2027 Elections: African Democratic Congress Defies Independent National Electoral Commission, Holds Convention

On Tuesday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held its national convention in Abuja, where 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 still held congresses in states and held its national convention.

Party loyalists and long-time members met at the site, where they eventually voted to change the party’s constitution.

It was said that the NEC meeting of the ADC also immediately disbanded the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ralph Nwosu. The NWC led by David Mark then took over all of 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 by next year, when we move to the Villa.”

Convention against all odds

In the days before the convention, party leaders were worried about what they thought were deliberate attempts to mess up their plans.

It was said that INEC’s decision not to recognize David Mark as leader, problems with the venue, and last-minute doubts were all things that could have stopped the convention from happening.

The ADC, on the other hand, chose to confront rather than comply, insisting on its right to gather within the law.

INEC had already said that David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola would no longer be the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively, on its official website.

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 dispute even more complicated.

INEC also said it would stop recognizing all factions within the party and not keep an eye on any conventions or congresses held by groups that support the leaders who were 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 conventions 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 of supposed anti-party activities and attempts to cause confusion and instability within the party.

Dino Melaye says that no battalion could stop the ADC convention.

Dino Melaye, a leader of the party, said that no amount of force could have stopped the party 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 shutting the venue gates and telling the organizers to leave.

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

Melaye said, “I have that information as a member of the planning committee and the chairman of the protocol committee. 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 gotten payments. We have contracts that are signed. The most important thing is that we are here and that we are having our convention here.

“No one will stop us. After signing a real contract with the owners of this place and paying them, no battalion would have been able to move us away from here today. So convention is going to happen. The exercise will happen. ADC is here to stay, and we are kicking APC out.

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

Kola Ologbondiyan, who is also the chairman of the party’s media and publicity sub-committee for the convention, called it “shameful” that the ADC national convention couldn’t find a place to meet in Abuja.

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

He said that the party had a hard time finding a place to hold the event, and he told the story of how party officials were invited to check out an event center in Mabushi, Abuja, but were turned away when they got there.

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

“I will give you one example from my own life. We were in Garki when they called and said, “Oh, there’s an event center around Mabushi, and they’ve invited us to come see if it will work for us.”

“I don’t want to name the hotels and event centers that the party used 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, plus the FCT Minister, and have all the money in the world are so scared.

Atiku says that 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 the Chairman of the electoral body, Professor Joash Amupitan, for supposed “illegalities” earlier at the convention.

“I won’t stop talking without accusing the chairman of INEC and INEC itself because it’s clear, it’s clear, the proof is there that INEC is being used to destroy 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.”

“Let the chairman know that we won’t let him get away with his crimes. We won’t, and I hope we can count on your support and cooperation to make sure we return to true democracy and true progress in all areas of human activity,” Atiku said.

Analyst: ADC finally shows signs of life as an opposition party

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

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

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

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

Odo said, “ADC dared INEC and held a convention anyway.” This is the first time I’ve seen ADC act like 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 almost canceled.

“Tinubu has played his political cards right to protect his chances of getting re-elected. You might not think he’s a good leader, but he’s a great politician. ADC must keep pushing through the obstacles 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 going down, high living costs, giving out big contracts without following the rules, and so many other things.

“But it seems that ADC doesn’t get any of that.” Check out the digital footprints that have just come to light of the INEC Chairman. But the ADC leadership doesn’t care!

“ADC can only move forward by daring and challenging all state bodies that the ruling party will use.”

CRRAN President says INEC shouldn’t make politics more heated

Olu Omotayo, the President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), also asked INEC to let the court decide if the ADC convention was 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 court should interpret the issues and make a final decision instead of institutions giving orders that could make things worse.

Omotayo also asked for a faster hearing of the case to clear things up and stop more arguments.

He said, “The truth is that the case is in court.” If INEC is telling the party not to have its convention, it is making things worse in the government.

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

“Since the case is in court, let the court decide what it means and what the final decision is.