By Our Correspondent

National News – Don Norman Obinna has retained his position as chairman of the African Democratic Congress in Abia State, declaring that the party is preparing to challenge Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 governorship election.

The decision emerged during the ADC state congress held in Umuahia on Friday, where party delegates reaffirmed Obinna’s leadership after a recent Federal High Court ruling.

The congress was supervised by a committee led by Chioma Cynthia Ladeinde, while Agodi Kanu served as secretary.

Party members also elected Naomi Nwogu as Woman Leader and Gold Mbamaghionyeukwu as Deputy Woman Leader.

Speaking after the exercise, Obinna said the congress followed the April 29 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which interpreted Article 17 of the ADC constitution.

According to him, the ruling confirmed that state chairmen, alongside the National Working Committee and state executive committees, possess the constitutional authority to conduct party congresses.

He explained that the party formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission before the congress and said representatives of the electoral body monitored the process.

Obinna added that ward and local government congresses began on Thursday before the state congress concluded on Friday in Umuahia.

The ADC chairman also dismissed reports of internal division within the party in Abia State, insisting that the congress was conducted peacefully and in line with the party’s constitution.

He maintained that the legal action against the national leadership was strictly to clarify constitutional responsibilities and not to challenge the party hierarchy.

Obinna further vowed that the ADC would strengthen its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that the party could unseat Governor Otti through what he described as a united political structure across the state.