𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗖, 𝗩𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗗𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

2𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹, 2026.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed its decision to go ahead with its scheduled congresses and national convention despite lingering uncertainties over its recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking on Thursday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC had already complied with statutory requirements by issuing INEC a 21-day notice, which he noted was duly acknowledged by the commission.

Abdullahi stressed that the party would not suspend its internal democratic processes, regardless of INEC’s stance.

“So we are saying that we will go ahead with our congresses. We have given INEC 21 days notice. They have accepted the notice,” he said.

“So whether they come or not, we’ll continue with our congresses, we’ll continue with our convention.”

He further warned of what he described as increasing threats to Nigeria’s democratic system, alleging attempts to restrict political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“If we’re in a military regime, we can understand it. We are finding ourselves in a situation where everything is being done to ensure that the election in 2027 is a fait accompli, and that Nigerians will be left with no option or no choice. We’ve seen how this has ended in the past,” Abdullahi added.

The ADC spokesman’s remarks come amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the party, following INEC’s decision to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary from its official portal.

INEC had also declared that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking judicial confirmation as the party’s national chairman.

Despite the dispute, the ADC maintained that its congresses and convention would proceed as planned, signaling a deepening standoff between the party and the electoral body.