Lawmakers express second thoughts about defecting to ADC as leadership crisis deepens

Uncertainty is mounting among some federal lawmakers regarding their planned defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as the party grapples with a leadership crisis.

The confusion stems from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to recognize the National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Senate President David Mark, pending the resolution of a leadership dispute in court.

Mansur Soro, who represents the Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State and was earlier expected to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC, said consultations are still ongoing.

Speaking with Sunday Punch, Soro stated that a final decision on his political future would be made soon.

“We are still consulting and we’ll decide in the next one week,” he said when asked whether his planned move to the ADC remains unchanged despite INEC’s decision not to recognize the Mark-led NWC.

Similarly, Jesse Onuakalusi, a Lagos lawmaker whose defection from the Labour Party to the ADC was recently announced on the floor of the House of Representatives, declined to reveal his next move if the party’s leadership crisis persists.

Asked about his options should the controversy remain unresolved, the lawmaker refused to comment.

“What do you mean by if the controversy is not resolved? I don’t want to talk about this issue for now,” he said.

However, Uchenna Okonkwo, who represents the Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, played down the significance of INEC’s decision, expressing optimism that the dispute will eventually be resolved through legal processes.

He said, “The Court of Appeal did not ask INEC to yank off anybody’s name. The court said the status quo should be maintained, but the umpire chose to interpret it the way it deemed fit.

“As far as we are concerned, this is not cause for alarm, as we are optimistic that the issue will be resolved.”

Okonkwo further stated that regardless of the outcome of the ADC leadership crisis, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, would likely influence the direction many defecting lawmakers take.

He added, “It is unfortunate that people are not being allowed to exercise their democratic choice to decide where they want to be.

“Those who are celebrating today are reminded that the challenges we face as a people are party neutral. Poor power supply, cost of fuel and high living conditions affect all.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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