The African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Tuesday successfully concluded its national convention in Abuja, with delegates overwhelmingly voting to amend the party’s constitution.
DAILY POST reports that despite the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, decision not to monitor the ADC congresses and national convention over a court ruling, the party went ahead to conduct congresses in states and hold its national convention.
Party faithful and stalwarts gathered at the venue, where they eventually voted to amend the party’s constitution.
DAILY POST reports that the NEC meeting of the ADC also dissolved the Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee, NWC, with immediate effect, while the David Mark-led NWC assumed full responsibility for running the affairs of the party.
The resolution was ratified by the convention.
Speaking during the event, National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, described the convention as an “excellent performance” and said it marked the beginning of the party’s journey to Aso Rock in 2027.
“Today marks the beginning of our journey to the Villa, and all of you here are part of this history. By next year, when we move to the Villa, I will remind you again,” Mark said.
Convention against the odds
In the days leading up to the convention, party officials raised concerns over what they perceived as deliberate attempts to frustrate their preparations.
DAILY POST reported how INEC’s de-recognition of David Mark’s leadership, venue complications and last-minute uncertainties threatened to derail the convention.
Yet, rather than postpone the event, the ADC chose confrontation over compliance, insisting on its right to assemble within the bounds of the law.
Before now, INEC had announced the removal of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola’s names from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively.
According to the commission, the decision followed a leadership crisis within the ADC and a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which it claimed further complicated the dispute.
INEC also said it would suspend recognition of all factions within the party and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups aligned with the affected leaders.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who then spoke on behalf of the party, said the ADC had already issued INEC the required 21-day notice for its activities, noting that the commission acknowledged receipt of the notice.
He maintained that the ADC would not halt its internal processes regardless of INEC’s position, stressing that the party remains committed to carrying out its congresses and convention as scheduled.
Nafiu Bala expelled
The ADC announced at the convention the expulsion of the factional chairman, Nafiu Bala, and the member representing Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide.
The party also confirmed the expulsion of other members, including factional leader, Kingsley Temitope, Noman Obinna, Kennedy Odion, Stella Chukwuma, and four others.
According to the ADC, the affected individuals were removed over alleged anti-party activities and attempts to create confusion and instability within its ranks.
No battalion could stop ADC convention – Dino Melaye
Speaking on the frustration faced by the ADC over the convention, a chieftain of party, Dino Melaye, insisted that no force could have prevented the party from holding its convention, citing a valid contract and full payment for the venue.
Melaye in an interview with Arise Television said attempts were made to stop the event, including efforts to shut the venue gates and ask organizers to vacate the premises.
He, however, stated that the committee resisted the move, maintaining that they had a duly signed agreement with the facility’s owners and had fulfilled all financial obligations.
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.”
CREDIT: DAILY POST
Share this content:
