The factional chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Cross River State, John Ogar, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of uploading an “imposter” as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Ogar was reacting to INEC’s recent listing of former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Nkoyo Toyo, as the ADC governorship candidate for the state.
The development comes amid an ongoing legal dispute over parallel primary elections and leadership structures within the party at both the national and state levels.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ogar described Toyo as a member of what he called “a rogue faction whose actions fundamentally contradict the principles and values the ADC stands for.”
He warned party members and the public against what he described as attempts to mislead them over the authentic candidate of the party.
According to Ogar, courts had previously nullified the primary elections conducted by the faction backing Toyo, with substantial costs awarded against it.
“Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal have decisively annulled these exercises, with substantial costs awarded against this faction.
“Rather than seeking internal reconciliation, this faction surreptitiously proceeded to file a stay of execution at the Court of Appeal aimed at invalidating the appellate court’s ruling, and consistently taking new dates to delay the hearing of the case. It is a known fact that they deliberately concealed the filed stay of execution from the Legacy ADC,” he said.
Ogar’s faction, known as the Legacy Group, has produced Dr Effiong Nyong as its governorship candidate.
Nyong said the faction had secured victories at the High Court and Court of Appeal and had subsequently approached the Supreme Court in the ongoing dispute.
He expressed optimism that the apex court would deliver its ruling in their favour and provide clarity on the party’s leadership and governorship candidacy in the state.
However, the faction backing Nkoyo Toyo has rejected the allegation that it secretly obtained a stay of execution order.
The faction said it remained focused on its position and would not be distracted by the ongoing dispute.
