Activist publisher, investigative journalist, social justice crusader and human rights advocate Don Norman Obinna has emerged as the Interim Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abia State.
ADC’s Director of Communications and Programs, Barr Ifénla Oligbinde, announced Obinna’s appointment in a statement made available to the press on Monday.
ADC said that Obinna is the best man to pilot the affairs of the party in Abia because the people trust him “for his doggedness and impulses for good governance, accountability from public office holders and belief in the possibility of a new Abia.”
Obinna’s emergence will disrupt the dynamics of opposition politics in Abia where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has long control with little or not dividend of democracy to show.
“These dogged personalities conform with our drive, which is to present the good people of Abia State with a credible alternative political party through which they will accomplish their long-desired good governance and establish the state as an industrial hub across Africa,” the party said.
“Mr Don Norman Obinna will be in charge until the congress in three months, within which time we believe his administration will turn ADC Abia into a mass movement for change and transformation,” the party said.
Obinna’s track record of fighting for good governance has repeatedly landed him in trouble with Abia State Government officials and other politicians who are benefitting from chronic corruption and abuse of power.
They once, with the help of a kangaroo court fitting only for a banana republic, illegally imprisoned him. The activist’s ordeal led to a global campaign by US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to demand his unconditional release. Amnesty International also listed Obinna as one of Nigeria’s several prisoners of conscience.
Obinna’s political enemies also illegally used the police to arrest and torture two of his underaged sons who were released only after public outcry. The news of his emergency as Abia ADC lead is reportedly sending shockwaves into the camp of the masterminds and perpetrators of state oppression.
Obinna holds Bachelor of Science (B. Sc) and Master of Science (M. Sc) degrees in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG). He was an associate editor at New Telegraph.
Obinna is also the publisher of The Realm News, a position he will have to relinquish following his appointment as Abia ADC interim chair.
He will work with an interim executive team comprising:
Mr Uche Ndom Conqueror – Secretary
Mr Emole Shedrack Onwuasanya – Publicity Secretary
Barrister Emerson Azubuike – Legal Adviser
Other members of the committee are Mazi K. O. Kalu, Mrs Peace Nwankenta, Mrs Ihuoma Chikwendu, Mr Chibuike Christian Emmanuel, Pastor Kensmart Ubani, Hon. Awa Orji and Hon. Osita Ogbonia, Member.
