The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday successfully held its national convention in Abuja, where delegates overwhelmingly voted in favour of amending the party’s constitution.
Reports indicate that despite the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to monitor the party’s congresses and convention due to a court ruling, the ADC proceeded with its state congresses and ultimately convened at the national level. Party members and stakeholders gathered at the venue and endorsed the constitutional amendments.
During the convention, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) dissolved the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ralph Nwosu with immediate effect, while a new NWC under David Mark assumed full control of the party’s affairs. This resolution was subsequently ratified by the convention.
Speaking at the event, David Mark, the party’s National Chairman, described the gathering as an “excellent performance,” adding that it signalled the start of the ADC’s push toward Aso Rock in 2027.
Convention Against the Odds
In the lead-up to the event, party officials had raised concerns about what they described as deliberate attempts to hinder their preparations. Challenges such as INEC’s refusal to recognise David Mark’s leadership, venue-related issues, and last-minute uncertainties threatened to disrupt the convention.
Despite these obstacles, the ADC went ahead with the event, insisting on its right to assemble and carry out its internal processes within the law.
Earlier, INEC had removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, citing an ongoing leadership crisis and a Court of Appeal judgment in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026. The commission also stated that it would suspend recognition of all factions and refrain from monitoring activities linked to the affected leadership.
Responding at the time, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, maintained that the ADC had duly notified INEC of its activities with the required 21-day notice, which the commission acknowledged. He stressed that the party would not halt its processes regardless of INEC’s stance.
Expulsions Announced
At the convention, the ADC announced the expulsion of its factional chairman, Nafiu Bala, and a member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, alongside several others.
Those affected were accused of engaging in anti-party activities and attempting to create division and instability within the party.
‘No Force Could Stop Us’ – Melaye
Reacting to the challenges surrounding the convention, party chieftain Dino Melaye stated that no force could have stopped the event from taking place.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Melaye revealed that there were attempts to block access to the venue and evict organisers. However, he noted that the committee stood its ground, citing a valid contract and full payment for the facility.
Melaye said: “I have that information as a member of the planning committee and the chairman of the protocol committee, and not only we were even asked to leave yesterday, they wanted to shut the gates, but we insisted, and said we are not going to leave because we have a contract duly signed with this place, and we paid fully.
“We have receipt of payments. We have duly signed contracts. The most important thing is that at the end of the day we are here, and we hold our convention here.
“Nobody will stop us. After a contract, a proper contract, with the owners of this place, and after payment and receipt issued, no battalion would have moved us away from here Today. So convention is going to hold. The exercise will hold. ADC is entrenched, and we are kicking out APC.”
ADC passed through ‘shameful ordeal’ – Kola Ologbondiyan
Also, chairman of the party’s media and publicity sub-committee for the convention, Kola Ologbondiyan, described as “shameful” the denial of venues for the ADC national convention in Abuja.
Ologbondiyan made the remark while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday.
He lamented that the party encountered several obstacles in securing a venue, recounting an incident in which party officials were invited to inspect an event centre in Mabushi, Abuja, only to be turned back upon arrival.
Ologbondiyan said: “Let me tell you what the ADC has passed through in the last few days in respect of venue is shameful. That’s just how to put it: very shameful.
“I will give you one example where I was personally involved. We were in Garki when they called that, ‘oh, there is an event center around Mabushi, and they have invited us to come and inspect the place whether it will be suitable for us’.
“I don’t want to be listing names of event centers, hotels that the party engaged for the convention. And were denied. And to me, it’s strange, because it’s not election yet, and people who say they are in government, people who have 36 governors, plus FCT Minister, people who have all the money in this world, are so panicky.”
INEC undermining democracy – Atiku
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar alleged that the INEC was being used to undermine democracy in Nigeria.
Speaking earlier at the convention, Atiku singled out the Chairman of the electoral body, Professor Joash Amupitan, for criticism over alleged “illegalities.”
“I will not end these remarks without indicting the chairman of INEC and INEC itself because it is clear, it is obvious, the evidence is there INEC is being used to scuttle democracy in this country.
“Now, let the Federal Government know that we fought the military to bring democracy in this country and we are going to fight them to bring democracy in this country.
“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, to true development in all aspects of human endeavour,” Atiku said.
ADC finally shows signs of life as opposition — Analyst
Speaking about the convention, a public affairs analyst, Nduka Odo, said it signalled a renewed posture by the ADC as a viable opposition force.
Odo, who is also a communication expert at Peaceland University, Enugu, made the remarks during a chat, noting that the party’s decision to proceed with the convention despite challenges demonstrates growing political courage.
According to him, ADC’s move to defy obstacles, including last-minute venue issues, marks a departure from what he described as its previously passive stance.
He said the party must remain resolute in confronting the ruling government and its institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), if it hopes to make meaningful political gains.
Odo said: “ADC dared INEC and went ahead to hold convention. This is the first time I see ADC acting like it is alive as an opposition political force.
“You cannot dislodge a ruling party by cowering to every of its machinations. You remember the first venue they wanted to use for the convention was cancelled. The venue they finally used was on the verge of being cancelled.
“Tinubu has played his political games rightly to safeguard his reelection. You may rate him poorly in governance, but he has earned a high score in political maneuvering. It rests on ADC to keep daring through the hurdles that Tinubu sets for them.
“I’ve said before that Tinubu’s poor performances in governance have given the opposition enough campaign materials to use against him. Insecurity, poor electricity supply, collapse of the national grid, cost of living, awards of huge projects without due process, and so many more.
“However, it appears ADC doesn’t understand all that. Look at the recently revealed digital footprints of INEC Chairman? Yet, ADC leadership ignores it!
“The only way ADC will make headway is by daring and challenging all state organs that the ruling party will use.”
INEC shouldn’t heat up polity – CRRAN President
Also, the President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), Olu Omotayo, urged INEC to allow the court to determine the legality of the ADC convention.
Speaking to Omotayo said the matter is already before the court and any attempt by INEC to stop the convention risks escalating political tensions.
He stressed that all parties involved should respect the judicial process and await a binding ruling.
According to him, the appropriate course of action is for the court to interpret the issues and deliver a final judgment rather than for institutions to issue directives that could inflame the polity.
Omotayo also called for an expedited hearing of the case to provide clarity and prevent further controversy.
He said: “The fact is that the matter is in the court. INEC is heating up the polity if it is insisting that the party shouldn’t have its convention.
“The fact is that they know that the matter is pending in the court. So whatever decision the court takes will be binding on all the parties. The ideal thing is to wait for the court judgment and not to heat up the polity by saying ‘don’t do this or that’.
“Since the matter is in the court, let the court do the interpretation and give the final judgement. My view is that whatever the court wants to decide, it should be done quickly.”
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