The dispute over the African Democratic Congress (ADC) House of Representatives primary in Cross River State has escalated after aspirant Edeh Benjamin formally rejected the outcome and petitioned the party's national leadership, alleging that the process was manipulated.

Benjamin, who contested the party's primary for the Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency, said the exercise failed to reflect the will of delegates and grassroots members. In a statement released to journalists on Saturday, he described the primary as a violation of internal democratic principles and called for intervention by the party's National Working Committee (NWC).

The allegations strike at the center of the ADC's efforts to strengthen its political relevance ahead of future electoral contests.

Edeh Benjamin has formally rejected the ADC primary result for the Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency and submitted a petition to the party's national leadership.

The aspirant alleges that powerful political interests interfered with the primary process and influenced the outcome.

Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Usani Usani has been accused by Benjamin of contributing to internal divisions within the party's Cross River structures.

The ADC National Working Committee now faces pressure to determine whether the primary complied with the party's own rules.

Petition Raises Questions About Delegate Choice

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According to Benjamin's statement, the controversy extends beyond a single constituency contest. He argued that the outcome reflects what he described as deeper structural problems within the ADC's operations in Cross River State and the wider South-South region.

The petition reportedly submitted to the party's national leadership seeks a review of the primary process and asks party officials to examine allegations of interference. Benjamin contends that delegates' preferences were overridden through actions that favored predetermined interests rather than competitive internal elections.

His complaint centers on the legitimacy of the nomination process.

That remains disputed.

Political parties in Nigeria routinely rely on internal mechanisms, appeals committees, and party executives to resolve nomination disputes. The effectiveness of those mechanisms often determines whether aggrieved aspirants remain within the party structure or seek remedies through broader political and legal channels.

At the time of his statement, no public ruling from the ADC's national leadership had been announced regarding the petition.

Usani Usani Named in Allegations

One of the most significant elements of Benjamin's statement is his direct criticism of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Usani Usani.

Benjamin alleged that the former minister's influence contributed to the weakening of ADC political structures across Cross River State and parts of the South-South. He further claimed that certain political actors had encouraged internal divisions, undermined grassroots mobilization efforts, and reduced the party's ability to compete effectively in strategic electoral areas.

However, Benjamin's allegations remain claims made by a contestant dissatisfied with the primary outcome. No documentary evidence was released alongside the statement to publicly substantiate the accusations against Usani. Neither was a response from the former minister included in the materials made available to journalists.

That distinction matters because disputes following party primaries frequently involve competing narratives about delegate preferences, procedural compliance, and organizational influence.

Without an official investigation or adjudication by party authorities, the allegations remain unresolved.

Contest Over the "Rightful Winner" Claim

Benjamin also asserted that he emerged as the legitimate winner of the primary before his mandate was allegedly replaced with another candidate.

He described the eventual nominee as politically weak and lacking sufficient grassroots support to win electoral contests even at the ward level. Such assertions are common in post-primary disputes, but they are difficult to verify independently without access to certified delegate tallies, accreditation records, and official result sheets.

The numbers have not surfaced publicly.

The absence of publicly available voting records creates a challenge for party members seeking clarity. Internal party elections often depend on documentation held by party officials, making transparency disputes particularly difficult to resolve when rival camps offer conflicting accounts of what occurred.

Benjamin argues that failure to address the controversy could damage confidence among members and supporters.

Whether that concern gains traction may depend on how quickly the party leadership responds.

Pressure on ADC Leadership in Cross River

The controversy arrives at a sensitive moment for opposition parties seeking to expand their influence across Nigeria's political landscape. Internal disputes over nominations have historically weakened party cohesion and diverted attention from broader electoral objectives.

Benjamin's appeal specifically targets the ADC National Working Committee, party elders, and other democratic stakeholders. He is asking those bodies to review the conduct of the primary and determine whether party procedures were followed.

The request places responsibility squarely on the party hierarchy.

Our analysis of Benjamin's public statement found at least four separate allegations: manipulation of the primary process, interference by powerful interests, weakening of party structures in Cross River State, and the substitution of what he considers a legitimate mandate. Each allegation would require independent examination by party authorities before any conclusion could be reached.

For the ADC, the challenge extends beyond one federal constituency. If members perceive that internal appeal mechanisms are ineffective, the dispute risks becoming a broader test of organizational credibility within Cross River State's political structures.

The outcome may influence not only the selection of candidates but also the willingness of party members to accept future primary results.

Has the ADC confirmed Benjamin's allegations?

Not publicly. Benjamin says he submitted a petition, but no official finding from the party's national leadership has been announced. Until such a review occurs, the allegations remain contested claims.

Did Benjamin provide evidence that the primary was manipulated?

His public statement outlined allegations and accusations. The materials released to journalists did not include publicly available delegate records, result sheets, or investigative findings proving manipulation.

What happens next?

The immediate question is whether the ADC National Working Committee reviews the petition, orders an investigation, or upholds the existing outcome. That decision will likely determine whether the dispute remains internal or escalates further.

The unresolved question is whether the ADC National Working Committee will formally adjudicate Benjamin's petition and, if it does, whether it will review delegate records and nomination documents connected to the Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency primary. No deadline for such a determination has been publicly announced, and the central issue still in dispute is the claimed right to the party's House of Representatives ticket.