ADC to go ahead with national convention despite INEC warning

The African Democratic Congress has confirmed it will continue with its planned congresses and national convention, despite warnings from the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

In a statement on Friday, signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said its congresses and convention will proceed as planned, insisting that their activities remain on schedule.

“This is to notify all party members that despite INEC’s illegal actions, the ADC will continue with its congresses as scheduled, having duly notified INEC by our letters dated 27th February 2026 and 28th March, 2026,” the statement read.

The party outlined its timetable, stating that the screening of aspirants would hold on April 7, followed by appeals on April 8, while polling unit, ward and local government congresses are scheduled for April 9. Appeals on the congresses will hold on April 10, with state congresses fixed for April 11 and appeals on April 12. The national convention is slated for April 14.

The announcement comes amid a deepening leadership crisis in the party following INEC’s derecognition of the leadership linked to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola earlier in the week.

Amupitan had, in an interview on Arise TV, warned the party against proceeding with its planned congresses without the commission’s supervision, citing an existing court process.

“So, if already they are asking that don’t do any congress, don’t do any convention, it is a relief that is being claimed. And especially they filed a motion for that purpose, that motion has not been determined,” he said.

The INEC chairman also cautioned that ignoring court orders could have far-reaching consequences, drawing from past electoral experiences.

“Let me tell you what happened in Zamfara. It happened in the past. We don’t want to conduct an election without this early warning, and at the end of the day, after you have won, the court again will come and declare the election invalid. And the implication is that the person with the second highest number of vote will be declared the winner,” he added.

Despite the warning, the ADC maintained that it had fulfilled all statutory requirements by notifying INEC of its planned activities and would proceed with its internal processes.

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