Imo State ADC Chairman, James Okoroma, has defended the conduct of the party’s presidential primaries, insisting that the exercise was transparent, credible, and conducted in line with democratic principles despite protests and allegations from aggrieved members.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Okoroma dismissed claims that the primaries were manipulated or unfair, arguing that critics were simply unwilling to accept defeat.
“ADC presidential primaries were free, fair and credible,” he said.
According to Okoroma, all relevant institutions and stakeholders were involved in monitoring the process to ensure transparency and legitimacy.
“INEC monitored the primaries, the police were there, DSS, civil defence,” he stated.
He explained that party structures in Imo State were fully engaged before the exercise and maintained that the winning aspirant invested more effort in grassroots mobilisation than his rivals.
“The man who won the election reached out to party officials and party structures,” he said.
Okoroma specifically referenced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stating that his representatives actively engaged party members and stakeholders across the state before the primaries.
“His aides were everywhere,” he stated.
According to Okoroma, some of those protesting the outcome were not fully integrated into the ADC structure within Imo State.
“Most of those complaining now are alien to the party structures here,” he said.
He stated that democratic culture requires aspirants and their supporters to accept electoral outcomes when they lose fairly contested processes.
“When things don’t go their way, they begin to complain,” he stated.
Okoroma also rejected suggestions that money influenced the outcome of the primaries.
“No money changed hands,” he said.
He acknowledged speaking with Atiku during the process but denied receiving financial inducements.
“He was always speaking to us, finding out the problems in the state,” he stated.
According to him, the primaries reflected support built through political relationships and sustained engagement rather than financial influence.
“We voted in the interest of Nigeria,” he said.
Okoroma further disclosed that reconciliation efforts were already ongoing within the party to address grievances and maintain unity ahead of the general elections.
“The reconciliation processes are on,” he stated.
He maintained that internal disagreements are common in democratic politics and should not automatically be interpreted as institutional failure.
“Conflicts go with power struggle,” he said.
According to Okoroma, ADC leaders would eventually resolve disputes in the broader interest of the country and the party.
“They will all come together,” he stated.
Okoroma also defended ADC’s ideological direction, describing the party as a platform focused on selflessness, egalitarianism, and collective national interest.
“The ADC preaches selflessness,” he said.
He stated that Nigeria’s current political and economic challenges require leaders who prioritise citizens’ welfare over personal ambition.
“It’s about the ordinary Nigerian who is suffering,” he stated.
Okoroma further claimed that ADC was gaining strong political momentum across Imo State and the southeast region.
“Imo is the stronghold of ADC in the southeast,” he said.
He insisted that the party represented a credible alternative to Nigeria’s larger political parties.
“ADC is a new direction,” he stated.
Okoroma concluded that despite protests and allegations following the ADC presidential primaries, the party remains committed to democratic procedures, reconciliation, and national interest, insisting that internal disputes will eventually be resolved ahead of the general elections.
Ojo Triumph
