The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has insisted it will go ahead with its planned congresses and national convention, dismissing warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) amid an ongoing leadership crisis.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, had earlier cautioned the party against conducting the exercise without the commission’s supervision, pointing to a pending court process.
“So, if already they are asking that don’t do any congress, don’t do any convention, it is a relief that is being claimed. And especially they filed a motion for that purpose, that motion has not been determined,” he said.
He further warned that proceeding in defiance of legal processes could carry serious consequences, citing past precedents.
“Let me tell you what happened in Zamfara. It happened in the past. We don’t want to conduct an election without this early warning, and at the end of the day, after you have won, the court again will come and declare the election invalid. And the implication is that the person with the second highest number of vote will be declared the winner,” Amupitan added.
Despite this, the ADC maintained that it has complied with all legal requirements and will proceed as planned. In a statement signed by its National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party reaffirmed its stance.
“This is to notify all party members that despite INEC’s illegal actions, the ADC will continue with its congresses as scheduled, having duly notified INEC by our letters dated 27th February 2026 and 28th March, 2026,” the statement read.
According to the timetable released, the process will begin with the screening of aspirants on April 7, followed by appeals on April 8. Polling unit, ward, and local government congresses are slated for April 9, with appeals on April 10. State congresses will take place on April 11, with further appeals on April 12, before the national convention holds on April 14.
The development follows increased tensions inside the party, especially with the recent derecognition of a leadership faction associated with David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola by INEC.
The party is adamant that its internal procedures would continue unhindered despite the electoral body’s warning and the outstanding legal difficulties.
Recall that ENigeria Newspaper reported that following Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s defection, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of trying to weaken its structure by reportedly exerting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ADC claims that INEC is being pressured to take steps that might change the party’s structure before the courts make a definitive ruling by using a March 28 letter connected to an expelled member. The party promised to use constitutional means to thwart any meddling and characterized the move as a deliberate attempt to undermine what it referred to as “the only viable opposition.”
