ADC Defies INEC to Conclude Convention Ahead of 2027 Race

On Tuesday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held a successful national convention in Abuja. Delegates voted overwhelmingly to change the party’s constitution.

Even though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it wouldn’t watch the ADC congresses and national convention because of a court ruling, the party went ahead and held congresses in the states and its national convention.

Party loyalists and stalwarts gathered at the venue, where they finally voted to change the party’s constitution.

The NEC meeting of the ADC also reportedly disbanded the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ralph Nwosu right away. The NWC led by David Mark then took over all the party’s business.

The convention approved the resolution.

David Mark, the National Chairman of the ADC, spoke at the event and called the convention a “excellent performance.” He said it was the start of the party’s journey to Aso Rock in 2027.

“Today is the start of our journey to the Villa, and all of you here are a part of this history.” Mark said, “I’ll remind you again next year when we move to the Villa.”

Against all odds, convention

In the days before the convention, party leaders were worried about what they thought were intentional efforts to make it harder for them to get ready.

It was said that INEC’s decision to no longer recognize David Mark as leader, problems with the venue, and last-minute doubts could have stopped the convention from happening.

But instead of putting off the event, the ADC chose to confront rather than comply, claiming its right to gather within the law.

INEC had already said that David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola’s names would be taken off its official website as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively.

The commission said that the decision was made after the ADC had a leadership crisis and a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which it said made the disagreement even more complicated.

INEC also said it would stop recognizing all factions within the party and would not keep an eye on any conventions or congresses held by groups that support the leaders who are affected.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, spoke for the party and said that the ADC had already given INEC the required 21-day notice for its activities. He also said that the commission had received the notice.

He said that the ADC would not stop its internal processes no matter what INEC said, and he stressed that the party is still committed to holding its congresses and convention as planned.

Nafiu Bala was kicked out.

At the convention, the ADC said that Nafiu Bala, the factional chairman, and Leke Abejide, the member of the House of Representatives from Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, would be kicked out.

The party also confirmed that other members, such as factional leader Kingsley Temitope, Noman Obinna, Kennedy Odion, Stella Chukwuma, and four others, had been kicked out.

The ADC says that the people who were affected were kicked out because they were accused of doing things that were against the party and trying to cause confusion and instability within its ranks.

Dino Melaye says no battalion could stop the ADC convention.

Dino Melaye, a leader of the party, said that no force could have stopped the ADC from holding its convention because they had a valid contract and had paid in full for the venue.

In an interview with Arise Television, Melaye said that people tried to stop the event by closing the venue’s gates and asking the organizers to leave.

He did say, though, that the committee fought against the move, saying they had a signed agreement with the owners of the facility and had met all of their financial obligations.

Melaye said, “As a member of the planning committee and the chairman of the protocol committee, I have that information. Not only were we asked to leave yesterday, but they also wanted to shut the gates. We insisted that we would not leave because we have a contract with this place and have paid in full.

“We have received payments.” We have signed contracts as required. We are here at the end of the day, and that’s all that matters.

“No one will stop us. We would not have been moved from here today by a battalion if we had signed a proper contract with the owners of this place and paid them. So the convention will go on. The exercise will go on. We are getting rid of APC and keeping ADC.

Kola Ologbondiyan said that ADC went through a “shameful ordeal.”

Kola Ologbondiyan, the head of the party’s media and publicity subcommittee for the convention, also called the refusal to let the ADC national convention take place in Abuja “shameful.”

Ologbondiyan said this on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday.

He said that the party had a lot of trouble finding a place to hold the event. For example, party officials were invited to check out an event center in Mabushi, Abuja, but when they got there, they were told to leave.

Ologbondiyan said, “Let me tell you about what the ADC has been through in the last few days about the venue. It’s embarrassing.” That’s the best way to say it: very shameful.

“I’ll give you one example that I was a part of. We were in Garki when they called and said, “Oh, there’s an event center near Mabushi, and they’ve invited us to come check it out to see if it’s right for us.”

“I don’t want to list the names of the hotels and event centers that the party hired for the convention.” And they were turned down. And to me, it’s strange that people who say they are in government, have 36 governors, the FCT Minister, and all the money in the world are so scared when it’s not election time yet.

Atiku says INEC is hurting democracy.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on the other hand, said that the INEC was being used to hurt democracy in Nigeria.

Atiku criticized Professor Joash Amupitan, the head of the electoral body, for what he called “illegalities” in a speech he gave earlier at the convention.

“I won’t end these comments without blaming both the chairman of INEC and INEC itself because it’s clear, it’s obvious, and the evidence is there that INEC is being used to undermine democracy in this country.”

“Now, tell the Federal Government that we fought the military to bring democracy to this country, and we will fight them again to bring democracy to this country.”

Atiku said, “Let the chairman know we are not going to let him get away with his illegalities. We will not, and I hope we will have your support and cooperation to make sure we return to true democracy and true development in all aspects of human endeavor.”

ADC finally shows signs of life as an opposition group, says an analyst.

Nduka Odo, a public affairs analyst, said that the convention showed that the ADC was ready to be a real opposition party again.

During a conversation, Odo, who is also a communication expert at Peaceland University in Enugu, said that the party’s decision to go ahead with the convention despite problems shows that they are becoming more politically brave.

He said that ADC’s decision to overcome problems, such as last-minute venue issues, is a change from what he called its previous passive stance.

He said that for the party to make real political progress, it needs to stay strong in its fight against the ruling government and its institutions, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Odo said, “ADC dared INEC and held a convention anyway.” This is the first time I’ve seen ADC act like it’s a real opposition party.

“You can’t get rid of a ruling party by giving in to all of its schemes. You remember that the first place they wanted to hold the convention was canceled. The place they finally used was about to be canceled.

“Tinubu has played his political cards right to protect his reelection. You might think he’s a bad leader, but he’s very good at politics. It is up to ADC to keep being brave and facing the challenges that Tinubu puts in their way.

“I’ve said before that the opposition has enough campaign material to use against Tinubu because he hasn’t been a good governor. Insecurity, bad power supply, the national grid breaking down, the high cost of living, giving out big projects without following the rules, and so on.

“However, it seems that ADC doesn’t get any of that. Check out the digital footprints of the INEC Chairman that were just made public. But the leaders of ADC don’t care!

“The only way ADC will get ahead is if they are brave enough to challenge and dare all state organs that the ruling party will use.”

CRRAN President says INEC shouldn’t make politics hotter

Olu Omotayo, the President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), also told INEC to let the court decide if the ADC convention is legal.

Omotayo said that the case is already in court and that if INEC tries to stop the convention, it could make political tensions worse.

He said that everyone involved should respect the legal process and wait for a final decision.

He says that the right thing for the court to do is to interpret the issues and make a final decision, not for institutions to issue orders that could make things worse.

Omotayo also asked for the case to be heard more quickly so that things could be made clear and there would be no more arguments.

He said, “The truth is that the case is in court.” If INEC keeps saying that the party shouldn’t have its convention, it will make things worse.

“The truth is that they are aware that the case is still in court. So whatever the court decides will be final for everyone involved. The best thing to do is wait for the court’s decision and not make things worse by telling people not to do something.

“Since the case is in court, let the court make the final decision and interpretation. I think that whatever the court wants to do, it should do it quickly.