ADC Dismisses Dick Duke’s Leadership Claims in Akwa Ibom as ‘Constitutionally Flawed’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected claims by Dick Duke challenging the authority of Assistant National Organising Secretary (South-South), Mr Ben Smith, describing them as constitutionally selective, inconsistent, and contrary to national precedents.

Duke had accused Smith of leading an unconstitutional parallel structure, engaging in anti-party activities, and asserted that he was the INEC-recognized chairman of ADC in Akwa Ibom State, claiming that zonal offices lack authority over states under the party’s constitution.

Responding on Friday, Kingsley Okposin, South-South Zonal Coordinator and Chairman of the Zonal Coordinators Forum, said Smith’s actions were constitutionally sound, nationally delegated, and backed by precedent.

Okposin dismissed Duke’s state leadership claims, pointing out that he was only State Ex-Officio of APC until October 2025 and that no ADC congress or National Working Committee (NWC) decision legitimized his claim as ADC State Chairman.

He confirmed that Mercy Edeke remains the authentic and INEC-recognized ADC Chairman for Akwa Ibom, elected in 2022 with a tenure ending in 2026.

“No constitutional or legal process supports Duke’s assertions. Investigations confirm that Smith’s coordination is lawful under nationally approved transitional arrangements,” Okposin said.

The statement further criticised Duke’s public defiance of interim leadership guidelines, labelling it a direct challenge to the authority of the NWC.

“The ADC Coalition Leadership Team issues this response to counter the misleading narrative circulating under the name of Rt. Hon. Duke Dick, which distorts the ADC Constitution, misapplies the party organogram, and wrongfully criminalizes 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. ADC will not be hijacked by misinterpretation, intimidation, or constitutional distortion,” the statement read.

The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding national party guidelines and ensuring transitional processes in all states remain lawful and constitutionally sound.