of a candidate is determined by the constitution of the party, the decisions of its competent organs, and where necessary, the pronouncements of the courts, not by individual declarations or media statements.
“We, therefore, urge our members and supporters across the state to remain calm and focused. The ADC remains united behind the candidacy of Chief Great Ogboru and is fully committed to the task of providing Deltans with a credible political alternative.
“At this critical time, our focus should not be on internal distractions but on building a formidable platform capable of addressing the challenges confronting our dear state. We wish to assure all party faithful that the leadership of the ADC in Delta State remains committed to due process, internal democracy, and the supremacy of the party’s constitution.
“We call on Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe and his supporters to embrace peace and place the collective interest of the party above individual ambitions. The doors of reconciliation and engagement remain open, but the party’s officially recognized position regarding its governorship candidacy remains unchanged. The ADC is bigger than any individual, and our common aspiration must be the rescue and transformation of Delta State.”
