Barrister Silas Onu, Factional Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State, has firmly denied being suspended from the party and has vowed to take legal action against those responsible for the alleged suspension. The purported suspension, announced by individuals claiming to be the Acting Chairman and Secretary of the ADC in Obiozara Ward, has been dismissed by Onu as baseless and defamatory. He insists that no such acting positions exist within the party’s structure at the ward level, and that the claims against him are malicious and unfounded.
In a statement released on Friday, Onu accused the unnamed individuals of fabricating allegations of financial exploitation and fraud against him without any evidence or justification. He emphasized that while political disagreements are common, attacking someone’s character without lawful grounds crosses a legal boundary. “People are free to play politics however they feel is just for them. But where that insanity extends to attacking the reputation of another person without lawful or reasonable justification, both the makers of such statement and the publisher will be held liable in a defamation suit,” Onu stated.
Onu has instructed his legal team to identify the individuals behind the suspension notice and obtain their addresses to initiate formal legal proceedings. He stressed that the move is not only to defend his reputation but also to uphold the integrity of the ADC’s organizational structure. “This will afford them the opportunity of establishing their allegations that I am a fraudulent person,” he added, underscoring his readiness to face any credible claims in court.
Further reinforcing Onu’s position, Engr. Chinedum Elekwachi, Chairman of ADC in Ohaozara Local Government Area, confirmed that Peter Obinna and Akuma Martins, who signed the suspension letter, are not registered members of the party. Elekwachi pointed out that the duly elected Chairman of Obiozara Ward is Mr. Godwin Njoku, and that there is no such thing as an “acting chairman” at the ward level in Ebonyi State’s ADC structure. “There is nothing like ‘acting chairman’ at ward level and in the entire Ebonyi State ADC structure,” he said, affirming the legitimacy of the current leadership.
The controversy has sparked concerns over internal party governance and the potential for factionalism to undermine the ADC’s credibility in Ebonyi State. With elections recently held across all 171 wards, the party is expected to maintain unity and transparency in its leadership. Onu’s legal threat signals a possible escalation in the internal conflict, which could influence the party’s performance in upcoming political activities. As the situation unfolds, the ADC leadership in Ebonyi State will be under close scrutiny to ensure adherence to its established rules and procedures.
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