ADC Convention 2026: Party Defies INEC, Amends Constitution, Expels Members Amid Leadership Crisis

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Tuesday concluded its national convention in Abuja, as delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of amending the party’s constitution.

PulseNets learnt that despite the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to monitor the ADC congresses and national convention following a court ruling, the party proceeded with state congresses and went ahead with the national convention.

Party members and key stakeholders gathered at the venue where the constitutional amendment was eventually adopted through a vote.

PulseNets reported that during the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, the Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee, NWC, was dissolved with immediate effect, while a new NWC under the leadership of David Mark assumed full control of the party’s affairs. The resolution was subsequently ratified at the convention.

Speaking at the event, National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, described the convention as an “excellent performance,” declaring that it signals the party’s march toward 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.

In the lead-up to the convention, party officials raised concerns over what they described as calculated efforts to disrupt their preparations.

PulseNets learnt that INEC’s de-recognition of David Mark’s leadership, venue-related complications, and last-minute uncertainties posed significant threats to the exercise.

However, rather than postpone, the ADC maintained its stance, insisting on its constitutional right to assemble and proceed with its activities within the law.

Earlier, INEC had removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC.

The commission attributed its action to an internal leadership crisis within the party and a ruling of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which it said further complicated the dispute.

INEC also stated that it would not recognise any faction within the party and would abstain from monitoring conventions or congresses linked to the affected leadership.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the party, insisted that the ADC had fulfilled all statutory requirements, including issuing a 21-day notice to INEC, which the commission acknowledged.

He stressed that the party would not suspend its internal processes, reaffirming its commitment to conducting congresses and the convention as scheduled.

At the convention, the ADC announced the expulsion of factional chairman Nafiu Bala and Leke Abejide, a member representing Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives.

PulseNets reported that other expelled members include Kingsley Temitope, Noman Obinna, Kennedy Odion, Stella Chukwuma, and four others.

The party stated that the expulsions were based on allegations of anti-party activities and actions aimed at creating internal instability.

Reacting to the challenges faced, party chieftain Dino Melaye insisted that no force could have stopped the convention, citing a valid agreement and full payment for the venue.

Melaye, who spoke on Arise Television, revealed that there were attempts to halt the event, including efforts to shut the venue gates and eject organisers.

“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.”

Also speaking, chairman of the party’s media and publicity sub-committee for the convention, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the experience of securing a venue as “shameful.”

Ologbondiyan, who spoke on Arise Television’s Morning Show, said the party encountered repeated setbacks, including being denied access to venues after initial engagements.

“Let me tell you what the ADC has passed through in the last few days in respect of venue is shameful. That’s just how to put it: very shameful.

“I will give you one example where I was personally involved. We were in Garki when they called that, ‘oh, there is an event center around Mabushi, and they have invited us to come and inspect the place whether it will be suitable for us’.

“I don’t want to be listing names of event centers, hotels that the party engaged for the convention. And were denied. And to me, it’s strange, because it’s not election yet, and people who say they are in government, people who have 36 governors, plus FCT Minister, people who have all the money in this world, are so panicky.”

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused INEC of undermining democracy, alleging that the electoral body was being manipulated.

“I will not end these remarks without indicting the chairman of INEC and INEC itself because it is clear, it is obvious, the evidence is there INEC is being used to scuttle democracy in this country.

“Now, let the Federal Government know that we fought the military to bring democracy in this country and we are going to fight them to bring democracy in this country.

“Let the chairman know we are not going to let him get away with his illegalities, we will not and I hope we will have your support and cooperation to make sure we return to true democracy, to true development in all aspects of human endeavour,” Atiku said.

Providing analysis, public affairs commentator Nduka Odo described the convention as a turning point for the ADC.

Odo, a communication expert at Peaceland University, Enugu, spoke to PulseNets, noting that the party’s decision to proceed despite resistance reflects a shift toward a more assertive opposition posture.

According to him, the move signals a departure from what he termed a previously passive approach, urging the party to sustain momentum in challenging the ruling establishment and state institutions.

“ADC dared INEC and went ahead to hold convention. This is the first time I see ADC acting like it is alive as an opposition political force.

“You cannot dislodge a ruling party by cowering to every of its machinations. You remember the first venue they wanted to use for the convention was cancelled. The venue they finally used was on the verge of being cancelled.

“Tinubu has played his political games rightly to safeguard his reelection. You may rate him poorly in governance, but he has earned a high score in political maneuvering. It rests on ADC to keep daring through the hurdles that Tinubu sets for them.

“I’ve said before that Tinubu’s poor performances in governance have given the opposition enough campaign materials to use against him. Insecurity, poor electricity supply, collapse of the national grid, cost of living, awards of huge projects without due process, and so many more.

“However, it appears ADC doesn’t understand all that. Look at the recently revealed digital footprints of INEC Chairman? Yet, ADC leadership ignores it!

“The only way ADC will make headway is by daring and challenging all state organs that the ruling party will use.”

Also weighing in, President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network, CRRAN, Olu Omotayo, cautioned INEC against escalating tensions, urging restraint as the matter remains before the court.

Omotayo told PulseNets that any attempt to interfere with the party’s convention risks heating up the polity, stressing the need to allow judicial processes to run their course.

He maintained that the court should be allowed to interpret the issues and deliver a binding judgment for all parties.

“The fact is that the matter is in the court. INEC is heating up the polity if it is insisting that the party shouldn’t have its convention.

Also Read: ADC Crisis Deepens as Nafiu Bala Gombe Bars Aspirants Above 55 from 2027 Elections

“The fact is that they know that the matter is pending in the court. So whatever decision the court takes will be binding on all the parties. The ideal thing is to wait for the court judgment and not to heat up the polity by saying ‘don’t do this or that’.

“Since the matter is in the court, let the court do the interpretation and give the final judgement. My view is that whatever the court wants to decide, it should be done quickly.”