Don Norman Obinna has retained his position as the Abia State chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that the party is determined to unseat Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 governorship election.
Obinna emerged at the end of the party’s state congress held on Friday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, in a process supervised by the Abia Congress Committee headed by Chioma Cynthia Ladeinde.
The congress also produced other members of the party’s state executive council, including Agodi Kanu as state secretary, while Naomi Nwogu and Gold Mbamaghionyeukwu emerged as the state Woman Leader and Deputy Woman Leader respectively.
The exercise, party officials said, was conducted peacefully and in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.
Addressing journalists shortly after the congress, Obinna described his re-election as a renewed mandate to reposition the ADC and strengthen its structures across the state ahead of the next electoral cycle.
He said the congress was conducted following the April 29 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which, according to him, clarified issues surrounding the conduct of congresses under Article 17 of the ADC Constitution.
Obinna maintained that the judgment provided legal backing for the congress and reaffirmed the legitimacy of the party’s internal processes.
According to him, the ADC in Abia State is now focused on grassroots mobilisation, membership expansion and strengthening its political base in preparation for future elections.
He expressed confidence that the party would emerge as a formidable opposition force capable of challenging the ruling government in the state.
“We are fully prepared to provide a credible alternative for the people of Abia State. By the grace of God and through the support of the people, we will unseat Governor Alex Otti in 2027,” Obinna declared.
The ADC chairman argued that many residents of the state were already seeking alternative political platforms and expressed optimism that the party would attract wider support in the coming years.
He said the party intends to build a people-oriented structure driven by transparency, accountability and grassroots participation.
Obinna also called on party members to remain united and committed to the growth of the ADC, stressing that internal cohesion would be critical to achieving electoral success in future contests.
He commended delegates and party stakeholders for what he described as a peaceful and orderly congress, adding that the exercise reflected the democratic culture within the party.
Political observers say the ADC has been making efforts in recent months to reposition itself nationally and attract more political actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party has witnessed increased activities at both national and state levels amid ongoing political realignments and consultations across the country.
In Abia State, analysts believe opposition parties are already beginning to strategise ahead of the next governorship election despite Governor Otti’s administration still being in office.
Otti, who came into office in 2023 under the platform of the Labour Party, continues to enjoy considerable political visibility in the state, though opposition parties are expected to intensify mobilisation as 2027 approaches.
Political analysts note that declarations such as Obinna’s are part of early efforts by opposition figures to establish visibility, consolidate support bases and position their parties for future contests.
Meanwhile, some party members at the congress expressed optimism that the new state executive would strengthen the ADC’s presence across Abia’s local government areas and wards.
They said the party would focus on recruitment drives, political education and issue-based engagement with residents as part of efforts to expand its support base.
The congress in Umuahia also reflected growing political activities across various parties nationwide as politicians and political organisations gradually begin preparations for the next general elections.
Although the 2027 elections are still some distance away, political observers believe alignments, consultations and leadership restructuring within parties are likely to intensify in the coming months.
For the ADC in Abia State, Friday’s congress marked not only a leadership renewal exercise but also the beginning of what party leaders describe as a broader strategy to position the party as a major contender in the state’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
