By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The newly inaugurated leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta State has dismissed as baseless the claims made by the sacked Engr. Austine Okolie-led executive, describing their criticisms as “desperate propaganda.”
In a statement signed by the new State Chairman, Comrade Barbar Ebimowei, the Ebimowei-led State Executive Committee (EXCO) said the removal of the former leadership was the result of a constitutional process endorsed by stakeholders and recognized by national officers of the party.
The clarification came after a press release issued by Mr. Yebu Napoleon on behalf of the Okolie faction, which had branded the new leadership “roadside mechanics” and “impostors.”
Reacting, the Ebimowei-led EXCO described such remarks as “childish and elitist,” insisting that the Okolie camp was only trying to distract members from its record of failure.
“The attempt by the Okolie-led faction to call patriotic party members ‘roadside mechanics’ only shows their contempt for the grassroots base of our party,” the statement read. “It also reveals how deeply the truth of their failure has sunk in.”
According to the group, the inauguration of the new executive was presided over by Elder Igbinoba Festus, the National Chief Whip of the ADC, at the PTI Conference Centre in Effurun, where the new officers were officially welcomed.
“We challenge Mr. Yebu Napoleon to deny the presence and endorsement of Elder Festus,” Ebimowei said. “Is a respected member of the National Working Committee an impostor? His presence confirmed our legitimacy.”
The new leadership also accused Engr. Okolie of running the party as a “personal project,” alleging that he failed to establish functioning State, Local Government, and Ward offices across Delta State.
“Okolie’s executive had no visible structures. If they claim otherwise, let them publish the addresses of their offices across the State,” the statement added.
On the vote of no confidence that removed Okolie, the new EXCO said it was a necessary corrective measure. It accused the former chairman of administrative lapses, reluctance to mobilize members, and exclusionary politics that weakened party unity.
“The ADC in Delta has moved past the reign of inertia,” Ebimowei stressed. “We have been charged by stakeholders to lead the reform agenda, and no amount of propaganda will derail this new path of transparency and inclusiveness.”
The new leadership urged party members and the general public to disregard what it described as the propaganda of a “defunct EXCO,” pledging to consolidate the party’s growth and unity in Delta State.