By AMANDA EZE

2027: Delta ADC Crisis Deepens as Unaife Demands Withdrawal of Ogboru’s Nomination

THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) may be heading for a fresh internal dispute over its 2027 governorship ticket in Delta State.

Dr. Emmanuel Usiwoghene Unaife, a governorship aspirant of the party, has issued a formal pre-action notice demanding the withdrawal of the purported nomination or submission of Chief Great Ovdeje Ogboru as the party’s candidate.

Unaife also wants the party to recognise him as the candidate who lawfully emerged from its Delta State governorship nomination process held on 22 May 2026.

The development introduces another layer of uncertainty into the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 governorship election.

Unaife Challenges the Nomination

Unaife’s notice, dated 1 September 2026, went to the ADC National Chairman and members of the National Working Committee.

He also copied the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the document, titled “Formal Pre-Action Notice: Demand for Immediate Correction and Withdrawal of the Purported Nomination/Submission of Chief Great Ovdeje Ogboru as the ADC Candidate for Governor of Delta State and Demand for Recognition of Emmanuel Usiwoghene Unaife, Ph.D. as the Candidate Lawfully Emerging from the ADC Delta State Governorship Nomination Process of 22 May 2026”, Unaife set out his objection to the purported nomination.

He described himself as a duly screened, cleared and participating aspirant in the contest for the ADC governorship ticket.

According to him, the 22nd May nomination process produced him as the lawful candidate for the party.

He therefore wants the party leadership to correct what he considers an improper submission and recognise his candidature.

Notice Reaches ADC Leadership

The ADC National Chairman’s office received the notice on 1 September, according to an acknowledgement stamp and handwritten notation on the document.

Unaife issued the notice in his personal capacity.

He also stated that he did not have legal representation at that stage.

By copying INEC, he has taken the dispute beyond the internal structures of the party.

The electoral commission now has notice of his claim that the party’s purported nomination of Ogboru does not reflect the outcome of the Delta governorship nomination process he participated in.

A Dispute Over the 2027 Ticket

The controversy centres on a fundamental question: who legitimately emerged from the ADC’s Delta governorship nomination process?

Unaife insists that the answer is himself.

His position challenges any move by the party to submit Ogboru’s name as its candidate for the 2027 election.

The dispute could have significant implications for the party’s preparations in Delta State.

Political parties must resolve nomination disputes within the applicable electoral and legal framework before candidates can effectively proceed into the wider election process.

Consequently, the ADC leadership may now face pressure to clarify how it arrived at its purported nomination.

Ogboru’s Political Profile

Ogboru is a prominent figure in Delta State politics and has previously contested the governorship of the state.

His reported emergence as the ADC’s purported candidate has therefore attracted attention within the state’s political landscape.

Unaife’s challenge, however, shifts the focus from Ogboru’s political profile to the legitimacy of the nomination process.

The aspirant is not merely expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s choice.

He is formally demanding that the purported nomination be withdrawn and that his own candidature receive recognition.

INEC Drawn Into the Dispute

The decision to copy INEC adds an electoral dimension to the disagreement.

While political parties conduct their internal nomination processes, INEC oversees the broader electoral framework and receives candidate submissions from political parties.

Unaife’s notice effectively puts the commission on notice that a dispute exists over the ADC’s Delta governorship candidate.

The commission’s involvement will therefore become important if the disagreement progresses into formal proceedings or affects the party’s candidate submission.

What Happens Next?

The immediate issue is whether the ADC will respond to Unaife’s demand.

The notice gives the party an opportunity to address his claim before he potentially takes further action.

If the disagreement remains unresolved, the dispute could move into the courts or other appropriate legal channels.

Such a development could complicate the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 election in Delta State.

For now, Unaife’s demand has placed the party’s governorship ticket under scrutiny.

The central issue remains the same: whether Ogboru’s purported nomination reflects a valid party process or whether, as Unaife contends, the party should recognise him as the candidate produced by its 22 May nomination exercise.

Until the ADC clarifies the matter, uncertainty will continue to surround its Delta governorship ticket.