The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imo State staged a flamboyant inauguration last week, ushering in a new State Executive Committee (SEC) led by Prof. James Okoroma and populated by loyalists of former governor Emeka Ihedioha.
The event was packaged as a rebirth for the party, a moment of unity and renewal. Yet, beneath the loud proclamations of hope lies a cold war that threatens to tear the party apart.
Hon. Emmanuel Amushie, who insists he is the authentic state chairman of ADC, has asked the public to disregard what he called a political jamboree.
He dismissed the Okoroma-led executive as a contraption of the Rebuild Imo Organization.
“This is laughable and petty of the Rebuild Imo Organization. How can they pledge loyalty to the leadership of the party of which I am the chairman and in the next minute, they have arrogated to themselves positions as the State Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In fact, Okoroma and Ezeagu are playing to the gallery,” Amushie said.
For Amushie, the contradictions in the purported inauguration expose the desperation of those trying to hijack the party.
He singled out Chief Damian Ezeagu, who was named Deputy Chairman under Okoroma, wondering how a man who, according to him, “collected huge ADC cards” under his chairmanship could now parade himself as Deputy Chairman.
The cold war is further stoked by the ambitions of Ihedioha, who is widely believed to be eyeing a return to Government House, Owerri in 2027.
Analysts say the takeover of ADC’s Imo structure by his loyalists is strategic, designed to give the former governor a platform to fly his guber ambition. But Amushie insists the move is illegitimate and cannot stand.
Significantly, Amushie’s name still appears on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal as the recognized chairman of ADC in Imo State. This fact has become his trump card in the war of legitimacy, strengthening his claim that the Okoroma-led inauguration is more theatre than reality.
“Even before Ihedioha came to the party, I was in charge,” Amushie maintained.
His argument is reinforced by his long-standing alliance with Chief Mathew Chima Amadi, founder of The Mazi Organization (TMO), who is himself believed to be nursing governorship ambitions in 2027. Amadi, however, is yet to openly align himself with any political party.
However, the inauguration of the new exco led by Okoroma was given institutional weight by Sir Bon Unachukwu, the National Vice Chairman of ADC in the South East. A loyalist of Ihedioha, Unachukwu dismissed Amushie’s claims outright, framing him as an impostor who has outlived his relevance.
In a public disclaimer issued on August 22, 2025, and signed by Unachukwu, Amushie was accused of impersonation and described as “false, misleading, and unconstitutional.”
According to him, Amushie has been parading himself as chairman, circulating notices of a purported stakeholders’ meeting, and mobilizing non-members of the party in what he called a desperate attempt to sow confusion and division within the Imo chapter.
Yet, critics argue that Unachukwu’s bias is obvious, and his intervention cannot erase Amushie’s claims he is recognized by INEC.
The situation exposes the contradictions within ADC in Imo. On one hand, there is a visible structure projected by Okoroma and backed by Ihedioha. On the other, there is the legal and institutional recognition of Amushie, whose leadership still carries the imprimatur of INEC.
A political observer in the state, John Igwe, told INNONEWS that while the Okoroma faction controls the noise, Amushie retains the paperwork.
“In Nigerian politics, perception matters — but when perception clashes with INEC’s records, the latter often triumphs. That reality leaves Ihedioha’s loyalists vulnerable to future legal challenges that could upend their new-found momentum,” he said.
For now, the inauguration has provided optics of unity, colour and renewal. But underneath the celebration lies a simmering cold war that pits loyalty against legality, ambition against recognition, and Ihedioha’s camp against Amushie’s INEC-backed claim.
The weeks ahead will determine whether ADC in Imo will emerge stronger or collapse under the weight of parallel leadership. But one fact remains: despite the loud fanfare of inauguration, Amushie still holds the most powerful card — the recognition of INEC.
