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.”

ADC passed through ‘shameful ordeal’ – Kola Ologbondiyan

Also, chairman of the party’s media and publicity sub-committee for the convention, Kola Ologbondiyan, described as “shameful” the denial of venues for the ADC national convention in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan made the remark while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday.

He lamented that the party encountered several obstacles in securing a venue, recounting an incident in which party officials were invited to inspect an event centre in Mabushi, Abuja, only to be turned back upon arrival.

Ologbondiyan said: “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.”

INEC undermining democracy – Atiku

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar alleged that the INEC was being used to undermine democracy in Nigeria.

Speaking earlier at the convention, Atiku singled out the Chairman of the electoral body, Professor Joash Amupitan, for criticism over alleged “illegalities.”

“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.

ADC finally shows signs of life as opposition — Analyst

Speaking about the convention, a public affairs analyst, Nduka Odo, said it signalled a renewed posture by the ADC as a viable opposition force.

Odo, who is also a communication expert at Peaceland University, Enugu, made the remarks during a chat with DAILY POST, noting that the party’s decision to proceed with the convention despite challenges demonstrates growing political courage.

According to him, ADC’s move to defy obstacles, including last-minute venue issues, marks a departure from what he described as its previously passive stance.

He said the party must remain resolute in confronting the ruling government and its institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), if it hopes to make meaningful political gains.

Odo said: “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.”

INEC shouldn’t heat up polity – CRRAN President

Also, the President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), Olu Omotayo, urged INEC to allow the court to determine the legality of the ADC convention.

Speaking to DAILY POST, Omotayo said the matter is already before the court and any attempt by INEC to stop the convention risks escalating political tensions.

He stressed that all parties involved should respect the judicial process and await a binding ruling.

According to him, the appropriate course of action is for the court to interpret the issues and deliver a final judgment rather than for institutions to issue directives that could inflame the polity.

Omotayo also called for an expedited hearing of the case to provide clarity and prevent further controversy.

He said: “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.

“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.”