Crisis Looms in ADC as Party Suspends Vice Chairman and Former Minister Usani Uguru

A major internal crisis is brewing within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following the suspension of its National Vice Chairman (South-South) and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Usani Uguru Usani.

The decision, announced on Monday in a statement issued in Abuja, comes in the wake of a meeting of the Cross River State Working Committee (SWC) of the ADC held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. The party cited Usani’s actions as “detrimental to the unity and progress of the party.”

According to the statement signed by James Otudor, a State Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Usani is being accused of multiple infractions including anti-party activities, insubordination to constituted authority, and behavior considered harmful to the party’s cohesion and electoral viability.

“In accordance with the party’s constitution and disciplinary procedures, Dr. Usani’s suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of a formal investigation by the relevant party organs,” the statement read.

In a related development, the SWC also raised strong objections to the recent appointment of Ms. Jackie Wayas as Deputy National Publicity Secretary. The committee claimed that the decision was made without proper consultation with the state leadership, and that Wayas has not meaningfully engaged with the Cross River ADC since assuming the role.

The statement accused Wayas of demonstrating a lack of loyalty to the state chapter and urged the party’s national leadership to replace her with a more competent and media-savvy individual from Cross River State who embodies the party’s ideals.

Further concerns were raised regarding members of the Coalition Movement who declared their intention to join the ADC but have yet to formalise their membership. The party warned that it would not tolerate dual political affiliations or allow individuals to use the ADC platform while maintaining ties to other parties.

“It further noted that some coalition members who participated in ADC strategy meetings have since accepted caretaker or leadership positions in their former political parties,” the statement added.

To address these concerns, the ADC directed all coalition leaders and prospective members to complete their registration at the ward level within seven days—by Saturday, October 25, 2025—or face exclusion from the party’s leadership and decision-making structures.

Despite the escalating tensions, the ADC leadership urged its members to remain calm and law-abiding as the party’s internal mechanisms for discipline and accountability are activated.

“We urge all members to remain calm, law-abiding, and steadfast as the party’s internal mechanisms for discipline, justice, and accountability take their full course,” the statement concluded.