The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State has officially declared Mr. Oriji Tobias Nnabuike as the winner of the party’s governorship primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections. The announcement was made by Mr. Bassie Umoke, the Coordinator of Electoral Matters and State Returning Officer, following the conclusion of the primary held at the party’s state office along Old Enugu Road in Abakaliki, the state capital. Nnabuike secured 6,400 votes in a contest that spanned all 171 wards across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State. The election was conducted at the ward level, as directed by the national leadership of the ADC, ensuring compliance with party electoral protocols.
A total of 6,730 party members were accredited for the exercise, with 6,400 delegates actively participating in the voting process. Results were transmitted from the ward level to constituency collation centres, then to local government collation centres, and finally to the state collation centre for the official declaration. This multi-tiered approach, while time-consuming, was designed to enhance transparency and credibility. Umoke emphasized that the party used an electronic membership register to eliminate irregularities often seen in traditional party primaries, ensuring that all figures were verifiable and traceable.
“We want to change the narrative and make Nigeria workable. What you see here is verifiable because we used an electronic register. Every registered member automatically becomes a delegate for congresses and primaries,” Umoke stated, highlighting the party’s commitment to modern, transparent electoral practices. The use of technology in the primary process marks a significant shift from conventional methods, aiming to build public trust in the party’s internal democracy.
Dr. Jennifer Adibe, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the ADC, described the primary elections as peaceful, transparent, and successful. She confirmed that the party had also successfully produced candidates for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats. Some positions were filled through consensus, while others were decided through direct primaries based on the number of aspirants. Adibe dismissed concerns about insecurity, noting that security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) provided adequate monitoring throughout the exercise.
Dr. Pascale Okafor, Chairman of the Ebonyi State Primary Election Committee, commended party members for maintaining peace and order, describing the primaries as orderly and rancour-free. He affirmed that the process strictly adhered to the provisions of the Electoral Act. Princess Nneka Nnebu, Deputy National Auditor of the ADC and Secretary of the Electoral Committee in Ebonyi State, praised the high turnout of delegates and party officials, noting that no major challenges were recorded during the exercise.
The ADC’s successful primary exercise signals its growing strength and organizational capacity ahead of the 2027 elections, positioning it as a serious contender in Ebonyi State politics.
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