The African Democratic Congress has resolved to proceed with its scheduled state congresses and national convention despite explicit warnings and the recent derecognition of its leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Party officials insist they have fulfilled all statutory requirements, including formal notifications to INEC through letters dated February 27 and March 28, 2026. They maintain that the commission’s actions are illegal and amount to an attempt to derail their preparations for the 2027 general elections. Congress activities, which include polling unit, ward, and local government levels, began on April 9, with the national convention fixed for April 14 in Abuja, where a new leadership structure is expected to be validated.
This defiant stance comes as the party grapples with a severe internal leadership crisis that has fragmented it into multiple factions. The Independent National Electoral Commission withdrew recognition from the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee, as well as other rival groups, citing ongoing court cases and unresolved disputes. At least six state chapters have already suspended their congresses in compliance with INEC directives or following court orders, while others report mixed outcomes, with some events postponed and others pushed forward under the Mark-led faction. A new bloc of state chairmen has emerged, announcing an interim leadership and explicitly backing INEC’s position, further complicating the landscape and deepening divisions within the once-promising opposition coalition that attracted notable politicians ahead of 2027.
Chieftains such as Ralph Nwosu and National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi have reiterated the party’s determination not to allow external interference or internal wrangling to disrupt its democratic processes. They argue that INEC’s refusal to accept official correspondence places the ADC at risk of missing critical electoral deadlines for membership registration and candidate primaries. The party has also constituted a 22-member National Convention Central Coordination Committee, led by figures including former governors Liyel Imoke and Aminu Tambuwal, to oversee proceedings. Meanwhile, legal battles continue in the courts, with one judge recently fixing a hearing date on related challenges to the leadership.
The escalating crisis raises serious questions about the ADC’s ability to present a united front in the coming elections. Once positioned as a viable alternative through high-profile defections and coalitions, the party now faces the dual challenge of resolving factional disputes and navigating regulatory hurdles from the electoral umpire. Analysts warn that prolonged infighting could weaken its organizational strength and erode public confidence at a time when opposition parties seek to mount a credible challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress. As the April 14 convention approaches, the ADC leadership has urged members to remain calm, law-abiding, and fully engaged, while calling for broader support to defend internal democracy and the party’s right to participate fully in the electoral process.
