ADC Dares INEC, Drops Fresh Committee List As Convention Holds Tomorrow

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has confirmed that it will proceed with its national convention scheduled for Tuesday despite warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over ongoing legal disputes within the party.

Party officials announced fresh updates to the convention committees and subcommittees ahead of the gathering, saying the adjustments were made to improve coordination and ensure a credible exercise.

National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party had already fulfilled the legal requirements by notifying the electoral body earlier and therefore saw no reason to suspend its internal processes.

“Preparations for the convention are already advanced and members across the country have participated in the preceding congresses. Our structures are ready for the final stage,” Abdullahi said.

Tension surrounding the convention intensified after INEC warned that it would not monitor the process following a court directive affecting the party’s leadership structure.

According to the commission, ongoing litigation required the party to maintain the previous leadership arrangement pending the outcome of the case.

INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan had indicated that the electoral body would avoid further engagement with factions within the party until the legal issues were resolved.

However, ADC rejected the position, insisting that the interpretation of the court order was incorrect.

A party official said the electoral body was “misreading the appellate court’s directive and attempting to interfere in a lawful internal exercise.”

Despite the dispute, the party proceeded with ward, local government, and state congresses in several parts of the country.

States where the exercises took place include Ondo, Borno, Gombe, Benue, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa, and Lagos.

Some states experienced disruptions. In Katsina State, the congress was suspended following a court order, while disagreements among party stakeholders briefly stalled the exercise in Adamawa State before it was later completed.

Several new state leaders emerged from the process. Barrister Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin was elected chairman in Adamawa, while Shuaibu Dankama secured the same position in Bauchi State. 

Former deputy governor John Michael-Abdul became chairman in Nasarawa State, and Samson Okwu retained leadership in Benue State.

In Borno State, former PDP state chairman Kolo Bukar emerged as the ADC leader, while Tom Zakari was announced as chairman in Kogi State.

Party leaders described the exercises as peaceful in most areas and said they demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy.

The convention preparations have also unfolded against the backdrop of a leadership dispute within the party.

Following the resignation of the National Working Committee last year, former Senate President David Mark assumed the role of national chairman, while former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola became national secretary.

However, former deputy national chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe disputed that arrangement, arguing that the party’s constitution automatically places him in charge after the resignation of the previous chairman and executives.

Despite the disagreement, party leaders have continued inaugurating newly elected state executives across the federation.

Meanwhile, the party’s internal tension surfaced in Edo State, where senior figures traded accusations over the outcome of the state congress.

Senator Roland Owie alleged that former Edo governor John Odigie-Oyegun was attempting to influence the emergence of the state chairman despite the result of the congress.

Owie claimed tDr Dr. Mike Ehima defeated Tony Alile in a mini-primary and should be recognised as the legitimate chairman.

He warned that altering the outcome could undermine party unity in the state.

Odigie-Oyegun rejected the allegation, stating that he played no role in the organisation of the congress and that only officials appointed by the national headquarters could comment on the process.

As preparations intensified, the party also complained about difficulties securing a venue for the convention in Abuja.

Convention media subcommittee chairman Kola Ologbondiyan said requests to use Eagle Square and the Velodrome at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium had not received approval from authorities.

“We submitted formal applications for both venues, but responses have either been delayed or declined,” Ologbondiyan said.

Nevertheless, party officials insist the convention will proceed as scheduled, maintaining that organisational arrangements remain on course despite the legal and administrative hurdles.