ADC Coalition defends Ben Smith, rejects Dick Duke’s claims, and affirms lawful party leadership in Akwa Ibom State
The Akwa Ibom State leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Coalition on Friday rejected claims by Dick Duke against the Assistant National Organising Secretary (South-South), Mr Ben Smith, describing them as constitutionally selective, historically inconsistent, and contrary to national party precedents.
Also read: Rivers Labour Party Faction Joins ADC
In a petition, Duke alleged that Smith was operating a parallel structure, engaging in anti-party activity, and not holding legitimate authority within the state.
He also claimed to be the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised chairman of ADC in Akwa Ibom and argued that zonal offices lacked authority over states under the party constitution.
Responding on behalf of the State Coalition and the National Working Committee (NWC) South-South, Kingsley Okposin, South-South Zonal Coordinator and Chairman of the Zonal Coordinators Forum, said Smith’s actions were fully constitutionally grounded, nationally delegated, and aligned with binding party precedents.
Okposin emphasised that Duke had no constitutional record of resignation from his former APC position, had not been elected via an ADC congress, and was not appointed by the NWC as State Chairman.
He reiterated that Mercy Edeke, elected in 2022, remains the authentic INEC-recognised ADC Chairman in Akwa Ibom, with tenure ending in 2026.
“No constitutional or legal process supports Duke’s claims. Investigations confirm Smith’s coalition-driven coordination is lawful and fully sanctioned by national transitional arrangements,” Okposin stated.
He criticised Duke’s public disobedience to interim leadership guidelines as a violation of NWC directives.
The statement concluded: “The ADC Coalition Leadership Team issues this response to directly counter the misleading narrative circulating under the name of Rt. Hon. Duke Dick, which attempts to distort the ADC Constitution, misapply the party organogram, and wrongfully criminalise nationally sanctioned coalition processes. Akwa Ibom State remains in a transitional phase pending congresses.”
Mercy Edeke remains the authentic 2022-elected State Chairman.
No individual may appropriate party structures outside NWC and coalition authority.
Also read: ADC’s Dr Salaam Seeks Royal Blessing in Ejigbo
ADC will not be hijacked by misinterpretation, intimidation, or constitutional distortion.
